Cleopatra Records
Cleopatra RecordsCurrent and former members of Yes and Asia are among the artists featured on a new holiday compilation called A Prog Rock Christmas that was produced by Billy Sherwood, who currently plays bass with both groups.
The artists who have contributed to the record include Yes singer Jon Davison, Yes and Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes, Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse, late Asia singer/bassist John Wetton, Renaissance frontwoman Annie Haslam, Wishbone Ash‘s Martin Turner and ex-Yes and Moody Blues keyboardist Patrick Moraz.
The album features a mix of traditional Christmas tunes and modern holiday-themed songs by contemporary artists. It’s available now on CD, as a digital download, via streaming services and as a limited-edition two-LP set pressed on red and white vinyl.
Davison contributes a version of late Yes bassist Chris Squire‘s “Run with the Fox,” Sherwood and Moraz join forces for a cover of Paul McCartney‘s “Wonderful Christmastime,” Turner offers up a rendition of Greg Lake‘s “I Believe in Father Christmas” and Wetton is featured singing John Lennon‘s “Happy Christmas (War Is Over).”
Actor Malcom McDowell, star of A Clockwork Orange, also appears on the album, contributing a version of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
In addition, Downes has recorded a rendition of “Linus and Lucy,” the classic Vince Guaraldi instrumental featured in the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. The track only appears on the CD version of A Prog Rock Christmas.
Here’s the album’s full track list:
“Run with the Fox” — Jon Davison
“Christmas Lights” — Kasim Sulton
“Carol of the Bells” — Steve Morse
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” — Annie Haslam
“Wonderful Christmastime” — Billy Sherwood & Patrick Moraz
“I Believe in Father Christmas” — Martin Turner
“Fairytale of New York” — Leslie Hunt & Robin McAuley
“O Come All Ye Faithful” — Sonja Kristina
“A Christmas Song” — Thijs Van Leer
“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” — Malcolm McDowell
“Linus & Lucy (Charlie Brown Christmas Theme)” — Geoff Downes*
“Silent Night” — Nik Turner & Simon House
“Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” — John Wetton
* = CD only.
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