Customer Reviews

Late Night Christmas Eve

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

 

 

The perfect Christmas musical background for the Holiday Season---Concord Jazz presents Scott Hamilton, with the unmistakably warm-smooth-tones of Hamilton's tenor saxophone, mixed with romantic strings, the result is a rich lush sound---"LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE", is the ultimate romantic album for this Holiday Season.

Why not dim the lights, spin this CD, and let "HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS"---"I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"---"CHRISTMAS WALTZ"---"BELL CAROL BLUES" and "CHRISTMAS LOVE SONGS", put the magic of romance into your holiday!

Total Time: 58:56 on 11 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz CCD-4922 ~ (2000)

I like instrumental Christmas music, as well as vocal, and this is sure to be one of my favorites over the years! Mellow sax playing of some of the great standards for the holidays, will be great for nights in front of the fire, or as background for a holiday gathering. Definitely a bargain at this price! Enjoy!

Same CD, different title and publication date. The music is OK (3+ out of 5 stars), but I didn't need two copies of the CD.

"Ah, Scott Hamilton with strings playing Christmas music. I'll get out my red-and-green sweater and we'll decorate the tree with tinsel while this disc plays. We'll sip apple cider with cinnamon sticks and wrap the presents we bought for Mom and Aunt Gertrude. You know, I think when we were in J. C. Penney's today picking out Aunt Gertrude's binoculars, this disc was playing over the PA system.

I write thus not to belittle this disc, only to explain it. There is absolutely nothing new here, but new is not what Scott Hamilton has been about throughout his career, and he thereby maintains an integrity far greater than that of many imitators and bag-carriers who claim to be original voices. Scott Hamilton's tone is perfect for a warm night by the fire, sharing a blanket with one's beloved. The string arrangements by Alan Broadbent, who also plays piano, are tasteful as string arrangements go in this line. Dave Green is also around on bass, Dave Cliff on guitar, and Allan Ganley on drums, but this is Hamilton's show and Hamilton's alone.

On every cut from "The Christmas Song" to "Christmas Love Song," (including "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Little Drummer Boy," "Christmas Waltz," "Winter Wonderland," "Greensleeves," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "White Christmas," and "Bell Carol Blues,") Hamilton shines like a diamond. His tone even shows up the strings for warmth and softness. His statements are impeccably constructed. The diamond simply has no flaws.

This is a prime Christmas jazz recording. "Christmas" comes first because the strings don't leave much room for soloing; Hamilton himself rarely strays from his choice and perfect theme renderings. It's "jazz" because the tenor saxophone is, in most minds, a jazz or blues instrument; this ain't blues, baby, so it must be jazz. If you're looking for Hamilton's chops as an improviser, almost any of his other CD's will be preferable; but for a Christmas album, this is first-rate." ~ Robert Spencer AllAboutJazz 1997

Lovely smooth Christmas album.Nice listening as per the album title,to be enjoyed with a glass of wine and good company.