A Christmas Album

James Taylor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hallmark
• ASIN: B00078V7AW
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,763 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

11 Selections: Winter Wonderland, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Who Comes This Night, In the Bleak Midwinter, Baby It's Cold Outside, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Christmas Song, Some Children See Him & Auld Lang Syne.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Wait, January 26, 2005

By 

Merci Beaucoup (The Mississippi Delta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Album (Audio CD)

It's hard to believe this is James Taylor's first Christmas collection - almost all the songs on "A Christmas Album" seem like such a natural fit for his style, or perhaps he has molded the songs to fit, either way, this is easily one of my favorite Christmas CD's. Produced by Dave Grusin, an accomplished composer and performing artist himself, "A Christmas Album" also features Natalie Cole, Chris Botti, John Pizzarelli and Mr. Grusin as collaborators. The whole CD is as enchanting as it is laid-back. There are gorgeous pop-jazz versions of "Winter Wonderland," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "The Christmas Song". There is also an engagingly simple new-age flavored version of "Auld Lang Syne" and a funk-blues version of "Jingle Bells". Dave Grusin and James Taylor make great partners, particularly on the gospel song "Go Tell It on the Mountain". While I like everything on this album, three songs stand out the most for me; the straightforward and graceful interpretations of "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Some Children See Him" and the tropical-flavored cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside". This duet with Natalie Cole is easily one of the best versions, right up there with Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton's and Ray Charles & Betty Carter's. I like this album so much, I'm still listening to it a month after Christmas.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot And Never Brought To Mind?", December 13, 2005

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Christmas Album (Audio CD)

"Christmas holiday music is a rich and varied bag. These particular songs have lived in my head these many years. I'm lucky and happy to have the chance to put them down, and what a delight it's been to work (play, really) with Mr. Grusin."
~ James Taylor ~

"First I would like to express my appreciation to Hallmark for the opportunity to work with an incredible American icon, James Taylor, to all the fabulous musicians who helped realize this project, and to Natalie Cole who surpassed our wildest dreams. The absolute fun we had in designing and recording these settings and arrangements was a uniquely enjoyable experience for all of us. I hope you could hear some of that glee when you listen to these songs. Finally, Thanks to James Taylor for one of the best times of my life, musically and otherwise. Merry Christmas to all."
~ Dave Grusin ~

If you prefer to listen to a more contemporary-sounding but traditional Christmas songs, then this awesome CD is right for you. This gem in my Christmas collection was produced and arranged by Dave Grusin exclusively for Hallmark. I'm a member of Hallmark Gold Crown and when I received their mailer promoting this CD, I didn't waste any time and bought it the first time it came out last year for only $6.99 with a purchase of three Hallmark cards, which was a very good deal. I also bought a copy for a friend of mine who enjoys listening to Christmas music throughout the year. I wanted so much to write a review back then but it wasn't available yet at Amazon, so I had to send an e-mail suggesting that they should sell this awesome Christmas CD.

The seasoned singer/songwriter/guitarist James Taylor is joined by jazz greats such as Dave Grusin (arranger/piano), Chris Botti (trumpet), John Pizzarelli (guitar), Dave Carpenter (bass), Toots Thielemans (harmonica), among the rest of the talented studio musicians. Natalie Cole graced this recording with an outstanding duet with the main artist on a Frank Loesser classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside," one of the standout tracks.

Another standout is the initial offering "Winter Wonderland," featuring an all-star cast - the flawlessly wonderful piano playing of Dave Grusin, the exquisitely beautiful trumpet playing of Chris Botti, the incredibly fabulous guitar playing of John Pizzarelli, the delightfully terrific drums playing of Vinnie Colaiuta and of course the absolutely marvelous vocals of James Taylor with the backing of Woodwinds and Strings sections and the Vocal group.

The perennial favorites "The Christmas Song," "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" are very enjoyable to listen to. The traditional "Go Tell It On The Mountain" is a joy to listen to and reminds us of the significance of Christmas. "Deck The Halls" conveys that Christmas is a "season to be jolly, to strike the harp and join the chorus." There is a combined poignancy and sacredness in the way he interpreted "Some Children See Him," "Who Comes This Night" and "In The Bleak Midwinter."

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish traditional song that is ever-present on New Year's Eve festivities. "Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?" Of course not! At least speaking for myself. Friendship is something I treasure and my idea of friendship is aptly described in one-word, and that is . . . "forever."

This is an excellent CD with a first-rate choice of material with splendid arrangements! You wouldn't dream of skipping any track but certainly you could listen to it with a few repeats without tiring. It's definitely a Christmas treat for your ears.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) ~

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas album that "feels" Christmas-y!, November 10, 2005

By 

L. E. Jenkins "Ma2FourSons" (Broomfield, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Christmas Album (Audio CD)

Once upon a time I worked at a book/music store. During the Holiday Season we would play every genre of Christmas CD for the listening pleasure of our customers. I think I have probably heard them all, and I noticed that some collections were nice, some nostalgic and some ANNOYING. Many didn't even give a Christmas-y feeling or vibe at all!
I sure wish that James Taylor's Christmas Album would have been available then. What a wonderful CD: the first time you hear it, I guarantee it will put you in a lovely Christmas mood. For this reason I am rather glad he didn't include his heartfelt version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (from "October Road") or his cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" (intended for this CD) because the overall feeling is festive. Those songs are too melancholy for this collection; as JT wrote in the album notes, this cd is intended to be played while "trimming the tree and quaffing eggnog..."
I can't pick a favorite tune, they're all delightful: but here are some stand-outs: the breezy "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (the best version I've ever heard!), "Some Children See Him" (beautifully touching without being sappy), "Jingle Bells" (100% JT!) and the rousing, Celtic-flavored "Auld Lang Syne."
A perfect Christmas Album.