Tony Cummings spoke to the New York City-based singer/songwriter MELANIE PENN

(photo: Kat Harris)

Melanie: This last summer my producer Ben Shive and I were talking about it and we had always wanted to record something that was very live sounding, live in the studio. When you're in the studio you can curate everything but when you get a bunch of musicians into the studio and say we're capturing these performances there's really nowhere to hide. You have to bring the songs with a lot of authenticity. We decided it would be fun; we did it to have fun. Then I wrote another song about Simeon. So the 'Immanuel' collection now has a new song written from Simeon's perspective.

Tony: How many songs in total are there on 'Immanuel: The Folk Sessions'?

Melanie: We rerecorded four of the original 'Immanue'l songs; we added a new song for Simeon plus "The First Noel", which brings us to six.

Tony: Why "The First Noel" ?

Melanie: I think it's beautiful! Ben and I wrote a little chorus interlude for it that sounds like it was always just supposed to be there and I hope people love it.

Tony: Have you played anywhere in the UK apart from Scotland?

Melanie: I played a show in Manchester last year. I had hoped to bring the Christmas show to London this year but it will have to be 2020.

Tony: So you're already thinking about next year and doing another Christmas show?

Melanie: I hope it's what I do every year. I hope I'm able to sing the songs live for people every year and when you think about it, I can't really sing them any other time so I have to maximise my opportunities in December.

(Thumbnail photo: Sasha Arutyunova)