Customer Reviews

Hot Club Cool Yule - featuring the Hot Club of San Francisco

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Another Christmas recording? As certain as the rising of the Christmas tree is the annual release of a plethora of Christmas recordings from a variety of artists and genres. Classical guitar for Christmas? No problem. An accordion fan? Relax to Rudolph on the squeezebox. "Fill in the name" pop star doing the standards? Several available for your choosing. So here comes the Hot Club of San Francisco to add some gypsy jazz from the smoke filled bars of ...uh...San Francisco to the mix?


But relax. Here is a Christmas recording offering something a bit different and worth listening to in the midst of the season. The Hot Club of San Francisco may not be a mainstream ensemble, but they are generally considered one of the best gypsy jazz groups in the U.S. For those not familiar with the genre, gypsy jazz is an acoustic guitar dominated format created by the incredible guitarist Django Reinhardt with violinist Stephane Grappelli in the smoky bars of Paris in the 1930s. The name of their group was the Quintette du Hot Club de France, and gypsy jazz groups often attach the "Hot Club" title to their own city. The quintet arrangement holds with the Hot Club of San Francisco which is led by guitarist Paul Mehling and violinist Evan Price, along with bassist Clint Baker, and rhythm guitarists Jeff Magidson and Jason Vanderford.


Mehling's gift as a leader has been to honor tradition while not being afraid of stretching the genre. In this recording he clearly moves beyond the normal library and also employs several guest singers and other ensembles to offer some new sounds. The result is a wide ranging, but solid, recording of a variety of Christmas classics. The quintet takes on Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and pairs it with the traditional "Carol of the Bells," and then soon jumps to "Baby, It's Cold Outside."


While gypsy jazz music is not afraid of the scorching solos, it also relishes the slow, quiet rhythms of the late night. At times it is a bit too slow ("The Christmas Song"), but when balanced with the moving Applachian song, "I Wonder As I Wander," you can hear the power of the slower sound.


Those looking for the upbeat sounds which have captivated so many listeners will not be disappointed. Mehling's arrangement of "Jingle Bells," here called "Djingle Bells" in homage to Reinhardt, is a gem which should be a new Christmas standard. Even "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" benefits from gypsy sound as it finds new life in this rendition. They even manage to add a great deal of life to the difficult to like traditional song, "March of the Toys." These songs feature the Hot Club of San Francisco without their guests and the comfort of the band is clear -- they have a lot of musical fun with one another which shows a camaraderie extending beyond the music. They also extend the tradition with the best over-seven-minute version of "Auld Lang Syne" you may ever hear.


That this CD is successful comes as no surprise since the basis is five excellent musicians. Mehling is a gifted guitarist with an ear for the soulful and the skill to pull off some blistering solos bound to make most guitarists give up in frustration. Price is equally talented as a violinist and can either blend in the background or drive a song forward at will. But gypsy jazz also needs a strong rhythm section, especially since it does not include any drums. The percussive and bass sounds are amply handled by Baker, Magidson, and Vanderford.


So in the midst of the holiday chaos grab this CD to get a respite from the rush. Or if you know someone with an openness to some unique musical sounds, you have a stocking stuffer at hand. You are not likely to find this is mainstream CD outlets, but it is worth the internet search.

Gypsy swing holiday albums are about as rare as Christmas stockings hanging on the Wailing Wall. But here's an enjoyable one from a string band that claims it's duty-bound to do the X-mas album their heroes Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli never made. Presumption aside, the quintet draws listeners in with loads of foot-tapping charm and swing. Good to hear some unexpected material like show tune "March of the Toys" and the Appalachian hymn "I Wonder as I Wander" next to intelligent, fresh arrangements of "The Christmas Song" and "Auld Lang Syne."

Hot Club Jazz is just the ticket for holiday music on Hot Club Cool Yule. The Hot Club of San Francisco renders acoustically impotent the bombastic electric offerings of Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra with the flick of a guitar pick and violin bow. Gratefully, authentic musicianship trumps even the best technique. Instead of one more anemic "White Christmas," the HCSF opt for a hot take on Duke Ellington's interpretation of "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" ("Sugar Rum Cherry") and Victor Herbert's "March of the Toys."

A medley of "Carol of the Bells" and Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" make a breezy way early on. A warm "Baby, Its cold Outside" features Duo Gadjo (Isabelle Fontaine and Jeff Magidson) and Evan Price on octave violin. The spiritual "I Wonder as I Wander" receives a very European string trio treatment very successfully by guest violinist Deborah Price, violist Marcel Gemperli and cellist Eric Gaensten.

Guitarist Paul Mehling shines in his solos on "I'll be Home for Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and "Auld Lang Syne. Evan Price's violin is given even exposure, the two men playing as if made for one another. This recording benefits from expert musicianship by musicians obviously having much fun, which simply adds to the joyfulness of a wonderfully lively disc.

Hot Club Cool Yule
Hot Club of San Francisco | Azica Records (2009)


By Dr. Judith Schlesinger
Dr. Judith Schlesinger
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Columnist
Joined AAJ in 2002



The liner notes imply that this is the Christmas album Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli might have made, had they made one. Certainly the The Hot Club of San Francisco is a virtuosic group that specializes in conjuring that era (see their masterful Bohemian Maestro for a recent example). But there's a wealth of delicious humor here that goes beyond anything that legendary pair ever produced.

For instance, check out the inspired derangement of "Djingle Bells," and "Don Rudolfo" (as in Red-Nosed Reindeer), a sultry tango that ultimately flows into the "Habanera" from "Carmen" (honest). There's also a red-hot "Sugar Rum Cherry" that swings the Nutcracker into a whole new orbit. Yet just when you get used to a jovial ride, the Hot Club throws out a gorgeous string arrangement of "I Wonder As I Wander," getting serious about the season. And there are still more surprises to come, although it would be like giving away a movie plot to describe them all.

One thing is sure: however you deck your halls with music - whether you dig out that dusty stack of CDs, or cue your Yuletide playlist - this collection is so different from anything else that it's likely to make your guests pause, nogs in midair, to ask what it is. And you don't even have to answer: just show them the CD cover, where Santa drives a gypsy caravan instead of a sleigh. Brilliant and delightful!

Hot Club of San Francisco at All About Jazz.
Visit Hot Club of San Francisco on the web.


Track listing: Cool Yule; Don Rodolfo; Carol of the Bells; I'll Be Home for Christmas; Baby, It's Cold Outside; Djingle Bells; Sugar Rum Cherry; I Wonder as I Wander; March of the Toys; The Christmas Song; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Auld Lang Syne.

Personnel: Paul "Pazzo" Mehling: solo guitar, baritone guitar, vocals; Clint Baker: string bass, trumpet; Evan "Zeppo" Price: violin, octave violin (acoustic and electric); Jeff Magidson: rhythm guitar, bass, vocal; Jason "Jubilation" Vanderford: rhythm guitar. Guests: Isabelle Fontaine, The Cool Yule Philharmonic, Pazzo and the Hotheads, Le Jazz Hot Trio, Duo Gadjo, The Ivory Club Boys, the Cool Yule Philharmonic All-Stars.

Style: Hot Jazz
Published: November 07, 2009

I found this review on BC Music written by Derek Emerson Nov 16, 09. Oh and this CD is also part of the The New York Times 2009 Christmas Guide.
this makes a great gift for music lovers and those that like something a little different. And it is PERFECT for parties. Don't celebrate Christmas? That's OK this CD fits the bill whether you celebrate Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas or Kwanzaa. Your friends will think you quite the Bohemian!

Written by Derek Emerson
Another Christmas recording? As certain as the rising of the Christmas tree is the annual release of a plethora of Christmas recordings from a variety of artists and genres. Classical guitar for Christmas? No problem. An accordion fan? Relax to Rudolph on the squeezebox. "Fill in the name" pop star doing the standards? Several available for your choosing. So here comes the Hot Club of San Francisco to add some gypsy jazz from the smoke filled bars of ...uh...San Francisco to the mix?

But relax. Here is a Christmas recording offering something a bit different and worth listening to in the midst of the season. The Hot Club of San Francisco may not be a mainstream ensemble, but they are generally considered one of the best gypsy jazz groups in the U.S. For those not familiar with the genre, gypsy jazz is an acoustic, guitar-dominated format created by the incredible guitarist Django Reinhardt with violinist Stephane Grappelli in the smoky bars of Paris in the 1930s. The name of their group was the Quintette du Hot Club de France, and gypsy jazz groups often attach the "Hot Club" title to their own city. The quintet arrangement holds with the Hot Club of San Francisco which is led by guitarist Paul Mehling and violinist Evan Price, along with bassist Clint Baker, and rhythm guitarists Jeff Magidson and Jason Vanderford.

Mehling's gift as a leader has been to honor tradition while not being afraid of stretching the genre. In this recording he clearly moves beyond the normal library and also employs several guest singers and other ensembles to offer some new sounds. The result is a wide ranging, but solid, recording of a variety of Christmas classics. The quintet takes on Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and pairs it with the traditional "Carol of the Bells," and then soon jumps to "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

While gypsy jazz music is not afraid of the scorching solos, it also relishes the slow, quiet rhythms of the late night. At times it is a bit too slow ("The Christmas Song"), but when balanced with the moving Applachian song, "I Wonder As I Wander," you can hear the power of the slower sound.Those looking for the upbeat sounds which have captivated so many listeners will not be disappointed. Mehling's arrangement of "Jingle Bells," here called "Djingle Bells" in homage to Reinhardt, is a gem which should be a new Christmas standard. Even "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" benefits from gypsy sound as it finds new life in this rendition. They even manage to add a great deal of life to the difficult to like traditional song, "March of the Toys." These songs feature the Hot Club of San Francisco without their guests and the comfort of the band is clear -- they have a lot of musical fun with one another which shows a camaraderie extending beyond the music. They also extend the tradition with the best over-seven-minute version of "Auld Lang Syne" you may ever hear.

That this CD is successful comes as no surprise since the basis is five excellent musicians. Mehling is a gifted guitarist with an ear for the soulful and the skill to pull off some blistering solos bound to make most guitarists give up in frustration. Price is equally talented as a violinist and can either blend in the background or drive a song forward at will. But gypsy jazz also needs a strong rhythm section, especially since it does not include any drums. The percussive and bass sounds are amply handled by Baker, Magidson, and Vanderford.

So in the midst of the holiday chaos grab this CD to get a respite from the rush. Or if you know someone with an openness to some unique musical sounds, you have a stocking stuffer at hand. You are not likely to find this is mainstream CD outlets, but it is worth the internet search.

This album has knocked my beloved Herb Alpert off the top spot for best holiday album ever made. Great for tree trimming and nogging at parties without being cloying, trendy, or silly. The tango mash-up of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" with "Habanera" is entirely original, and frankly every track is solid gold. Thanks, Pazzo xoxoxoxoxo

Do you like Christmas? Do you like Gypsy Jazz?

Regardless of your answer to the first question, why wouldn't you be swinging to the crazy rhythms of Cool Yule, the Hot Club of San Francisco's holiday set?

You must get hep to this jive--playing this disc will impress the folks, your lover, your kids...and reduce hair loss!

HCSF is fresh off of a trilogy that sets the standards for 21st century Gypsy Jazz: fidelity to the Gypsy approach via Django, jazz manouche, David Grisman, the jazz songbook, Impressionist composers, musette, and the brain damage that is standard issue in the SF Bay Area. These three recent albums--Postcards From Gypsyland, Yerba Buena Bounce, and Bohemian Maestro: Django Reinhardt and the Impressionists--further define audiophile sound for Gypsy Jazz that doesn't compromise the genre's joy and fever (the usual Faustian deal). Bohemian Maestro: Django Reinhardt and the Impressionists culminates the trilogy by putting Django in a refreshing and altogether appropriate context of 20th century music through an elegant and uncontrived program.

In other words, the boys of HCSF were ready to cut loose, and Hot Club Cool Yule delivers that, offering up a laid back, party and jam feeling that is satisfying and delicious!

The jammin' starts with all of the fun tones in place. On the title song, Pazzo's singing is carefree and spot on--things get rolling on a high note.

Now much has been made of the origins of the next tune and Pazzo's so-called `Spanish' rendering of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Don Rodolfo). To set the record straight, I have it on Good Authority that this IS the original arrangement of the Jewish tune honoring Rudy Reindiersky from the Old Country. Look, who else you gonna get to work on Christmas?

Baby, It's Cold Outside is a winter classic, and Duo Gadjo gives the Ray Charles/Betty Carter classic version a run for the money.

Five of the twelve tunes showcase sublime arrangements by Evan Price, yet the orchestrations hang back, setting the swing free (Check out the jam that is the outro to Carol of the Bells/Skating). Pazzo's and Price's solos weave effortlessly in and out of the arrangements. Price achieves a remarkable range of timbres, given how few instruments are used. The open arrangements play with the laidback approach, taking the pressure off of the players. Their solos take flight and swing with delight. As the set ends with Auld Lang Syne, Pazzo takes us out on a high note with a humorous, and one of his most swinging and virtuosic solos on record.

All of us have our favorite Christmas albums. Mine include A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector; The New Possibility: John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas Album; Elton John's Christmas Party; and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Add Hot Club Cool Yule to your Christmas mix, and it should be a merry one.

Best New Christmas Music I have heard and even more important my wife loves it.

The gypsy swing band Hot Club of San Francisco plays music in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. As the ask in brief liner notes to this new holiday CD, "What if Django and Stephane had made a Christmas CD?" What would it sound like? Well, this is probably that would be. With the minor exception of the one vocal track here - "Santa Claus is Coming To Town". The five-piece band added a few local friends to the mix this time and they all seem to be having fun. The songs run from the traditional "Carol of the Bells" to 20th century classics like "Baby, Its Cold Outside" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas". "Rudolph" becomes "Don Rodolfo", since the HCSF guys love to play with names. "March of the Toys" is the Victor Herbert piece but it's spiced up by incorporating the Air Force anthem in the melody as well. The closing track "Auld Lang Syne" pushes the eight-minute limit, but don't turn off your CD player yet. There's a short hidden "bonus track" to finish out the CD.

I love the other CDs by the Hot Club and this will be playing around my house this holiday season. Except for that one vocal, which I really wish they left off, this CD is perfect background music for your party and will have your company asking who that cool band is that's playing "hot" Christmas for your "cool yule".

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"