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JD MCPHERSON PERFORMS ON CBS “THIS MORNING”

December 17, 2018

NEW CHRISTMAS ALBUM SOCKS OUT NOW TO CRITICAL ACCLAIMFEATURED ON NPR’S “FRESH AIR

JD McPherson performed songs from his critically acclaimed new Christmas album, SOCKS, on CBS This Morning” as part of their “Saturday Sessions” series. Watch the performances here: “All The Gifts I Need,” “Hey Skinny Santa!” and “Claus vs. Claus” featuring special guest Lucie Silvas.Out now on New West Records (stream/purchase here), SOCKS features ten original songs plus the first ever physical release of the track, “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights).” In celebration of the album, McPherson recently recorded a special in-studio performance and interview with Terry Gross for NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Listen here.Released to widespread attention, the album continues to receive overwhelming critical praise…

“JD McPherson bursts out of the gate with his debut Christmas offering…McPherson crafts these tunes with the same care he applies to his non-seasonal fare.”
“…if McPherson’s first wildly successful foray into swinging holiday cheer is any indication, this might be the start of something big.”

“…jubilant 10-song collection…”

 “Retro rockin’ around the Christmas tree.”

“A retro-rock holiday revival that, with no kitsch or cutesiness, beams with festive cheer.”

“Irresistible”
“It’s an utter joy, a vintage jump-blues/R&B/rockabilly workout devoid of treacly sentiment, but brimming over with child-like spirit—and just enough grown-up skepticism to keep things anchored in reality.”

 “JD McPherson is a vivid reinterpreter of the strutting rock ’n’ roll of the 1950s. His holiday album, SOCKS, is a collection of original songs with startlingly original conceits.”

“It’s perfect for folks looking to celebrate…with some rocking and rolling holiday cheer.”

“On SOCKS, McPherson maintains that deft verbal touch while throwing it back to his musical roots. The end result is an old-fashioned rock-and-roll album that’s fun to listen to when spreading Yuletide cheer and still maintains its charms when being absorbed on a fall day when it’s 64 degrees outside.”

“After pledging to never make an album of Christmas songs, my guest, roots and rockabilly musician JD McPherson, has broken that promise. And I’m really glad he did.” 

“You’d be hard pressed to find a better soundtrack to your holiday party than these swinging tunes…the album is stacked with brand-new classics.”

Best Country/Roots Albums of 2018 
“A swinging blast from start to finish. And it stands up to the standard of excellence he established with his first three albums.”

SOCKS overflows with vintage rock & roll tidings of comfort and joy…”
“You could easily fool someone into thinking you discovered a gem of an album from 60 years ago. Scuff one up a little and keep someone from Googling it and you might be
able to pull it off.”

“Retro rock ‘n’ roller JD McPherson pulls off a believable facsimile of a sound you might expect to hear on dusty old vinyl from the 1950s. Maybe you won’t mistake ‘Hey, Skinny Santa’ for an actual contemporary of ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’, but it seems like Socks…might scratch a similar itch once you wear out the actual oldies.”The album was recorded during the warm spring months of 2018 at Alex The Great in Nashville, TN and produced by McPherson (vocals, guitar) and his band—comprised of Ray Jacildo (keys), Jimmy Sutton (upright bass), Jason Smay (drums) and Doug Corcoran (saxophone, guitar, keys). Also featured on the record are special guests Lucie Silvas, as a duet vocalist on “Claus Vs. Claus,” and The Giardinaires on “Socks,” “Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy,” and “Santa’s Got A Mean Machine.” Of the recording, McPherson shares, “Over the past few months, I’ve told a few friends and interested parties that we’re releasing an album soon, and that it’s a Christmas album. You can immediately see the disappointment or bemusement on their faces. Then I have to explain to them how incrediblyproud I am of it, and how I rate it as an actual album, as opposed to some kind of stop-gap or cash-grab. It’s eleven original songs. I think it’s some of my very best lyrical work. The band played beautifully. It was the most fun we’ve ever had in a studio together. After hearing the final mix, we marveled, and none of us can stop listening to it. First and foremost, it’s a rock and roll record (fans of our first record are going to flip out) and one that I believe at least a few people will listen to in the summertime, when they get a jones for feeling good. Scout’s honor.”

Photo credit: Joshua Black Wilkins

Hailing from Broken Arrow, OK, McPherson has recorded three studio albums and toured extensively at venues worldwide plus festival sets at Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival among many others. Rolling Stone has described his music as “Timeless, forward-thinking rock & roll.” His most recent LP, Undivided Heart & Soul, was released in 2017 to widespread critical acclaim with NPR praising, “McPherson’s mastery of rock and soul fundamentals is beyond question, but his voice moves in wild ways on these songs, and the band exudes a new kind of risky energy.”SOCKS TRACK LIST1. All The Gifts I Need2. Bad Kid3. Hey Skinny Santa!4. Socks5. Every Single Christmas6. Ugly Sweater Blues7. Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy8. Santa’s Got A Mean Machine9. What’s That Sound?10. Claus Vs. Claus (feat. Lucie Silvas)11. Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights) [PHYSICAL ONLY] www.JDMcPherson.com