Customer Reviews

Crescent City Christmas Card

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked this one up 5 years ago and have enjoyed it every Christmas since. With the exception of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (I don't know what he was thinking on that one), all of the songs are exceptionally well-crafted. This is a perfect CD for trimming the tree. Along with A Motown Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Jingle Bell Jazz, this is a holiday essential.

This is hands-down the best Christmas recording I've ever heard. A lot of artist feel it necessary to record their favorite Christmas songs and this is no exception. However, Marsalis takes the music to the next step and the result is nothing short of brilliance. With the soothing operatic voice blending perfectly with his trumpet on 'Silent Night' to the bass lines of 'Twas the Night' bringing the song to life - this entire CD is a treat and will immediately put the holiday season in your heart. Cresent City Christmas Card truly is part of Wynton's impressive resume - and not just an isolated Christmas recording. If you're a Marsalis fan - this CD is a must.

It's just not the Christmas season until I've given this disc a listen that year.

This is absolute desert island holiday music and it belongs in any Christmas collection.

I really enjoy playing this one when it gets to be this time of year. It's a well-played Christmas album. I especially enjoy the version of "Silent Night" with Kathleen Battle, "Carol Of The Bells", "Let It Snow", "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland" and of course "Twas The Night Before Christmas". I thought it was cool how Wynton did the narration along with the music. He sounds good on here. Check this out along with the Tonight Show Band's Christmas album for these purposes.

Don't play this Christmas morning while unwrapping presents of as background to Christmas dinner.

Do listen to it late at night by Christmas tree light with a brandy. This CD rewards listening; the closer the better.

It is our families tradition that this is the first holiday disc played on Thanksgiving day.

What can I say I would love to find more like it...not that CTI commercial dreck

Personally, I love this compilation. However, I must admit it took a few playings before I got used to it. The unusual arrangements and use of dissonance is not what I was originally expecting for a Christmas CD. This is especially true for Carol of the Bells. My friends who appreciate Jazz, generally like this CD, while those whose tastes run more towards choral arrangements hate it. So, if you're a jazz fan, you got to buy it. If not, you might want to take a pass. I knock down to 3 stars just because of its limited appeal. Otherwise it's a solid 4 and possibly 5.

I've got to admit, this still takes second place to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and some of the tracks took me some time to get used to, but it still is my second favorite Christmas CD and five stars on its own merits. There is a great mix of odd jazz interpretation of old classics, classic takes on old favorites, and both instrumental and vocal tracks to mix it up all the more.

I bought this when it came ount and it get played every year. A fantastic jazz album on it's own.

To me it has the best version of Sleigh Ride ever recorded.

If you are a fan of jazz this is a must have.

It is truly a step into the Crescent City! My mother bought it in 1994, and she hated it. I played it and fell in love with it. I didn't know what Crescent City meant back then, but after reading the liner notes I learned about New Orleans and New Orleans jazz. Marsalis nailed it. I love jazz and I love Wynton Marsalis. It's a win win for me. I lost the CD in a move 3 years ago and had to buy it again. You may find yourself making beignets instead of cookies for the holidays!

Not all of this CD is to my taste, but the version of Sleigh Ride with Jon Hendricks is hot! It is not to be missed. Other nice tunes include Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and O Come All Ye Faithful.

Some of the other tunes veer a little too far from their Christmas roots for my taste. But at the current price ($6.99), it's a bargain.