Christmas Time Is Here

Dianne Reeves | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0002W4UKC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,783 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jazz singer Dianne Reeves has created one of the tastiest holiday jazz records in recent memory. Ripe with emotional transformations and musical innovation, Reeves takes you on a winter sleigh ride rich with an acute sense of phrasing and a warm, range that will captivate. You won't immediately recognize most of the dozen standards here since Reeves and a smart group, led by pianist Peter Martin, revise and deconstruct the holiday staples that range from "Christmas Time Is Here" to "Christ Child's Lullaby" (the former delivered like a torchy love song, the latter a delicate folk arrangement framed by a string section). This singer's singer takes such delight in singing in and out of melody lines and pushing a phrase above, below and sometimes beyond that she sweeps you up into her flights of fancy and finesse. Just listen to her change "The Christmas Waltz" into a rhythmic wonder. The reward for owning this disc once the ornaments and the rest of the CDs go back in the attic? You get to keep this one out and play it all year round. --Martin Keller

Product Description

Japanese pressing of the jazz vocalist's 2004 release, scheduled to include one bonus track. Details TBA. Blue Note. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh interpretations of familiar Christmas songs., October 12, 2004

By 

Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Christmas Time Is Here (Audio CD)

What fun it is to hear Dianne Reeves giving fresh interpretations of Christmas standards. In an exciting album of great variety, she ranges from an almost traditional interpretation of "The Christmas Song," which she sings as a slow, danceable ballad with simple piano accompaniment (Peter Martin), to her spectacular jazz celebration of "A Child Is Born," with drums (Gregory Hutchinson), wailing sax (Steve Wilson), syncopation, and Dianne singing scat.

Apparently recognizing that most people buying Christmas albums are looking for music that has some resemblance to the traditional carols they grew up with, Dianne does not aim to overpower the original sounds with jazz variations, choosing instead to recognize the mood and meaning of each song while giving it a unique twist. "Little Drummer Boy," which opens the album, for example, is sung as a clean, quiet ballad, but its unexpected syncopated beat and an accompaniment consisting solely of drums, bass, and percussion create an exciting new interpretation. "Carol of the Bells," with a happy, up-tempo beat and deliberate dissonance, features extended solo riffs on the vibes (Joe Locke) and sax (Steve Wilson), and though Dianne sticks fairly close to the original melody, she does it in surprising, finger-popping swing beat.

In the wonderful "Let it Snow," a happy, toe-tapping background of bass and cymbals sets off Dianne's extended scat and a jazz piano solo by Peter Martin. One of the most unusual songs is the upbeat "Christmas Waltz" (though no one would ever try to waltz to it). With a fast, syncopated bass (Reuben Rogers), guitar (Reuben Lumbambo) and piano, Dianne allows herself to be a jazz artist here, singing scat, and, in a nice touch, including children at the end. Throughout the album, she is generous with her accompanists, as each one solos and often plays off each other. And just when you think it's impossible for anyone to make "I'll Be Home for Christmas" or "This Time of the Year" sound fresh, Dianne Reeves does it.

By giving fairly traditional songs unique beats and introducing new, jazzy interpretations to others, this is an album which should appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. Dianne's control, her wonderful diction, her attention to the meaning of the songs, and her ability to recognize the value of quiet interpretations and soft sounds on some tracks make this an album that honors the holidays by paying homage to its many moods. Grammy #4 may be on its way for this one. Mary Whipple

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dianne does NOT disappoint!, November 25, 2004

By 

Huneebee (Bermuda) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Time Is Here (Audio CD)

I don't have one CD from Dianne Reeves that's a dud! She always does great work and puts out projects well worth their price. This one is no different. It's a great listen and because it doesn't sound totally Christmas-y, you'll probably be playing it beyond the Christmas season.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic for all seasons, January 13, 2005

By 

John W. Dunner "Jay Dunner" (Atco, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas Time Is Here (Audio CD)

The best jazz singers take the songs to new places without losing their listeners. Reeves is a master, whether she's being backed by a jazz quartet or a string quartet. Equally at home with the swirling scat of "Let It Snow" or the hushed elegance of the traditional "Christ Child's Lullaby," Reeves makes Christmas Time ... a classic for all seasons and all listeners.