Lauren Daigle and Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Christmas Songs: The Credits
What's out
Lauren Daigle released two Christmas songs on Friday, October 30, both recorded with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band: "Sleigh Ride" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Per Interscope Capitol's release, it is her label debut after signing to Capitol / Interscope / CCMG. Apple Music lists the pair as Lauren Daigle with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band Christmas, under a Lauren Daigle Music, Inc. license to Interscope Capitol and Capitol CMG. A 7" vinyl of the two songs follows on November 27, per the release.
Lauren Daigle, Preservation Hall Jazz Band: "Sleigh Ride" (Official Audio)
The official audio for "Sleigh Ride" is up on Daigle's YouTube channel.
Behind the boards
Apple Music's credits for "Sleigh Ride" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain" list Mike Elizondo as producer on both. Justin Francis mixed them, Chris Gehringer mastered them, and Alex Wilder is credited as additional engineer. Wilder also sings background vocals on "Go Tell It On The Mountain."
The band credits read like a lineup card. Ben Jaffe plays tuba and bass, Wendell Brunious and Branden Lewis play trumpet, Revon Andrews plays trombone and Clint Maedgen plays saxophone. Kyle Roussel is on piano, Josh Starkman on guitar and Jafet Perez on drums. Kynadi Lynn sings background vocals on both songs, joined on "Go Tell It On The Mountain" by Blair Whitlow, Neka Hamilton and Greg Beal.
Apple credits "Sleigh Ride" to composer Leroy Anderson and lyricist Mitchell Parish.
In Daigle's words
The release calls the band one "that has helped define the sound and spirit of New Orleans for decades." "Coming from New Orleans, bringing together different musical styles with a little second line spirit feels like a celebration of new relationships, fresh perspectives and the joy of sharing my music with others," Daigle said.
On the road
Per the release, The Behold Christmas Tour opens with two nights at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on December 2 and 3. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band joins her for two shows at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on December 5 and 6, and the run wraps December 12 at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. A portion of each ticket goes to her charity, The Price Fund.
My read
Producer Mike Elizondo with a full horn section, a tuba on the bottom and up to five background singers is a big room of people for two holiday standards. On paper, that is a session built around players, not programming.
Dani Reyes, Behind the Boards. Credits check: Mike Elizondo on "Sleigh Ride."