| Michelle McManus' Winter Wonderland | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 1, 2019 | |||
| Genre | Christmas, pop | |||
| Length | 33:04 | |||
| Label | McMannii | |||
| Michelle McManus chronology | ||||
| ||||
Michelle McManus' Winter Wonderland is the second studio album, and first Christmas album, by Scottish singer Michelle McManus, featuring the SoundSational Community Choir. The album was released on 1 December 2019 via McManus' own independent record label, McMannii.[1]
Background
Prior to the recording and release of the album, McMannii had been performing the annual Michelle McManus' Winter Wonderland show since 2016,[2] and featuring the SoundSational Community Choir, a 50 piece choir. The show featured a mix of comedy, as well as McManus performing various Christmas songs from other artists. The live Winter Wonderland shows were written by McManus, in collaboration with comedian Bruce Devlin, and musical directors Tommy Chambers and Jen Phee.[3]
SoundSational Community Choir, from Glasgow, was established in 2010, and have also collaborated with Scottish recording artist Amy Macdonald. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland, the choir raised £500,000 for various charities, and in 2023, MSP Monica Lennon wishes the choir well and offered her congratulations to the group on the release of their album, Evolution, in a parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament.[4]
On December 1, 2019, McManus released the album via her own independent record label, McMannii, which she originally established in 2007 after being dropped by her previous record company, Sony BMG, following the poor sales of her debut album The Meaning of Love (2004).[5] The record label was founded in order for McManus to self–release her second studio album, Dancing to a Different Beat which was scheduled for released in 2008, but the release was eventually shelved.[6]
Reception
McManus' vocals on the album tracks, as well as at the live Winter Wonderland shows, were highly praised by music critics and members of the public alike.[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Carol of the Bells" | 2:49 | |
| 2. | "Winter Wonderland" | 2:27 | |
| 3. | "Do You Hear What I Hear?" | 4:11 | |
| 4. | "Silent Night" | 3:01 | |
| 5. | "Sleigh Ride" | 2:55 | |
| 6. | "River" | 4:18 | |
| 7. | "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" |
| 1:43 |
| 8. | "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" | 2:28 | |
| 9. | "O Holy Night" | 5:20 | |
| 10. | "White Christmas" | 3:36 |
References
- ↑ "Michelle McManus hits town with new material". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Michelle McManus' 'Winter Wonderland' featuring Soundsational Choir". TicketSource. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Recognition for award-winning choir SoundSational on release of new album". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Pop Idol's Michelle McManus gives birth". Euro Weekly News. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Michelle McManus hits town with new material". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ↑ "Michelle McManus on the cost of Pop Idol success, TV career, and friendship with Robbie Williams". Sunday Post. Retrieved 23 December 2023.