Customer Reviews

New Orleans Christmas

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My yearly tradition is to buy one new Christmas CD each year. This year, New Orleans Christmas was my choice. Just received today, I've already played it a half dozen times. If you love the Crescent City, Dixieland jazz, the spirit of Mardi Gras then this is the CD for you. Your toes will be tapping and you will want to be second lining. There are some of the old standards done New Orleans style and some tunes I have never heard before. My favorites are the last two tracks but they are all good. It's rare to find a CD where every song is a winner, this CD is one of those rarities.

This CD is perfect for any Christmas party. The music is upbeat and will put a smile on the face of the most jaded Scrooge in the group.

You don't have to be from the South to appreciate the regional flavor of elegant New Orleans. Putumayo's collections are wonderful mood and background music. New Orleans Christmas, with its smooth, big band sounds is ideal for this season's Christmas parties, especially if the hosts happen to be serving gumbo or jambalaya.

New Orleans Christmas includes 11 classic Christmas songs that have been spiced up by the best from the Crescent City. Most of the tracks are in the older New Orleans music style with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "White Christmas" bringing a modern feel to the swingy collection. New Orleans Christmas also includes traditional New Orleans songs that have been warmed with a holiday vibe, such as "Santa's Second Line" where tambourines and trumpets blend Christmas flavor into a New Orleans marching song.

Throughout New Orleans Christmas the equilibrium between holiday music and regional sounds is harmonious and seamless. James Andrews' trumpet version of "Christmas in New Orleans" is reminiscent of Louis Armstrong, and pianist Ellis Marsalis and his son, drummer Jason Marsalis, contribute a bebop departure from early sounds in "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." The whole collection delivers variety, one of New Orleans' finest artistic hallmarks, with sounds that switch effortlessly between R&B, country, swing, blues, and jazz influences.

There are many reasons why listeners will enjoy this collection of traditional Christmas songs, but one of the most rewarding may not be a matter of music. A portion of the proceeds from New Orleans Christmas will be donated to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity's Musicians Village Project, a construction of 81 homes for New Orleans musicians who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Not only is this a timely act of charity, but it also enables listeners to support the future production of New Orleans jazz. After all, it is the season for giving, and there is so much reason to give! -Elizabeth Whitmore

Both the "New York Times" and the "Washington Post" gave high marks to this Putomayo collection of classic New Orleans music, but if anything their favorable reviews were not enthusiastic enough. You can tell when you are hearing good traditional N.O. music because it becomes increasingly difficult to remain seated in your chair, and an overpowering desire to start strutting with an umbrella overcomes you. All of the cuts, drawn from a variety of sources, are outstanding. I particularly liked "Silver Bells" by the Heritage Hall Jazz band; "Please Come Home for Christmas" by the extraordinarily talented singer/banjoist Don Vappie (who has played here in D.C. with the Preservation Hall group); and especially the affecting rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by the incomparable Topsy Chapman. But this is not to slight the other cuts, for every one is a winner. For example, things get off to a great start with "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" and never decrease in quality. The album reminds us how much a national treasure the city has been and will hopefully continue to be in the future.

This is a collection that is long overdue. "Christmas in New Orleans" literally flew out the door of my local bookstore when they put it on a demo this last December. This is a very positive and jazzy CD that is essential for people who enjoy celebrating Christmas from a variety of traditions.

This is such a wonderful collection and a great tribute to New Orleans jazz with the classic trumpet, trombone, and drum and singers with the rasp of Armstrong or the slow smoothness of Fitzgerald. This compilation is so fun and upbeat that you instantly get in the holiday spirit. But it is also classy and soulful to remind you what the season is all about. An instant favorite! Merry Christmas!

This was a gift from a friend of mine who knows I like both New Orleans and Christmas. What a great CD! There is great energy and joy on this disc. I've been to NOLA many times, but never at Christmas. This makes me feel as if I have!

I was very happy to receive this CD. It has been a long time since I've gotten a new Christmas CD that was different and unusual. I love it!!

A nice compilation, though we like the Jazz and Blues Christmas better. Still a great series.

New Orleans Christmas Here I though it would be just another one of those endless Christmas collections, but this is a totally great music - every single selection. Up-beat,refreshingly different arrangements, very enjoyable listening.