Indigo Girls released their first holiday record, specially packaged in holiday wrapping (and containing three surprise ornaments packed inside), yesterday on IG Recordings/Vanguard Records. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Peter Collins, the album's arrangements have a down-home feel and reflect both the Girls' Southern roots and their love of Appalachian and bluegrass music.
The band, all amazing players, includes Alison Brown on banjo, Victor Krauss on bass, Luke Bulla on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, Jim Brock on percussion, and Lloyd Maines on dobro and pedal steel.
Sacred and secular, traditional and original, the tracks reflect the ecumenical spirit of the duo's diverse fan base, from Chely Wright's "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" to Woody Guthrie's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah," with Janis Ian and Mary Gautier on background vocals. Some songs include a third harmony part: Julie Wolf added guest vocals on "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and Brandi Carlile harmonizes on several tracks. The album also features the Indigo Girls' arrangements of such classic Christmas recordings as "Oh Holy Night," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Angels We Have Heard On High" as well as three original (and instantly classic) songs written by Amy and Emily - "Your Holiday Song," "Mistletoe" and "The Wonder Song." Holly Happy Days is a long overdue love letter to the holiday season by these iconic vocalists.
Indigo Girls Tour Dates:
FR Oct 15 Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theater
SA Oct 16 Black Mountain, NC @ LEAF Festival
SU Oct 17 Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square Center
TU Oct 19 York, PA @ Pullo Family Performing Arts Center
WE Oct 20 Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
FR Oct 22 Scranton, PA @ Lackawanna College
SA Oct 23 New York, NY @ Zankel Hall - Carnegie (ACJW)
SU Oct 24 Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere Music Hall
MO Oct 25 Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere Music Hall
WE Oct 27 Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium
TH Oct 28 New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
FR Oct 29 Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall
SA Oct 30 Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium
MO Nov 1 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
TU Nov 2 Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
WE Nov 3 Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theatre
FR Nov 5 Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
SA Nov 6 Blacksburg, VA @ The Lyric
