Joy To The World: A Christmas Celebration

Eine Auswahl der beliebtesten Weihnachtslieder rund um den Globus! Internationale Versionen beliebter Weihnachtsklassiker aus Jamaika, Burkina Faso, Brasilien, Italien, Portugal, USA, u.v.m.

Putumayo is pleased to announce its newest collection, Joy to the World: a celebration of international versions of Christmas classics to be released on November 16, 2018. The latest in a long series of holiday compilations from the renowned label, Joy to the World takes listeners on a world tour with unique interpretations of Christmas favorites as well as original songs. With artists from Jamaica, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and more, the album brings a multicultural perspective to your holiday celebrations.
Wherever Christmas is commemorated, be it in Rio or Rome, Oahu or Ouagadougou, music is an essential part of the holiday festivities. And while every region has its own unique Christmas traditions, including its own songs in local languages, people around the world enjoy the classic melodies known to all. No matter your background or beliefs, many of these songs transcend religion.
Joy to the World begins with a Portuguese-language rendition of “The First Noel” by Nossa Bossa Nova, a husband and wife musical duo known for their blend of Brazilian rhythms with jazz. That’s followed by “Astro del Ciel (Silent Night)” by the multicultural music project Arspop, which brings together Italian musicians and a parish choir from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Quebecois singer and actor Frédérick de Grandpré offers a French-language version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that would make Bing Crosby proud.
There’s a long history of Christmas songs being played with a tropical Hawaiian twist, and Joy to the World represents that with ukulele maestro Jan Luna’s rendition of “Winter Wonderland.” We are then treated to “Bianco Natale (White Christmas)” by Italian singer Marina del Gaudio and “O Natal Já Começou,” an original Christmas song by Portuguese duo Inês Pupo and Gonçalo Pratas.
Alabama-based nuevo flamenco group Roman Street brings gypsy jazz and rumba flamenco to their take on the Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy.” Zydeco legend Lynn August adds some Creole spice to the season with his original track “Christmas by the Bar-B-Que.” Our Christmas journey continues with Jamaican roots reggae trio The Mighty Diamonds, whose island style recording of “Frosty the Snowman” will have your feet tapping. Joy to the World wraps up with the laidback Hawaiian-influenced whimsy of “Christmas
Island” by Leon Redbone.
The international selection of seasonal songs on Joy to the World will make the Yuletide bright and give it a whole new flavor!