Lennie Gallant, Christmas Day on Planet Earth
ABOUT THE ALBUM
It’s finally here! For years Lennie Gallant has been wanting to release a Christmas album, and yet each holiday season would arrive with the realization he had been so busy during that year that he just hadn’t found the time to get it done. There are very few silver linings to covid, but one was creating that precious time for artists who suddenly aren’t touring as much as usual. This spring and summer found Gallant writing a plethora of new songs and many had some jingle bells attached. Now he is very happy to be offering an album of 11 original Christmas songs. Says Gallant; ‘I am very excited about this project! I think it ranks with my very best work and the reaction from the folks who have heard it has been over the top!’
The album is called Christmas Day On Planet Earth, for good reason. The album is truly a collection of original songs for the times as it is Joyful, celebratory and a lot of fun, but also pays hommage to the trials of our fragile blue planet in a couple of hopeful songs. Gallant also takes you on a journey to various Christmas locations around the world, from Southern Africa with the title song, to Paris for a street waltz, the Middle East, Motown, an East Coast Kitchen gathering and a hospital ward on Christmas eve. The song The Gift, is an incredibly poignant song for what the world is going through, and will surely receive an emotional reaction to its touching storyline. Not to leave anyone out, Gallant even has a song for those out there who may want to give the holiday season a pass, with the hilarious ‘I’m Gonna Have A Merry Christmas Even If It Kills Me!
The project features vocalist Patricia Richard, the fabulous accapella band Black Umfolosi from Zimbabwe, Halifax trumpeter Mike Cowie and a host of other fabulous players. It was helmed by Juno Award winning producer, Les Cooper, who Gallant says brought a laser focus, and great energy to the project. Christmas Day On Planet Earth is a unique collection of original songs with a global perspective about our much celebrated holiday, while keeping in mind that it’s a day for love, kindness and loads of fun!