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A hearty helping of new holiday albums awaits you this season! Let's dig in:
Dave Koz, who headlines the CD101.9 Holiday Concert on December 7th, has released "Memories of a Winter's Night." The lush title cut, composed by Dave, is for Hanukkah. He covers favorites like "White Christmas" with Kelly Sweet who joined Dave on his "At the Movies" tour this year. "Please Come Home For Christmas" is soulfully done, with a big finish, by Kimberley Locke, who is touring with Dave on this current "A Smooth Jazz Christmas" tour. Brenda Russell on "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" adds some jump and jive to your holiday. And Peter White, David Benoit, and Rick Braun join Dave on a nice, jazzed up version of "Little Drummer Boy." These last two songs and two others on this CD were lifted from Dave's prior holiday albums.
When I heard that Peter White, Rick Braun and Mindi Abair were releasing a Christmas CD, I just assumed it would be mostly instrumental covers of seasonal favorites. Boy was I wrong. "Peter White Christmas" is one of the most fun, energetic and joyous holiday albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to...over and over again. There's lots of singing from Mindi and Rick, and wonderful guest vocals from Jeffrey Osborne and drummer Rayford Griffin. Mindi is singing more on her own releases these days, but I had never heard Rick sing. They both do a lovely/jazzy/swinging job of bringing depth, feeling and fun to these songs. The three have been touring together for these past few holiday seasons, and decided to bless us this year with a hearty sampling of just what a wonderful holiday concert they put together. "Greensleeves," "The Little Drummer Boy," "The Christmas Song," yes, the titles look like your old favorites, but Peter, Rick and Mindi do them up a whole new way. "Jingle Bells" becomes "Jingle Jangle Blues," and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" is paired up with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Like carefully wrapped gifts beneath the tree, this album is full of surprises!
Another popular tour this year is "A Funky Little Christmas" starring Jeff Golub, Warren Hill, and Jeff Lorber. Jeff Golub has just released his first holiday album, titled, “Six String Santa,” through his own Metro Café Records label. Of course you know you're in for a funky sleigh ride with Jeff at the reigns. He covers "Deck the Halls," "Jingle Bells," and, with Warren, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." And I don't know how he does it, but he even adds funk, yet keeps the respect, for the sacred Christmas carols. But I do know one thing for sure, wherever I am on Christmas Eve, it's Jeff's version of "Auld Lang Syne" I want playing on the stereo. Not in stores this year, so download or get the CD at jeffgolub.com.
Warren Hill's new holiday CD, "A Saxophone for Christmas" is also available exclusively on the web. And if you like Warren in concert, you're in for a treat: This CD was recorded live in the studio with Warren's touring band. You'll find holiday classics, plus a few songs that appeared on his first holiday album, "A Warren Hill Christmas" from 2002, re-recorded for this new album. Warren's 8-year old daughter Olivia makes her singing debut on "Frosty the Snowman." To access the album, go to warrenhill.com.
Oddly enough, Warren doesn't usually like Christmas albums. With a laugh, he says, "Let's just say that when December 26th rolls around I'm a happy camper, because I don't have to hear those songs anymore." It's actually a matter of the quality of the songs. He continues, "There are certain ones that I like, but for the most part, when I hear Christmas records, I don't really like them because I feel [the artists] didn't put much into them. Just, 'Hey let's get together, just marketing, let's take advantage of selling another product at Christmas time.' " Well, it's nice of Warren to do it up for us with feeling!
Keyboardist Tom Grant has released a sublime new holiday CD titled “Winter Warm.” It is sparse compared to a lot of seasonal releases, but that is part of its beauty. The album is basically just Tom, bassist Dave Captien and Rebecca Kilgore, a superb singer who is known for her outstanding interpretations of jazz songs of the 1930's and 40's. They cover a dozen well-known holiday songs, then, in a nice twist, added two obscure songs: The title cut, a Burt Bacharach/Hal David song recorded only by Gale Storm (remember her TV show decades ago?) in the 1950's, and a Frank Sinatra song, rarely heard, call "Christmas Dreaming." It is a masterpiece of simplicity.
Boney James gives us a "Christmas Present" this year, his second holiday release. File this under "soulful Christmas." Chante Moore brings us a sultry, slightly breathless version of "Santa Baby," and along with Boney's sax, it's seductive enough to actually drive a man try to fulfill the impossible wish list in that song. If you like your Christmas tree with a groove, you'll like his version of "O Tannenbaum," with not only Boney's sax swingin', but Paul Jackson Jr.'s guitar, too. Paul is also on "The First Noel," with Rick Braun playing flugelhorn to add a mellow touch that suits this song so well. "Merry Christmas Baby," usually done slow and bluesy, is given an up tempo, soulful ride by Angie Stone and Boney. And more soul to come with Anthony Hamilton on "Silent Night."
Smooth Jazz artists are making cameo appearances here and there:
Dionne Warwick has re-released her holiday album from 2004 called "My Favorite Time Of Year." It features saxophone by Dave Koz, and vocals by gospel singer BeBe Winans, and longtime friend Gladys Knight. Songs include "The Christmas Song," "Joy To The World," "Silver Bells," and "I'll Be Home For Christmas."
Doc Powell adds some Christmas cheer to the Isley Brothers "I'll Be Home For Christmas" CD. He solos on "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire).
Michael Buble doesn't actually have a holiday album out, but he has released a special edition of his latest album, “Call Me Irresponsible” with eight additional songs on the CD in addition to the original 13 songs. The new ones include holiday songs: “Let it Snow,” “The Christmas Song,” and “White Christmas.”
If you like your Christmas music in visual form, check out the first DVD collection from the "A Very Special Christmas" series. The eight albums released over the years have raised over $100 million for the Special Olympics. "A Very Special Christmas--20th Anniversary Music Video Collection" brings us the video versions of holiday songs by Vanessa Williams, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Tracy Chapman and more.
There you have it. Several musical gems to add to your holiday shopping list, or personal wish list. I hope you have a safe, blessed, and joyous holiday season, and that you'll find at least one of these holiday CD treats stuffed in your stocking!
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