Morgan James Releases 'A Very Magnetic Christmas'

Morgan James has released her new holiday album, "A Very Magnetic Christmas".

Called "the most promising young vocalist to come along so far this century" by The Wall Street Journal, James cemented her passion for classic soul in her 2020 album Memphis Magnetic. And like Memphis Magnetic, "A Very Magnetic Christmas", was recorded live to analog tape at Memphis Magnetic Recording in Tennessee and features several legendary Memphis studio musicians.

The resulting ten tracks combine James' soulful take on classics like "O Holy Night," and "White Christmas;" re-imagined favorites like Clarence Carter's spicy "Back Door Santa," and Otis Redding/Lou Rawls' "Merry Christmas Baby"; and three originals, co-written by James and her husband/collaborator/arranger Doug Wamble. James recorded the full album in front of a live studio audience.

"I've waited several years to put forth a holiday album," said James, "and on these tracks, Doug and the musicians and I have captured the essence of the holidays with the energy of a live show. Like on Memphis Magnetic, our guiding force throughout the process was 'What would Aretha do? What would Otis do?' And by channeling my personal experiences and holiday traditions, we've landed on what Christmas sounds like to me."

James will take "A Very Magnetic Christmas" on the road with tour dates kicking off November 26 in Washington, DC and running through December 22 in Atlanta, GA. On New Year's Eve, James will join the Asheville Symphony and vocalist Erica Gabriel for New Year's Eve Queens of Soul to perform works by Adele, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, and more. Full tour dates are listed below.

A classical music alumna from The Juilliard School who performed in the original companies of five Broadway productions, James, who grew up on Nina Simone and Donny Hathaway and who found a mentor in Berry Gordy, Jr., discovered her purest musical passion in classic soul music. American Songwriter said of 2020's Memphis Magnetic, "James captivates and demands your attention, belting out classic, anthemic soul," and UK R&B/soul magazine Echoes called it "quite simply, a wonderful soul album."

Listen to the new album here:

Tour Dates

NOVEMBER
26 - Washington, DC - City Winery DC
27 - Philadelphia, PA - City Winery Philadelphia
28 - New York, NY - City Winery NYC
29 - Boston, MA - City Winery Boston

DECEMBER
2 - Pawling, NY - Daryl's House
3 - Fairfield, CT - StageOne at FTC
4 - Manchester, NH - The Rex Theatre
5 - Norfolk, CT - Infinity Hall
6 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage
8 - Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird
9 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
11 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
12 - Chicago, IL - City Winery Chicago
14 - Milwaukee, WI - The Back Room at Colectivo
15 - Minneapolis, MN - Dakota Jazz Club
16 - Madison, WI - The Bur Oak
17 - Cincinnati, OH - Ballroom at The Taft Theatre
18 - St. Louis, MO - The Old Rock House
19 - Indianapolis, IN - Hi-Fi
21 - Nashville, TN - City Winery Nashville
22 - Atlanta, GA - City Winery Atlanta
31 - Asheville, NC - New Year's Eve Queens of Soul - Asheville Symphony

MARCH 2022
11 - Napa, CA - Blue Note Napa
12 - Napa, CA - Blue Note Napa