After 23 years of career, Nicola Ciccone had not yet recorded a Christmas album. With Christmas spiritoffers four original songs and covers that he has chosen to make available to him in folk and traditional colors.
We find the classics holy night, The divine son was born, Midnight Christian, Blue Christmas, White Christmas, Happy Christmas (The war is over) by John Lennon, and also two pieces in Italian related to his childhood.
“I was supposed to be the last artist who hadn’t made a Christmas album yet,” he said, laughing, during an interview.
The author, composer and performer wanted to make one one day. There have been many requests in this direction.
“I love Christmas. I have a big family and it reminds me of my childhood. I had that in mind for a long time,” she said.
The first Christmas shows he presented, four years ago, and the simple ones Happy Christmaswhich got 311,000 plays on Spotify, put this album project on track.
Nicola Ciccone wanted a work in his image. He wanted it to be festive and unifying.
“I didn’t want to do a rereading of songs that everyone picks up quickly. I took my time. After two Christmases in which we have been confined and which have been a little stolen from us, it is time to do it. To my surprise, I had a lot of fun making this album. I am very happy, “she said.
Revisited classics
Nicola Ciconne started writing original Christmas songs last December. He composed I wish it was Christmas all year round et Christmas spirit. She also wrote, at the suggestion of her musical director, Peter Ranallo, a Christmas love song with All I want for Christmas is love.
It was important for the author, composer and performer to find original content.
“I wanted to have more traditional and folk arrangements. I wrote it unassuming. In the studio, the musicians stumbled and that gave me confidence, “she said.
The classics are then followed with the Happy Christmas by John Lennon, White Christmas by Bing Crosby, a lot blue from Blue Christmas of Elvis and the Italian Christmas songs of his childhood.
He even allowed himself certain inflections in the melodies of certain classics.
“I sing them more in a folk way than the versions we are used to hearing. These songs were written 300 years ago. I wanted to put them in my hands while having fun and making them more accessible. There’s a lot of sweetness on this album, “she said.
A common goal
The 44-year-old author, composer and performer makes it clear that his childhood Christmases weren’t synonymous with gifts.
“I lived in a very poor neighborhood. When my friends came to our house, I found it difficult. It was a poor neighborhood and it showed. I couldn’t wait for the first snowfalls to arrive because they equalized everything. All the belongings linked to poverty and lying around, like old car wheels, have disappeared under the snow. We felt we were less poor. I was waiting for Christmas for this reason. It made me feel good, “she said.
Nicola Ciccone would like the Christmas spirit to be present all year round.
“It is a time when we love each other, when we forgive each other, when we get closer and when we are closer to human values and friendship. We’re less interested in clicks and polarization. We need it with what we’ve been through for two years, “she said.
Happy Christmas (The war is over), by John Lennon, is his favorite holiday song.
“Christmas songs are often lighthearted. This is profound and speaks of world peace. It seems to resonate even more in the current context. We need, after two elections and a pandemic, a unifying message. It’s time to get together, celebrate together, and have a common goal.
Nicola Ciccone will present his show Christmas spirit December 2 in Gatineau, December 3 in Saint-Albert, Ontario and December 16 in Brossard. Other dates will be added and will appear on the site nicolaciccone.com.
