So why a Christmas song based on a short poem by Brian Frost?
My dear friend Brian Frost (1935-2019) was, among other things a poet, who wrote about modern life in London, South Africa and Surrey through his perspective as a Christian and biographer. A family friend since the 1970s, Brian had in various ways supported my musical education and song writing since I was a child. I remember him introducing me to Donald Swann at a party, but that's another story.
Thirty years later when I sent him some song demos to listen to he responded, as so often before, with both kind and supportive words and a challenge: would I please set his poem, "Christmas is a Time", to music? Ideally so it could be sung by a large congregation! I didn't manage that but he did approve of the setting and score which I sent him just in time for Christmas 2014.
When Brian died in December 2019, I wanted to record it properly but life (and then the pandemic) got in the way. So with some studio time booked just before Christmas 2021, I took the opportunity to record "Christmas is a Time". It's not something I could or would have written without Brian's challenge and his words, but the poem neatly pulls together what he wrote and cared about: the ordinary everyday of our struggles and joys and the everywhere possibilities of love, faith and forgiveness. In writing the music and making the recording, I want to remember and celebrate the influence Brian had on my life and that of so many others. And this Christmas seemed to be the time.
Proceeds from "Christmas is a Time" will be donated to Christian Aid.
Or give directly at
www.christianaid.org.uk
Adam Holden, Gateshead, 22nd December 2021
released December 23, 2021
A setting of a poem by Brian Frost (New World Publications) with music by Adam Holden (2014). Recorded and produced by Ian Stephenson at Simpson Street Studios, Thropton, Northumberland on 21st December 2021. Adam sang and played piano; Ian played double bass and harmonium.
simpsonstreetstudios.com