Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas

Making Spirits Bright: A Smooth Jazz Christmas

ASIN: B00005NY71

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The first six tracks of this release could've been subtitled "A Twist of Christmas," for they bear the indelible stamp of guitarist-producer Lee Ritenour and his A Twist of Marley. In fact, his Brazilian take on "Silent Night," with singer Al Jarreau, sounds like an arrangement worked straight out of Ritenour's A Twist of Jobim sessions. Even with guitarists Joyce Cooling and Marc Antoine, his presence is noticeable.

The other half of the album finds most of the artists doing their own thing, the best of which is the funky groove saxophonist Richard Elliot and keyboardist and co-arranger Jeff Lorber lay over "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Like a few of the other tunes however, the production suffers from the frightening trend of producers and/or record companies fading tracks prematurely in an obvious effort to appease smooth-jazz radio. It should be noted that the Diana Krall track was previously released on a holiday EP three years ago. --Mark Ruffin

Tracks:

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Lee Ritenour
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Will Downing
The Christmas Song - Joyce Cooling
This Christmas - Gerald Albright
Silent Night - Al Jarreau
What Child Is This? - Marc Antoine
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Richard Elliot
Jingle Bells - Diana Krall
The First Noel - David Benoit
Here Comes Santa Claus - Jeff Golub
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Joe Sample
Suite De Nuestra Navidad: La Anunciacion/La Peregrinacion - Dave Grusin

Amazon.com

The first six tracks of this release could've been subtitled "A Twist of Christmas," for they bear the indelible stamp of guitarist-producer Lee Ritenour and his A Twist of Marley. In fact, his Brazilian take on "Silent Night," with singer Al Jarreau, sounds like an arrangement worked straight out of Ritenour's A Twist of Jobim sessions. Even with guitarists Joyce Cooling and Marc Antoine, his presence is noticeable.

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Jazz.......2007-01-14

We have always enjoyed the GRP Christmas recordings and were equally pleased with this work. The contemporary artists featured are able to combined the essence of the music style with the traditional quality of the holiday season.

It Certainly is Pleasant Enough.......2001-12-12

I agree with the editorial that a few of the tracks of this release indeed should be subtitled "A Twist of Christmas," because they are straight out of the Lee Ritenour and his "A Twist of" Series mold. In fact, the cuts "Silent Night," with Al Jarreau, and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" featuring Will Downing (who manages to sound bored out of his mind here) are just a couple of tunes that sound like outtakes from the aforementioned sessions.

Joyce Cooling's rendition of "The Christmas Song" is quite unique however, as are some of the other cuts including Richard Elliot's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

Since this is a "Smooth Jazz" CD, the cuts are short and to the point (read: radio friendly?) although I don't think you'll be hearing the very jazzy Joe Sample version of "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", David Benoit's "The First Noel" anytime soon or, for that matter, Dave Grusin's out of place "Suite de Nuestra Navidad". Now that I think about it, this disc at times tries too hard to have a Latin flavor.

Overall, this disc leaves you saying "it certainly is pleasant enough", because you realize that you have heard better Jazz Christmas CDs.

Happy Holidays to all....

Wonderful addition to your music collection!.......2001-12-01

I was unaware of this disc until I read about it in the December issue of Ebony magazine. It is so soothing and relaxing and a great way to experience the talents of artists such as: Lee Rittenour, Al Jarreau, Wil Downing and Joe Sample. Great music to bake and trim the tree by.

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