Customer Reviews

Watching the Snow

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)

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!

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!

In true Franks fashion, this CD is filled with fun and clever toungue-in-cheek lyrics. It is romantic, lush, and a really good time. Too bad CDNow isn't offering sound samples because if you could hear sampling you'd be hooked! I love listening to this CD over and over. Pop it in your player and share a glass of bubbly by the fire with someone you love this holiday season.

This CD would be the perfect background for a fabulous winter dream! You can get lost in the music but don't miss the lyrics. They're funny, quirky and some of the best lyrics that I have ever read or heard. This CD is like having dinner and dishing with an old friend without the calories or the guilt!

I purchased this CD this March unaware that it was a Christmas CD. What a pleasant surprise. I've been playing it almost daily and looking forward to Christmas 08!!! I simply love Michael Franks and this CD made me fall deeper in love with him.

Every song on this CD is wonderful. As always Michael's lyrics and music are superb. Clever, festive, fun and romantic...painting a Christmas portrait as only Michael can do.

This CD has it all. A GREAT sound quality, and a very exciting reportoire
to boot. Michael Franks gives us, in his usual delicate manner, a collection winter/Christmas songs without even touching the standard sweet
Christmas-commercial-sort of thing. My favourite is "Christmas in Kyoto", with lyrics taking you right there and then.
This is my most frequently played Michael Franks album.

Wonderful album -- full of love songs, interesting lyrics and arrangements, and gentle sense of humor. Goes perfectly with a glass of wine, a big picture window, and some falling snow. Franks' voice hasn't changed at all.

I'm not happy, however, with whatever encryption scheme Rhino seems to have placed on the CD. I can play it in the car or home stereo, but it won't play at work on my Windows computer or my . The CD drive won't recognize that it's got a CD in it, and this is happening on a Windows and a Mac. Rather bad news, since I spend so much time here at my desk and can't play the CD. Will have to avoid Rhino like I avoid Sony CD's.

This is just great. The funny thing about this "Holiday" album is that until you listen to the lyric, it could be simply another good MF disc. That being said, the funny,clever holiday lyric is pure Franks at his best. I had this playing at work since May and people really get into the jazz beats, humming and asking "Who's that?" I say it's a Christmas disc and everyone makes a face. If you like MF this is a real gem. Classic Franks