Paul Kellys first Christmas album is an extraordinary 22-song double collection that travels across the centuries, from a Latin hymn to well-known carols, from a traditional Irish folk ballad to new Kelly music written for Christmas poems.

The album is delivered by Kelly and his band with a big cast of Christmas helpers including vocalists Vika and Linda Bull, Marlon Williams, Kasey Chambers, Alice Keath, Emily Lubitz, Lior and Emma Donovan, with contributions from the Kelly clan. The writer, radio and TV presenter Waleed Aly also makes an appearance, reading verses from The Quran that tell the story of Mary and Jesus.

Kelly says: Ive chosen songs I love, which led me often to wander off the well-worn path, then chosen singers I thought best suited to them.