Canadian Music News

Today’s Christmas in Canada song is Quebec singer, Ginette Reno’s, rendition of "Traineau" which is the French version of "Sleigh Ride."  It is my favorite Christmas carol and Reno’s is my favorite version (I’m not even sure I know all the words in English!). 
Her voice is rich, as usual, and the arrangement ranges from downright traditional to swinging and jazzy.  This was the best video I could find (just ignore that clanking from the horse-drawn carriage at the beginning – what were they thinking?). 

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Who wouldn’t want to own a Christmas album by Canadian superstar, Celine Dion?  These Are Special Times (1998) was a great collection of holiday tunes and, although it’s a little dated, it’s still a really good Christmas album and includes goodies like "O Holy Night" and other classics but also introduced me to songs like "Another Year Has Gone By" and "The Prayer" (her duet with Andrea Bocelli).
It really is an elegant, low-key and, of course, exquisitely well-sung album.  If you don’t already have it, consider picking up a copy!
image: Amazon.com

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Canadian crooner, Michael Bublé, had some nice things to say about his ex-girlfriend, Emily Blunt.  He told People magazine:  "I will always love her. We’re still friends."  Blunt and Bublé broke up this past July – they had been dating since 2005.  She has now moved on to dating John Krasinki who stars on NBC’s The Office.  Ever-the-gentleman, Bublé said wished Emily well in her new relationship adding, "I love that guy in The Office. He’s great."
So, is the pouty-lipped cutie spending his holiday season alone?  Not a chance.  He said that he is "dating right now."  Sigh…
image: …read more

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Have you heard the two Christmas songs Canadian Idol winner, Theo Tams, has released on iTunes.  Right now, you can download either "Christmas Dream" or "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)." The latter is a remake of a holiday classic but "Christmas Dream" was co-written by Tams and I think it’s beautiful!  I don’t often add any of these "new" carols to my collection since I like the oldies but this one is definitely going on my playlist!  You can listen to it on the CHUM FM website. 
As an added bonus, when you download "Christmas Dream" on iTunes, Sony …read more

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Are you a Michael Bublé fan?  It’s hard not to love him – those eyes, those lips and that voice that sounds like it was dipped in honey.  I love his jazz-infused vocals and they are even better set to holiday classics. 
On his Christmas EP, Let it Snow, he tackles some of my very favourites including the title track, "Let it Snow," "The Christmas Song," "Grown-Up Christmas," "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" and "White Christmas."
Celebrate Christmas with Michael Bublé, one of Canada’s smoothest singers.  I certainly plan to!
image: Amazon.com

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Didn’t Celine Dion just come out with a new album?  Apparently, she feels she’s taking too long with a follow up to 2007’s Taking Chances (she’s still on tour for this album until February 2009!) and has offered an explanation for the lack of new material:
I wish I could write songs. I have a lot of ideas.  A tune will come into my head and sometimes a lyric, but I never really sit down and try to make something from it.  It’s just for me. And I think I’m too busy anyway."

No rush, Celine, really.  Take a breather – …read more

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Looking for something your family can watch on Christmas day?  Push aside those holiday specials that you’ve seen a million times and check out the Canadian Brass‘ DVD, A Christmas Experiment. 
The five members of the Canadian Brass chose to let loose and make this 5-minute video featuring fun arrangements of of classics like "Frosty the Snowman" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."  They are all decked out in silly costumes and the whole thing is just corny, cheesy and everything you expect from a Christmas special (with a Canadian feel, of course!).
Music, costumes, kids and a children’s …read more

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I don’t know about you but I love Roch Voisine.  The Quebec singer may not be as well known in Western Canada (although, his song "I’ll Always Be There" was pretty darn popular!) but Eastern Canada is very familiar with him. 
If you haven’t heard of him, here’s your chance to get acquainted.  His 15-track album includes covers of "Silver Bells," "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" (my favorite from the album!) and "Little Drummer Boy."
Get a copy of "Christmas is Calling" for your holiday collection!
image: Amazon.ca

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The Barra MacNeils are so definitively Canadian that it’s impossible to exclude them when putting together a collection of Christmas albums from across our nation. 
The group puts their signature stylings to oldies like "Carol of the Bells" and "O Holy Night" but the album also includes Gaelic tunes like "Annam Baile Ri’oghail Dhaibhidh," "Galician Carol" and "Taladh Chriosda." 
I will admit that I haven’t heard all of the songs but I will definitely try to pick up a copy from Amazon!
image: Amazon.com

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