Allen & Bright are serenading folks back into the holiday spirit this year with their album Christmas, Vol. 1. The seasonal project includes 10 beautiful, lighthearted instrumental renditions of classic Christmas tunes. Allen & Bright reimagine the spirit of the season on strings, while staying true to the heart of every song.
Middle Tennessee musicians Lance Allen and Avery Bright collaborated on a joint musical endeavor that features Allen on acoustic guitar and Bright on violin/viola. Both musicians have successful music careers outside of the project. Lance Allen is a prominent recording artist and guitar instructor with a huge following. Avery Bright is an experienced session musician in Nashville who has recorded for many high-profile artists; U2, One Republic, and Dolly Parton are on his list.
It’s not often that artists rush to record a Christmas album; however, this project has a neat little backstory. Allen & Bright launched a successful KickStarter campaign to gain funding for the album. They both loved the concept of releasing an album on vinyl and believed a Christmas album was the perfect entryway to producing an analog record.
137 “backers” pledged $7,190 to fund the recording, production, printing and distribution costs of the record. Allen & Bright also partnered with Just Love Coffee to make a special coffee blend called “Allen & Bright’s Not-So Silent Night.” Benton’s Bacon Smoky Mountain Country Hams also played a part. Supporters received gourmet coffee and/or bacon in addition to different formats of the album, depending on the size of their contributions. Evidently, the fundraising campaign did well!
Almost everyone has a favorite Christmas song. We hear them every year, but there’s a tenderness that never seems to get old. Allen & Bright captured the timelessness very well. Classic songs like “White Christmas” are covered, but we also get a few fun ones, like the joyous “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Theme.” There’s a little something for everyone.
The album is a gentle giant. Every arrangement has great power and rawness, but the performances themselves are all smooth and sweet. Easy listening doesn’t get much better than this. There are tiny pockets of Southern charm sprinkled over truly powerful holiday classics. On the other hand, good Christmas albums aren’t necessarily hard to come by, and some might argue that there are far too many of them already. While some of the arrangements on the album fall a little too close to other Christmas recordings, Christmas, Vol. 1 is a great release from two very talented Nashville musicians.
If you were asked to play just one Christmas album this holiday season, Allen & Bright’s Christmas, Vol. 1 would be a wise choice. To learn more about Allen & Bright, visit facebook.com/allenandbright.
Christmas, Vol. 1 is available on Spotify, but if you have a record player, make sure to buy a copy on vinyl!
