Vocalist Collette Cooper releases Darkside of Christmas Chapter 2

Following on from 2022’s Darkside of Christmas Chapter 1, Collette Cooper, known for her individual, unmistakable voice returns this festive season with Darkside of Christmas Chapter 2. Released on 24 November, the album receives its live launch on Friday 1 December at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3 Pilgrim’s Place, Hampstead, London NW3.

Reflecting the current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and global events, Darkside Of Christmas Chapters 1 & 2 takes a more poignant approach to the seasonal album, aiming to recognise the recent difficulties that have been felt by many around the world, touching on themes of love, loss and empathy, tied together with Cooper’s wry wit and edgy humour backed by a band of leading UK jazz musicians.

Chapter 2 opens with another Cooper-penned poem, this time recited by award winning, gritty British actor, Maxine Peake to start the haunting original composition ‘When the Snow Falls’. The albums includes while Cooper’s rendition of ‘What A Wonderful World’ (recorded live in one take) sails over the sound of an old honky-tonk piano with the odd broken key, conjuring the essence of a singalong around the fire after a few too many glasses of Christmas spirit.

A more personal sentiment is projected on the original track ‘Another Day’ –  dedicated to Collette’s best friend Claire Bonham, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2020 (the last time they spent time together was New Year’s Day 2020), while the classic jazz standard ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ is given a unique treatment with the addition of the melody from ‘Carol Of The Bells’. The final new track ends the project like it began with Cooper’s unique take on an old Carol, this time being ‘Coventry Carol’.

For more information visit collettecooper.bandcamp.com and www.eventbrite.com/e/collette-coopers-darkside-of-christmas-chapters-1-2