Customer Reviews

Smooth Jazz Christmas

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cd brought back memories of driving throught the snow to get to Tahoe to see the Dave Koz & Friends concert! WOW...the emotions I felt while listening to this cd were overwhelming!! With everything that's been happening in the world these days, and with my own personal world crashing down on me, this cd brought life back in to perspective for me!! Bad things happen, but we have to come together (just like the artists on this cd did) to overcome them! And I completely agree with Dave...we need to "know this feeling every moment of the year!" My holiday shopping stops right here. Everyone on my list is getting this CD!

Since I opened The Smooth Jazz Christmas CD - I have spent hours listening to this one CD. It is such happy and upbeat music. It
has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit - even before November. I can easily play it 2 or 3 times in a row having a
pleasant afternoon at home. As the other reviewers of this CD
said - after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11th - it is refreshing to listen to such joyful music. If I hadn't finished my Christmas shopping already, I would definitely put this on the list for my family and friends. It will go on next year's
list. If you order this CD, you probably will have many hours
of enjoyment from listening to this CD.

If any cd will put you in the Christmas spirit, THIS IS THE ONE!
Saxophone extrodinaire Dave Koz is joined by some of the BIGGEST names in smooth jazz, including: David Benoit, Peter White, Brenda Russell, Rick Braun, and special guest Kenny Loggins. They all came together to create this cd and a magical holiday spirit that will warm the halls of your home, your car and even your heart....This cd is a MUST! BUY IT NOW! You won't be sorry! It will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.

If you are a true Jazz lover and a great fan of Dave Koz, this is the CD to have. It is awesome! From the first minute you hear music to the melody tracks of Brenda Russell, Peter White, David Benoit, Kenny Loggins, and Rick Braun, you are in heaven. Koz and Friends really out done themselves, and I'm counting the days to attend the Holiday Concert in Seattle, WA.

This is a group that really works together, especially on jazz arrangements of Christmas standards.

Dave Koz certainly doesn't hog the spotlight here. He and Benoit do share honors in a splendid rendition of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". But other highlights include Peter White's guitar in a movingly effective "Silent Night", and Braun's trumpet with Benoit's piano on "Little Drummer Boy". And vocalist Brenda Russell quite shines with "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus", "White Christmas", and "Get Here (For the Holidays)".

The music and the Christmas feeling here transcends genre. I most heartily recommend this to one and all.

Probably one of the best Christmas cds made, it is the companion cd to their annual "Smooth Jazz Christmas" tour, which is in its third year. It includes wonderful renditions of old favorites and includes new songs which are sure hits. It captures the chemistry between the performers. It is one cd which transcends different music genres and is a must have for any fan of smooth jazz!

I know many people don't think of playing Christmas/holiday music until after Thanksgiving. Take it from me, you'll want to listen to this CD now! It will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. It will give you hope in a world looking for answers. This is a CD that you will want to listen to in the heat of the summer to cool you off. Dave and friends have been touring with this show for several years now and this CD truly captures the fun and camaraderie of these artists. We, the fans, have been waiting for this CD for years. There's even a beautiful new song "Beneath the Moonlit Sky" by Dave and David! THANK YOU, Dave!! And THANK YOU David, Peter, Brenda, Rick, Stevo, Brian, Rubberhand Man, and Tony for giving us the opportunity to share this joy with others throughout the year! Now those of you who haven't have the chance to see this show, can see what you've been missing! Buy several of these CD's for home, office, car and for gifts! You WON'T be disappointed!

I just received this excellent album by the superb Dave Koz and his wonderful group of musicians. It really is a winner, in so many ways. Relaxing, soothing and, as well, a great way to celebrate the Holiday season all year round.

A Smooth Jazz Christmas and I Remember December CD with Patricia O'Callaghan and the Timmins Youth Singers are presently two of my favorites CDs. I collect all kinds of Christmas CDS...but there are only a few that remain at the top of my list..and A Smooth Jazz Christmas is one of them!

Dave Koz...thank you for creating such an inspirational Holiday recording.

Dave Koz's blend of jazz and new age easily finds a home in holiday music. His holiday album A SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS is an interesting mix of Koz's musical gifts and flair. Koz includes many Christmas standards, as well as some lesser known pieces and some original works. The opening "Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture" is a medley of Christmas favorites that gets a person in the holiday spirit. Brenda Russell joins Koz for an updated version of the Patti Page classic "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus." Kenny Loggins adds his vocal talents in the beautiful and refelctive "December Makes Me Feel This Way," a song which celebrates the magic of this time of year. "Eight Candles" is an upbeat musical piece paying tribute to Hanukah. This is a worthy addition to any Christmas collection.

Really the but is about Brenda Russell being the main vocalist here. I truly love Brenda but her presence tells me this project could've been titled "The Brenda Russell Christmas Album Featuring Dave Koz And Friends." The only other vocalist is Kenny Loggins on "December Makes Me Feel This Way." Don't get me wrong however, this is an excellent album and unlike most Christmas albums this one is cohesive and nicely balanced.

One track that is somewhat a distraction is "Get Here." The song gets a jazz treatment here, the Fender Rhodes keyboard of the original is replaced with an actual grand piano and a tender sax solo. Brenda's vocal line is not much different, save for pregnant pauses and ad-libbing. To make this song work a little better, a rewrite of the lyric to include the holiday season would have been beneficial. Dave again closes this album as he did his last holiday album with "T'was The Night Before Christmas" and it's funny. Brenda Russell does a verse imitating a Brooklyn accent and the arrangement is reminiscent of a 50's beatnik poetry reading. Listen closely and you can hear an audience snapping their fingers whispering "cool, cool."