Since winning America’s Got Talent on NBC Television in 2011, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s life has changed in many ways; he no longer washes cars for a living (“but I wash my own, now that I have one”), he has notched a number #1 selling debut album, and headlined a sold out world tour that has included stops in China, American military bases in Germany, and coast-to-coast venues across the USA.
But some things remain the same. Landau’s love of family, his West Virginia home and his responsiveness to those 14 million weekly viewers who helped vote him into the top spot on AGT by the biggest margin in the top rated TV show’s history. “Everywhere I’ve gone in the past two years, people keep asking me if I’d do a Christmas album. I love holiday music, and I’m happy to give folks what they want,” says the soft-spoken crooner of his second album Christmas Made For Two.
The album, recorded in West Virginia with producer/engineer Ritch Collins and audio mastering by Jeff Bosley features Landau’s trademark rich vocal textures backed by an all-star lineup of musicians (including several members of Murphy’s touring band). Highlights include up-tempo, horn driven takes of “White Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” along with romantic fireplace and mistletoe ballads like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
Fresh, jazzy spins on “Let It Snow” and “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” blend perfectly with holiday originals including “Quiet Christmas” by jazz piano great Bob Thompson and the title track “Christmas Made For Two” from veteran Nashville songsmiths Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne. A heartfelt duet featuring Landau and former Temptations lead vocalist Glenn Leonard on a spiritual, understated “Silent Night” round out the album. Leonard reprises his lead vocal on the classic from the smash hit “Temptations Christmas” album, which is heard on radio stations around the world every holiday season. “I’m a huge Temptations fan, so what a blessing to be able to share the studio with Glenn, and learn from him about how the Temptations made their Christmas album so timeless,” said Landau. We have a feeling that Murphy’s own Christmas Made For Two is sure to be in perennial heavy rotation around many a Christmas tree for many years to come.
Christmas Made For Two will be available starting November 5th at the following locations:
Little General stores
Adams Hallmark locations
Budget Tapes and Records in Charleston, WV
Fountain Place Cinemas in Logan, WV
You will be able to purchase autographed copies in time for your Christmas shopping on the Store page at landaumurphyjr.com
A portion of each CD sold will benefit the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, an organization that Landau has supported for the past decade
