Oleta's new holiday album, "Christmas Time with Oleta", can be ordered by visiting www.oletaadams.com!! Oleta wants to share her favorite Christmas tunes with you so be sure to pick up your copy today!!
Oleta Adams would be perfectly content if Christmas lasted all year long. “The spirit of Christmas is where we’re supposed to be all the time. It keeps you in a wonderful state of happiness and health and joy,” she says. “Whenever you listen to Christmas songs, it takes you back to those very special moments when you are surrounded by family and friends. It brings out a childlike quality just by hearing those songs.”
Five years after her last full-length project, the multiple Grammy-nominated contralto singer/songwriter, Stellar Award and Dove Award nominee decks the seasonal halls with her first-ever holiday album, "Christmas Time with Oleta", replete with beloved classics and a handful of personal favorites.
The 10-song set, released by KOCH Records, was produced by the artist, was recorded in Adams’ home studio—the Booth & the Cave—in Kansas City, where she has lived for most of her adult life. She arranged and plays the majority of the instruments, with husband John Cushon on percussion, along with a number of guest musicians, including Lonnie McFadden and Ronald McFadden, who added essential horn parts to two of the songs, and Greg Clark and Tammy Ward Clayton on backing vocals.
“I could roll out of bed and walk down to the recording studio. How can you beat that?”
Adams says of recording at home. She adds, “Oh, I love it here. First, there’s more bang for the buck, but my husband is also from here. When my initial success happened, it made sense to be in the center of the country. I’m from the state of Washington, and that always meant it would take an extra day to get wherever I needed to be.”
These days, Adams maintains a touring schedule that continuously takes her around the world. Year after year, she has shared her vivid versatility with a variety of audiences. With success at pop (first via her 1991 top 5 “Get Here,” deemed the unofficial anthem of the Gulf War), jazz, R&B and a deep spirituality that has aligned her within the gospel community, the performer upholds a reputation as a name-brand marquis entertainer.
“It’s been wonderful,” Adams says. “I’m on the road three weekends of every month, whether it’s a jazz festival in Germany, a salute to Gershwin at the Hollywood Bowl, a Billie Holliday tribute at Carnegie Hall, a church in Washington, D.C., or my own tour in Holland. Oh, yes, we stay busy.”
For "Christmas Time with Oleta", the artist queried friends, acquaintances and accommodating strangers on the street—asking what they most wanted to hear on a seasonal set. “I asked what songs really make you feel like it’s Christmas. Nine times out of 10, they said they wanted to hear familiar songs that reminded them of the season. It’s so rare for me to not write for an album, but I got the message.”
The resulting collection contains such consummate holiday compositions as “Let It Snow,” “Silent Night,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland,” all with Adams’ passionate, soul-stamped signature. Lesser-known titles that hold special meaning to the artist are also given her personal stamp, including Amy Grant’s co-written “Breath of Heaven,” Adams’ personal favorite on the album; Melissa Manchester’s co-scribed “There’s Still My Joy,” a song Adams performed with the artist during her annual Colors of Christmas concert trek and which here, features a cello solo by Beth McCullom that Adams arranged; and the spiritual “Alleluia, Alleluia (Peace on Earth),” which focuses on the true meaning of the season.
Another novel reading is “Christmas Time Is Here,” best known as the theme to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Adams relates, “That’s a song that really means Christmas to me. It’s usually heard as an instrumental, so we enjoyed recording it in a way that not a lot of people have heard before. I think that the audience loves familiar songs, but they don’t mind if it’s treated in a unique way.”
The album also comes with its share of whimsy. On “Winter Wonderland,” Adams sings the song tongue-in-cheek as an ode to her husband. “John hates to go on walks—especially if it’s cold outside. Even in the summer, he’ll refuse to go down the street for a good power walk,” she says, chuckling. “I wanted this song to sound quirky; everyone knows me for singing all of these serious songs that leave people crying. I wanted to have fun on this one.” True to her word, as the song fades, Adams can be heard joking, “Come on, let’s just walk, I know it’s cold out there, but walk anyway. Don’t you turn around and go back to that house. I’m not going to stay out here by myself.” On a more serious note, she also performs a piano solo on the song.
Adams’ strong faith—as the daughter of a preacher, raised with gospel—is captured in Grant’s “Breath of Heaven,” on which she plays all instruments. She says, “I absolutely love that song. A subtitle for it would be ‘Mary’s Song.’ It’s about the personal feelings of the virgin Mary as she bears the Christ child and how God so favored her as to bless her with His son. She was so virtuous and humble that she said, ‘Okay, Lord, whatever is your will. She knew she was facing an awesome task.”
"Christmas Time with Oleta", Adams’ ninth album overall, personifies all that her many fans have come to expect, while representing a personal triumph for the artist. “I’m really thrilled with what we came up with. It feels magical to me,” she says. “We had quite a celebration here.”
I love you! No really your music inspires...I just wanted to know your one of the artist that inspires me to do what I do...Please when you have a moment stop by my page and please sign my guest book. So much love... ROB j
Hello Oleta. Just wanted to stop by and thank you for adding me to your circle of friends. Keep the music flowing. "May the LORD give you increase more and more..." (Psalm 115:14a)
"..thank you 4 such a wonderful show @ tha bam music fest in bklyn...the show was off the hook!!! & much appreciation 4 taking a pic w/me, it was very gracious of you...i put it on my page...check it out when u have a minute. thanx again...much luv and respect 2 ya! peace.
just finished shooting the video "Change" with the 2008 "Mountain Dew" FIRST PLACE WINNER, Mr. ISM, Mr. Filmographer, Mr.Rapp'r, Producer Himself! Tha DEE EEE Z. (....sorry Ya'll..just SOOO PrOuD of this man with the Cam in His hand!) We shot it in various spots around H-Town (Gorilla Style...almost got SMASHED on tha FREEWAY!!). Click the link below to view it. Also Check out the song I wrote for STARBUCKS "The Starbucks Groove" @ www. starbucksgroove. com...and fa sho the Starbucks Groove Tour is coming to a Starbucks near you. It's Main purpose is to get out to our community and instill the importance of safe sex and the seriousness of this AIDS Epidemic. We've got many very caring and concerned Celebrity Activist already involved, so you never know who you'll find at that Starbucks with me enjoying a Venti Chocolate mocha or Latte extra Hottie with a hint of raw sugar too.
God Bless you.......Have a Super-Blessed Day.......Great is God.....He is in the Blessing Business.......and He told me to give His Business Card to you.......Much Love........Your Brother in Christ......Fabian D. Falls
Caught your set at the Kansas City Rhythym & Ribs Festival, it was good hearing your voice again. You,re the best, hope to see you again soon in a more intimate venue..Peace to Oleta
I notice you are still advertsing your wonderful Christmas album. If you decide to record another one and might be interested in a new song called "THE SPIRIT of CHRISTMAS" You can here it at:
This is just a shout out! I hope you are enjoying Daily ARMOR. A new, very practical motivational message is added every Monday-Friday. Please enjoy and tell a friend.
hello oleta, thanx so very much for all the wonderful music!...you truly are a very special lady & talent!...please stop by when u can to say hello...much luv & respect 2 ya!
An extention of the book, "Pop: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood", this space supports the fact that there truly are many wonderful, present, committed and loving Black fathers. Black children not only need their fathers but also need to know that this large community of men exists, fostering a sense of confidence and value within themselves. Your support helps strengthen and encourage us all. Let a father know he's appreciated this Father's Day.
I AM say I aint yall lying Bob Marley was the greatest Gospel singer of all time I talk big shit that dont fit small minds if you dont see what Im sayin thats called blind for what I say Im called outspoken but when I speak others try to speak then Im out spoken but what you say shouldn't be taken serious like joking say something thought provoking thats why the family is broken our house was broke in we all brothas and sistas but treat each other like no kin you abuse me when I say yes so no then you cant have what you want but I will give you what you need I cant tell you every story but here's the book to read I can say hit this shit but your lungs make you breathe Spirit Holy in my soul wont let Her leave being stingy with GOD's energy designated to be in me powers of the Heavens THEY give me not lend me in preparation of the New Beginning at this Ending people dont go to church preachers are pretending kind of money yall flaunt to the poor is offending what kind of message you sending GOD blessed me! so you parade bought a SUV with the money you made off those that prayed last Sunday but you gonna pay them all back for what you do one day
