12 original festive songs, characterised by Johnson’s characteristic songwriting excellence, ranging in tone from the sardonic to the sentimental, featuring traditional seasonal conventions (50s jazz, Father Christmas, mistletoe, sprouts etc) performed by The Xmas Irregulars:

Sian Allen – vocals, trumpet, saxophone

John Forrester – vocals, double bass

Robb Johnson – vocals, guitar, tuned percussion

Fae Simon - vocals

Roger Stevens – vocal, piano

with:

Arvin Johnson- drums,

Saskia Tomkins – violin & viola.

Recorded by Ali Gavan, Brighton Road Studios.

Robb Johnson-Brief biography:

Robb’s widely recognised as one of the UK’s finest songwriters. “An English original”, (Robin Denselow, the Guardian) ... “one of our best singer-songwriters ever” (Mike Harding)… “one of this country’s most important songwriters (no argument!)” (fROOTS). His work includes two highly acclaimed song suites, Gentle Men, & Ordinary Giants, -a “masterpiece” (fROOTS), “monumental” (FATEA).

Last year Murder at the Grange premiered to enthusiastic, sold-out audiences at The Ropetackle in Shoreham & Chats Palace in Hackney – “a cracker of a show… a delightful extravaganza and a uniquely dark and different way to celebrate the winter season” was Folk Radio’s opinion.

The Xmas Irregulars:

Sian Allen – actor-musician, resident singer at Walthamstow Folk Club

John Forrester – singer & songwriter, bassist in various bands

Fae Simon - studied opera, hip-hop, soul & jazz recording artiste

Roger Stevens – award-winning children's poet & novelist

Arvin Johnson & Saskia Tomkins are both ex-Irregulars – Arvin now drums with Manchester-based band Tigers & Flies, & Saskia now lives & works -to great acclaim- in Canada.