Customer Reviews

Christmas

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Al Jarreau's "Christmas" is a delightful surprise for anyone who has followed his music career. On this album Al collaborates with some of the best contemporary arrangers, including Larry Williams and Jorge Calandrelli, to deliver a smooth jazz mix of holiday standards. Listen out for "Winter Wonderland"; "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"; "White Christmas"; and "I'll Be Home For Christmas". "Some Children See Him" (a song penned by Alfred Burt and Wihla Hutson) is fast becoming one of my holiday favourites. I first heard it on the "Christmas With Maureen McGovern" album; and for me it had the instant "ZING" factor. I have since heard the sublimely moving James Taylor/Dave Grusin arrangement; and have now just experienced Al Jarreau's take. It is uniquely his own. Another arrangement that tugs at the heartstrings. "The Little Christmas Tree" is a song I've not heard before - but I like it. I like it a lot!!!! Fans of Al's style will LOVE this album!!!!

"I really hope you folks like this listen. There are some 'Jarreau-isms' that stretch the boundaries of 'traditional' a little bit, but it's all with the greatest respect and reverence. And it's still real approachable and fun." ~ Al Jarreau ~

Al Jarreau's "Christmas" is the latest addition to my Christmas music collection. It is his very first Christmas album. On his concise Liner Notes, he admitted that he had been "promising all his fans to record a Christmas album for decades and had also been promising his wife, Susan, the most Christmasy person he knows, way, way longer." I'm so glad that he finally kept his promise and recorded a lovely Christmas album last year for his fans to enjoy year after year for all the years to come.

The listeners are in for a real Christmas treat as Al Jarreau announces to the world that "Christmas Time Is Here." He will take you to "Winter Wonderland" and will warm your heart while he sings some of the best-loved Christmas carols such as "The Christmas Song," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas" and a lot more.

One of the many things to love about this recording is the well-blended voices of Take 6 as they join the multi-Grammy-winning-artist in rendering one of the best tracks, "I'll Be Home For Christmas."

Another reason to appreciate it is the element of cool jazz that Al Jarreau and the band infused on the traditional carols heard in "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Carol of the Bells" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing."

One more thing to consider is the excellent musicianship of arranger/multi-instrumentalist Larry Williams (keyboards/clarinet/tenor sax/piano), Larry Goldings (organ), Chris Walker (bass), Mark Simmons (drums), Jo Turano (background vocals/piano/tenor sax), Lenny Castro (percussion), Michael O'Neill and Ross Bolton (guitar), from among others.

All things considered as to vocal style, musicianship, arrangements and material, this is one of the most enjoyable Christmas music I've ever heard in my entire listening journey. It is truly a listening delight. My ears are drawn to his unique and ingenious "Jarreau-isms" that he is stylistically famous for.

On Liner Notes, Al Jarreau quoted a line taken from his favorite movie, "A Christmas Carol," which happens to be the most popular Christmas story ever told. It is also the most remarkable and enduring classic from Charles Dickens, so I'm sharing it here...

"Merry Christmas, everybody! God bless us, every one. And God bless Tiny Tim."

Been waiting for Al Jarreau to bring out a Christmas CD for a long time. His "White Christmas" cover is one of my favorites. This year, he's listened and gifted us with a CD. And what a generous gift, too. Jarreau's packed a whopping 14 songs and 54 plus minutes into this collection.

"Christmas" is not for non-jazz or non-Jarreau fans. If you like the traditional ballads done the same old way just by different singers, don't buy this CD. If you want a lot of upbeat, some syncopation, and a whole lot of souful jazz, this CD is for you. I'm definitely going to be enjoying this CD for years to come.

Favorites:

Carol of the Bells
White Christmas
Gloria in Excelsis

My only complaint is I wish Jarreau had come up with a new song for us to enjoy this Christmas. I love his work on the tried and true, but I'd like to see him really step out and show us something new.

Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

If you love Al Jarreau, then you will love this new "Al" sounds of Christmas - His own unique touch on the old familiar songs, and a couple of the not so familiar ones. Beautiful arrangements make this a winner! Not the same old carols, sounding the same every year you hear them. They are so refreshingly different sounding, I enjoyed listening to them now. Who needs to wait for Christmas.

Finally, an Al Jarreau Christmas CD, and it was worth the wait. He has never sounded better and this CD is a winner from beginning to end. White Christmas, Carol of the Bells, Christmas Time is Here, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, in fact all 13 songs, are enriched by Jarreau's vocal arrangements. Some Christmas CD's are haphazardly constructed and little more than last-minute conglomerations designed to make all involved a few fast bucks, but this creation is finely crafted and lovingly created. The musical arrangements are first rate and Rhino CDs always sound crystal clear. For Jarreau lovers and for jazz lovers, this CD is a gift.

A couple of highlights -- I'll be home for Christmas with Take 6 was a surprise. Jarreau's unfettered vocal riffs play perfectly against the structured harmonies of Take 6. I wondered how the two different styles would mesh together, and the result is perfection. And, Gloria in Excelsis places Jarreau in a gospel-like setting and the combination is magic. If you love Jarreau's voice, owning this CD is an absolute must.

As expected from one of the most renown vocal artists in the world today; an album of ultra high integrity and quality. The album treats the listener to a variety of Christmas songs and carrols, performed with all the finesse and bravura this gentleman is all about, with brilliant musical accompaniment. Even the recording leaves little to be desired, on any level of sound system, a Hi-Fi tidbit. Enjoy!

Listen Up Music Lovers!!--This holiday collection by the
legendary Al Jarreau is a must have for the 2008 and
beyond holiday collections!
I played this one, Ledisi and Rahsaan Patterson's to death
and turned at least 50 people I knew on to it!
Yes, it's that good!
I love every track on here from the production and arranging,
to the awesome and eternal vocal technique of one of jazz music's
great male vocalists of the last 50 years!--Mr. Al Jarreau.
I have been a fan of his since I was a kid and first
heard his amazing LIVE IN EUROPE album in summer 1977!!
He's still got it! (-:
If you don't already have this one in your holiday collection,
DO GET IT IN THERE!! (-: No junk tracks on this one!

Finally Al has a Christmas CD of his own, it was long overdue and it is great. All fans will enjoy and he will earn some new ones with this CD.

Al Jarreau's style and flava have fascinated me since I was a child. He can take any song and add an innovation and enthusiasm that even the song's writer hadn't thought of. There are many who've tried to duplicate him, but there's just this "something" that lets the listener know when they're experiencing the authenticity of the Jarreau genius! WOW!

It's jazzy, it's Christmas, it's Al's inimitable style. My favorite is White Christmas. Love it, Al.