Noel Gallagher to record festive Kasabian duet
Editors also in the mix for 'Walking In The Air' cover for new Channel 4 version of The Snowman
- Coachella Festval, April 2002
by Patrick Davies | Photos by WENN
Tags: Kasabian, Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher and Kasabian are set to join a number of indie artists to record a new version of Aled Jones' festive classic, 'Walking In The Air'.
The festive classic is being given a modern re-working as part of Channel 4's upcoming new version of 'The Snowman'.
Editors are another band rumoured to be involved with the track, according to The Mirror.
An insider said: "The Snowman animated film, from which the song comes, is getting a modern twist and there are a lot of beardy blokes - who remember the film from their childhood - who are really keen to get involved."
The source went on to claim members of Kasabian and their Midlands compatriots, Editors, were the first artists the animation's producers had in mind.
"Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno from Kasabian and Tom Smith from Editors were among the first to be asked, but the producers hope to rope in the likes of Noel Gallagher and the indie elite, too.
Noel Gallagher performing at this year's V Festival
Gallagher in particular is no stranger to getting into the festive spirit after he recorded a cover of Slade's hit 'Merry Christmas Everybody' for the 2000 Royle Family Christmas special.
The focus on recruiting indie artists for the track is hoped to give the finished recording an up-to-date sound that will get a whole new generation into the 'The Snowman'.
"Nobody wanted to do a straight cover of such a classic song, so it had to be a bit different. This was the only way The Snowman could possibly get any cooler."
It is reported the recording of the track will be finished by the end of November.
The plans for the new version of 'The Snowman' were announced last December. Channel 4 originally claimed 'Walking in the Air' would not feature in the re-make, saying it would be replaced by a completely new song.
The original version of 'Walking in the Air' by Peter Auty was featured in the iconic 1982 animation.
Three years later the song was also a number one hit single for Welsh singer, Aled Jones.
Producer of the 1982 version, John Coates passed away in September while working on the new version with Channel 4.
Listenm to Noel Gallagher's cover of 'Merry Christmas Everybody' below.
Photos: Noel Gallagher - from Oasis days to now
