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My first introduction to the talented Rick Springfield was when he appeared as heartthrob Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital in the early 1980s. At the time, I remember his having the opportunity to show his singing chops on that popular soap opera, and I imagined that this was just another fledgling actor dreaming of becoming a rock star. What I did not realize was that Springfield presented the opposite profile; he was already an accomplished, albeit struggling, singer/songwriter when the General Hospital gig came along, providing a vehicle for the release of his popular rock anthem Jessie's Girl. Mr. Springfield, I apologize. You are much more than just a soap opera hunk, and your Christmas with You is a testament to that.

Australian Springfield has a fine voice that has grown even better with age; his lightly raspy vocals bring warm texture to every note. When Christmas with You arrived in the mail, I was not sure what to expect. After all, Springfield has been a power pop/rocker for decades, but the album cover features a thoughtful fellow seated before a traditionally decked-out holiday tree. As it turns out, the cover art pretty much sums up the contents. Rather than a rocked-out affair, the offering presents an introspective, well-crafted set of traditional Christmas numbers.

Springfield opens the release with his meaningful title track (written with Derek Hilland), a soldier's prayer to come home and spend Christmas with You (with all proceeds donated to support American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., a veterans organization). Fourteen well-loved carols follow, all presented with warm and mostly reverent stylings. Springfield provides most of the arrangements here, and he has done a top-notch job. In addition to gentle vocal pieces, Springfield tosses in nicely rockin' instrumental versions of Carol of the Bells and the closing Deck the Halls (with Boughs of Longboards) (done surfer style, à la the Beach Boys). Of the vocal numbers, my favorites are the doo-wop version of I'll Be Home for Christmas and the splendidly rhythmic and hand-clappin' I Saw Three Ships. In fact, Springfield smartly utilizes his background singers (Matt and Chariya Bissonette) throughout the album.

Whether or not you ever saw the impressively handsome Mr. Springfield on General Hospital, you should definitely give Christmas with You strong consideration if you enjoy pleasing pop/rock interpretations of traditional holiday fare. This well-executed album creates a mood of contemplation, while retaining a sense of fun. And isn't that what Christmas is all about?

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Rick Springfield

Rick Springfield: voice, acoustic & electric guitars, loops
Derek Hilland: Fender Rhodes
Vince DiCola: additional keyboards, piano, orchestration, synths, strings
Caitlin Evanson: violin
Matt Bissonette: bass, pipeline bass
Greg Bissonette: drums
Matt and Chariya Bissonette: backing vocals
Jeff Gross: conga, tambourine, Djembe, sleigh bells, accordian
Dino Soldo: EWI, sax solo, yakety sax
Section Quartet: string (arr. by Eric Gorfain)
Rodger Carter: drums, wipeout drums

All proceeds from this recording of Christmas with You donated to support the US Military Veterans organization, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Rick Springfield

Christmas with You

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Track List