The holidays are a time to spend with family and fortunately for fans of Nova Scotian songstress Jenn Grant, hers is seemingly predisposed to sharing their seasonal spirit. Right about this time last year, Jenn and partner Daniel Ledwell teamed up to record what would become Forever on Christmas Eve. An album steeped in nostalgia that sweeps us back to a simpler time.
The album opens with an instrumental arrangement of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that seamlessly blends into a snug rendition of the holiday standard “White Christmas”. The song and album overall never rush and feel very settled and secure as Grant’s vocals lend themselves beautifully to her various festive favourites such as “Blue Christmas”, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” among others. The album flows effortlessly from track to track as Grant takes us through a stroll of fond memories.
The key component to any new holiday album though tends to be its unique contribution to the cumulative Christmas catalogue. Grant and Ledwell present their interpretation of the season with their new single “Downtown Christmas Eve”.
This original offering manages to stand out without disrupting the flow of familiarity the couple has constructed. It spotlights a simple and strong sense of togetherness amidst the at-times hectic time of year where stolen moments away from parties mean so much (Grant also recorded a version of the single in French “En Ville la Veille de Noel”).
Each and every track on Forever of Christmas Eve echoes eras gone by. We can all remember singing at least one of these songs in our school’s Christmas concert, but never this well. The songs remain standards of the season for a reason and Grant’s Patsy Cline swagger suits them well.
Everything from the songs chosen for the set, the style they are arranged in, and even the album’s artwork could fit in a classic Christmas film. The collection is carried through, by Grant’s soothing vocals settling in among understated instrumental backing. She manages equally channelled elements of jazz and country stylings in her delivery as her talents are allowed ample room to grab and grip the listener’s attention.
Forever on Christmas Eve is enjoyable both as an endeavour unto itself or as the soft backing to a very at-home Christmas Eve. It’s a warm hot chocolate to drink as you’re wrapped up in the coziest of blankets; leaving you feeling at ease and toasty through the increasingly chilly evenings.
Grant had planned out a slate of Holiday-themed shows for the season but in light of current events has shifted to giving fans the chance at a variety of gifts including personalized Christmas messages to that special someone and a chance at Jenn herself showing up to your nominated home of choice (HRM specific) and regaling you with some of her favourite carols from a safe social distance. She will also be presenting a virtual show (complete with possible cat and goldfish appearance) on December 6th.