Album Review: Dapo & Friends Christmas

Producer Dapo Torimiro has worked with numerous artists like David Archuleta, Stacy Barthe and Nikki Flores, to name a few. Now Dapo has gathered together all of them and more for his first Christmas release, Dapo & Friends Christmas. Putting spins on classic holiday tunes, this album features a collection of different voices with different arrangements as the artists make these Christmas songs their own. Max Schneider's more pop fusion feel on "Jingle Bells" and Stacy Barthe's soulful version of "Sleigh Ride" give the album a fun vibe, while songs like Gaby Ramirez's jazzy "Blue Christmas" and Nikki Flores' R&B "The Christmas Song" take it down a notch and bring a calmer feel to the album. Scotty Granger's R&B take on "All I Want For Christmas (Is You)" and TC's impassioned "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" ballad add another sense of calmness, as well as emotion to the album.

But the highlight of the album is, without a doubt, David Archuleta's "Little Drummer Boy." A song David kills live on his My Kind of Christmas Tour, with the rock rhythm as David gives it his all for the encore, though this version is a little different. This more R&B ballad showcases David's deeper register, with the soft drumming arrangement in the background, and isn't anything more or less than what the song should be.

This 10-song release makes for a different Christmas album, being more original than classic, but definitely doesn't disappoint. One thing this album is not, is boring. These arrangements will leave you wanting more, and the artists' voices are genuine and unique. You can download the album HERE.

David Archuleta "Little Drummer Boy" compilation tour video

David Archuleta's performance of "Little Drummer Boy" is, what I think, one of the highlights of his My Kind of Christmas Tour. David performs the song as his encore, and the energy and emotion he put into that performance at the Irving Plaza was incredible and left everyone amazed and in the Christmas spirit.

Here's a compilation video of David performing the song on the first few shows of his tour:



You can read my review of David's My Kind of Christmas concert HERE and check out my interview with David HERE.

Concert Review: David Archuleta - My Kind of Christmas

There is nothing like David Archuleta's kind of Christmas! After experiencing David's Christmas show Friday night at the Irving Plaza in NYC, all I can say is WOW. Pops songs, Christmas songs, old songs, new songs and even some poetry, performing in English, Spanish, Latin and French... what a show!!

David started the show with a fun, upbeat "Sleigh Ride" that got the crowd pumped and in the holiday spirit. David's first set held a mix of pop and Christmas songs, both classic and original works. His take on holiday tunes like "This Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" were marvelous, one person even saying he sang it better than Nat King Cole himself. As for the pop songs, not only did David sing his new single "Wait," but he also sang a stunning version of the song "Climb Every Mountain," singing it in honor of children and the charity ChildFund he's sponsoring while on tour. David performed the song better than ever, hitting some unbelievable notes and showing his passion for the lyrics.

When David came back out for his second set, he was dressed in a festive, black jacket and scarf, and was strictly in Christmas mode, singing songs like "Pat-a-pan" in French and "Riu Riu Chiu" in Spanish. But that wasn't the only Spanish song of the night when David called kids onto the stage to read them his adorable "My Kind of Christmas" poem and then have a "party" on stage as he sang his new, original song "Fa La La La La." David explained that he was going to introduce everyone to some of his holiday tradition, singing this half English/half Spanish holiday tune as he played maracas and danced some Bachata! That song definitely showcased David's kind of Christmas and was one of the highlights of the night. Toward the end of his set, David took it down with slower ballads like a cover of Amy Grant's "I Need A Silent Night," as well "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night," two songs that David has perfected in the past and didn't cease to amaze once again.

Ending with "Silent Night," it didn't take long after he left the stage for the crowd to start chanting his name, and finally David came back out for one more song, "Little Drummer Boy." This last performance would have gotten a standing ovation if it wasn't already a standing room! Between David's smooth voice and the rock tempo added into the song, this performance was already great, but that was before the ending. David turned around toward the drums, picked up some sticks, then ran back to the mic, raising his sticks in the air and hitting another amazing note before running back to the bass drum and banging on it. This drummer boy left the crowd cheering and me speechless as I couldn't help but think of how far he has come and how much confidence he's gained with his performances.

With a variety of music for everyone, lots of surprises and Christmas spirit throughout the concert, that was by far one of the best shows I've ever seen.

One final thing, the opening act Jeff LeBlanc was awesome! Really laid back, enjoyable songs, and Jeff really knows how to connect with his audience and give them a unique show. You can read my interview with Jeff HERE.