Coco Reilly – Christmas With You

Everyone knows that I’m a sucker for big, huge, well blended harmonies.  Then, there are those notes that some artist’s hit that take my love to another level.  The best thing is when they don’t over-do-it when they hit that plateau.  I came here to write about a really cool Christmas song and I promise I’ll get there.  But this special note/harmony has me happily trapped inside of this song.

Wherever you are is where I like best.

That one.  She’ll do this a few more times throughout the song (with different lyrics) and it’s perfect.  Okay – now let’s talk about this amazing song.  It’s probably the most chill holiday song ever but it totally works.  You have mention of sleigh bells, joy, Angels, Mistletoe, Silver Bells, reconnecting with a loved one on Christmas and a falalalalallen thrown in for good measure.  

Coco’s delivery of each word in Christmas with You seems calculated, with intoxicating double tracked and harmony vocals. After a few listens I felt almost in a dream state as the thick 12-string acoustic guitar combined with that classic California dreamin’-almost surf sound electric guitar – reverberated in my ears.  Piano and well placed shakers, tambo’s and percussion widen out the sound as Reilly’s voice stands out front and center.  Maybe it’s the tone of her voice or maybe all of the little ohh’s and ahh’s that has my interest peaked.  Either way, the vocal performance in its entirety should not be overlooked.  There’s some really great stuff going on during this track.

It doesn’t seem like the most orthodox Christmas song ever recorded but when you dig in, it really is a terrific Christmas song.  It’s definitely a fresh and creative way to enjoy an egg nog or two.  For me – I can tell you that I’ll be listening for the rest of this holiday season – with a ‘nog or two.

-Tommy Marz

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