Album Notes

Last Christmas, Doylestown, PA based singer and songwriter, Christy Jefferson, discovered a brand new way to make lemonade out of lemons.

The rock album she was recording was at a standstill, and money for holiday gifts was scarce. The solution: since nothing counteracts the winter blues like endorphins from nostalgic holiday tunes, Christy decided to record a few Christmas songs in her home studio and give them to family and friends for the holidays.

One thing led to another. The 5 song homegrown CD grew to 11 songs -- 10 traditional pieces and one special song that Christy wrote for her family entitled, ‘Memories We Build On, Year to Year’. The original Christy solo just vocals & guitar vision grew to include cello and percussion on almost every track, plus an occasional tasty accordion, piano, cello or harmonium solo.

Other close friends in her artistic circle were feeling pinched by various versions of the holiday blues, too, and the CD naturally evolved into a Christmas Gift Co-op for Christy and two friends: cellist Kathy Miller, and graphic designer Amy Taylor. Both friends contributed their talents to the project in exchange for copies of the CD that they would gift to their family and friends come December.

Christy started recording the album November 10th, 2008; 11 days, 20 candles, and 3 apple pies later, the album was tracked and mixed. “It was a huge morale booster to have something in my life that I could bring from start to finish in a short period of time. It was good medicine.”

With socially conscious issues close to Jefferson’s heart, the CD was mastered at Cedar Street Studios and manufactured at Sire Press -- both located in the same building in Philadelphia where she was recording her rock album. In addition to ‘buying locally’, Jefferson opted for an eco-friendly sleeve made of 100% recycled cardboard and skipped the shrink wrap. “It’s not just a gift to my friends and family, but also to our children, and our children’s children since we’re keeping their planet in mind while choosing our path of creation.”

In order to cover costs, Jefferson quietly sold the CD last November & December in markets far from family and friends, and ultimately pulled off a complete surprise on Christmas morning.

“Making this CD was the perfect way to turn an unhappy situation around. I hope other people hear this story and are inspired to use their creativity and innovation to get through tough spots this holiday season and through-out the year ahead. The worst of times can be turned into the best of times with a little imagination and team work!”

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Instrumentation:

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2:02
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes, Accordion -
C. Jefferson; Cello - K. Miller

Memories We Build On, Year to Year 2:19
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes - C. Jefferson;
Cello - K. Miller. Song written by Christy Jefferson

Have Yourself a Merry LIttle Christmas 3:43
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes - C. Jefferson;
Cello - K. Miller

What Child is This 3:34
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonium - Jefferson; Cellos - K. Miller

Happy Christmas (War is Over) 4:05
Vocals, Guitar - C. Jefferson; Vocal - William Brehm;
Cello - K. Miller

Blue Christmas 1:54
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes, - Jefferson; Cello,
Cello Solo - K. Miller

Little Drummer Boy 2:55
Vocals, Guitar, Shaker - C. Jefferson; Cello - K. Miller

Rockin Around 1:56
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes - C. Jefferson;
Cello - K. Miller

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 2:28
Vocals, Guitar, Piano - C. Jefferson; Cellos - K. Miller

Holly Jolly Christmas 1:57
Vocals, Guitar, Djembe with brushes, Piano - Jefferson;
Cello - K. Miller

We Three Kings of Orient Are 4:22
Vocals, Guitar - C. Jefferson; Cellos - K. Miller