Russell Warfield
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russellwarfield.bsky.social
Russell Warfield
@russellwarfield.bsky.social
head of comms for climate charity Possible / book reviews editor at Resurgence & Ecologist / dad / 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (he/him, my views)
Thank you so much!!
July 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Right it’s twelfth night, I’m ready to call time on this. Got through ten records, not bad at all.

Glad Tidings and Merry Christmas (Welcome To The Family) were the real standouts to me and have grown on me immensely. Two outstanding records to which I will return.

Merry Christmas everyone.
January 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The Gift of Love by Jennifer Hudson
2.5/5❄️

An impressive voice and some mature arrangements but way too oversung and overdramatic almost all the way through. Lighter jazzy stuff is nice but overall, not much good
January 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You by Alicia Witt
3/5❄️

A light and breezy collection, sung well, nice variety in tone among the songs. Pleasant but few standout moments. Unlikely to return to it again.
December 30, 2024 at 12:15 PM
A Christmas Cwtch by Amanda Whiting
3/5❄️

A jazz harpist doing traditional Christmas songs. Pleasant listening but hugely derivative of Guaraldi - down to the album artwork. Not sure if meant to be homage, but basically leaves you wanting to hear the original.
December 12, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Merry Christmas (Welcome To The Family) by Brett Eldredge
4/5❄️

Easily my favourite of the brand new music of 2024. This is a short and sweet country/Americana collection, great melodies, bit of swing, bit of sadness, bit of silliness. Really excellent stuff.
December 6, 2024 at 11:10 AM
Glad Tidings from Sun Records
4/5❄️

A compilation of rock n roll deep cuts from the legendary record label. Has a lot of blood to it, and good variety. Some bits drag but it mostly soars - quite delightful
December 6, 2024 at 11:06 AM
When I Think Of Christmas by Amy Grant and Vince Gill
1.5/5❄️

Drab beyond words. The two singers split duties, alternating songs through the record. Everything is down tempo, miserable and uninspired. Avoid.
December 6, 2024 at 11:03 AM
Sleigher by Ben Folds
2.5/5❄️

A collection of mainly original songs which are basically a normal collection of ‘mature’ late period Folds piano songs with Christmas in the lyrics. Quite dull. Fleetingly decent. Occasionally torturous.
December 3, 2024 at 10:15 AM
The Christmas Record by Little Big Town
3/5❄️

A charming stroll through blues and Americana and country. Quite pedestrian, always pleasant, some melancholic moments of real brilliance. Christmas Night With You is v pretty.
December 3, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Christmas Once More by The Carpenters
4.5/5❄️

A new collection made up of Christmas albums from 50 years ago, all given a new mix. I haven’t heard the albums these songs come from, but this is quite magnificent. Perfect singing and lush arrangements, bright and melancholic. A must listen.
December 1, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Christmas Once More by The Carpenters
4.5/5❄️

A new collection made up of Christmas albums from 50 years ago, all given a new mix. I haven’t heard the albums these songs come from, but this is quite magnificent. Perfect singing and lush arrangements, bright and melancholic. A must listen.
December 1, 2024 at 12:43 PM