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Arena Venus : Yuletide Swank
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Arena Venus delves into lounge, jazz, and rockabilly on this swanky Christmas disc - upright bass, vibraphone, guitar, organ, and sultry female vocals make this Christmas CD both retro and fresh. Featured in the hit series "Chad Vader."
Genre: Jazz: Jazz Vocals
Release Date: 2004
Yuletide Swank
Arena Venus
Record Label: Arena Venus
  • Buy CD - $15.99

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. Santa Baby 3:21 Album Only
2. Sleigh Ride 3:07 Album Only
3. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 1:58 Album Only
4. I'd Like You For Christmas 2:32 Album Only
5. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 2:34 Album Only
6. The Man With The Bag 2:44 Album Only
7. Winter Wonderland 2:04 Album Only
8. Jingle Bell Rock 2:07 Album Only
9. Baby, It's Cold Outside -featuring Ryan Smith of the Melismatics 2:45 Album Only
10. Riu Chiu 1:23 Album Only
11. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 2:13 Album Only
12. Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me 2:00 Album Only
13. Jingle Bells 2:09 Album Only
14. Christmas Waltz 2:26 Album Only
15. Good King Wenceslas 3:52 Album Only
16. Happy Holiday 2:02 Album Only
17. Auld Lang Syne 1:12 Album Only
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Album Notes

*Update! Two tracks from Yuletide Swank are featured in the online "CHAD VADER" Holiday Video Card. Chad Vader is the comedy series that's become an internet hit with over 50 million downloads to date.

After colliding at a favorite neighborhood watering hole in Madison, Wisconsin one summer evening, guitarist Dan Hicks and vocalist Courtney Collins instantly bonded over their mutual love of old-school power pop. They closed the evening with a pact to start a band that would pay homage to the bands that inspired them during their formative years, and then set about finding the rhythm section that would complement their music, which they dub "arena pop." Drummer Dave Ross entered the scene and wholeheartedly agreed to join the expedition. The lineup was completed with the addition of bassist Andrew Yonda.

Hicks' roaring power chords and classic arrangements are augmented by Yonda's melodic bass lines. Ross's precise but big beat provides the foundation for the playground that is Arena Venus. Collins ties it together with her bright melodies, contralto vocals, and multi-entendre lyrics which are usually delivered with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The band's debut EP, "Plucked," was released in July 2003. "Plucked" has been reviewed as a "smart, catchy disc," with "gritty guitars" and "sultry, dreamy legato" vocals. Over the summer of 2004, Arena Venus took a temporary departure from power pop to record a Christmas CD. "Yuletide Swank" combines lounge, rockabilly, and traditional stylings - upright bass, vibraphone, Christmas bells, rocking guitar, organ, and smooth female vocals that make the recording both retro and fresh.

To purchase WELCOME TO CHRISTMASTOWN by Courtney Collins and Jeremy Ylviskaker, go to: http://cdbaby.com/all/arenavenus

To purchase other ARENA VENUS CDs go to: http://cdbaby.com/all/arenavenus

To purchase COURTNEY COLLINS'S solo CD, Violet Night, go to: http://cdbaby.com/all/arenavenus

And also visit www.CourtneyCollins.com and www.theBack40s.com for more music from members of Arena Venus.


"Let's get this out of the way straight off - this is the best Christmas album I've ever heard - anywhere. Brilliant arrangements and sublime musicianship...with a pristine recording and mix, delivering one of the best albums of the year." - Rick's Cafe, South Central Wisconsin's Regional Music News

" ...Yuletide Swank is pure pop pleasure. It's a fun ride for a broad audience of holiday music lovers. Take a seat in the lounge, and enjoy!" - Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com

"The band candy-coats its usual guitar rock edge and gives yuletide favorites an 'indie lounge' feel that goes down as smooth as spiked eggnog at your holiday party." - Rob Thomas, The Capital Times

"Arena Venus could likely succeed in any genre, the elements from each of the individual players are that in tune and that cohesive." - Christine Holm, The Badger Herald

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REVIEWS

Wonderful gift...
author: Linda H
                            
I mailed one of these CD's to each of my 11 long distance friends.  This is such a wonderful CD. The the smooth, silky, smokey vocals add spice to the holiday season.  Arena Venus is one very talented band.

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still my favorite cd for 6 mo out of the year
author: valerie
                            
what's even better than this cd? i used to work at 324 in LaX, WI, we had them there for a live holiday show that year, it was great! 
great music for holiday parties, i take it with me every time i go to one!

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fabulous new spins on the old classics
author: Christine Holm, the Badger Herald
                            
Arena Venus puts some fabulous new spins on the old classics and spices it up with a few new tunes.

Yuletide Swank’s opening tune, “Santa Baby,” offers up a prime example of Venus Arena’s deft ability to reinvent the conventional in a fascinating way. Refusing to conceal the song’s innate sensuality, Collin’s uses her alto register and crystal clear elocution to really tell the song’s story.

“I’d Like You For Christmas” is one such zesty addition. Collins’ vocals, sweltering in the jazzy prolongation of her notes, will get her just about anything she wants underneath the tree. The backing doo-wop harmonies give the perfect aura of a chill lounge act, a mood that is prevalent throughout the record. 

The choice of this musical expression for sharing the holiday spirit is indeed the real kicker. Arena Venus could likely succeed in any genre, the elements from each of the individual players are that in tune and that cohesive. The shuffle of the bass lines, the soft and steady beats are encapsulating. This album steps it up with some characteristic power-popiness on one number, then slows it down for another. But the underlying chill is always predominant. With such a hectic season, it is as if Arena Venus is offering listeners a little gift of their own: a reminder to relax just a little and enjoy all the holiday loveliness swirling around.

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Why be merely cold on Chrismtas Eve when you can be cool?
author: Rob Thomas, Capital Times, Madison, WI
                            
Arena Venus, "Christmas Swank."

No squares need apply for "Christmas Swank," the deeply cool CD by Madison's power popsters Arena Venus. The band candy-coats its usual guitar rock edge and gives yuletide favorites an "indie lounge" feel that goes down as smooth as spiked eggnog at your holiday party.

Vocalist Courtney Collins' brassy, sultry voice is perfectly suited to classics like "Winter Wonderland" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." The band adds a little rockabilly flair to several tunes, including the surf guitar laid down on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Why be merely cold on Christmas Eve when you can be cool?

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