Earth, Wind & Fire cozy up for Christmas

Eight time Grammy award winning soul band Earth, Wind & Fire are to release their first Christmas album called 'Holiday'. It will include a reworking their anthemic song ‘September’ which will be retitled ‘December’ with the return of former lead singer Maurice White to the fold. Maurice has been in retirement from the band due to suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The album will also feature a new take on ‘Happy Feelings’ called ‘Happy Seasons’ as well as renditions of Christmas favourites ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Joy to the World’.

Current band leader Philip Bailey said, “We stretched the envelope a bit on several songs, changing the harmonic structures and rhythms --kind of what we did with the Beatles’ ‘Got to Get You Into My Life,’”. It’s Christmas songs but still Earth, Wind and Fire-esque.”

Bass player and co-founder Verdine White added, “It’s our special twist. We never thought about doing a holiday album before. But the record company  asked and so have our fans, so we hope the audience likes it.” 

Track Listing for 'Holiday':

1. Joy to the World
2. Happy Seasons
3. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
4. Winter Wonderland
5. What Child Is This?
6. Away In a Manger
7. The Little Drummer Boy
8. Every Day Is Like Christmas
9. The First Noël
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Snow
12. Jingle Bell Rock
13. December