Customer Reviews

Smashed for the Holidays

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

 

 

I picked up this CD at Jacqui's awesome show at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York. "Smashed for the Holidays" is fun, witty and wonderful. Finally, a new kind of holiday CD that mixes rock and jazz like I've never heard it and it makes me smile. I mean really, mixing "Santa Baby" with Zeplin is brilliant. I've heard mash-ups from DJs before but that is not what this is. Here they are actually playing two songs at the same time, which also makes the use of the word "smashed" even funnier. There are just enough of these holiday/rock mergings to be enjoyed and then the CD is balanced nicely with well sung standards like her intimate version of "The Christmas Song" with just guitar. I also really like the original music on this recording. "Celebrate Early and Often" and "Thank You Baby" remind me to stop and be grateful and "Christmas Ain't What It Used To Be" reminds me to stop and think about what we are really celebrating. I think this is a GREAT CD and I plan to turn a lot of people on to it and use it as my holiday gift. She can sing with the best of them and the band plays the hell out of these songs.

This is the most amazing collection of smashed up christmas carols and rock songs ever. Very accessable. Smashup DJs everywhere should have this in their collection. Great work by a terrific artist. I hope everyone picks up a copy for Christmas and then goes out and buys her older stuff.

You won't be disappointed!

Jacqui Naylor and her band have put together several songs matching a pattern sometimes called "A versus B", where an instrumental rendering of song A is accompanied by an a cappella rendering of song B. Sometimes, this is done by skillful editing of the songs of two different artists (this is called a "mashup"). But in the case of Naylor & Company, elements from both songs are recorded at once.

This type of performance is technically advanced. Most artists could not even conceive matching songs, and even fewer could pull off the technique in performance. Jacqui Naylor and her band do it with an effortlessness that makes it all seem charming. The effect is similar to hearing a song sung as a round. My favorite one was Silver Bells "smashed" with Every Breath You Take, whose juxtaposition created an ironic effect that had me giggling.

Of course, a little bit of this technique goes a long way, and indeed the technique is used on fewer than half of the tracks. At other times, Naylor sings jazz. Does she ever! Naylor's voice is authentic and sultry; she has the pipes, the phrasing, and all those other jazzy things the critics like to talk about.

Not that this is purely a jazz record. Jacqui Naylor sings jazz here, though not on every track. Paradoxically, her band provides rock accompaniment to some tracks, even when Naylor is singing jazz, for example on the enchanting Celebrate Early And Often.

Strange, indeed, but effective, and refreshing. I haven't heard anything quite like Jacqui Naylor's Smashed for the Holidays.

I haven't enjoyed a holiday album this much since Jingle Bell Jazz. Like JBJ, this album takes a refreshing look at music that might otherwise bounce right off your noggin due to overexposure. Jacqui's voice is as great as ever and it's nice to hear her push it a bit on things like We Three Kings. I think the girl could even yarl a bit if she put her mind to it. The smashed tunes are great, and Art Khu gets a chance to rock out a bit on what sounds like a Les Paul. Great stuff!

This is a fun CD and great listening. I have been listening to it since it arrived in my mailbox. Will I be tired of it by the time the holidays come around? Not a chance! This music is so new and innovative...and yet familiar. On some of the songs, Jacqui combines Christmas lyrics with "old favorite" tunes and the results are awesome. So, if you like to sing along, it's easy, but never boring. I'll be listening to this CD all through the holidays and more. Great vocals and unbelievable back-up!

Wow! I bought one of these for myself and like it so much that I am buying several more to give as holiday gifts. Something new and different...some familiar music but with a new twist. This is a must have for those boring holiday parties.

It is so great to have a Holiday album that is so wonderful to listen to- combining many of the old favorites but in a new and hip way. Jacqui's voice is so sexy, rich and makes us feel like she is in our living room hanging out with us- enjoying the holidays. I think this album is particularly soulful. The arrangements are fresh, surprise us at moments and technically quite sophisticated. If you want the hippest stuff playing at your house for the holidays I'd serve up these tunes.

My favorite cut, Celebrate Early and Often reminds us to be so grateful for the day and the people we love. Thank you baby. Thank you Jacqui.

Driving down I-95 in South Florida, this CD keeps me sane. Everyday, on both 25 minute commutes, I can't stop singing along and wondering how in the world they came up with these "smashed" combinations...I like to imagine Jacqui and her band walking down the streets of San Francisco, one of them starting to hum "Every breath I take" over and over again with Jacqui piping in over the hum singing Silver Bells. Amazing stuff! I love it and really hear the talent from the band in this album. Aside from the joy of singing along, "Celebrate Early and Often", "Thank You Baby" and "Christmas aint what it use to be" help me focus on the true meaning of the Holidays. Thanks for lifting my spirits!

I love the whole album. Jacqui seems to have really come into her own lately. She is showing more and more of that unique style that sets her apart from the pack. This album is just so much fun. My favorite is Santa Baby but the entire album is a joy to listen to.

I love J Naylor's work, but this was a waste of money and artist's time. I wouldn't give this CD away to anyone.