Customer Reviews

Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's something for everyone on this wonderfully eclectic recording, which ranges from Oscar Peterson's almost lullaby-like piano on "A Child is Born" to Bill Evans's jazzy piano improvisations (overdubbed) on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "O, Little Town of Bethlehem," a full-out, hand-clapping, rocking and stomping Gospel song. Containing both vocals and instrumentals, with arrangements which vary from softly sweet to full-out wailing, this CD is full of delightful surprises to keep the Christmas repertoire fresh.

Three of the songs here feature Ella Fitzgerald. "The Secret of Christmas" and "White Christmas," both of which she sings "pure," are soft, slow ballads filled with sweetness, while "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with its quick beat, provides a jazzy close-out for the album. Dinah Washington's "Ole Santa" and "Silent Night" take the opposite tack from Ella, as she sings with strength and verve--and absolutely no sweetness! Billie Holiday's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," not exactly a Christmas song, features solos by the great Benny Carter on clarinet and Sweets Edison on muted trumpet.

Roland Kirk's "We Free Kings," the most highly improvised song on the album, features Kirk on flute and wailing sax, accompanied by an insistent drumbeat. And my favorite--Jimmy Smith's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is the greatest version of this song I've ever heard, opening with jazz tuba and drums (and sounding like giants walking), then introducing trumpets and a wonderful Smith organ solo, which soars into the stratosphere. A terrific album for the jazz lover at Christmas time, this CD showcases some of the pioneers of American jazz. Mary Whipple

There's something for everyone on this wonderfully eclectic recording, which ranges from Oscar Peterson's almost lullaby-like piano on "A Child is Born" to Bill Evans's jazzy piano improvisations (overdubbed) on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "O, Little Town of Bethlehem," a full-out, hand-clapping, rocking and stomping Gospel song. Containing both vocals and instrumentals, with arrangements which vary from softly sweet to full-out wailing, this CD is full of delightful surprises to keep the Christmas repertoire fresh.

Three of the songs here feature Ella Fitzgerald. "The Secret of Christmas" and "White Christmas," both of which she sings "pure," are soft, slow ballads filled with sweetness, while "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with its quick beat, provides a jazzy close-out for the album. Dinah Washington's "Ole Santa" and "Silent Night" take the opposite tack from Ella, as she sings with strength and verve--and absolutely no sweetness! Billie Holiday's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," not exactly a Christmas song, features solos by the great Benny Carter on clarinet and Sweets Edison on muted trumpet.

Roland Kirk's "We Free Kings," the most highly improvised song on the album, features Kirk on flute and wailing sax, accompanied by an insistent drumbeat. And my favorite--Jimmy Smith's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is the greatest version of this song I've ever heard, opening with jazz tuba and drums (and sounding like giants walking), then introducing trumpets and a wonderful Smith organ solo, which soars into the stratosphere. A terrific album for the jazz lover at Christmas time, this CD showcases some of the pioneers of American jazz. Mary Whipple

A great eclectic mix of both vocal and instrumental jazz. Dinah Washington's voice makes for a strangely stirring "Silent Night," and Ella's "Secret of Christmas" might just be the most gorgeous Christmas recording ever.

This has been my #1 favorite jazz/blues Christmas CD for many years (and I've collected quite a few). Sorry to disagree with the last person but it is definitely not "smooth jazz". Roland Kirk never played a note of "smooth jazz" in his life. His "We Free Kings" is about the wildest rendition of a Christmas song that I've ever heard and I still can't sit still whenever I hear it. This one of those albums that you can hear through many times and find new pleasures every time. As others have said, it holds a wide variety and each recording is great in its own way. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Wide range of artists and songs, beautifully arranged and perfect to play on cold, cloudy evenings in December in anticipation of the Christmas season. It's a little sleepy to be truly "jazzy" (most of it is very light and relaxing) but I prefer that anyway. Might not be the right style for some. My personal favorite though is "Christmas Medley," which is one of the more upbeat songs in the collection.

Many of the renditions of traditional Christmas songs were hardly recognizable. I liked maybe two of the songs on the albums. I would not recommend this CD.

There's little I can say that hasn't been said by the other reviewers. I just wanted to add my recommendation for this CD. This has been a favorite of ours for years, and even now with non-stop Christmas music streaming from the cable company and on the radio we still play this CD. You won't hear these versions broadcast, but they're beautiful renditions. You can tell the artists put their hearts into the performances. Listen to the samples, buy the CD, and I'm sure it will be a staple in your home at Christmas, as it is in ours.

This is one of our favorite Christmas CDs year after year. It's a great collection of some classic performances.

I recommend this to anyone that likes smooth jazz and wants mood music for Christmas gatherings. It helps make Christmas parties seem more festive.

I have been listening to this cd every Christmas since my parents first got it when in 1996 I was 10 years old. I could never tire of the smooth, warm jazz. It is the perfect soundtrack for a snowy evening by the fire and lit tree, cuddled under a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.