Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic
Encyclopedia
Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic is the third album by British child singer
Connie Talbot
. Released 13 October 2009 by AAO Music, it features rerecordings of songs from Talbot's previous album, Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
, as well as new tracks. The album was released after Talbot was named child ambassdor for the Toys for Tots
Campaign, and some of the proceeds from the album were given to the organisation. The album was marketed with a tour of the United States, a cross-marketing campaign with Boscov's
, and a television special produced by WVIA
, a DVD of which was later released for sale. Reviews of the album were mixed; while Talbot was called "sweet" and her range was praised, other reviewers considered the album to be "cloying" and "little more than a novelty act".
Campaign, a charitable programme which purchases toys for underprivileged American children. It was announced that, in addition to promoting the drive on adverts and on television, Talbot's forthcoming album, Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, would be dedicated to the campaign. Further, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the album were to be donated to the charity. Talbot said that upon being declared ambassador, she was "I'm sad and happy—sad because I'm learning there are so many children who are not as lucky as I am, and I'm happy that I'm able to help them." Vice president of the Toys for Tots Foundation Bill Grein said:
The track listing of Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic was compiled by people including Talbot's family and friends, and AAO Music manager Peter Kuys; of the tracks, Talbot said that her favourite was "When a Child Is Born". Some of the songs had previously appeared on Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
, and Talbot's official site describes Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic as "re-launched". However, Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic also featured three new songs, and the album's vocals were completely rerecorded.
. Holiday Magic featured performances of all of the songs from Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, and was available to all PBS stations to be shown in November and December. On the special, Talbot performed with a choir from Scranton High School. A 17-track DVD of the performance, featuring all of the songs from Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, and two additional songs, "What a Wonderful World" and "Over the Rainbow", was produced. In addition, the DVD featured an interview with Talbot and behind the scenes footage.
Appearances in the United States included performances at the Colonie Center
. In addition, Talbot participated in a cross-marketing campaign with Boscov's
; she received signage and merchandising at Boscov's stores, and wore Boscov's clothes. Albert Boscov, of Boscov's, said "We're thrilled that Connie—such a talented youngster—is joining us to bring a little
holiday magic to everyone this holiday season." Kuys, of AAO Music, said "We have had a long relationship with Boscov's over the last decade. This campaign was personally picked by Mr. Boscov, and we feel that both parties can be perfect for each other while adding great value to Connie's Toys for Tots campaign."
, said that the album was "just right for the kids", but added that Talbot's "stunning rendition of 'Ave Maria' ... will blow your mind". Jonathan Takiff, writing for The Philadelphia Daily News, said that "[l]istening to her trill through 'Silent Night,' the calypso-flavored 'Mary's Boy Child' and 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' might inspire your kids." He gave the album a B-. David Burger, writing for The Salt Lake Tribune
, gave the album a B, and praised Talbot's range, saying that there were "sweet, playful and jazzy arrangements". Reviewers also praised the link with the Toys for Tots Foundation, which Tse considered "one more reason why you should grab a copy."
While Tse described Talbot's voice as "sweet" and "beautiful", and Takiff called her "a freak of nature, with a grown-up singing voice in the body of a (just-turned) 9-year-old", other reviewers were more critical. Jon Bream, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, called the album "more cloying than cute", and David Yonke, writing for The Blade
, described Talbot's performance as "little more than a novelty act because of the overly sappy backdrop". Yonke did praise Talbot for her "impressive vocal skills", but considered her "earnestness [as] wasted on arrangements that sound as if they were ripped from a 1930s Shirley Temple songbook". Wayne Bledsoe, writing for ScrippsNews, said that Talbot "has a great voice for a kid", but added that "this album wore me out. Maybe it's the never-ending vibrato."
Child singer
A child singer is a child who has a career as a singer. Child singers and people who have been child singers include:* From age 2 Judy Garland* From age 4 Donny Osmond* From age 5 Michael Jackson...
Connie Talbot
Connie Talbot
Connie Talbot is an English child singer from Streetly, Aldridge, in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands. She rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the final of the television talent show Britain's Got Talent, where she was runner-up to Paul Potts...
. Released 13 October 2009 by AAO Music, it features rerecordings of songs from Talbot's previous album, Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
Connie Talbot's Christmas Album, sometimes referred to as Connie's Christmas Album or just Christmas Album, is the second album from English child singer Connie Talbot, released on 24 November 2008. The album is made up of Christmas-themed songs, and was recorded in the middle of 2008...
, as well as new tracks. The album was released after Talbot was named child ambassdor for the Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
Campaign, and some of the proceeds from the album were given to the organisation. The album was marketed with a tour of the United States, a cross-marketing campaign with Boscov's
Boscov's
Boscov's is an American department store founded by Solomon Boscov in 1911. The first store was in Reading, Pennsylvania, and today 40 stores are spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Delaware....
, and a television special produced by WVIA
WVIA-TV
WVIA-TV is the Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station broadcasting on channel 41 to most of northeastern and central Pennsylvania...
, a DVD of which was later released for sale. Reviews of the album were mixed; while Talbot was called "sweet" and her range was praised, other reviewers considered the album to be "cloying" and "little more than a novelty act".
Toys for Tots and recording
In September 2009, it was announced that Talbot had been named child ambassador of the Marine Corps Toys for TotsToys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
Campaign, a charitable programme which purchases toys for underprivileged American children. It was announced that, in addition to promoting the drive on adverts and on television, Talbot's forthcoming album, Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, would be dedicated to the campaign. Further, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the album were to be donated to the charity. Talbot said that upon being declared ambassador, she was "I'm sad and happy—sad because I'm learning there are so many children who are not as lucky as I am, and I'm happy that I'm able to help them." Vice president of the Toys for Tots Foundation Bill Grein said:
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is extremely proud and excited to have Connie as our youngest ambassador ever ... She is the
perfect person to inform the public of the millions of less fortunate children who may be overlooked this Christmas holiday season, unless people step up to donate a toy or make a cash contribution. Her angelic looks and voice will remind everyone of the innocence of children ... And they all deserve to experience the magic of the holiday season! I hope she sells lots of CDs and raises a lot of money and awareness for our children.
The track listing of Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic was compiled by people including Talbot's family and friends, and AAO Music manager Peter Kuys; of the tracks, Talbot said that her favourite was "When a Child Is Born". Some of the songs had previously appeared on Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
Connie Talbot's Christmas Album
Connie Talbot's Christmas Album, sometimes referred to as Connie's Christmas Album or just Christmas Album, is the second album from English child singer Connie Talbot, released on 24 November 2008. The album is made up of Christmas-themed songs, and was recorded in the middle of 2008...
, and Talbot's official site describes Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic as "re-launched". However, Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic also featured three new songs, and the album's vocals were completely rerecorded.
Release and promotion
Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic was released on 13 October 2009, by the Albany-based record label AAO Music. The release was promoted by a United States tour and a television special. The special, entitled Holiday Magic, was taped from 24–27 September, and produced by WVIAWVIA-TV
WVIA-TV is the Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station broadcasting on channel 41 to most of northeastern and central Pennsylvania...
. Holiday Magic featured performances of all of the songs from Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, and was available to all PBS stations to be shown in November and December. On the special, Talbot performed with a choir from Scranton High School. A 17-track DVD of the performance, featuring all of the songs from Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, and two additional songs, "What a Wonderful World" and "Over the Rainbow", was produced. In addition, the DVD featured an interview with Talbot and behind the scenes footage.
Appearances in the United States included performances at the Colonie Center
Colonie Center
Colonie Center is a shopping mall located in Albany at the intersection of Central Avenue, Wolf Road, and Interstate 87. Opening in 1966, it was the first enclosed shopping mall in New York State's Capital Region. The mall has successfully updated its tenant mix, image, and look on an ongoing basis...
. In addition, Talbot participated in a cross-marketing campaign with Boscov's
Boscov's
Boscov's is an American department store founded by Solomon Boscov in 1911. The first store was in Reading, Pennsylvania, and today 40 stores are spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Delaware....
; she received signage and merchandising at Boscov's stores, and wore Boscov's clothes. Albert Boscov, of Boscov's, said "We're thrilled that Connie—such a talented youngster—is joining us to bring a little
holiday magic to everyone this holiday season." Kuys, of AAO Music, said "We have had a long relationship with Boscov's over the last decade. This campaign was personally picked by Mr. Boscov, and we feel that both parties can be perfect for each other while adding great value to Connie's Toys for Tots campaign."
Reception
Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic received mixed reviews. Sunny Tse, reviewing the album for the South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post
The South China Morning Post , together with its Sunday edition, the Sunday Morning Post, is an English-language Hong Kong newspaper, published by the SCMP Group with a circulation of 104,000....
, said that the album was "just right for the kids", but added that Talbot's "stunning rendition of 'Ave Maria' ... will blow your mind". Jonathan Takiff, writing for The Philadelphia Daily News, said that "[l]istening to her trill through 'Silent Night,' the calypso-flavored 'Mary's Boy Child' and 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' might inspire your kids." He gave the album a B-. David Burger, writing for The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune is the largest-circulated daily newspaper in the U.S. city of Salt Lake City. It is distributed by Newspaper Agency Corporation, which also distributes the Deseret News. The Tribune — or "Trib," as it is locally known — is currently owned by the Denver-based MediaNews Group....
, gave the album a B, and praised Talbot's range, saying that there were "sweet, playful and jazzy arrangements". Reviewers also praised the link with the Toys for Tots Foundation, which Tse considered "one more reason why you should grab a copy."
While Tse described Talbot's voice as "sweet" and "beautiful", and Takiff called her "a freak of nature, with a grown-up singing voice in the body of a (just-turned) 9-year-old", other reviewers were more critical. Jon Bream, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, called the album "more cloying than cute", and David Yonke, writing for The Blade
The Blade (newspaper)
The Blade is a daily newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, first published on December 19, 1835.- Overview :David Ross Locke gained national fame for the paper during the Civil War era by writing under the pen name Petroleum V. Nasby. Writing under the pen name, Locke wrote satires ranging on topics from...
, described Talbot's performance as "little more than a novelty act because of the overly sappy backdrop". Yonke did praise Talbot for her "impressive vocal skills", but considered her "earnestness [as] wasted on arrangements that sound as if they were ripped from a 1930s Shirley Temple songbook". Wayne Bledsoe, writing for ScrippsNews, said that Talbot "has a great voice for a kid", but added that "this album wore me out. Maybe it's the never-ending vibrato."
Credits
- Dave Bishop – Clarinet, saxophone
- Ben Castle – Clarinet, flute
- Laurence Cottle – Arrangement
- Elspeth Dutch – French horn
- Sid Gauld – Trumpet
- Graham Harvey – Piano
- Simon Hill – Arrangement, drums, editing, mixing, percussion, production, programming
- Chris Jackson – Photography
- Debbie Johnson – Backing vocals
- Noel Langley – Trumpet
- Hank Linderman – Acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Rob May – Arrangement, bass, editing, keyboards, mixing, piano, production, programming
- Mark Nightingale – Trombone
- Andy Panayi – Alto saxophone, flute
- Phil Robson – Guitar
- Ralph Salmins – Drums
- Jamie Talbot – Flute, tenor saxophone
- Nichol Thompson – Trombone
- Pat White – Trumpet
- Martin Williams – Flute, tenor saxophone
- Andy Wood – Trombone