Customer Reviews

Wishes You a Swingin Christmas

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There truly is no better Christmas album than this 1960 recording. It puts me in the mood for Christmas even in July (and I do listen to it then). Ella has never sounded better, and this is without a doubt the swingingest Christmas album ever. The first two numbers, "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," set the tone for an upbeat and jazzy Christmas season. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is also ample. But when one hears "Sleigh Ride" I defy anyone still to be a grinch! Throw this CD--along with "An Oscar Peterson Christmas" and the Nat King Cole Christmas album--into the player, and you're all set for the holidays.

If you want a smooth, swinging ride into the holiday season, check out this CD. The first track,"Jingle Bells," is my favorite. Ella keeps her voice strong, fluid and simple. The jazz big band sound supports the lyrics and joins her in her trip. I own several Christmas CD's, and this one is the best.

Most years I kick myself because I forget to get out my Christmas CDs and listen to them. This year I remembered and ended up overdosing on Xmas music. Just when I thought I couldn't stand another Xmas song, I put on this CD again. It's such a great and fresh CD that I can listen to it over and over again, even after I'm burned out on Xmas music. It just has such a terrific, swinging, urbane sound. When she sings, "Hang your head down Rudy," in "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," I get tingles. It's the only Ella CD I have, but it makes me want to get more of her music. Highly recommended for people looking for jazzy Holiday music.

If you enjoy wrapping up in a warm blanket on a cold Winter's day and listening to nostalgic holiday favorites, then this cd should definitly be next on your list of "must-have" holiday cds! The definitive Torch singer has created an instant classic with these classic holiday favorites with a jazzy flare, and it is a MUST for all Christmas music fans! So grab a blanket, curl up in front of your Christmas tree, and enjoy the essence of Ms. Fitzgerald!

After working in retail for so long and enduring countless hours of bad Christmas music, it's hard to find a Christmas album that will put me in the holiday spirit. This jubilant and bouncy collection is one of only two Christmas albums that I have and love to play every year (the other is Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"). Ella is in top form, belting out all sorts of classics. A definite for any music lover.

I have been looking all over for this CD! I grew up hearing this every Christmas (on vinyl), but have never found a music store that had it. This is truly the best Christmas album I have ever heard. Most famous musicians ruin traditional Christmas songs by trying too hard to impose their own style on them. Ella manages to perform these classics in a totally fresh way, and it works! Her singing is bubbly and playful, sultry on a few songs, and extremely appealing, whether you're a jazz fan or not. If you want great Christmas music for all holiday occasions, buy this CD!

I own a large collection of holiday music by many artists in a variety of styles (a collection added to every year), but this album continues to stand out. Ella's clear, beautiful voice and swinging style make even the most oft-heard song a pleasure to hear again. Along with eleven standards, the album includes the less-known gem "Good Morning Blues." Unlike many traditional holiday albums, this one has a style that never sounds dated, and its suited to accompany a quiet holiday dinner or a big festive party. Regardless of how many Christmas albums you've heard, this one will not disappoint.

The second I start to put up my Christmas tree this CD goes on. I know every word and have played it more times than I can count. Each time I still feel that buzz of holiday excitement. I am never bored with it. My son is 20 months and I played it for him and he was bopping all over the house. If you are looking for something to get you in that Christmas mood-Ella will most definitely do it!

If you're tired of traditional recordings of traditional Christmas music, this is the CD for you! As we are not frequent listeners to jazz, we didn't know what to expect from this recording, but we love Ella's ability to take such incredibly well-known and over-recorded songs and make them sound so fresh. This was our 5- and 6-year-olds' first introduction to jazz, and they just love it. Everyone's Christmas collection should contain this CD!

I CANNOT IMAGINE ANY HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT THIS GEM! I LIKE THIS BETTER THAN THE EXPANDED EDITION RELEASED IN 2003 OR THEREABOUTS.

Ella's voice is pure magic. She was in her prime in 1960, when this wonderful collection was originally released. I especially like the fact that this is a strictly secular collection of music. There is a great unified feeling to this set. [For me, albums that mix sacred AND secular Christmas music often don't work that well.]

What's included here is a handful of holiday classics done in a jazzy style, as arranged by Frank DeVol. The only clunker [and it's a doozy!] is the Christmas blues tune.

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" One of the most delightful renditions of this classic ever. Ella sounds like she was having a ball.

"Sleigh Ride," is a pure jazzy delight. Ella's jazz sensibility is in full swing here. She dispenses with the "There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Grey" section of the song, to excellent effect, actually.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," is rendered as a hopeful song of expectation, rather than the sad, "missing you" way that it is most frequently performed. Another strongly jazzy presentation.

"Winter Wonderland." Ella swings this one beautifully. One of my favorites in this set.

"White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song [Chestnuts Roasting...]" are performed in a very easy style, while most other singers render these in an overwrought, "hear me hit these tough notes," fashion. Understated, but very effective and enjoyable.

"Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer." Ella has a lot of fun with this one, and does an "original" little vamp in the middle..."Hang your nose down, ROO-DY, hang your nose and fly...You know, there's Dasher and Dancer..."

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." Ella's version just might be the definitive one. A rather tender, longing rendition.

"Frosty The Snowman" and "Jingle Bells" are just fine, both featuring a supporting chorale. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," is even better, jazzier, and features an intro verse I hadn't heard before this version.

BELONGS IN EVERY MUSIC-LOVING HOME. DESERVES TO BE ENJOYED DURING EACH HOLIDAY SEASON.