“A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3” Single & Track List Revealed
One Indian summer afternoon a few weeks ago, singer/songwriters Casey Shea, Paula Valstein, Emily Easterly, Andy Mac, Martin Rivas, Ruby Rivers, Amber Rubarth, Chris Abad, plus bassist Tony Maceli, drummer Jamie Alegre and I converged on Chris Cubeta’s Galuminum Foil Studios in Brooklyn to conjure up a little bit of Christmas in October.
Our cover of Billy Squier’s classic “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” kicks off the annual “A Holiday Benefit” with equal parts harmony and hilarity; you can practically hear us smiling our way through the recording. Press play to listen or download below to hear for yourself.
[audio:2009christmaslove.mp3]“A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3” is the third-annual compilation of New York City singer/songwriters benefiting 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills.
Two weeks ago, Brooklyn artist Emily Rawlings delivered an inspired illustration that serves as the visual anchor for the album. Last week, all twelve artists delivered their contributions to the release, including three originals, and covers of Christmas classics from artists as diverse as The Beach Boys (Bess Rogers’ “Little Saint Nick”) and The Sonics (Bryann Dunn’s “Don’t Believe IN Christmas”). This week, Oasis Disc Manufacturing will begin pressing the limited-edition run of the twelve-track CD. Here is the complete “A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3” track list:
1. Holiday Benefit Singers – Christmas Is The To Say I Love You
2. Emily Easterly & Chris Cubeta – Wonderful Christmas Time
3. Martin Rivas – Christmas Already?
4. Chris Abad – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight)
5. Bess Rogers – Little Saint Nick
6. Amber Rubarth – Christmas Carol
7. Paula Valstein & Casey Shea – Fairytale Of New York
8. Bryan Dunn – Don’t Believe In Christmas
9. Benjamin Wagner & Emily Zuzik – Merry Christmas, Baby
10. Casey Shea – The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)
11. Ruby Rivers – Little Elf
12. Andy Mac – Merry Christmas Darling
Next week, we’ll premiere Director/Editor Daniela Capistrano’s music video. “A Holiday Benefit, Vol. 3” will be released on Wednesday, December 16th at Pianos (158 Ludlow Street). The charity concert will feature performances from Bess Rogers, Casey Shea, Paula Valstein, Chris Cubeta, Emily Easterly, Martin Rivas, Ruby Rivers, Chris Abad, Bryan Dunn, Misty Boyce, Emily Zuzik and myself, plus a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit 826NYC.
Visit www.aholidaybenefit.org to pre-order you copy today!