Christmas Debut Brings Carlile, Steve Martin and Short to Morissette

Alanis Morissette has released her first holiday album, “Good Weather For Immaculate Conception,” a 14-track collection released through Epiphany Music and Virgin Music. The record is out now, with two Morissette originals, five guest contributors and a group of standards that places her voice at the center.

Brandi Carlile and Steve Martin appear together on “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Martin Short contributes to “Merry Christmas,” Joy Oladokun to “Silent Night,” and Amythyst Kiah to “Momma Mary.”

The release describes Steve Martin as an accomplished banjo player and one of comedy’s most beloved performers, alongside fellow singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. Oladokun lends her distinctive voice to “Silent Night.”

Two Morissette-written songs broaden the project beyond its standard repertoire: “To an Empath at Christmas Time” and “Christmas on the Dancefloor.” Their titles alone point toward the emotional and comic register of Morissette’s wider songwriting.

What does the guest list change for listeners?

For someone building a Christmas playlist, the guests turn familiar carols into a multi-voice record without abandoning the repertoire many people expect. The album’s framing pairs Morissette’s emotional honesty, humour and curiosity with a voice that moves from a whisper to a full-throated declaration, leaving the standards open to five guests.

This practical answer is straightforward: choose the record for recognizable songs, then stay for the guest pairings and Morissette’s two new compositions. The repertoire also includes “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and Joni Mitchell’s “River.”

The holiday standards include “O Holy Night,” “What Child is This?”, “Ave Maria,” “Last Christmas,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “O Tannenbaum.” The release positions Mitchell’s “River” as a bridge between the holiday season and Canada’s songwriting traditions, adding another emotional dimension to the collection.

Complete track list

• 1. O Holy Night
• 1. To an Empath at Christmas Time
• 1. What Child is This?
• 1. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
• 1. Little Drummer Boy
• 1. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem featuring Brandi Carlile & Steve Martin
• 1. Ave Maria
• 1. Christmas on the Dancefloor
• 1. River
• 1. Momma Mary featuring Amythyst Kiah
• 1. O Tannenbaum
• 1. Last Christmas
• 1. Silent Night featuring Joy Oladokun
• 1. Merry Christmas featuring Martin Short

From holiday album to live theater

The album arrives during a period that also brings Morissette’s theatrical production “Butterfly With a Machete” to Los Angeles. Its limited run at YouTube Theater combines music, acting, dance and personal storytelling, tracing her journey from childhood in Ottawa to international superstardom.

Morissette performs songs from across her catalogue, including “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic.” Actors and dancers help stage different chapters of her life, while monologues and theatrical scenes connect familiar songs to that account.

She co-wrote, produced and performs “Butterfly With a Machete.” The remaining YouTube Theater performances are scheduled for November 10 and 11.

The live shows on November 10 and 11 will show how much of that emotional range transfers from a guest-filled holiday record into an autobiographical production of music, dance and drama. For listeners choosing a holiday set, the record already offers familiar standards, five guest voices and two Morissette originals.