December Jazz
Chris Botti’s 2002 holiday set, December, is comforting; a much needed and welcomed feeling during this last month, and often the most stressful time, of the year. It’s clear the holidays aren’t always the most joyful time for all, so comfort and joy are the gifts Botti offers with this collection. Yes, there’s a feeling of melancholy at times, but that’s fine, because that’s what true jazz does sometimes.
Botti’s trumpet always sets an intimate and soothing ambiance, and that is exactly what we get here. Most of the songs are instrumental, and not drenched with jingly bells. Botti takes on vocal duties on two songs: Perfect Day and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Winter Wonderland gets a swinging rendition and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town gets a Brazilian beat. O Little Town of Bethlehem has romantic piano accompaniment. And it’s quite a surprise to hear a Leonard Cohen tune on a Christmas album, but Hallelujah appears here. I’ll Be Home For Christmas closes December, and it’s smooth, uplifting, and a perfect ending to a great CD.
This lovely collection will appeal to fans of jazz, easy-listening and fusion. Chris Botti delivers comfort and joy with ease and style.
I will be seeing Chris Botti perform at the legendary Blue Note in New York City tomorrow evening and I can hardly contain my excitement.
For more on Chris Botti, mainly his latest release, Italia, see my October 28th post: Viva Italia!* This CD was reissued in 2006 with Ave Maria replacing Perfect Day.
Check out these live performances:
Lover Man with Gladys Knight
A Song For You with Michael Bublé
The Look of Love with Paula Cole and Burt Bacharach
Mistletoe and Holly … Cole
Holy Cole’s 2001 Baby It’s Cold Outside is a low-key and sultry contribution to the holiday genre, and a welcomed reprieve from the hustle of holiday stress.
While Ms. Cole does include some often-covered holiday fare, her approach to them is inventive and subtle. For instance, Cole’s only accompaniment on Sleigh Ride is David Piltch on bass. I’ll Be Home For Christmas and The Christmas Song get jazzy renditions, while the title track has Ed Robertson from Barenaked Ladies dueting with Cole.
Cole and her pianist/arranger/coproducer Aaron Davis include less frequently covered tunes and they are the highlights of this collection. Merle Haggard’s If We Make it to December and Percy Faith’s Christmas Is get coverage on Baby, It’s Cold Outside.
The three standout songs on this album are ‘Zat You Santa Claus, Santa Baby, and What About Me. Ms. Cole gives very sultry performances and shows off her range. Baby, It’s Cold Outside is an exceptional collection of holiday music, along with being a great jazz album to be enjoyed by new and old fans of Holly Cole. If you don’t know Holly Cole, then this album will make you want to hear more of her, over and over again!
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