Zuzu’s Petals
True North, 2022
9/10
Originally released in 2012, this 10 year anniversary edition has the extraordinary songwriters Marc Jordan, Cindy Church, Ian Thomas and Murray McLauchlan, i.e. Lunch At Allen’s, bringing the popular seasonal album to the United States for the first time.
“Every Time It’s Christmas” opens the listen with soulful, smooth singing from Jordan alongside warm keys and agile drumming in the cozy demeanor, and “Zuzu’s Petals” follows with a dreamy duet that’s intimate and gorgeous in its sublimeness.
In the middle, “Count Your Blessings” pairs Church’s expressive, poetic voice alongside the mature piano playing, while “Spending My Christmas With You” offers a playful and bluesy album highlight and well timed backing vocals that complement the romantic mood thanks to McLauchlan’s flawless pipes.
The final two tracks include the Church led “Oh, What A Christmas Eve”, where brushed drums and radiant keys make an impression in a jazz friendly sort of way, and “The Christmas Song”, which exits with spirited harmonica amid the vivid imagery that captures the true essence of Christmas.
The collective talent here includes some of Canada’s finest, who have penned songs for legends like Rod Stewart, Diana Ross and Bon Jovi, among many more, and this superb holiday album sounds incredible any time of the year.
Travels well with: Murray McLaughlin- Hourglass; Marc Jordan & Amy Sky- He Sang She Sang