Watching the Snow

Michael Franks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0002W11TA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,665 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Way We Celebrate New Year's

2. Watching The Snow

3. Christmas in Kyoto

4. My Present

5. I Bought You a Plastic Star

6. Said the Snowflake

7. The Kiss

8. When the Snowmen sings

9. Island Christmas

10. My Present

Editorial Reviews

Pop/jazz/rock cross-over star Michael Franks' first-ever holiday album sets the scene for mirth, merriment, and a cool yule all around. On tracks like "Said the Snowflake" and "I Bought You A Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree)," the artist's trademark wit and lyrical worldplay are clearly in evidence. And throughout the disc's ten tracks, this master musician taps into his signature sense of timeless romance, wrapping his poetic songcraft in melodies as inviting as a blanket of freshly fallen powder. Delight your senses with the magic of the season, as observed by Michael Franks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "the Christmas season brings new songs by Michael Franks", October 28, 2004

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watching the Snow (Audio CD)

Rhino Records along with Sleeping Gypsy Music present an unusual Christmas release by Michael Franks entitled "Watching The Snow", featuring Jay Anderson [acoustic bass], Jay Azzolina [guitar], Charles Blenzig [piano/keyboards/additional percussion], Cafe [percussion], John Clark [French horn], Chris Hunter [sax & flute], Billy Kilson [drums], Romero Lubambo [guitar], Veronica Nunn [lead/background vocals] and Alex (Sasha) Sipiagin [trumpet/flugelhorn]...all songs composed and performed by Michael Franks, bringing contagious jazz themes mixed with reggae percussion that will keep you completely wanting more of the same.

Sentimental at times we have "THE WAY WE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S", comes the countdown and soon the ball will drop..."WATCHING THE SNOW", one of my favorite pastimes is through the picture window, when we watch the snow..."CHRISTMAS IN KYOTO", it's highly unlikely I'll soon forget that Christmas in Kyoto..."MY PRESENT", and can my hands retie these ribbons I undo, if what I find is you..."I BOUGHT YOU A PLASTIC STAR (for Your Aluminum Tree)", it gets pretty cold here at night down to sixty degrees, there's angel hair up in the palm trees, it sure looks like Christmas to me..."SAID THE SNOWFLAKE", look at me Little Me, out of all the other snowflakes, I from the sky am first to fall..."THE KISS", no matter where this journey ends, as long as I have you beside me..."WHEN THE SNOWMAN SINGS", a Snowwoman my own with whom I can happily freeze, when the wind blows sub-zero we'd be nicely equipped, if you catch my drift..."ISLAND CHRISTMAS", we'll decorate a mango tree and you can string some lights on me, no snow to shovel Christmas Day we'll snorkel through a turquoise bay ~ just a smidgen of what to expect if you choose to pick up a copy...by the way all proceeds from this album will go to the no kill shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization "Hearts United for Animals"...way to go Michael!

Total Time: 49:08 on 10 Tracks ~ Rhino Records 76544 ~ (10/26/2004)

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, new Holiday songs with a gentle jazz twist!, November 11, 2003

By 

RK (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watching the Snow (Audio CD)

This album can now be ordered directly from Michael's website, autographed. This CD contains a wide variety of songs that set the perfect mood for the holidays, even if you are an old Scrooge like me. As usual with Michael's lyrics, there is always a tongue-in-check, humorous quality with delicate rhymes and mostly non-denomination. Also, this collection contains the top studio muscians currently working the jazz/pop field. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best type of Holiday Album, November 10, 2005

By 

Richard R. Frazier "richardfrazier" (Somewhere over everywhere) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watching the Snow (Audio CD)

Fantastic Michael Franks "Style" note-blowin'. I play it year round 'cause it's not tied to the traditional sounds of the holidays. What makes it "Christmasie" is the subjects of the songs. The music is puuure Michael in the usual jazzy, cool style baby. You know how MF likes to get away to the islands for some "snorkelling and sleep," well Mr. Franks croons "I want an island Christmas..this year." It's full of blue-green sea and coconut palm imagery(swim suits optional). You'll love this year round. Buy it as a gift for your jazzy friends!