After a 23-year career, Nicola Ciccone had yet to record a Christmas album. With christmas spirithe offers four original songs and covers that he has chosen to take in hand with folk and traditional colors.
We find the classics Sainte-Nuit, He was born a divine child, Midnight Christian, Blue Christmas, White Christmas, Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon and also two songs in Italian related to his childhood.
“I should be the last artist who hadn’t made a Christmas album,” he said, laughing, in an interview.
The author, composer and performer wanted to make one one day. There were many inquiries in this direction.
“I love Christmas. I have a big family and it reminds me of my childhood. It was on my mind for a long time,” he says.
The first Christmas shows he presented four years ago and the single Merry Christmas, which received 311,000 views on Spotify, got this album project on track.
Nicola Ciccone wanted a work in his own image. He wanted it festive and unifying.
“I didn’t want to re-read songs that everyone is rushing to pick up. I took my time. After two Christmases of being cooped up and a little stolen from us, it was time to do it. I had a lot of fun making this album, much to my surprise. I’m very happy,” he said.
Rediscovered classics
Nicola Ciconne started writing original Christmas carols last December. He composed I would like it to be Christmas all year round and The Christmas Spirit. At the suggestion of his musical director Peter Ranallo, he even wrote a Christmas love song with “All I Want For Christmas Is Love”.
It was important for the author, composer and performer to come up with original content.
“I wanted to have more traditional and folk arrangements. I wrote that without claim. In the studio, musicians stumbled and that gave me confidence,” he said.
Then came the classics with John Lennon’s Happy Xmas, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, a very bluesy version of Elvis’ Blue Christmas and Italian Christmas carols from his childhood.
He even allowed himself certain twists in the melodies of certain classics.
“I sing them more folksy than the versions we’re used to. These songs were written 300 years ago. I wanted to put it in my hands, have fun doing it and make it more accessible. There’s a lot of sweetness on this album,” he said.
A common goal
The 44-year-old author, composer and performer makes it clear that growing up, Christmas wasn’t synonymous with presents.
“I lived in a very poor area. When my friends came to our house, I found it difficult. It was a poor area and you could tell. I looked forward to the first snow because it balanced everything out. All the belongings associated with poverty, lying around like old car wheels, disappeared under the snow. We had the impression to be less poor. That’s why I was looking forward to Christmas. That made me feel good,” he said.
Nicola Ciccone wants the Christmas spirit to be present all year round.
“It is a time when we love each other, when we forgive one another, when we grow closer and when we are closer to human values and friendship. We are less into clicks and polarization. We need what we’ve been through for two years,” he said.
John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War is Over) is his favorite Christmas song.
“Christmas carols are often light-hearted. This is deep and speaks of peace in the world. It seems to vibrate even more in the current context. After two elections and a pandemic, we need a unifying message. It’s time to come together, celebrate together and have a common goal.
Nicola Ciccone presents his show christmas spirit December 2 in Gatineau, December 3 in Saint-Albert, Ontario and December 16 in Brossard. More data will be added and displayed on the website www.nicolacicone.com.