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To all my family and friends, I am extremely excited to announce the release of It’s Christmas All Over by the Goo Goo Dolls (which I co-produced, arranged, and co-wrote the 2 original songs on the album) I am very proud of this record for many reasons, with the penultimate being that my daughter Sydney (7 years old) sings the lead vocal on the song Better Days. The song (which was a top 40 hit in 2005) was originally written as a Christmas song, but never released or promoted that way. Knowing she likes to sing, Johnny (our fearless leader) asked me if Sydney would like to try singing parts of it, with the idea that she might sing some harmonies or possibly a duet. But when she sang the song, she blew us all away and Johnny said, “It’s all hers to sing”! Though there were a few minor touches given, she largely sang this in one take, and I could not be more proud of her. Another reason this album is so special to me, is the collaboration of my long time friend and Goo Goo Dolls guitarist Brad Fernquist. Brad and I met over 20 years ago and have played together in several bands over the years. After all this time, it was very gratifying to make this record together and to have the single This Is Christmas (which we wrote together with John) released to radio. Some other highlights for me are Ain’t Gettin Nothing, one of the original songs I wrote with Johnny about a kid who ends up on the naughty list. We also did a more stripped down, dare I say “soulful” version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, where Johnny’s voice is in top form. I also love Robby’s take on Christmas, Don’t Be Late (the Alvin and the Chipmunks song) Musically, the most challenging song was the medley (The Christmas Party) which ends the album. It is an instrumental version of many of our favorite Christmas songs strung together in one musical piece. It was recorded live with piano and saxophone trading leads - with great friends Jon Button on bass and Aaron Sterling on drums. Though it was a beast to put together, I love how it came out. Recorded during lock down in Los Angeles, with protests and riots literally outside the studio door, I am very happy to see this album released today. Album review excerpts:
"The album also features a new version of the Goos' 2005 hit Better Days,
sung by the daughter of co-producer and touring member Jim McGorman.
"He was playing it at home and she wanted to sing it, and he brought (a
recording) in and was like, 'Listen to this.' I loved and it and he's
like, "We can work on it and she can sing it better,' but I said 'No,
no, no, just leave it the way it is,' because of the purity of it.
She's 7 or 8 years old, and you can’t fake that. I got a lump in my
throat when I heard it, and I wanted people to hear it in its rawest,
purest form."
"For the Goo Goo Dolls fans, the album includes a reworking of 2005 single Better Days,
from the band’s 2006 album Let Love In. This version strips away the
driving bass, guitars and symphonic elements in favor of a tinny piano
paired with a quivering child’s voice delivering the vocals. The
vocalist here was Sydney McGorman, daughter of Jimmy McGorman, a
longtime collaborator of the band and one of the co-producers of the
album. It’s still a hopeful song—looking ahead—making it suitable for
New Year’s Eve."
Riff Magazine
"Recorded in lockdown, It’s Christmas All Over
features covers of Christmas classics as well as two new original
songs. The album was produced by frontman John Rzeznik, Brad Fernquist
and Jimmy McGorman.
Better Days from the Let Love In Album is given a lovely reworking – I’m not going to spoil the surprise, for fear of its effect not melting your heart." Total Entertainment "Produced
by long-time collaborators Brad Fernquist and Jimmy McGorman, the
band’s touring guitarist and keyboardist, along with Rzeznik, the
10-song collection contains two original new tracks, [and] a precious
reimagining of their own Better Days
...they make up for this with a truly precious rendition of their own 2005 offering Better Days, one that offers up a young child singing with piano accompaniment." Cryptic Rock John Rzeznik:
"I worked really closely with two of the guys in our band, Brad
(Fernquist) and Jimmy (McGorman). They are really schooled musicians
and Jimmy is like this crazy jazz pianist, so he did all the horn
arrangements"
USA Today International Edition"The fifth track, Better Days, is a rework of Goo Goo Dolls' well-known track from their 2005 album Let Love In.
The piano-driven ballad, which reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in
'05 , is about making the world a better place. Sentimentally touching,
the new version recreates the magic of the original, but with a festive
difference."
meaww "As part
of a band of girl dads (Takac has an 8-year-old daughter, Hana, while
[Jim] McGorman’s 7-year-old Sydney performs a raw and powerful version
of the group’s Better Days on It’s Christmas All Over) Rzeznik’s proud to be raising a strong-minded daughter."
"With family being extremely important, the track Better Days is a gorgeous and pure song, sung entirely by a child making you remember the innocence you once felt and the magic Christmas once brought. Lastly, we have the longest track on the album, The Christmas Party. Sounding like a jazzy big band, this track portrays exactly what the title entails. With background chatter and cheers, a medley of your favourite Christmas tracks played in a function band way, you are suddenly transported to the work party that you sadly may not be able to attend. However, this track manages to bring the party right to your doorstep and is a very thoughtful and energetic track." Vinyl Chapters
"'Better
Days' follows and is, of course, the Goo Goo Dolls own song sung by
Sydney McGorman (offspring of Jimmy, no less). It has always felt like
a Christmas song and sung with the innocence of a child this highlights
the majesty and optimism of the decade plus old lyrics. Enchanting."
My Festive Pop The Goos
deliver with a Santa's bag of originals, nostalgic remakes, a genuinely
moving, kid-sung take of their hit "Better Days" and especially "The
Christmas Party," a buoyant, brassy medley that will have the stockings
line-dancing along the mantle.
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