Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven)

Turn up the Christmas

An exciting rock/opera Christmas compilation!

Tony Rino's third CD, Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven), is an exciting rock/opera project that features classic Christmas carols sung operatically with a rock soundtrack. Recorded at OCL Studios, this unique and creative compilation features numerous award winning musicians, including producer Russell Broom.

Turn up the volume past ten - to eleven! - for Turn up the Christmas!
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SONGS

1. Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Wesley) - 3:09

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is song #1 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). There's the unbelievable guitar solo by Sam Coulson from the band Asia, and that part in the keyboards by the incredible Mike Little that reminds me of the band Yes. Just two parts of the song that make it epic! Hope you enjoy Hark and all the other tunes on Turn up the Christmas, produced by Russell Broom and recorded at OCL Studios! Turn it up!! www.turnuptheChristmas.com

Hark! Watch the Video: Hark The Herald Angels Sing

2. O Come All ye Faithful (Wade) - 3:09

O Come All ye Faithful is song #2 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). It was fun singing the Italian verse and then adding a bit of Latin at the end! Kenna Burima is just awesome on background vocals. And another spectacular guitar solo from Sam Coulson! Really love this arrangement by Russell Broom. And my last note makes me think of that Bugs Bunny Opera Singer!! :-D Did you Turn up the Christmas yet? www.turnupthechristmas.com #Turnitup #TurnuptheChristmas

3. O Holy Night (Adam) - 4:23

O Holy Night is song #3 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). Can't believe the amazing rhythm section of Lyle Molzan on drums and Mike Lent on bass who help make this arrangement by Russell Broom sing! #TurnuptheChristmas Got iTunes or Apple Music? Listen now!

4. I'll Be Home for Christmas* (Gannon, Kent, Ram) for Dr. Margo 4:00

Watch the video for I'll Be Home for Christmas.
I'll be Home for Christmas is song #4 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). First recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, it was originally written to honour WWII soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time. And I think it still applies today. I studied WWII when I returned to university a few years ago where I read Farley Mowat's 'And No Birds Sang.' I noticed the familiar names of several Italian towns I heard my dad mention over the years. And, when I told dad about it he told me some stories about growing up in Italy during the war that I'd rather not ever hear again. As a Canadian born from Italian parents, reading about how Canadian soldiers helped to drive the Nazis out of Italy was pretty powerful for me. I mentioned this story to Russell Broom who arranged the song and created the very emotional mandolin sound in the instrumental that gives this tune such a unique Italian feel. It's just amazing! There's another special meaning in this song for me, and that is the memory of my late professor and friend Dr. Margo M. Husby who taught that course where I studied WWII. Dr. Margo passed away too soon in 2013. I dedicate this song to you, Dr. Margo. https://itun.es/ca/nWhhgb?i=1176272133 Turn it up! #TurnuptheChristmas

5. What Child is This? (Chattertion Dix) - 3:38

What Child is This is song #5 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). This song, along with Hark the Herald Angels sing, was my inspiration for recording a Rock/Operatic Christmas CD. Plus, what Child is This is also my wife's favourite Christmas carol. :-) What Child is This is set to the tune of the traditional English folksong Greensleeves. I love the power ballad feel and the truly emotional guitar solo and acoustic layering, arranged and performed by Russell Broom. Mike Little adds some beautiful keyboard sounds. Mike Lent and Lyle Molzan are spectacular on bass and drums again. It was really hard to not let the emotion of the music get the best of me when I sang to this track! At Christmastime or anytime, the words to this song are incredibly meaningful. I think it's no coincidence that after much back and forth on the song order, What Child is This ended up in the center.

6. Joyful Joyful (Beethoven, van Dyke) for Frank L. - 1:58

Joyful, Joyful is song #6 on Turn up the Christmas (volume eleven). While it's often sung at Christmas, it is a much-loved hymn that's sung year-round. The tune is Ode to Joy from the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and has been a favourite of mine since I was a little boy when I would listen to classical music with my late grandpa, Antonio. But, I didn't think of recording the song right away. In early summer 2016, just before we were going into the studio, we had narrowed the CD down to 8 songs. I wanted one more, and something other than a Christmas song. Around this time, my wife's cousin Frank passed away. We were sitting in the chapel waiting for his service to start, I picked up the hymnal and it opened right up to Joyful, Joyful. And I said that's it! And I looked up and thanked our cousin Frank for sending the idea. The song is dedicated to him.

7. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)* (Barry, Spector, Greenwich) - 2:52

Stay tuned for more about this song...

8. Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle (Saint Alfonso Liguori) - 4:05

Stay tuned for more about this song...

9. Feliz Navidad* (Feliciano) - 3:37

Stay tuned for more about this song...

MUSICIANS

Russell Broom - Guitarist (Jann Arden, Colin James and Sam Roberts);
Lyle Molzan - Drummer (Jann Arden, Dean Brody, Kathleen Edwards, Headstones);
Mike Lent - Bassist (Jann Arden, KD Lang, George Canyon, Chip Taylor);
Mike Little - Keyboardist (George Canyon, Grapes of Wrath, Tom Cochrane);
Sam Coulson - Guitarist (Band Asia) solos on 1, 2, 3 & 9;
Kenna Burima - Background Vocals; and,
Garry Sylvester - Accordion.

PRODUCTION

Dan Owen - Executive Producer;
Russell Broom - Producer & Mixed by;
Josh Rob Gwilliam - Engineer;
Matt Schultz - Studio Assistant
Megan Owen - Production Booking;
Brock McFarlane - CPS Mastering;
Tara McLaughlin - Cover Illustration;
Grant Hutchinson - Typography & Design Consulting; and,
Stuart Foster - Photography.