INDIGO GIRLS Holly Happy Days - 2828 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

( October 12; IG Recordings/Vanguard Records )

For years, their voices have soared in harmony like the voices of a Christmas choir. Now, more than two decades into their career, Grammy-award winning duo Indigo Girls — Amy Ray and Emily Saliers — are set to release their first holiday record, specially packaged in holiday wrapping ( and containing three surprise ornaments packed inside ) on October 12, 2010 on IG Recordings/Vanguard Records.

In part, the songs on Holly Happy Days were chosen for their broad appeal. Sacred and secular, traditional and original, the tracks reflect the ecumenical spirit of the duo's diverse fan base, from Chely Wright's "It Really Is ( A Wonderful Life ) " to Woody Guthrie's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah," with Janis Ian and Mary Gautier on background vocals. The album also features the Indigo Girls' arrangements of such classic Christmas recordings as "Oh Holy Night," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Angels We Have Heard On High" as well as three original ( and instantly classic ) songs written by Amy and Emily - "Your Holiday Song," "Mistletoe" and "The Wonder Song."

Recorded in Nashville and produced by Peter Collins, the duo sifted through hundreds of tracks, arranged and rehearsed songs on the fly, and carved two weeks out of their hectic schedule to record the 12-song collection in May.

The result: a warm, bluegrass-tinged CD that glows with the goodwill of the season.

"I think our fans are already very excited about it," Saliers says. "We've been talking about this CD at our live shows, and the response has been great. And we were like kids in a candy store with these songs — going to Nashville and knocking it out so quickly with these incredible, world-class players."

The players — including Alison Brown on banjo, Victor Krauss on bass, Luke Bulla on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, Jim Brock on percussion, and Lloyd Maines on dobro and pedal steel — were so solid that the duo could concentrate on perfecting their critically acclaimed vocal arrangements.

Some songs, Ray says, called out for a third harmony part. Julie Wolf added guest vocals on "I'll Be Home For Christmas," while Brandi Carlile harmonized on several tracks, including "In the Bleak Midwinter," which Ray describes as one of their mothers' favorites.

"When the holidays come around," Ray says, "I hope there are at least a couple of songs here where people will hear a representation of something they feel during that time — whether they celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or the winter solstice."

Saliers adds, "To us, the holiday season is all about celebrating and coming together and hope for the future and the belief that things can be good for all people and all creatures. So we just wanted to put of little of that into this record."

From the die-cut ornaments included with the CD to fresh, original songs that expand the Christmas canon, Holly Happy Days is filled with new ways to celebrate the season. There are songs that revive our fondest memories of family and home. There are songs that inspire hope during winter's darkest hours. And there are songs that remind us that above all else, the holidays are a season of love and peace and majesty and wonder.

The Indigo Girls will be spending the fall touring for their new double live album, Staring Down the Brilliant Dream. Stay tuned for a special holiday tour to be announced soon!

Please contact me for more information or to be serviced with this album.

INDIGO GIRLS FALL TOUR DATES:

FR Sep 24 Nacoochee, GA @ Sautee Jamboree Sautee

FR Oct 1 St. Petersburg, FL @ Creative Clay

SU Oct 3 San Francisco, CA @ Hardly Strictly Bluegrass @ Golden Gate Park

FR Oct 15 Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theater

SA Oct 16 Black Mountain, NC @ LEAF Festival

SU Oct 17 Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square Center

TU Oct 19 York, PA @ Pullo Family Performing Arts Center

WE Oct 20 Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House

FR Oct 22 Scranton, PA @ Lackawanna College

SA Oct 23 New York, NY @ Zankel Hall - Carnegie ( ACJW )