Customer Reviews

Hipster's Holiday: Vocal Jazz and R&B Classics

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rhino deserves a hand for reviving these rare sides. "Hipsters' Holiday" is an eclectic Christmas package; so individual selections will be a matter of taste. The slower, melancholy cuts will appeal to blues addicts, while other listeners will probably use the "skip" button and go right to the upbeat stuff. This writer's top three are Oscar McLollie's "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" (an early doo-wop masterpiece that really jumps); Leo Watson's manic, fascinating scat singing on "Jingle Bells," and Louis Armstrong's bravura vocal on the spooky "Zat You, Santy Claus?" Sure to generate some holiday cheer. Sound quality is excellent.

This is a collection of jazzy Christmas songs. But don't be scared, it's vocal jazz, which is more accessible than instrumental jazz (some of the tracks actually lean more towards R&B than jazz). There are a lot of cool songs here. But I have to question why Tim Fuller's "Silent Night" from 1989 is here, when the rest of the songs are from the 40s, 50s and 60s. It seems a bit out of place here (it's good, though). I also should mention that the sound quality is not that great on a few tracks, which sound like they were recorded from scratchy old 78s. Despite that, this is a fun collection which should inspire you to have a "cool" Christmas.

Great, fun stuff. Play it at a party -- the Satchmo tracks will please everybody, Pearl Bailey's track is a stone classic, "Blue Xmas" will please your misanthrope friends and the mistreatment the Tim Fuller Experience gives to "Silent Night" will empty *any* room. One of my favorite holiday records.

A varied selection of holiday tunes, many going back 45-50 years ago and still sounding fresh today. Some are true classic songs and if you are a true record collector, the last tune on this cd, Hello Mr. New Year by the Coolbreezers is worth $200 if you have it on 45 and in Near Mint condition(according to the Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide). Great fun for any Christmas celebration!

I love Christmas albums and I have them all from Mathis to Motown, Sinatra to Connick and Buble, Phil Spector's epochal classic to Whitney and Luther Vandross etc.,but this is the most fun Xmas music ever. Louis Armstrong is the undisputed star of this collection with not only 3 great tracks but is also the cover boy on the CD artwork. One thing this relentlessly joyous, ebullient music captures well is the dichotomy of Christmas-the mass consumerism mixed with partying and tree decorating and oh yeah, the birth of Christ! Eartha Kitt has probably the best known track here with her kittenish "Santa Baby" but is topped by Pearl Baily's "5 Pound Box Of Money" and Mile Davis' uber cynical "Blue Xmas(To Whom It May Concern"). There is zany over the top scat singing and nonsense lyrics like Leo Watson's inimitable (literally) "Jingle Bells" and "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie" by Lambert,Hendricks and Ross. My favorite has to be Big John Greer's "We Want To See Santa Do The Mambo". This song pops up in my head at the most inapropriate times all through the year. Insanely infectious stuff. I wore this out on cassette in the mid 90's and lost a Cd copy in a breakup with a girl who loved this album as much as I did, but now I have my new Cd copy and we will never part ways again! This music is how I see and hear Christmas.

This is my first review ever, that should tell you how much I love this!! This is a great nostalgic cd for any age. I've had this for 10 years and it is still my favorite holiday cd.

This album is a lot of fun - so glad we discovered it last year. All the tracks are very unusual and most are real gems. Highly recommend for jazz fans and those who appreciate wit and charm.

I pull this CD out every December and play it more than any other. The standout star is Louis, each track a classic, but many others are light-hearted, fun and great for getting into the yule spirit.

You don't need to be a jazz or blues fan to adore this album as I do--there are tracks here that everyone will enjoy. It's an album worth owning just for Eartha Kitt's sultry "Santa Baby" and the three tracks featuring Satchmo. And I always laugh when I hear Pearl Bailey's "Five Pound Box of Money." Full of fun (and sometimes funny), these tunes range from swing to cool. If you're planning a party, this album will be a big hit shuffled in with your other favorites.

This album is definitely a true tinsel tunes classic! Nobody beats RHINO when it comes to releasing all kinds of wonderful Christmas collections. Hipster's Holiday is fun for everyone, young & old. The reason I gave this 4 stars is because of the one holdout song(in my opinion)which grates on my ears-Lambert, Hendricks & Ross singing Deck Us All With Boston Charlie. Oh well, what can I say-different strokes for different folks. So whether you're dipping into the egg-nog or just writing your letter to Santa, putting this cd on your turntable will make you smile & tap your feet. Highly recommended.