TaRanda Greene Gets into the Spirit of Christmas As She Talks About Her New Seasonal Album

TaRanda Greene is often seen on the popular Bill Gaither Homecoming Video Series and has also made appearances at numerous cities with the Homecoming Tour. She has also become a favorite guest vocalist at the famed Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY. She was invited by the Church to be a special featured soloist on the latest two Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir recordings "Declare Your Name" and "A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas". She was also invited to appear before the United Nations for a special Christmas concert, where she thrilled representatives from around the world with her rousing rendition of O Holy Night. 

Last year, signed to StowTown Records, Taranda released her album "Stronger."  On November 13th, she will follow it up with her festive offering for the same imprint "Spirit of Christmas."

Hallels:  "Stronger," your previous record, was one of my all-time favorite albums.  So, it's with great excitement that you are following it up with a Christmas project.  Why a Christmas album?

Thank you. I'm very proud of Stronger, I'm so happy you like it. We decided to do a Christmas album next because it's always been a dream of mine to do one. Also, the Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year for me as a touring artist & I wanted some material of my own to sing in the Christmas shows I get to be a part of. And naturally, I jumped at the chance to have the GREAT Wayne Haun to produce the lush orchestrations & help me bring my dreams to life. 

Hallels:  The first thing I noticed about the "Spirit of Christmas" is that it only has 8 songs, why 8 and not the traditional 10 songs?

We started out as an EP with 5 songs, but as we got into it, 8 felt right. But some of the songs are longer, so it really is an LP album. And I knew the quality of tracks & sound I wanted in it, so 8 seemed to fit the budget more. Haha

Hallels:  Did it take a long time for you to gather the songs and record this Christmas project?  Any interesting story behind the recording?

Oh no! I've wanted this for so long. I knew exactly the songs I wanted. And Wayne was so excited about it, he had his list as well. The most difficult part was narrowing the list to 8. The interesting part was doing the arranging over Skype with Wayne & Jason. We arranged the entire album in different cities. It's amazing what technology can do for you these days. 

Hallels:  I absolutely love your take of Louis Armstrong's "Cool Yule."  What inspired you to cover this song?

Thank you! It's definitely one of my favorites on the album. And my 7 year old's MOST favorite. She calls it the "peppermint stick" song. I love the playfulness & just the happy spirit of Christmas it carries in each line. And I've spent the couple weeks before Christmas for the last several years, in NYC, so the lyric takes me there when I sing it. Christmas isn't Christmas for me until I've been to Brooklyn, NY. And Wayne had the cool idea for a throw back to the Andrews Sisters, so I went in & laid down the three part vocal & we loved the fun in it!

Hallels:  And Whitney Houston's "Who Would Imagine a King" is just pure bliss.  It's one of those modern classics that captures the significance and wonder of Christ's birth so beautifully.  What's the story behind your choice of this song?

Wayne brought this song to the table. Of course, when he mentioned it, we both agreed it had to be on the album. The lyric has always been in my heart & it was an honor to sing such a classic. When Josie, my 7 year old, heard the orchestration, she literally wept & said "Mommy, it's just so beautiful". So I feel like we made the right choice to put this gorgeous song on the album.

Hallels:  Your album is entitled the "Spirit of Christmas."  What do you yourself think is the spirit of Christmas?

The spirit of Christmas is everything around you bringing an eclectic feeling in your soul that you're not alone in this world. It's sharing a peppermint mocha with your friend on the street, it's the bustle of traffic & people racing to get home, it's searching until your completely worn out & banked out the for the perfect sentiment to give your family & friends showing your love, it's remembering that Christ came to us so we could live in love & hope & faith that we'll never be alone as long as we have Him! And finally, it's sharing the season with love for everyone, even strangers. For once a year, almost everyone seems to love everyone. After all, Jesus is love. And He's the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Hallels:  Are you already planning your next regular Christian album now?  If so, when do you think it'll be released?

I'm not planning a solo release just yet. I am, however working on a different project due in early next year.

Hallels:  Speaking of Christmas, what was your most memorable Christmas?

My most memorable Christmas was the year after my husband passed away. I didn't have the "spirit of Christmas". I couldn't possibly imagine celebrating when my life had seemed to changed so drastically. I wasn't thinking of anyone but myself. I had told my children we weren't decorating the house because it wouldn't be the same without daddy there. But a very special friend of mine came to our house the week of Christmas, unannounced, and put me & my children in the car, took us to the Christmas tree lot, bought us a tree & then came back to our house & strung the lights on it for us. This special friend helped me find that the spirit of Christmas can exist, even in the most desperate times because it isn't about us, it's about sharing with others. It's about lighting the fire in someone who can't find it.. for whatever the reason. This friend showed me & my children that life, especially at Christmastime, goes on. This friend was selfless & gave of their time & money to help us find the spirit of Christmas again. That is my most memorable Christmas. The day life began again. 

 

 

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