Maps of Music

Christmas Is Almost Here (2002)

Where the lyrics of Christmas Is Almost Here take you, and where it was really made.

Carly Simon's first Christmas album was also her 19th studio album, and AllMusic judged it an above-average holiday release rather than an exciting one.

Key places

Recorded at The Peninsula Hotel (2002)

Recording site The Red Lips Room (Beverly Hills) — The album was recorded in Room 139 of The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills in January 2002. The pin sits at the Beverly Hills city center, not the exact hotel building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Record Plant in Hollywood (2002)

Recording site Record Plant (Los Angeles) — Record Plant in Hollywood is listed as one of the studios where this album was recorded. The pin marks the studio building itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Parr Audio on Martha's Vineyard (2002)

Recording site Chalker's Creek — Parr Audio on Martha's Vineyard is listed among the recording studios for this album. The pin shows the island's city center, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Christmas Is Almost Here: 19th studio album and first Christmas album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon
• Released 22 October 2002 by Rhino Entertainment
• Mixes seasonal classics with original compositions
• Willie Nelson sings a duet on 'Pretty Paper'
• Simon's son Ben Taylor sings a duet on 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'
• Simon co-wrote 'Heaven' with her sister Lucy Simon

Background

• Simon's former brother-in-law Livingston Taylor wrote the title track
• 'The Land of Christmas (Mary)' was written by Simon the night before recording began
• Simon embarked on a promotional tour in support of the album
• Television appearances on the tour included Good Morning America, The Caroline Rhea Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Howard Stern, and The Today Show
• Ben Taylor accompanied her on many of these promotional appearances

Recording

• Recorded in Room 139 of The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills, in January 2002
• Record Plant in Hollywood is listed among the studios for the album
• Parr Audio in Martha's Vineyard is listed among the studios for the album

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born June 25, 1943 in New York City; American singer-songwriter and author.
• In 1963 began performing as the Simon Sisters with sister Lucy Simon; released Meet the Simon Sisters, which produced the minor hit "Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod".
• Signed to Elektra Records in 1970 and went solo.

Career

• Debut album (1971) won the Grammy for Best New Artist; "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" was her first top 10 single.
• No Secrets (1972) topped the Billboard 200 for five weeks; "You're So Vain" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Recorded "Nobody Does It Better" for the 1977 Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
• Won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy for "Let the River Run" from Working Girl (1988).
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• AllMusic's Richie Unterberger rated the album 2½ stars out of 5
• Unterberger called it definitely an above-average holiday offering
• He praised co-producer Don Was and session players Jim Keltner, Billy Preston, and Benmont Tench for adding creativity and diversity to the sound
• He found Simon's vocals strong and her original 'The Land of Christmas (Mary)' better than much of her 1980s and 1990s secular material
• He said it is not an exciting release but is less immediately forgettable than many holiday efforts by similar performers
• Entertainment Weekly noted Simon's rueful streak and spartan arrangements that bring little cheer
• EW praised 'The Land of Christmas (Mary)' for recalling classic Carly Simon and Willie Nelson's 'Pretty Paper' as a beautifully understated duet
• EW said odd touches, such as an electric Dobro making 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' eerie, kept the album from being perfect

Records

• Peaked at No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Simon co-wrote 'Heaven' with her sister Lucy Simon
• Ben Taylor, Simon's son, sang a duet on 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen' and joined her on many promotional appearances
• Simon's former brother-in-law Livingston Taylor wrote the title track
• Simon wrote 'The Land of Christmas (Mary)' the night before recording on the album began

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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