DAVID FOSTER AND KATHARINE MCPHEE’S DEFINITIVE CHRISTMAS ALBUM CHRISTMAS SONGS IS OUT TODAY
LISTEN HERE
A RE-IMAGINED DAVID FOSTER CLASSIC CAROL OF THE BELLS TRANSPORTS FANS TO A WINTER WONDERLAND WITH INSPIRED NEW ANIMATED HOLIDAY VIDEO - WATCH HERE
TORONTO, ON – October 20, 2023 – Today, the Christmas album that David Foster and Katharine McPhee embarked on over a year ago is joyfully complete and being released in time to warm hearts and homes this holiday season. Christmas Songs pairs seven new timeless Christmas wonders with the seven beautiful classics they shared last holiday season, to create the Fosters’ 14-song, definitive Christmas album. A welcomed addition to any family's holiday traditions. Listen here.
Foster says of the new songs, “We had a lot of fun recording seven songs last year. This year we wanted to really dig in deep and add seven more songs to make a larger album and to explore all the musical tools that were available to us from rock guitar on We Three Kings to the Tabernacle Choir on Amazing Grace to the simplicity of Kat’s spectacular vocal and piano only song It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. We also had a lot of fun redoing an old song that I did called Carol Of The Bells and adding vocals to it. We put out heart and soul into it and we hope it shows. Christmas is the absolute favourite time of year for so many. We want to celebrate that joy with all of you.”
One of the highlights is Foster’s holiday masterpiece, Carol of the Bells, reimagined with McPhee's vocals, to create a version of this timeless classic that will surely soundtrack our holiday seasons for years to come. Inspired by this fresh rendition of this holiday hit, Foster and McPhee created a beautiful, animated video that will transport any listener to a winter wonderland of our dreams. Watch here.
Says Foster about the new sound on Carol of the Bells, “I had some pretty good success with this song over the years and on a suggestion from Tom Whalley at the label, we re-worked it and, among other things, added some vocals giving it a fresh new sound. People over the years have always been so kind about how much they enjoy this version, so this hopefully is the 2.0 version that will attract a new generation.”
One of the more stunning moments on Christmas Songs is when Foster and McPhee are joined by the renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a powerful rendition of the religious hymn, Amazing Grace, laying bare what is divine in our storied Christmas traditions.
Says Foster of Amazing Grace and working with the Tabernacle Choir, “I have had the opportunity to work with the tabernacle choir on a few occasions. To say they are spectacular is an understatement. We brought together all the fire power that we could muster between us and this magnificent chorus. Amazing grace is one of those songs that evokes so much emotion. From the first note of the bagpipes to the last note, this song seems to mean something different to every person from sad to happy and everything in between. We hope we did this song the honour that it deserves.”
Five other new songs on the album are: Santa Baby, Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, We Three Kings, Snow and Away in the Manger.
The 16 time legendary GRAMMY winning producer has produced some of the greatest Christmas music of all time with artists such as Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart and Mary J Blige. It’s only fitting he now produces one with his wife, one of the greatest vocalists of today.
Look for the Fosters to do plenty of promotion again this year for the album, beginning with a segment on Entertainment Tonight where they break out in an impromptu performance.
The Fosters also plan a small nine city east coast tour and will incorporate the new songs into the show. The tour starts November 1 in Warren, MI and ends in Westbury, NY on December 10. Look for the duo to be on HSN end of October to begin promoting. Foster is also gearing up to take on Broadway, writing the music for the new musical about the iconic animated character Betty Boop. McPhee is continuing with her jewelry line, KMF Jewelry.