Christmas albums can easily feel like side projects. The Pianoman at Christmas does not.
Jamie Cullum approached this as a proper album: original writing, large-scale arrangements, a serious studio, and a band and orchestra capable of moving between intimate piano-led jazz and full cinematic Christmas splendour.
There is something particularly appealing about hearing a contemporary British jazz artist try to add genuinely new songs to the Christmas repertoire rather than relying entirely on familiar standards.
This expanded edition is the one to have on vinyl, giving the project room to stretch across two records.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with an ensemble of 57 musicians, the original project places Cullum’s piano and voice inside rich big-band and orchestral arrangements.
Tracks such as “Hang Your Lights”, “The Jolly Fat Man” and the title track have the exuberance you would expect, but there are quieter moments too. It feels rooted in the tradition of the great jazz Christmas record while remaining unmistakably Cullum.
New and sealed 2LP colour-vinyl edition.
This is The Pianoman at Christmas: The Complete Edition, released by Island Records in 2021.
Catalogue: 3886167
Barcode: 0602438861675
Carefully packed and securely dispatched using protective vinyl mailers.
The original Pianoman at Christmas appeared in 2020. The Complete Edition followed in November 2021, expanding Cullum’s festive project substantially and receiving a dedicated 2LP colour-vinyl release from Island.
The original sessions were recorded over five days at Abbey Road Studios with 57 musicians and producer Greg Wells.
Christmas albums can easily feel like side projects. The Pianoman at Christmas does not.
Jamie Cullum approached this as a proper album: original writing, large-scale arrangements, a serious studio, and a band and orchestra capable of moving between intimate piano-led jazz and full cinematic Christmas splendour.
There is something particularly appealing about hearing a contemporary British jazz artist try to add genuinely new songs to the Christmas repertoire rather than relying entirely on familiar standards.
This expanded edition is the one to have on vinyl, giving the project room to stretch across two records.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with an ensemble of 57 musicians, the original project places Cullum’s piano and voice inside rich big-band and orchestral arrangements.
Tracks such as “Hang Your Lights”, “The Jolly Fat Man” and the title track have the exuberance you would expect, but there are quieter moments too. It feels rooted in the tradition of the great jazz Christmas record while remaining unmistakably Cullum.
New and sealed 2LP colour-vinyl edition.
This is The Pianoman at Christmas: The Complete Edition, released by Island Records in 2021.
Catalogue: 3886167
Barcode: 0602438861675
Carefully packed and securely dispatched using protective vinyl mailers.
The original Pianoman at Christmas appeared in 2020. The Complete Edition followed in November 2021, expanding Cullum’s festive project substantially and receiving a dedicated 2LP colour-vinyl release from Island.
The original sessions were recorded over five days at Abbey Road Studios with 57 musicians and producer Greg Wells.
