Brooke Smith
Staff Writer
Eric Clapton’s recent Christmas album, “Happy Xmas” leaves listeners with new renditions of seasonal classics and an original track dedicated to the death of Avicii.
“Happy Xmas” gives the audience peaceful, familiar tracks that Clapton puts his own style to, leaving listeners with an anticipation to Christmas. He introduces a new song that the Holiday seasons have not shared before, “For Love On Christmas Day” and his own rendition of “Jingle Bells” dedicated to Avicii, who recently passed away.
Eric Clapton is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter that has been sharing his music world wide since the 1960s. He is the only three-time inductee in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and was originally in the bands Yardbirds and Cream before starting his solo career. Clapton is also ranked second in Rolling Stone Magazine in the top 100 guitarists of all time.
“Happy Xmas” is Clapton’s first ever Christmas album and has a total of fourteen tracks with well known songs like, “Silent Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Clapton himself produced the album alongside Simon Climie, under the label Polydor, EPC Enterprises LLP. This Christmas album is unique with a rock and blues twist.
Clapton creatively incorporates incredible acoustics behind all of his songs, but especially in the Christmas love song he wrote authentically for this album, “For Love on Christmas Day.” This song shares a warm, cozy feeling with personal feelings written from Clapton’s heart, sharing connections with his audience.
This album was created over a span of four years, which shows how comfortable Clapton is singing these Christmas tunes and the comforting, holiday mood that they bring with it. Clapton’s long life in the music industry is shown with shocking vocals that have aged over his career.
Clapton effortlessly demonstrates his incredible guitarist skills in his somber song, “Christmas Tears.” This song reflects on the blues portion of the album with his electric guitar and classy piano riffs. The harmonizing background singers create the ambiance of being in a church, which adds to the Christmas sensation.
The late tribute to the death of Swedish DJ, Avicii who killed himself in April, is reflected by the techno rendition in the seventh song of the album, “Jingle Bells.” This song does not have many lyrics making the audience struggle to even recognize the well-known Christmas classic. Although one would not want to criticise a tribute, this song is placed in the middle of the album, ruining the flow of the warm, comfortable Christmas tunes.
“Happy Xmas” album cover was authentically hand drawn by Clapton himself. He drew himself as Santa Claus which looks to be drawn in crayon as a sketch. Clapton signed his initials in the bottom left corner along with ”XXX” for hugs. This album cover appropriately shows the comfortable, serene mood of how Clapton personally put his time into each rendition of the songs.
Overall, this album was a success and would be tracks that will amp up the holiday spirit in any home that Christmas is celebrated. The mood perfectly describes the appropriate, cozy Christmas home. Clapton keeps his songs consistent with his long admired voice with rock and blues tones. However, “Jingle Bells” did disrupt the flow of the mood being put precisely in the middle of the album.
“Happy Xmas” can be purchased on iTunes and Apple Music and can also be streamed on platforms such as Spotify or Youtube.
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