Raising money for the BBC Children In Need Appeal and the Evening Star's Lifeline Christmas Appeal, "Cool Yule" captures no fewer than 15 acts in a festive mood. Stephen takes us through each track on an album:
1. CAUTION HORSES - SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Andy Heasman and colleagues with a new twist on a Christmas classic. They even manage to get a plug in for their latest CD!
2. ALONEME - 2000 MILES
An acoustic version of the hit by The Pretenders. Tremendous vocal performance from Sarah Springett which bodes very well for the Essex trio's forthcoming album being produced by Nigel Stonier.
3. DEBS WARREN - LET'S GET TOGETHER
The first of four songs written specially for this project. Debs has just started work on her next album and if the material is up to the standard of this, and I've no reason to think it won't be, then it'll be a real treat.
4. SHABOOGAMOO SHUFFLERS - RUN RUDOLPH RUN
The Shufflers have always enjoyed a bit of Chuck Berry and they've certainly stamped their authority on this one which features guest keyboards player Harry Myers. The Shufflers recently unveiled four new songs on BBC Radio Suffolk heralding the start of a new era for this popular Ipswich blues outfit.
5. ROBBIE GLADWELL and LINCOLN ANDERSON - FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
Two of this region's most respected musicians with a unique take on another Christmas classic. Robbie and Lincoln took time out from their Cockney Rebel commitments to record this festive favourite which back in the sixties graced the Phil Spector Christmas album.
6. BLIND POETS - DON'T COME BACK FOR CHRISTMAS (WITHOUT LOVE)
An original song penned by Jim Rowbotham and Gary Keeble. This was recorded at Jim's Rectory Records Studios in Little Glemham and sees Blind Poets in perfect harmony.
7. CAMEL FOOT RAIDERS and PAULA WELHAM - FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
It can't have been easy stamping your authority on the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl classic but the Raiders and a Floozie more than managed it. Paula also contributed on flute giving it the Celtic feel of the original.
8. GROOVE DOCTORS - WINTER WONDERLAND
The only instrumental on the album. I've got a version of this by The Fabulous Thunderbirds and thought it would ideal fodder for East Anglia's funkiest blues band. They didn't let us down.
9. HELEN ABBEY - IT'S CHRISTMAS
Colchester-based Helen jumped at the chance to write a song for this project. Mick Hutton stars on steel pans giving this catchy little number a Caribbean feel.
10. ANDY PEARSON - BLUE CHRISTMAS
The artist also known as Mean Mr. Mustard with a song associated with Elvis Presley. Andy, who lives in Felixstowe, is a great interpreter of other people's songs and he's certainly given this old chestnut a new lick of paint.
11. HANNAH SCOTT and THE AMBERFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL CHOIR - SILENT NIGHT
A beautiful rendition of the traditional song, produced by Pat Grueber. Hannah's spent much of this year working at Pat's Gemini Studios in Ipswich on her forthcoming album of original songs. In the meantime she graces "Cool Yule" with her trademark vocals and beautiful piano playing. The youngsters are in fine voice too.
12. AL LINDSAY - NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS
Recorded at Al's studio in the village of Hawkedon, this is the fourth and final Christmas ditty written for this project. Al has just released his first album which is the culmination of a lot of hard work. This man has the material to match his polished playing and smooth vocal style.
13. BACK PORCH BAND - MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY
When I asked Suffolk's premier acoustic blues band to come up with a cover for this project I had no idea they'd choose my all time favourite festive track originally recorded way back by the late Charles Brown. As you might expect they've done it rather well.
14. JON ALLAN TRIO and LISA COUSINS - AWAY IN A MANGER
A swinging jazz version of the ever popular carol. This recording was just one of several they knocked out at BBC Radio Suffolk earlier in the year. Once they got started they just couldn't stop!
15. TUSCAN RAIDERS - MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY
It could have been rather risky doing such a Christmas anthem but Tuscan Raiders haven't become one of Suffolk's top bands without taking a gamble or two. If Slade had been a punk band this is what their biggest hit would have sounded like.
I take my red and white floppy hat off to all the musicians who took part in this project and to BBC Radio Suffolk engineer David Butcher who recorded and mixed many of the tracks. I do hope you'll be putting this CD on your Christmas wish list or buying it for yourself or a loved one. It's priced at £7-99 and is available from BBC Radio Suffolk in St. Matthew's Street, The Evening Star in Lower Brook Street, The Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in St. Stephen's Lane and the Ipswich Record and Tape Exchange in Upper Orwell Street. Profits will be split equally between BBC Children In Need and the Evening Star's Lifeline appeal. It can also be bought by mail order. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk or call 01473 340740 for more details.
