Album Notes

Artese N Toad presents the Americana Christmas Project. Ten all original Americana and country songs that you'll be playing over and over this holiday season. We brought out the old Gibson and Martin guitars for this session for that "down home" Christmas sound.

There's a song for everyone here from the hit "Christmas Street," to the English carol inspired "When the Angels Played," to the soul stirring soldier's story "Christmas Sand." The CD was produced by none other than Daoud Shaw, the ultimate producer and percussionist who has lent his skills to many major recording artists including Van Morrison and Etta James.

So sit back and listen as Artese N Toad take you on a uniquely American Christmas journey. Light the fire, gather the family and relax...it's Christmastime.

The Americana Christmas Project
Review by Ray Naylor

Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing Artese 'n Toad for their Christmas Podcast, which included five original Christmas songs. What began as "The Americana Christmas Project" last year, has now been expanded by Artese 'n Toad to a full CD of Christmas songs. In addition to the songs on the original "Americana Christmas Project", this CD includes new songs as well as a couple of holiday songs from previous CDs. Of the new songs, "When The Angels Played" is a song that you could hear a church choir sing, and the tune has the sound of a new Christmas Carol. "Gotta To Get Up", also a new song, re-awakens the kid in all of us. "Daddy 's Old Train" and "Tonight I'm Gonna Get My Christmas Train" are songs from previous recordings, and they they get a fresh new coat of paint (green and red) by being included on this CD.

When all of us look forward to hearing traditional holiday songs every Christmas, putting out a recording of original Christmas music might be considered a risk. But, last year's "The Americana Christmas Project" by Artese 'n Toad was received with open arms by a significant number people from far and wide. This expanded version of "The Americana Christmas Project" should receive expanded enthusiasm from many more. Good work Artese 'n Toad.