THE 12 DISCS OF CHRISTMAS (AND HANUKKAH, TOO).Our staff combed over the new holiday CDs this year and found 12 (an appropriate number we thought) to share with our readers. During the holidays we yearn for home cooking, which is probably why we return to old chestnuts year after year. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. ASCAP ASCAP abbr. American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers , the most performed holiday song is ``The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)'' written by Robert Wells Robert Wells refers to:
But that doesn't stop artists from putting out new CDs. So take a look at list and tidings of comfort and joy. DIANA KRALL Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer. Biography Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. She began learning the piano at the age of four. : ``Christmas Songs'' (Verve) - Three stars Krall's first full-length Christmas album could have been more aptly titled ``Christmas Songbook,'' since it hews so closely to the most popular seasonal songs in the Christmas canon. You get Krall singing classy, uptown versions of ``Jingle Bells Jingle Bells yuletide song composed by J. S. Pierpont. [Pop. Music: Van Doren, 200] See : Christmas ,'' ``The Christmas Song,'' ``White Christmas'' (and you know the rest), backed with tasteful and occasionally swinging aplomb a·plomb n. Self-confident assurance; poise. See Synonyms at confidence. [French, from Old French a plomb, perpendicularly : a, according to (from Latin ad-; see by the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. ``Songs'' also includes two melancholy numbers from her 1998 Christmas EP with guitarist Russell Malone Russell Malone (born November 8, 1963 in Albany, Georgia) is a swing jazz guitarist, perhaps best known for his work with Diana Krall. He also performs in the bebop and contemporary jazz genres of jazz. He began with Jimmy Smith and also worked with Harry Connick, Jr. . The album's one surprise is the lovely lullaby ``Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.'' Hearing it makes you wish Krall had pulled another surprise or two out of her stocking. - Glenn Whipp VARIOUS: ``Elton John's Christmas Party'' (Hear Music/UMG) - Three stars All that's missing is the grog at this bash hosted by Sir Elton. Judging by the lively set of 21 hand-picked holiday party songs, the piano man can confidently step into Christmas with well-hung tree and perfectly programmed jukebox. Along with seasonal picks like U2's ``New Year's Day'' and Outkast's ``Playa's Ball,'' the set is highlighted by ``Calling It Christmas,'' a fun new duet by John 'n' Joss (Stone), penned by Elt and Bernie Taupin. Also getting a viewing are Chuck Berry's ``Run Rudolph Run,'' Bruce Springsteen and John's own 1973 No. 1 smash ``Step Into Christmas.'' A lot of recycled gifts here, but who can complain when Outkast is warming up for Otis Redding's reading of ``Merry Christmas Baby''? Entertaining liner notes, penned by the man himself, describe why each song was chosen. - Fred Shuster IL DIVO ``The Christmas Collection'' (Syco Music/Columbia) - Two stars This classical-crossover foursome of International Male-model types is more than just, well, hunky hun·ky 1 n. pl. hun·kies Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person, especially a laborer, from east-central Europe. . On its first-ever Christmas offering, Il Divo, the multi-platinum-selling brainchild of ``American Idol'' judge Simon Cowell, proves it can perform these 10 holiday favorites and traditional hymns (with a few pop tunes thrown in for good measure) as capably as the Three Tenors might. Especially nice is the foursome's rendition of ``O Come All Ye Faithful,'' which grows from one a cappella voice into a chorus of four before the orchestra joins in. But a number of the songs have too much gloss, undercutting their impact. - Sandra Barrera KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE & FAMILY: ``The McGarrigle Christmas Hour'' (Nonesuch none·such also non·such n. 1. A person or thing without equal. 2. See black medic. none ) - Three and one half stars The French-Canadian sisters have long had a tradition of being surprising with their offbeat off·beat n. Music An unaccented beat in a measure. adj. Slang Not conforming to an ordinary type or pattern; unconventional: offbeat humor. but cool albums. On ``Christmas Hour,'' the pair call on a few friends like Emmylou Harris and family members Rufus and Martha Wainwright. The tunes are as eclectic as you'd expect - Harris sings lead on ``O Little Town of Bethlehem O Little Town of Bethlehem traditional Christmas carol. [Western Culture: “0 Little Town of Bethlehem” in Rockwell, 120–121] See : Christmas ,'' Rufus does ``What Are You Doing New Year's Eve,'' another friend Chaim Tannebaum does Elvis' ``Blue Christmas,'' Rufus and Martha duet on the lovely ``Some Children See Him'' and Martha and Lily Lanken perform Jackson Browne's ``Rebel Jesus,'' as a reminder that there are many different views of Christmas. - Rob Lowman NEWGRANGE: ``A Christmas Heritage'' (Compass) - Three stars Sort of a string-band supergroup, Newgrange's pickers include such traditional music stalwarts as Tim O'Brien, Alison Brown, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall and Todd Phillip. Although the band's name makes it sound like some progressive farmland outfit, Newgrange really refers to a neolithic burial mound in Ireland; its prehistoric builders added a window that floods the inner chamber with sunlight on the first day of winter. There's a song about the place on the album, as well as ethereal arrangements of ancient favorites from English folk, Celtic, Christian hymnal, African-American spiritual and Jewish sources, among others. Eclectic as all its influences are, ``Christmas Heritage'' provides a uniformly transporting, acoustic experience. - Bob Strauss ANITA ANITA Antarctic Impulse Transient Antenna ANITA Ammonia and Nitrification Analyzer BAKER: ``Christmas Fantasy'' (Blue Note) - Three stars ``I wanted Mom & Dad to have a recording that we could listen to with a glass of wine after the kids were in bed.'' So says Baker in the liner notes, but ``Christmas Fantasy'' isn't nearly the subdued affair that Diana Krall's ``Christmas Songs'' is. The album is of a piece with Baker's 2004 jazz-pop studio comeback, delivering slick, soulful and, above all, smooth music. Accompanied by studio pros like George Duke, Larry Carlton and the Yellowjackets, among others, Baker sings and scats her way through three pretty good originals, a Dixieland-ish ``Frosty's Rag,'' and a handful of carols and secular favorites. - G.W. VARIOUS: ``Jingle Bell Swing'' (Sony) - Three stars This unusual holiday comp is full of surprises. What you've got are more than a dozen interpretations of the old war horses from the dependable end of the jazz and swing stable: reindeer with names like Duke, Chick, Herbie and Miles. But along with such unexpected delights as Louis Prima's ``What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')'' and ``Honeymooner'' Art Carney's reading of `` 'Twas the Night Before Christmas n. 1. The popular name for a poem by Clement Clarke Moore erson> titled A Visit from St. Nicholas ltname>, a popular poem with the theme of St. Nicholas erson> (Santa Claus) coming to bring gifts to children on Christmans eve. ,'' comes Christmas cheer for the highbred high·bred adj. Of superior breed or stock: highbred cattle. cynic cyn·ic n. 1. A person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness. 2. A person whose outlook is scornfully and often habitually negative. 3. - ``Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)'' by Miles Davis with lyrics from the dour crooner Bob Dorough. This refreshingly bleak evocation of the holidays has lyrics like, ''It's a time when the greedy/Spend a dime on the needy,'' and Miles' playing carries equal bite. Sweetly sour. - F.S. SAVAE SAVAE San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble : ``La Noche Buena: Christmas Music of Colonial Latin America'' (World Library) - Three and one half stars Savae (the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble) moves beyond the same-old, same-old by venturing back in time a few hundred years, collecting 16 songs that were heard in colonial cathedrals on the Spanish frontier. It's an enchanting mix of melodies and rhythms of Aztecs, Maya and Incas, along with the Spanish Catholic missionaries, and (honestly) who knows what else. We do know this: Outside of church, you won't hear a more stirring program of sacred music this season. - G.W. JANE MONHEIT: ``The Season'' (Epic) - Three stars Cabaret-style renditions of familiar faves with a sprinkle of ``Moonlight'' in Monheit's lush vocals make for a pleasant if not overly adventurous collection. Mostly using her usual quartet, classics such as ``Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,'' ``Santa Claus Is Coming to Town'' and ``Sleighride'' have a light, airy, fun feel. And Monheit shows off her jazz pedigree nicely on ``I Love the Winter Weather/I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.'' All in all, not a classic, but one you'd enjoy pulling out every year. - R.L. CRAIG TAUBMAN: ``The Hanukkah Lounge'' (Craig & Co.) - Three stars Vodka meets latkes on this successful set of partially instrumental trance/chill-out versions of dreidel-spinners. Chill-out is defined as a state of musical bliss and has unlimited applications. Producer Taubman, who's been making Jewish-themed music for two decades, brings a range of ideas to this intriguing collection of mostly traditional titles like ``Maoz Tsur'' (``Rock of Ages''). Nice idea, and the martini on the front cover is kosher, too. - F.S. VARIOUS: ``Acoustic Christmas'' (Favored Nations) - Three stars A Christmas album - an acoustic one, no less - produced by ax-shredder Steve Vai? Yup. This high-quality, diverse treat showcases many of the well-regarded artists on Vai's Favored Nations label. From rock guitarist Andy Timmons' wonderful ``Greensleeves,'' to the swinging ``Run Rudolph Run'' by the normally all-instrumental group the Dillengers (who add some credible rockabilly vocals to this track), the songs are all united by their well-recorded acoustic guitars. Highlights include fingerstylist Adrian Legg's multitracked ``Jingle Bells,'' and bebop bebop or bop Jazz characterized by harmonic complexity, convoluted melodic lines, and frequent shifting of rhythmic accent. In the mid-1940s, a group of musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker, rejected the conventions of master Mimi Fox's riffing on ``Winter Wonderland.'' - Steven Rosenberg VARIOUS: ``Coming Home for Christmas'' (RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. Victory/Legacy) - Three stars Looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. another Christmas compilation for your CD collection? Consider this doozy doo·zy or doo·zie n. pl. doo·zies Slang Something extraordinary or bizarre: "Among the delicious names taken by, or given to, minor political parties in the United States . . . . It features a nice selection of spirited yuletide music, from the mid-tempo rock of MercyMe's ``O Holy Night'' and Jim Brickman's quiet piano sketch, ``Snowflake,'' to the breathy breath·y adj. breath·i·er, breath·i·est Marked by or as if by audible or noisy breathing: a breathy voice. breath ``Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'' by Mulberry Lane. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra offers a shimmering shim·mer intr.v. shim·mered, shim·mer·ing, shim·mers 1. To shine with a subdued flickering light. See Synonyms at flash. 2. piano, choir and orchestral ``Christmas Canon,'' Daryl Hall & John Oates do ``Jingle Bell Rock'' and the sorely missed John Denver delivers ``The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)'' over acoustic guitar. As you might have guessed, there aren't a lot of duds on this collection. - S.B. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) no caption (CD covers) (3) DIANA KRALL |
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