cover artwork: Adrien Manuel
Music & Lyrics by Heidi Arlene Rickard and Fabien Magnani (Fab’M) Production and arrangements:, mixed and mastered by Bertrand Poncet - Alias Studio, Paris, France.
LYRICS:
CHRISTMAS IN PARIS WITH YOU (Noël à Paris avec toi)
A big holiday trip, just me and a big suitcase
But after meeting you in Paris, all else seems to fade
In the markets of Vienna, Rio’s Copacabana,
Eating Panettone... when in Roma
Now, only one thing will do
That’s a Christmas in Paris with you
Sur les Champs Elysées, j’entends chanter Sinatra
Les touristes par milliers, me ramènent à toi
La grande roue, le marché, les lumières qui scintillent
Tout tes superlatifs, et nos yeux qui brillent
Je rêve une nouvelle fois
D’un Noel à Paris, avec toi
But tell me why, when I’m seein’ the world,
Everywhere I look, I only see your face?
And tell me how, when you’re far away,
Everything I touch, I feel your embrace?
If I had to find the perfect place
For a rendez-vous
It will be a Christmas in Paris with you
A New York je m’imagine ton ombre le long des vitrines
Je te sais si sublime, oh comme je te devine
Le ciel perd ses flocons, moe je perds la raison
Es-tu dans cet avion, que me donne l’horizon
Now, only one thing will do
That’s a Christmas in Paris with you
London bridges light up the hazy nights,
Floating lanterns, they rise in a Hong Kong sky
But why dance under these magical stars,
if you’re not here in my arms?
Je rêve une nouvelle fois
D’un Noel à Paris, avec toi
Mon accent français a tant de chose à te dire,
Forget what they all say about the “Must-See” list
J’attends comme jamais, d’enfin revoir ton sourire
Cuz You’re the only one, that I “Can’t-Miss”
Mon accent français a tant de chose à te dire,
I’m banking all the miles, so when next December hits
J’attends comme jamais, d’enfin revoir ton sourire
Direct New York to Paris, for our Christmas tryst
cover artwork: Michaela von Seydlitz-Kunst
Music & Lyrics by Heidi Arlene Rickard, preproduction and arrangements: Clement Ducasse and Johnny Russell Burke. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Grammy and Billboard Award winning producer Bob St. John in Miami, FL.
“When creating this song, I wanted to encapsulate the idea of hearing what Heaven might sound like, not just by ears hearing sounds, but through all five senses and the soul becoming aware and appreciative of the beauty in life. I love music that creates an atmosphere for reflection, so I had a lot of fun creating that for others to have a mystical encounter of their own through this song.” — HEIDI
LYRICS:
What sound is left when you shut out all the noise?
What rhythm is left when you take away the clutter?
What words are left when you burn every page?
What notes are left when you’re out of your range?
chorus:
The sound that paints a mountainside view
The sound of your heart when you get the best news
The sound that guarantees you just can’t lose
The sound of friends filling up a room
The sound that blooms and smells like perfume
The sound that tastes like your favorite food
The sound of you returning to your youth
This is the sound from Heaven
This is the sound from Heaven
Vs 2
When blood races with endless energy
Thoughts labor to deliver destiny
Passions twirl their dances of bliss
Hope shreds all regret, can you imagine this?
When leaves on trees reach out to heal
When humble creatures reverently kneel
When doting wings kiss your cheeks
When a celebration starts to hit the streets
bridge
When colors radiate love all around
When you can hear miracles jumping up and down
You know you’re hearing all the sounds
This is the sound from Heaven
Finding You Santa - Reviewed by Zachary Larson - November 30, 2023
“Finding You Santa is an ethereal listening experience from Heidi Rickard's newest album Peppermint Rendezvous. A Holiday Pop tune of the highest order, many listeners will find Finding You Santa rekindles an internal fire that has been dormant for far too long. This song is all about reliving the joy and excitement of childhood, particularly during the holiday season. Rickard is able to channel this enthusiasm in her singing, and compresses it with a somewhat subdued delivery. Like hearing faint footsteps on the roof or a whispered secret, it fills the listener up with giddiness. Permeating the entirety of Finding You Santa is a unique drive that is both expansive and exciting. Similar to the other songs from this album, it causes a noticeable physical reaction from the listener and turns it into a real experience.
The melodies and vocal performance are top notch, as is the production value. Each small phrase has its own character, and some relationship the next. It makes Finding You Santa incredibly easy on the ears, easy to follow, and exciting from beginning to end. Nice work by all involved.”
About The Reviewer: Zachary Larson is a professional guitarist and multi-instrumentalist in New York City. He performs frequently on Broadway and has toured with several musicals, onboard cruise lines, and as a classical chamber musician. His recorded work spans across Classical, Musical Theater, and Pop music. He holds a Master’s degree in music and has been part of the Radio Airplay team for two years.
Baby’s First Christmas - Reviewed by Andre Avanessian - November 29th, 2023
“Heidi Rickard's splendidly upbeat "Baby's First Christmas" is a jubilant and heartwarming modern pop track that serves as a festive beacon, guiding listeners through the enchanting spirit of the holiday season. Bursting with infectious energy and a delightful blend of contemporary pop elements, this chirpy anthem captures the essence of joy, love, and the magic that comes with celebrating a special milestone—a baby's first Christmas. Taken from her new holiday album "Peppermint Rendezvous", "Baby's First Christmas" offers listeners a truly whimsical and spirit-filled listening experience that's bound to warm many a listener's heart, providing them with the type of listening experience that will undoubtedly raise a smile and get them dancing along to the tracks groove-filled, anthemic nature.
The rhythm section, like the steady beat of a heart filled with anticipation, establishes an infectious groove that propels the track forward. The drums provide a dynamic foundation, mimicking the sound of excited footsteps rushing down the stairs on Christmas morning. The bassline, with its buoyant undertones, mirrors the lively spirit of the season, inviting the listener to sway and dance in the glow of holiday cheer. The vocals, adorned with warmth and sincerity, tell a tale of love, family, and the pure magic that a baby's first Christmas brings. The lyrics are a celebration of new beginnings, capturing the essence of creating lasting memories and traditions. Heidi's delivery is infused with genuine joy, mirroring the sentiment of witnessing the wide-eyed wonder of a little one experiencing the holiday season for the very first time. The production of "Baby's First Christmas" is polished and dynamic, expertly balancing the exuberance of the season with a contemporary sonic palette. The mix is both attention-grabbing and well-crafted, unwrapping layers of sound that contribute to the overall joyous atmosphere. With its infectious melody, heartfelt lyrics, and contemporary pop sheen, this track is a festive invitation to dance, sing, and revel in the enchantment of a baby's first Christmas.”
About The Reviewer: Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.
What Am I Gonna Wear? Reviewed by Zachary Larson - December 2, 2023
“A bubbly, energetic, and all around fun Pop tune, What Am I Gonna Wear? by Heidi Rickard is the perfect soundtrack for your next holiday party. This song relishes with delight over what clothing should be worn by a girl about to head out for a night of fun. It has a modern Pop sound and features no dull moments or rough edges. The melodies are incredibly catchy, and grab the listener's attention from the very first line. Supporting all of this is the high energy beat that quickly ignites a physical reaction from all who are near. This is the sort of tune to play when you need a bit more excitement in the air. All in all, What Am I Gonna Wear? is almost too much fun and sets off the holiday season on the right note. Be sure to keep an eye out for Heidi Rickard's newest album, Peppermint Rendevous, which has been recently released.
The production level of What Am I Gonna Wear? is through the roof. This tune sounds as polished as any Top 40 Pop song you may hear on the airwaves today. The energy is also undeniable and downright intoxicating. Whether you are invested in the lyrics or just have this tune in the background, it is sure to add some pep to your step this holiday season.”
About The Reviewer: Zachary Larson is a professional guitarist and multi-instrumentalist in New York City. He performs frequently on Broadway and has toured with several musicals, onboard cruise lines, and as a classical chamber musician. His recorded work spans across Classical, Musical Theater, and Pop music. He holds a Master’s degree in music and has been part of the Radio Airplay team for two years.
There was a child — Song Review by Steve Azami - December 1st, 2023
“Michigan-based singer/songwriter Heidi Rickard delivers the gift of song this holiday season, with the release of her Christmas-themed original song "There Was a Child." This gorgeous downtempo track features a contemporary pop arrangement, blending melodic folk elements with a thoroughly modern approach to production in order to create a fresh and compelling sound that is sure to captivate audiences from all walks of life. Rickard's strikingly soothing vocal celebrates the miracle and joy of a new birth, while her lyrics comfortably straddle the line between Christian and secular music so as not to turn anyone away, and to spread her inclusive message of love and light as far as possible. That being said, Heidi Rickard's "There Was a Child" belongs on any and all holiday playlists this year, and for many more years to come. Look for Heidi Rickard's full length holiday album Peppermint Rendezvous, available now wherever you get your music.
Amazing production, awesome mix. Excellent tonal balance and clarity. Brilliant arrangement and instrumentation, nice variations and dynamic builds. Great combination of organic and electronic elements. Outstanding beat design, love the choices of drum samples. Stirring melodies, particularly the chorus sections. Stellar vocal performance and production; very modern pop style and delivery that will play well with listeners of all ages. Powerful lyrical content; you really do manage to distill Christmas down to its one basic theme, which is the celebration of the birth of a child. Terrific imagery and use of repetition in the final refrain. Fantastic use of real audio to reinforce the theme there as well. All in all, this is a wonderful contemporary holiday song that should have no problem crossing over genre boundaries, thanks to a universally appealing sound and compelling subject matter. Sensational work on this one, by everyone involved!”
About The Reviewer : Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers."
CHRISTMAS IN PARIS WITH YOU — Song Review by Andre Avanessian - Nov 12th, 2021
“What a delightfully pleasant Christmas tune! Now I'll admit that I'm not usually one for Christmas songs this early in November, but I'm happy to make the exception for Heidi Rickard's utterly charming "Christmas in Paris with you". Collaborating with the equally talented French singer/songwriter Fab'M, Heidi Rickard has whipped up a marvelously fun and wonderfully quirky love song that is both resoundingly uplifting and just plain fun to listen to. With its appealing lyrics and accomplished performances, "Christmas in Paris with you" is a solid Christmas-tinted (Or tinseled) pop track that is sure to put its listeners in a positive and upbeat mood, which is most certainly needed in these rather strange times. Great work!
The lead vocal performances are certainly a standout and the decision to sing in both English and French is an inspired one, not only does it give the track its unique sense of character and charming personality, but it gives the track a certain dynamism that works extremely well. There is definite artistic chemistry between Heidi and Fab'M and it ensures the performances are both engaging and thematically in line with the story being told within the lyrics. I particularly like how a great deal of attention has gone into how the lead vocals are placed in the track, for example, whenever either Heidi or Fab'M are singing solo, they are both placed centrally which obviously makes sense, yet when they both engage in a call and response idea from 3:14, mimicking a conversation that goes back and forth between two people, they are each very subtly panned to the opposite sides of the stereo field. This doesn't sound like much but it's small details such as these that really elevate the effectiveness of the mix, as well as the arrangement. The production values feel exceptionally high and the track boasts great clarity and a modern sheen to it that enables it to stand confidently next to the similarly styled and popular tracks of today”.
Target Audience Appeal: This is a very well put together pop track and lovers of the genre, along with fans of the Christmas song, will have a great time with "Christmas in Paris with you".
About The Reviewer: Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.
SOUND FROM HEAVEN — Review by Kristina Mondo - April 13th, 2021
" Sound From Heaven" is the latest single from artist Heidi Rickard. The song brings the listener familiar sounds of electro-pop engaging all five senses. The track has purpose, creating a mystical landscape filled with deeply resonate lyrics, a beautiful melody, and vocals to depict to the listener just what heaven may sound like. The feeling of having and living as soul and becoming aware of the beauty and fragility of life.
The vocals and melody are where Rickard really shines. Heidi Rickard has an angelic, ethereal voice that's clean and feminine. The song begins with the sounds reminiscent of a synthesizer, slow staccato piano chords and then the vocals enter in the form of a humming chant echoing each other's sounds. The track's variation of percussion elements really add some texture.
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of pop, new age, Electro-pop, and 80's music.
About The Reviewer: Kristina Mondo is a freelance writer specializing in music journalism. From working as a columnist at various publications to managing PR and press campaigns for a camp music festival, and touring with various artists Kristina is a music lover appreciating all types of music and what they have to offer from Opera to rap, there is always something to appreciate in every song. Interviews, however, are her passion, because it's not just about what the artist lets you see but what you can draw out of them getting to the heart of who they really are.