Customer Reviews

12 Song of Christmas

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is wonderful for those of you who are sick of Mannheim Steamroller, Bing Crosby, and the like. Etta James' unique voice makes this a CD for those who want something different to listen to during the holidays. This album is great to listen to because it has some wonderful, tight, playing by some seasoned jazz musicians, along with fresh arrangements of Christmas standards. The CD has been done quite tastefully, yet still has a nice edge to it.

Most of the songs on this album are the same old Christmas carols youÕve heard a million times, but I promise you have never heard them sound quite like this. Etta James has always been a tough, earthy belter with as much soul as Aretha Franklin or Otis Redding. And a brave singer too, willing to let her voice range off into all kinds of moans and groans and astonishing scatting. But as sheÕs gotten older (sheÕs in her sixties now Ñ although youÕd never guess it from the strength of her voice), sheÕs developed a depth and subtlety, a jazz singerÕs phrasing, that makes her unbeatable. Cross Billie Holiday with Janis Joplin and you end up somewhere in the neighborhood of the mature Etta James.

She brings all those gifts to this Christmas album. She sings every song as if it is coming from the depths of her soul. Her Silent Night brings tears to my eyes. Jingle Bells is one of the happiest and most playful versions IÕve ever heard. And she sings Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in such a sly, sexy way, youÕll never be able to hear the song the same way again ( What DID Santa Claus bring you, girl?).

And as if Etta James at her best were not enough, she brings along a perfect band, including Cedar Walton, who also accompanied her on Mystery Lady, her Billie Holiday tribute album. Christmas music doesnÕt get much better than this

Etta James has taken 12 Christmas standards and performed them with a comfortable blend of jazz and soul. Unlike some other Christmas cd's that sound like the performer is just going through the motions, Etta genuinely sounds like she is enjoying herself while she sings these songs.

The arrangements range from small jazz trios to full horn sections. Each is appropriate, and well done.

This is for Etta James' real fans, the ones who have listened to her through her career and still want to hear more from her, even realizing that she is past her prime. Her voice still has that warm quality and she still has the style that gives one the feeling that she is singing particularly for the individual listener.

Of course, this is of the jazz genre. But Etta is so respectful of both the secular and the serious Christmas music. Her opening number, "Christmas Wonderland", is very inviting, and features great work from bass, piano, guitar, and trumpet. This is one of Etta's charms, the way she gives plenty of space to the jazz musicians working with her.

"Merry Christmas, Baby" is given a properly bluesy interpretation and besides her wonderful interpretation of the song, features solos from Red Halloway on Tenor Saxophone and Cedar Walton on piano.

She gives lots of spirit to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", helped again by Cedar Walton's piano and also George Bohanon's trombone. This is followed with a transition...possibly the two greatest sentimental secular Christmas songs, before she goes into the more serious "The Little Drummer Boy", and then the traditional carols.

Her "Silent Night" is indeed very moving and while there's a little improvisation in her performance and performances by Sametto James on Electric Bass and Red Halloway on Tenor Saxophone, there is respectful reverence here.

The greatest surprise to me, and the song that I needed to listen to several times in order to appreciate the unusual presentation, was her slow paced rendition of "Joy To The World". I like to think that she was expressing an idea to us, that the type of joy experienced during these holidays need not be the wild, loud, hilarious kind, but rather a very deep inner joy which expresses itself in a soulful way. Again, great accompaniment maintaining the quiet yet joyful mood from Cedar Walton's Piano and Red Holloway's tenor sax.

And then the effective closing cut is "O Holy Night". If you have any appreciation for jazz, I believe you will experience , while listening to this CD, how jazz can be used when in the hands of sincere artists to create a loving Christmas atmosphere.

I've purchased this cd after listening to one of the tracks on some internet radio. Now I can say that all of the songs are great and it was a good decision to get this album. If you like good jazz, if you like Christmas time and songs - even in the summer - then you should definitely buy it!

No real surprises on the song choices but a nice addition to my Christmas CDs.

I purchased this album several years ago, but not being much of a "reviewer" it has taken me a bit to write this down.
Simply said, this album is a pleasure to hear come the holiday season. Always tasteful, the arrangements never come off as "Kenny-G" jazz. This is an album aimed for the traditional jazz fan and probably should be passed over by anyone looking for a "smooth jazz" angle.
Indeed, the phrasings are classic Etta (although the other reviewers are not incorrect for noting that in her in her 60's Etta is losing her range, but still a wonderful, full-bodied singer.)
If I was to single a track out, it would be "The Little Drummer Boy." It always seemed odd that the drummers quintessential tune was never given its proper due. While still lacking an all out solo, Etta sings around the drums so as to give it room to explore. The song closes with a wonderful solo which gives way to the finale of two Christmas classics.
This album will never be considered a Jazz Xmas classic in the way that Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to the Penuts Christmas cartoon. Yet, its essential to note that Etta's goal wasn't to rewrite the rules of Christmas albums. The goal was to take a set of Christmas standards and to give them that classic jazz feel. In this way, Etta passes with without question.
An excellent Christmas gift for that Jazz fan in your family. What an album. Highly recommended.

What is not to like here? Etta in her timeless way knocks down great versions of these Christmas chestnuts. I have about 70 blues/Jazz/R&B Xmas releases and this one always percolates to the top of the stack every year.This is a swinging jazz record with impeccable arrangements and what a band! The wonderful Cedar Walton really shines here, but everyone else is absolutely top notch-Red Holloway on Tenor, George Bohanon Trombone, Guitarist Josh Sklar turns in some fine work all driven by the engine of Billy Higgins!! on Drums and the great John Clayton Bass-Wow what a band! Probably her best Jazz band ever. ("Time After Time" has Sklar,Walton & Clayton)

Put criticism aside this is Etta James folks! her range is the same as it always was she is a blues singer with wonder inflection and subtlety in her phrasing. As well, it is a Christmas Album so dont expect any groundbreaking new interpretations (who really wants that at Xmas anyway?) Just classic, classic songs to warm up your Xmas. Most single artist compilations are pretty bad lets face it- I like comps from 30's to the 60s frankly, but this one is great and is one of the best Christmas Albums ever made-right up there with the wonderful "Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues" that he did on Rounder Records (Another must have Blues/jazz Xmas release!) I wish she did more with this band... buy it!

Etta James is the Queen of Sass... I truly enjoyed this CD this past holiday season... a good one to have in the collection; and to share with family and friends @ the X-mas party!

I had read decent reviews of Etta James' new Christmas cd, 12 Songs Of Christmas and figured I'd buy it. My mistake was not hearing any of it beforehand, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. Unlike in her 60's heyday, Ms. James can't hit the notes anymore; she sounds like she is really struggling along while her excellent backup musicians play beautifully. Sorry, I realize Etta James is one of the queens of jazz/r&b(I do have several of her records)but this album is a waste of your money. Get her recordings of when she was in her prime,though, and you are in for a treat.