This festive season, Collette Cooper provides an alternative take on the familiar deluge of Yuletide projects with Darkside Of Christmas. Reflecting the current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and global events, Darkside Of Christmas takes a more poignant approach to the seasonal album, aiming to recognise the recent difficulties that have been felt by many around the world, touching on themes of love, loss and empathy, tied together with wry wit, edgy humour and outstanding musicianship.
The opening to ‘Silent Night’ features an original poem written by Collette but spoken by actor Ray Winstone in a most disquieting tone. The familiar tune then comes to the fore but Collette’s delivery is anything but traditional and the cello sound of Richard Harwood maintains that baleful edge that Ray Winstone brought to the number at the beginning. The Gershwins’ ‘Ain’t Necessarily So’ is delivered in Collette’s own style that I first heard on her album Lost. The piano and drums punch out the rhythm before James Pearson and Andy Davies get to solo and the sound is terrific.
‘Another Day’ is written by Collette and is dedicated to Collette’s best friend Clare Bonham, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2020 (the last time they spent time together was New Year’s Day 2020). There is a beautiful lyricism and poignancy to this tune as Collette shares her memories with us. The blend of piano and cello catches the breath as Richard Harwood (cello) portrays the loss felt, the reminiscences, while James Pearson’s brighter sound gives hope for the future. ‘What A Wonderful World’ is a great choice for the next track because despite all there are still things we can wonder in. This version is a piano/vocal duet, and I really can’t think of a better cover than this. There is a bittersweet edge to the delivery and Liam Stevens plays the most delightful piano accompaniment.
The title track is, for me, this album’s standout number. The voice of Ray Winstone returns, the cello and trumpets are there, there is an added choir and even a snowstorm, but it is the lyrics by Collette that are so powerful and a reminder that Christmas is not always the world portrayed by the supermarkets in their TV adverts. This number has a powerful message sung with a gospel styling and there is the most wonderful trumpet solo – Andy Davies I believe – that made me want to hit the repeat button as soon as I had written this paragraph… so I did.
The album finishes with an upbeat ‘Run Santa Baby’ in a great R&B style. There is plenty of terrific piano from Liam Stevens, the guitar section is very well-played by Jack Parry and the horns really are on top form. This is an excellent feel-good tune full of energy and good humour but just when you think it is all over the cello comes back in and Ray Winstone closes out the number with the last line or two from the poem used earlier and reminds us all that behind all the glitz and seasonal bonhomie there is a Dark Side of Christmas.
Collette has a totally individual, unmistakable voice quality that is powerful, husky and above all soulful and tells a story with honesty and full of emotion which can take you from heartbreak to heaven. There is a live show, featuring this album, in London on the 19th December at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3 Pilgrim’s Place, London NW3 1NG details of which can be found here. Unfortunately, I am unable to be there but if you have the chance to make it, take it! You will not regret it!
Track details:
| 1. Silent Night (Franz Gruber & Joseph Mohr) Vocals: performed and arranged by Collette Cooper Cello: performed and arranged by Richard Harwood Choir: featuring Kings Voices Jingle bells: Gregory MacDonald Voice: Ray Winstone Trumpet: Kevin Davy Snow Storm: Richard Harwood | 2. Ain’t Necessarily So (George & Ira Gershwin; ‘Carol of the Bells’ by Mykola Leontovych) Vocals: Collette Cooper Piano: James Pearson Cello: Richard Harwood Drums: Jan Simson Trumpet (solo and chorus): Kevin Davy |
| 3. Another Day (Written by Collette Cooper – dedicated to Clare Bonham) Vocals: Collette Cooper Piano: James Pearson Cello: Richard Harwood Drums: Jan Simson | 4. What A Wonderful World (Bob Thiele & George Weiss) Vocals: Collette Cooper Piano: Liam Stevens |
| 5. Darkside of Christmas (Written by Collette Cooper) Vocals: Collette Cooper Voice: Ray Winstone Cello: Richard Harwood Piano: James Pearson Choir: featuring Kings Voices Drums: Jan Simson Trumpet (solo and chorus): Andy Davies Trumpet (Chorus): Kevin Davy Snow Storm: Richard Harwood | 6. Run Santa Baby (Written by Collette Cooper & Gregory MacDonald) Vocals: Collette Cooper Drums: Jan Simson Bass: Daniel Malek Guitar: Jack Parry Hand claps: Gregory MacDonald, Richard Harwood, Sarah Meyz Trumpet (solo and chorus) Andy Davies Trumpet (chorus): Kevin Davy Piano: Liam Stevens Cello: Richard Harwood Voice: Ray Winstone |
Produced by Collette Cooper
Co-producers Gregory MacDonald & Richard Harwood
Strings arranged by Richard Harwood
Darkside of Christmas is available now via Bandcamp.
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