SOUND CHECK.BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA: ``Boogie Woogie Christmas'' (Surf Dog) - Three stars This highly enjoyable holiday set could give Phil Spector's timeless Christmas disc a run for its money. Custom-designed by post-rockabilly guitar slinger Setzer and his crack band and inspired by the witty, hard- driving arrangements of Count Basie and Lionel Hampton Noun 1. Lionel Hampton - United States musician who was the first to use the vibraphone as a jazz instrument (1913-2002) Hampton , ``Boogie Woogie Christmas'' is a perfect soundtrack for hanging out on the couch On the Couch is an Australian television program formally broadcast on the Fox Footy Channel and it focuses on the current issues in the AFL. This is now broadcast on Fox Sports after the closure of Fox Footy Channel. The show airs on Monday night and is hosted by Gerard Healy. or the dance floor. The bandleader's crackling guitar stands out on such highlights as ``Winter Wonderland,'' ``Blue Christmas'' and ``Baby, It's Cold Outside'' (with Ann-Margret). Setzer and his 18-piece band appear Dec. 20 at the Universal Amphitheatre. - Fred Shuster CAROL NOONAN: ``Carol Noonan Christmas'' (Noonan Music) - Three and one half stars The New England New England, name applied to the region comprising six states of the NE United States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The region is thought to have been so named by Capt. singer-songwriter blends a folky folk·y n. & adj. Variant of folkie. approach with strong Celtic influences on this nicely measured mix of hymns, traditional carols and lovingly detailed, personal reminiscences of her own Christmas high points in song. Order at www.carolnoonanmusic.com, or call toll-free (866) 227-6523. - Bob Strauss KENNY BURRELL Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31 1931) is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is founded in bebop and blues; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians. : ``Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas'' (Verve) - Three and one half stars This classic from guitarist Burrell has been in and out of print since its 1966 recording. It's back again, thanks to a Verve limited-edition release, and it's a most welcome addition to any Christmas music collection. Although augmented by strings, the focus is rightly on Burrell's guitar work on beautiful renditions of holiday favorites both religious and secular, including a soulful, swinging take on ``The Little Drummer Boy Drummer Boy is an EP release by Christian folk group Jars of Clay featuring a new interpretation the classic 1958 Christmas Carol "Little Drummer Boy," originally by the Harry Simeone Chorale. .'' One of the best jazz Christmas albums you'll ever find. - Glenn Whipp KELLY WILLIS AND BRUCE ROBISON: ``Happy Holidays'' (Boar's Nest Records) - Four stars Kinda alt.country couple Willis and Robison like to throw musical parties each year around this time, and now they've decided to record one at their Texas home. More jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. than twangy, this delightful seven-song EP showcases Willis' agile voice beautifully and does the best that can be expected with her other half's, too. Even though there's a take on ``In the Bleak Midwinter mid·win·ter n. 1. The middle of the winter. 2. The period of the winter solstice, about December 22. midwinter Noun 1. the middle or depth of winter 2. ,'' the overall tone is quite playfully marked by renditions of ``Santa Baby,'' ``Baby, It's Cold Outside'' and ``Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk.'' Join the party at www.kellywillis.com or www.brucerobison.com. - B.S. CLAIRDEE: ``This Christmas'' (Declare) Three and one half stars Bay Area-based vocalist Clairdee has come up with one of the best new Christmas albums in years, a winning blend of soul and swing that's full of interesting choices. ``This Christmas'' opens with a gospel version of Charles Brown's ``Bringing in a Brand New Year'' and moves to a samba-tinged ``Winter Wonderland'' and funked-up ``Merry Christmas, Baby.'' In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , this isn't the same old holiday cheer. The inspiration lasts all the way to the finale, Horace Silver's ``Peace,'' beautifully played by trumpeter Glenn Appell and pianist Jon Herbst. Absolutely beautiful. Put this one on your list. - G.W. KATHY MATTEA: ``Joy for Christmas Day'' (Narada) - Three stars For her second Christmas album, the country crooner goes for strong syncopation syncopation (sĭng'kəpā`shən, sĭn'–) [New Gr.,=cut off ], in music, the accentuation of a beat that normally would be weak according to the rhythmic division of the measure. and a soul-music flavor on mostly religious tunes, some more familiar than others. The songs are too eclectically orchestrated to categorize this as a flat-out gospel exercise, but the cuts that sound like they escaped from the First Baptist nearest you are the best. - B.S. AMERICAN IDOL: ``The Great Holiday Classics'' (RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. ) - One and one half stars On this two-disc set of holiday classics, the vocally gifted Idols spend far too much time warbling through merry little Christmases, silent nights and songs about Santa Claus coming to town to mean it. And just when you start cozying up to Kelly Clarkson's a cappella ``Oh Holy Night'' it's intruded upon by three-part harmonies. Even those flames roasting the chestnuts Kimberley Locke sings about ultimately get doused by the cheesy cheesy (che´ze) caseous. production stripping this album of its yuletide spirit and warmth. - Sandra Barrera HARRY CONNICK JR.: ``Harry for the Holidays'' (Columbia) - Four stars The crooner jazzes up Christmas with this 16-track set of secular and sacred favorites, including a swinging big-band arrangement of ``Frosty the Snow Man'' and a gospel-tinged ``Silent Night.'' Also on this sequel to 1993's ``When My Heart Finds Christmas'' are the Connick originals ``The Happy Elf'' with its brassy blasts, ``I Come With Love,'' ``I'm Gonna be the First One'' and ``Nothin' New for New Year,'' a countrified coun·tri·fied also coun·try·fied adj. 1. Resembling or having the characteristics of country life; rural. 2. Lacking sophistication. heart-breaker featuring guest vocalist George Jones. - S.B. JOHNNY CASH: ``Christmas With Johnny Cash'' (Columbia/Legacy) - Three and one half stars The Man in Black was prolific in the studio, so it's no surprise that he recorded a few Christmas albums over the course of his long career. This not-exactly-generous, dozen-song set collects songs Cash cut between 1962 and 1980, and includes most of the traditional religious favorites he liked best. The standout tracks are a couple of Cash originals: ``The Christmas Spirit,'' a profoundly moving meditation on sacrifice, and the previously unissued ``Christmas as I Knew It.'' - Glenn Whipp GAVIN FRIDAY & THE FRIDAY-SEEZER ENSEMBLE: ``Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf'' (Bloomsbury) - Four stars While technically not a holiday album, this version of Prokofiev's ``Peter and the Wolf For other uses, see . Peter and the Wolf is a composition by Sergei Prokofiev written in 1936 after his return to the Soviet Union. It is a children's story (with both music and text by Prokofiev), spoken by a narrator accompanied by the orchestra. ,'' with intriguing orchestration by Friday and drawings in the accompanying book by U2's Bono, is a delight. Prokofiev originally created this 1936 composition to introduce children to the orchestra, but Friday uses instruments more akin to a Kurt Weill arrangement - banjo banjo, stringed musical instrument, with a body resembling a tambourine. The banjo consists of a hoop over which a skin membrane is stretched; it has a long, often fretted neck and four to nine strings, which are plucked with a pick or the fingers. , guitar, accordion and bass clarinet. The resulting sounds are familiar but offbeat off·beat n. Music An unaccented beat in a measure. adj. Slang Not conforming to an ordinary type or pattern; unconventional: offbeat humor. enough to make the piece slyly enjoyable. Friday's reading of the story is perfectly understated, while Bono's drawings that are part of the 64-page book, which includes text, are oddly primal. The overall effect, though, is likely to appeal to kids, who often like odd. Royalties go to benefit the Irish Hospice Foundation. You're likely to find the set, which lists for $22.95, in a bookstore or online. - Rob Lowman (1) no caption (Brian Setzer) Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com (2) no caption (Johnny Cash) Rick Diamond/WireImage.com (3 -- 12) no caption (CD covers) CAPTION(S): 12 photos |
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