Matthew and Gunnar NELSON – This Christmas [CD version] (2015)

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the twin sons of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Rick Nelson and frontmen of Melodic Rock wonders NELSON, will release their first collection of holiday songs “This Christmas” next December 4th.

A spirited blend of pop, rock and country, neatly wrapped in the Nelsons’ warm family harmonies, “This Christmas” features special guests Molly Cherryholmes (on fiddle), and singer Alyssa Bonagura, with the latter joining them on the title track.
Bonagura and the Nelsons penned the tune with her father, Michael Bonagura, the Americana artist. A fresh take on the holiday theme, “This Christmas” has a sweet, romantic twist.

The brothers, who first achieved international stardom in the ’90s with the Number 1 hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” produced the new 12-track collection, which also includes lively arrangements of traditional holiday classics like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World”.
The album also features modern tunes such as “Blue Christmas,” “Jingle Bells” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which could be mistaken for a vintage Rick Nelson recording.

The Christmas LP is just one aspect of what has become a new phase for the brothers. Just as their dad did with his Stone Canyon Band in the Seventies, Matthew and Gunnar, who now reside in Nashville, have been working on music that will bridge the gap between rock and country.
In 2014, they performed a well-received set at the CMA Music Festival, which eschewed all the trappings of their pop-metal heyday and instead spotlighted the two singers and their guitars.

Nelson’s approach to acoustics and Americana music is not new, they did it a lot in their excellent second album ‘Because They Can’.
“This Christmas” is a really nice album for the next holidays, but also very enjoyable to Nelson regular fans. While some tracks are too much ‘traditionalist’, others are a true pleasure if you loved (like me) the ‘Because They Can’ era. “Away In A Manger” and “White Christmas” are delicious.
Recommended for your Christmas tree.

01 – This Christmas (feat. Alyssa Bonagura)
02 – Joy To The World
03 – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (feat. Molly Cherryholmes)
04 – Oh Come All Ye Faithful
05 – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
06 – Mele Kelikimaka (feat. Molly Cherryholmes)
07 – Away In A Manger
08 – Holly Jolly Christmas
09 – Blue Christmas (feat. Molly Cherry Holmes)
10 – Jingle Bells
11 – We Wish You A Merry Christmas (feat. Molly Cherryholmes)
12 – White Christmas

PRE ORDER:
www.bestbuy.com/site/this-christmas-cd/29897156.p?id=3462850&skuId=29897156
.