This Noel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 November 2009

Jerry Stamp to release two Christmas Cds "I, Noel" and "This Noel"

Yeah the guy who has already released three albums of original music this past year is back again. This time with his ugly knitted reindeer sweater, fake antler headband and a keg of spiked eggnog, and he is chock full of yuletide spirit.

While everyone else was out enjoying the summer sun Jerry Stamp was in the studio working up a Christmas Miracle. Two albums of Christmas music to melt even the scroogiest heart. Why two albums you may ask? Well I'll tell ya. Jerry grew up in a home where Christmas was king. His Mother was the sort to start decorating for the festivities in early November, so when he started playing music he was (somewhat forcibly) urged to play Christmas music. Years later when he began recording his own albums the same idea still stood. Mom and Dad wished and hoped and prayed for a Christmas album from their special little guy. So last year after many years of contemplating the idea Jerry finally began selecting his repertoire. Somewhere in there his one Christmas CD became two...It almost became three but time and money simply wouldn't allow it. The first Cd "This Noel" was shaping up to be a collection of Christmas standards, the sort any Christmas aficionado would expect. But in his heart Jerry, who is normally known for writing his own material, which itself is commonly known for its emotional candor, couldn't deny that their are some sad Christmas tunes out there. Some of his favorite Christmas tunes were songs of sad Christmases without the one you love... so the second CD was born.

Our hard working hero selected a list of about 40 Christmas songs and began the long process of arranging the songs into a style and feel that he could get behind. He started laying down tracks in June, the day after he completed recording 'Bloodwork', the album he just released in August. Those 40 songs were whittled down to 25 and he immersed himself with childlike glee. He even wrote two songs himself. Two songs that describe his personal views of Christmas. 'I Know Well' and 'Untitled Christmas Song'. He harangued the lovely Melanie O'Brien to lend her sultry vocals to a remake of Elvis' classic hit 'Blue Christmas' and again on the Pogues Christmas romp 'Fairytale Of New York'. Folks had heard whisperings and rumours of a rockin' version of Wham's 'Last Christmas' that King Nancy (Jerry's band) had recorded some years back in Toronto, but had never released it commercially. So Jerry thought it would be a nice touch to end the album "I,Noel". So there it is Kids. Christmas done the Jerry Stamp way. Get the gang together for a singalong, throw back some mulled wine in front of the fire with the one you love or slow dance your way into a Christmas romance with some mistletoe...But whatever you do, make this Christmas a very Jerry Christmas!

This Noel:
1-Marshmallow World
2-Blue Christmas (featuring Melanie O'Brien on background vocal)
3-Away In A Manger
4-I'll Be Home For Christmas
5-Have A Holly Jolly Christmas
6-The First Noel
7-O Holy Night
8-Jingle Bell Rock
9-It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas
10-Silent Night
11-Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
12-Jingle Bells
13-White Christmas

I, Noel:
1-I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
2-It's Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
3-I Know Well
4-I'll Be Home For Christmas (Alternate Version)
5-The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire)
6-Fairytale of New York (featuring Melanie O'Brien on guest vocal)
7-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8-Untitled Christmas Song
9-The Holly And The Ivy
10-What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
11-Auld Lang Syne
12-Last Christmas (featuring King Nancy)

Arranged, recorded, mixed and produced by JS
Both albums reunited Stamp with the team of Stephen Lilly (Mastering) and Luke Merdsoy (art design).