Customer Reviews

Swingin' Christmas

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

 

 

Rhino, the company that shops licenses from multiple
labels (rather than one label's library), has come through
with a fascinating mix of artists which range from Jack Jones
to Louis Armstrong, Loius Prima to Esquivel, Jo Stafford to
Kay Star, Tex Beneke to Woody Herman with a fascinating record
of AWAY IN THE MANGER by Bob Francis in swing tempo and unique lyrics called A SWINGING MANGER. The overly recorded WHITE CHRISTMAS is presented here by ESQUIVEL in a manner that is unique and refreshing. Half the songs, although familiar, are less frequently found in collections such as this.
I probably should have given it 5 stars.

This CD has great swingin' songs for the hip and the square. The first cut, "Shake Hands With Santa", is so hip & powerful that you'll be congratulating yourself on your purchase before it's over. "That Swingin' Manger" will remind you of a Bill Murray SNL skit. The Vic Damone & Jack Jones songs will convince you that sometimes being square can be cool. Highly recommended.

While I didn't care for one or two tracks, I have to agree with the other reviewer about this CD being an excellent, *diverse* set of swinging Christmas tunes. I was actually looking forward to Christmas getting closer so I could dig this one out and play it again (without strange looks from my wife!) Recommended without hesitation!

Rhino Records' Swingin Christmas CD is chock full of classic Christmas tunes and an overall flavor of jazzy, swinging 1940s style. The quality of the sound is excellent; and we get many famous artists performing here on this album.

Louis Prima does his usual work on "Shake Hands With Santa;" the number is electric and it swings brightly as Louis does it up right! Good brass, too. Woody Herman does a fantastic job with his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," too. Moreover, the immortal Louis Armstrong & The Commanders do a great job of "Cool Yule." I predict that you will enjoy "Cool Yule" very much!

Esquivel performs Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" with panache and sensitivity; and The Manhattan Transfer gives us a more recent recording of "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Song" that stays consistent with the overall swing flavor of this fine album.

Listen also for Louis Armstrong to return a second time with The All Stars to perform "Christmas Night In Harlem;" Louis sings this flawlessly. "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" gets the royal treatment from Les Brown that uses the brass just right; and Louis Armstrong returns for a third and playful number on this CD: Louis & The Commanders end the album with "Zat You Santa Claus."

The liner notes give us the song credits; and there's a very informative essay by Billy Vera. The artwork is great!

This CD has great numbers on it and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys classic Christmastime music with a swinging twist. The remastering is excellent which enhances the beauty of these tunes even more.

This is a compilation album of "swinging" Christmas music. Most of the songs date from the '40s and '50s, although there are a few more recent ones. The style of the music is a mixture of jazz and "adult pop" (by which I mean the kind of music Frank Sinatra did, although he isn't on here). It's a very enjoyable album.

Swing lasted into the early 50's but the hay days were late thirties to late 40's. This is the music WWII listened to as they rolled across Europe and waded ashore in the Pacific. My dad got me hooked when I was a kid. He played sax and I played guitar. This CD has some classic Lionel Hampton, Luis Prima and Louis Armstrong with the Commanders.

If you have a swing collection - this is what it sounded like in Harlem during the week before Christmas!

I bought this album for ONE song on it, Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong. Once I listened to the rest of the album, I was VERY impressed. The editor of the CD did a great job finding great music and putting it in an order where you can just play it and enjoy it, without jarring transitions. Of special note, The Man with the Bag, 'Zat You Santa Claus, and the Manhattan Transfer medley Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season.

This is a great cd for a Christmas party. The songs are rare and classic. I received it quickly and in great condition. I'm glad I got it.

I bought the CD for my wife - She had it on her Amazon wish list. Although I like Christmas music OK, it tends to get boring, and all blends together after a short time. Not this one! - We actually enjoyed it so much, it was in the CD player well after Chistmas passed.
Two thumbs up, 5 stars, and a happy wife - how could you go wrong?