Caroling, caroling:'Tis the season for yuletide albums.
Posted: 04 Dec 2005, 15:03From the New Jersey Star-Ledger -
Source: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/ ... xml&coll=1
BY THE STAR-LEDGER MUSIC STAFF
Here's a riddle. If the recording industry is dying, as has been widely reported, why does it seem like there are more holiday albums every year?
Here at The Star-Ledger, we started getting them in early September, and they kept coming in at an alarming rate. We have far more now than we could possibly review. Certainly, more than we could listen to without compromising our sanity.
And yet, this year, like every year, has seen some worthy additions to the genre. Here's a look at some of the season's most notable releases.
"Christmas Songs," Diana Krall (Verve)
Diana Krall teams with the L.A.-based Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and a Johnny Mandel arranged-and-led string orchestra (on three tracks) for a stellar look at 12 holiday classics. There's a deft mix of romping swingers and reflective ballads; Krall, who sings and plays piano, handles both moods with aplomb. On the soft and tender side, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Christmas Time Is Here" spotlight Krall with Mandel's strings; the requisite, gets-you-every-time "The Christmas Song" is spare, showcasing Anthony Wilson's guitar; and lustrous brass via arranger John Clayton provides a glowing backdrop for "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The groovers, done with élan, include "Jingle Bells," "Let it Snow," and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Bet you'll play this one next year, and the year after, too.
-- Zan Stewart
Source: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/ ... xml&coll=1
BY THE STAR-LEDGER MUSIC STAFF
Here's a riddle. If the recording industry is dying, as has been widely reported, why does it seem like there are more holiday albums every year?
Here at The Star-Ledger, we started getting them in early September, and they kept coming in at an alarming rate. We have far more now than we could possibly review. Certainly, more than we could listen to without compromising our sanity.
And yet, this year, like every year, has seen some worthy additions to the genre. Here's a look at some of the season's most notable releases.
"Christmas Songs," Diana Krall (Verve)
Diana Krall teams with the L.A.-based Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and a Johnny Mandel arranged-and-led string orchestra (on three tracks) for a stellar look at 12 holiday classics. There's a deft mix of romping swingers and reflective ballads; Krall, who sings and plays piano, handles both moods with aplomb. On the soft and tender side, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Christmas Time Is Here" spotlight Krall with Mandel's strings; the requisite, gets-you-every-time "The Christmas Song" is spare, showcasing Anthony Wilson's guitar; and lustrous brass via arranger John Clayton provides a glowing backdrop for "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The groovers, done with élan, include "Jingle Bells," "Let it Snow," and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Bet you'll play this one next year, and the year after, too.
-- Zan Stewart