"A Marimba sets the beat of this happy seasonal song from Tipperary, Ireland .........as warming as mulled wine.....when Santa switches on the Christmas lights. Some of her lyrics are tongue in cheek; Santa has a fondness for pizza for his Christmas dinner whilst the rest of us like plain roasted turkey not fancy Foie gras. Listen to the words and you’ll recognise a typical Irish Christmas in every line. Paula’s chorus is a toe-tapper, and easy to learn:

Carol singing, Bells are ringing
Let’s give a loud Christmas cheer
Fun and music, joy and laughter
It’s a Wonderful time of the year.

Wear your Christmas jumper and play this track, then raise a glass
and a smile to a wonderful time of the year." Sean Laffey, Irish Music Magazine

“Irish Singer/Songwriter Paula Ryan is a unique voice in the contemporary folk world..... Insanely Talented……. Enchanting.... Humorous…Catchy…. Heartfelt… Well Honed…. Crafted….Music which will bring joy to all who hear it." Classic
Rock Magazine

"...Paula Ryan.."Havin The Criac"....that sounds brilliant actually..." Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2

"WOW.....like I've never heard before....absolutely magnificent" Jericho Keys, BBC Introducing

"Brilliant Talent of Paula Ryan - brilliant songwriter and performer" Elly Fiorentini, BBC Radio York

"...lovely voice and great new music from Paula Ryan..." Fiachna O'Braonáin, RTE Radio 1

"...Paula's making fine fine music..." Martin Bridgeman KCLR Kilkenny Radio

"...a breathtaking variety of instruments and all imbued with Paula's own musical and lyrical voice... a rarity and a breath of fresh air....a gem which anyone will enjoy..." Alan Hewitt, Music Critic and particularly authority on Genesis

In her new Christmas single WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, Paula Ryan, compelling songwriter, singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Tipperary, entices us to join her for a seasonal romp with a uplifting melody, rollicking rhythm and lyrics that will make for many much needed Yuletide smiles.

As Paula says "I have always wanted to write a fun Christmas song but never got round to it until now. As a writer and performer at this time of year I want to make people feel happy and uplifted and give them something to smile about so they can leave their worries of the rest of the year behind even if only for a short while. Music and song, and particularly Christmas music and songs, do that for me and I wanted to share that and spread the joy and the laughter around in the best way I know how , - by writing and singing about it! Hopefully the fun of it reaches people and they can enjoy a bit of original seasonal musical merriment with me".

The catchy tune will have people at parties and stay at home celebrations, young and old singing along and laughing at the corny cracker jokes which have been cleverly included in the lyrics in the spirit of tongue in cheek good cheer! It is a fun loving, light, humorous look at festive traditions, customs and habits of ordinary folk which leaves us in no doubt that 'Tis the season to be jolly'. The song does recognise in a well composed and placed Middle 8 section that everyone is perhaps not so lucky when in a more plaintive musical moment thought is given to "those living with fear and oppression, those coping with hurt and with pain". The song finishes with a rousing double chorus enhanced with carolling bells, hearty cheers and seasonal good wishes! If you have been searching for a new fun Christmas song which will be stuck in your head until the new year, here you go! Happy Christmas listening!