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Red Clay -- CD

Freddie Hubbard

1970/2002 CTI/Epic Legacy

Before Freddie Hubbard signed with CTI Records in 1970, he was already considered one of the most brilliant jazz trumpeters in the world. RED CLAY, his debut album on the label, is an exceptional set of plugged-in hard bop fused with funk - and reportedly the album he considers his best. Joining him on five of the six cuts, is a crack quintet featuring longtime colleagues Joe Henderson and Herbie Hancock, on tenor saxophone and keyboards respectively. The final number, a previously unissued, extended live jam on the title tune, finds Hubbard fronting an all-star septet that includes such fellow CTI stars as George Benson and Stanley Turrentine.

"Red Clay" - 12:11
"Delphia" - 7:23
"Suite Sioux" - 8:38
"The Intrepid Fox" - 10:45
"Cold Turkey" (Lennon) - 10:27
"Red Clay" [live] - 18:44 Bonus track on the 2002 & 2010 CD release

All compositions by Freddie Hubbard except as indicated

Recorded at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, January 27, 28 & 29, 1970 except track 6 recorded live at the Southgate Palace on July 19, 1971

Personnel

Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone, flute
Herbie Hancock - electric piano, organ
Ron Carter - bass, electric bass
Lenny White - drums

Track 6 Personnel

Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Johnny "Hammond" Smith - organ/electric piano
George Benson - guitar
Ron Carter - bass
Billy Cobham - drums
Airto Moreira - percussion
 
This is such a good album...... :happy-cheerleadersmileygirl:


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Sunshine On Leith -- CD

The Proclaimers

1988 Chrysalis Records

Sunshine on Leith is The Proclaimers' second and best known album, released in August 1988. The album had three singles, including the title track, "I'm On My Way," and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which also became a hit following its inclusion on the soundtrack to Benny & Joon five years later in 1993. It is about their birthplace, Leith, and the title track Sunshine on Leith is played by Hibernian F.C. at the beginning of matches.

All Songs Written By Craig & Charlie Reid, except where noted.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:33
"Cap in Hand" – 3:24
"Then I Met You" – 3:50
"My Old Friend the Blues" – 3:06 (Steve Earle)
"Sean" – 3:23
"Sunshine on Leith" – 5:16
"Come on Nature" – 3:34
"I'm on My Way" – 3:45
"What Do You Do?" – 3:38
"It's Saturday Night" – 3:24
"Teardrops" – 2:32
"Oh Jean" – 5:55
 
Giving this one another spin..... :music-rockout:


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In 'n Out -- Remastered CD

Joe Henderson

1964/2004 Blue Note Records

Joe Henderon Burns, March 28, 2005
By Leeman "Ariel" (PA Washington) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In N Out (Audio CD)

In'n out is extremely top quality jazz that deserves the highest of ratings. Right here you have the greatest rhythmn section in the world of McCoy Tyner, Richard Davis, and Elvin Jones. The horns are of course Joe who is just smokin' and Kenny dorham who was one of the uncredited but most influential trumpeters and in some ways created the basis of hardbop trumpet playing. Dorham was constantly being overlooked, in the forties and fifties he was in the shadow of Dizzy and Miles and in the sixties Lee Morgan, Freddie hubbard and Woody Shaw came along. Blakey once defined Dorham as the uncrowned king of the trumpet, but enough about Kenny. The title track opens with a complicated theme and Elvin really gets into the groove, his intense drive will never be matched by any drummer. McCoy has incredible fingers I don't think there is a better pianist in the world. Kenny's solo kind of cools things off a bit but Joe takes another and the burner is on high again! "Punjab", by henderson, reseambles the kind of compositions that people like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter were writing. Kenny contributes two obscure but unique sounding compositions "Short Story" and "Browns Town." "In 'n out" is Joe's finest album. It's brother album is tyners "The Real McCoy" with henderson, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones.

All compositions by Joe Henderson except as indicated.

"In 'N Out" - 10:23
"Punjab" - 9:07
"Serenity" - 6:16
"Short Story" (Dorham) - 7:10
"Brown's Town" (Dorham) - 6:23
"In 'N Out" [Alternate Take] - 9:15 Bonus track on CD reissue

Joe Henderson — tenor saxophone
Kenny Dorham — trumpet
McCoy Tyner — piano
Richard Davis — bass
Elvin Jones — drums
 
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The Real McCoy -- LP+CD

McCoy Tyner

1967/2008 Blue Note Records

Amazon.com
This 1967 quartet was McCoy Tyner's first for Blue Note as a leader, although he had frequently recorded as a sideman for the label--with Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and Grant Green, among others. One of the last recordings produced by Blue Note founder Alfred Lion, and Tyner's first as a leader since leaving the legendary John Coltrane Quartet two years before, the session has a special quality. There's something of the Blue Note sound to the group's concentrated intensity, perhaps Lion's contribution as well as engineer Rudy Van Gelder's, while Tyner, a more conservative musician than Coltrane, was integrating the modal and expressionist forms of the Coltrane quartet into more tightly defined compositional patterns. In tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, Tyner found a true peer, another musician with a strong identity whose style represented a similar amalgam of conventional and innovative elements. Together with drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Ron Carter, they both reassert the hard-bop mainstream with "Four by Five" and the deep blues of "Blues on the Corner" and extend it with the heightened solemnity of "Search for Peace" and the brilliant rhythmic interplay of "Passion Dance." --Stuart Broomer
Product Description

Every single original on the album has become a jazz standard, which makes it no wonder that it was named as one of his best albums in JazzTimes, 2006. (CD + LP)

All compositions by McCoy Tyner

"Passion Dance" – 8:47
"Contemplation" – 9:12
"Four by Five" – 6:37
"Search for Peace" – 6:32
"Blues on the Corner" – 5:58

McCoy Tyner - piano
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
Ron Carter - bass
Elvin Jones - drums
 
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Full Moon Fever -- CD

Tom Petty

1989 MCA Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Ten years had passed since Petty's last solid outing (Damn the Torpedoes in 1979), and Full Moon Fever fully resuscitated the artist's career, which--some would say "arguably"--had been losing steam. With the album's four major hits and rave reviews from the critics (these things do not always go hand-in-hand), Petty must have breathed a sigh of relief. He left the Heartbreakers behind, hooked up with musician, writer, and producer Jeff Lynne, and rocked out with "Runnin' Down a Dream," got mellow and introspective on "Free Fallin'" and "A Face in the Crowd," and paid tribute (finally) to the Byrds with a cover of "Feel a Whole Lot Better." He perfected the sing-along guitar-pop song on "Yer So Bad" and had a wild time on "Zombie Zoo." Pure Petty perfection! --Lorry Fleming

All songs written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, except as indicated.[2]

"Free Fallin'" – 4:14
"I Won't Back Down" – 2:56
"Love Is a Long Road" (Mike Campbell, Petty) – 4:06
"A Face in the Crowd" – 3:58
"Runnin' Down a Dream" (Campbell, Lynne, Petty) – 4:23
"I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" (Gene Clark) – 2:47
"Yer So Bad" – 3:05
"Depending on You" (Petty) – 2:47
"The Apartment Song" (Petty) – 2:31
"Alright for Now" (Petty) – 2:00
"A Mind with a Heart of Its Own" – 3:29
"Zombie Zoo" – 2:56

"Hello, CD listeners…"

Early pressings of the album on compact disc contain a hidden track at the beginning of track 6. The interlude, which is referred to in the album credits as "Attention CD Listeners", features a brief tongue-in-cheek monologue by Petty, over a background of barnyard noises:

Hello, CD listeners. We've come to the point in this album where those listening on cassette, or records, will have to stand up, or sit down, and turn over the record. Or tape. In fairness to those listeners, we'll now take a few seconds before we begin side two. [pause] Thank you. Here's side two.
 
My last one for the evening....


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A Winters Solstice IV -- CD

Windham Hill Artists

1993 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com

In 1993, Windham Hill Records released its fourth album of seasonal music recorded by the label's artists and unavailable in any other collection. Only a few of the tracks on A Winter's Solstice IV lend credence to the label's unfair stereotype as the home for new age background music. Many of the musicians come from such respected jazz bands as Oregon and the Freddie Hubbard Quartet, and from such respected folk bands as the David Grisman Quartet. Several tackle such classical pieces as Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" (the Modern Mandolin Quartet), Purcell's "Trumpet Tune" (solo guitarist Alex de Grassi) and Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" (the Turtle Island String Quartet). From Liz Story's "Carol of the Bells" to Nightnoise's "Wexford Carol," this is rigorous instrumental music for the most part, no matter how quiet and pretty it may seem at first listen. --Geoffrey Himes

1. Carol of the Bells - Liz Story/Andy Narell/Paul McCandless/Barbara Higbie/Turtle Island String Quartet/Philip Aaberg/Michael Manring
2. Silent Night - Steve Erquiaga
3. Crystal Palace - Oystein Sevåg
4. Winter Bourne - Paul McCandless
5. Dona Nobis Pacem - Michael Manring
6. Wexford Carol - Nightnoise
7. Just Before Dawn - Will Ackerman/William Ackerman
8. We Three Kings - Barbara Higbie
9. Angels We Have Heard on High - Darol Anger/Mike Marshall
10. Sheep May Safely Graze - The Modern Mandolin Quartet
11. Trumpet Tune - Alex de Grassi
12. Three Candles - Richard Schönerz/Scott/Schönerz & Scott
13. Rain, The - Turtle Island String Quartet (from "The Four Seasons")
14. Christmas Hymn - Billy Childs
15. Asleep the Snow Came Flying - Tim Story
 
Today's work truck music....


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Greatest Hits -- CD

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

1993 MCA Records

Tom Petty = GOD, November 9, 2000
By G. Chance "deathiswatching" (Annandale, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Greatest Hits (Audio Cassette)

I have loved this CD for as long as I have owned it. It is missing some of his good songs, but overall it is a perfect set of his hits. This CD is a great way to introduce yourself to the magic that is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

"American Girl" (Tom Petty) – 3:35
(Originally released on the album Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.)
"Breakdown" (Petty) – 2:44
(Originally released on the album Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.)
"Listen to Her Heart" (Petty) – 3:05
(Originally released on the album You're Gonna Get It!.)
"I Need to Know" (Petty) – 2:26
(Originally released on the album You're Gonna Get It!.)
"Refugee" (Petty, Mike Campbell) – 3:25
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Don't Do Me Like That" (Petty) – 2:44
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Even the Losers" (Petty) – 4:01
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"Here Comes My Girl" (Petty, Campbell) – 4:27
(Originally released on the album *** the Torpedoes.)
"The Waiting" (Petty) – 4:01
(Originally released on the album Hard Promises.)
"You Got Lucky" (Petty, Campbell) – 3:38
(Originally released on the album Long After Dark.)
"Don't Come Around Here No More" (Petty, David A. Stewart) – 5:07
(Originally released on the album Southern Accents.)
"I Won't Back Down" (Petty, Jeff Lynne) – 2:59
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Runnin' Down a Dream" (Petty, Lynne, Campbell) – 4:25
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Free Fallin'" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:18
(Originally released on the album Full Moon Fever.)
"Learning to Fly" (Petty, Lynne) – 4:05
(Originally released on the album Into the Great Wide Open.)
"Into the Great Wide Open" (Petty, Lynne) – 3:45
(Originally released on the album Into the Great Wide Open.)
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" (Petty) – 4:35
(First release.)
"Something in the Air" (John Keen) – 3:17
(Thunderclap Newman cover.)
 
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December -- CD

George Winston - Piano Solos

1982/1990 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com essential recording

December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price

1 Thanksgiving 4:04 George Winston
2 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 2:40 John Jacob Niles
3 Joy 3:13 David Qualey, from J. S. Bach
4 Prelude 1:16 George Winston
5 Carol of the Bells 3:56 George Winston, from M. D. Leontovych
6 Night, Part One: Snow 1:51 George Winston
7 Night, Part Two: Midnight 1:56 George Winston
8 Night, Part Three: Minstrels 2:00 Malcolm Dalglish
9 Variations on the Kanon by Johann Pachelbel 5:21 Johann Pachelbel
10 The Holly and the Ivy 4:52 George Winston, from traditional
11 Some Children See Him 3:43 Alfred S. Burt
12 Peace 4:02 George Winston
 
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The Best of Narada - Christmas -- 2 CD Set

Various Artists

1998 Narada Records

Amazon.com

A superb two-disc set of Narada's finest recording artists, from David Arkenstone and Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel to Nando Lauria and Dordán. Narada has assembled a wide assortment of musical glad tidings that encompass New Age-like pop arrangements with larger ensembles, Celtic interpretations, jazzy and neoclassical pieces, and a host of acoustic readings, the least of which is Billy McLaughlin's "What Child Is This?" Whether you like straight-ahead arrangements like Arkenstone's playful and more produced "I Saw Three Ships," or improvised pieces such as the enchanting rendition of "Carol of the Bells" by Kostia, The Best of Narada Christmas does a good job of pooling the finer works of its artists in one Whitman Sampler that packs value-plus--and enough seasonal atmosphere to turn your listening environment into a shaken snow globe. --Martin Keller

DISC 1:
1. I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone
2. First Noel, The - Ralf Illenberger
3. Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dord n
4. Il est Ne - Michael Gettel :: He Is Born - Michael Gettel
5. Joy to the World - Bruce Mitchell
6. Angels We Have Heard on High - David Lanz
7. Away in a Manger - David Darling
8. Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel
9. We Three Kings - David Arkenstone
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen
11. Unto Us a Boy Is Born - Michael Jones
12. What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin
13. Carol of the Bells - Kostia
14. Bring the Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel

DISC 2:
1. Gloria - Nando Lauria
2. Silver Bells - David Arkenstone
3. Mistletoe Waltz - Dord n
4. O Come All Ye Faithful - David Lanz
5. O Holy Night - Brian Mann
6. Ding Dong Merrily On High / Good King Wenceslas
7. Do You Hear What I Hear - David Arkenstone
8. Ukrainian Carol - Spencer Brewer
9. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Wayne Gratz
10. Celebration - Eric Tingstad
11. Coventry Carol / Noel Nouvelet - Bobby Read
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem / The Holly And The Ivy - Michael Jones
13. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Sheldon Mirowitz
14. Hallelujah - His Majesties Clerkes
 
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A Jolly Christmas From -- CD

Frank Sinatra

1957/1999 Capitol Records

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1957 holiday album featuring two bonus tracks. Even 50+ years later, this Christmas album from Ol' Blue Eyes remains one of the finest yuletide platters in Pop history. Nobody can sing and swing like Sinatra, who is going to 'sleigh' you with his fantastic renditions of classics like 'Jingle Bells', 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', 'Silent Night' and the wonderful 'Christmas Waltz'. This is the album that Santa spins when throwing parties at his pad in the North Pole!

"Jingle Bells" (James Pierpont) – 2:00
"The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 3:28
"Mistletoe and Holly" (Hank Sanicola, Frank Sinatra, Doc Stanford) – 2:18
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram) – 3:11
"The Christmas Waltz" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 3:03
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane) – 3:29
"The First Noel" (William B. Sandys) – 2:44
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley) – 2:24
"O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Lewis H. Redner, Phillip Brooks) – 2:06
"Adeste Fideles" ("O, Come All Ye Faithful") (John Francis Wade) – 2:34
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (Edmund Sears, Richard Storrs Willis) – 2:51
"Silent Night" (Franz Gruber, Josef Mohr) – 2:31

Compact disc reissue bonus tracks

"White Christmas" (1954 single version) (Irving Berlin) – 2:37
"The Christmas Waltz" (1954 single version) (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 3:01
 
Dennie said:
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December -- CD

George Winston - Piano Solos

1982/1990 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com essential recording

December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price

1 Thanksgiving 4:04 George Winston
2 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 2:40 John Jacob Niles
3 Joy 3:13 David Qualey, from J. S. Bach
4 Prelude 1:16 George Winston
5 Carol of the Bells 3:56 George Winston, from M. D. Leontovych
6 Night, Part One: Snow 1:51 George Winston
7 Night, Part Two: Midnight 1:56 George Winston
8 Night, Part Three: Minstrels 2:00 Malcolm Dalglish
9 Variations on the Kanon by Johann Pachelbel 5:21 Johann Pachelbel
10 The Holly and the Ivy 4:52 George Winston, from traditional
11 Some Children See Him 3:43 Alfred S. Burt
12 Peace 4:02 George Winston


Back when we lived in the Northeastern US, this was a standard to curl up in front of the fireplace with the special gal and listen to......... :text-bravo:
 
heeman said:
Dennie said:
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December -- CD

George Winston - Piano Solos

1982/1990 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com essential recording

December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price

1 Thanksgiving 4:04 George Winston
2 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 2:40 John Jacob Niles
3 Joy 3:13 David Qualey, from J. S. Bach
4 Prelude 1:16 George Winston
5 Carol of the Bells 3:56 George Winston, from M. D. Leontovych
6 Night, Part One: Snow 1:51 George Winston
7 Night, Part Two: Midnight 1:56 George Winston
8 Night, Part Three: Minstrels 2:00 Malcolm Dalglish
9 Variations on the Kanon by Johann Pachelbel 5:21 Johann Pachelbel
10 The Holly and the Ivy 4:52 George Winston, from traditional
11 Some Children See Him 3:43 Alfred S. Burt
12 Peace 4:02 George Winston


Back when we lived in the Northeastern US, this was a standard to curl up in front of the fireplace with the special gal and listen to......... :text-bravo:

Good Stuff Keith, it is perfect for that! :handgestures-thumbup:


Dennie
 
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The Quintessence -- Remastered CD

Quincy Jones and His Orchestra

1962/2007 Impulse/Verve Records

a classic, August 23, 2007
By Katherine Charlap "Dr. K. Charlap" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Quintessence (Audio CD)

This is a top-ten jazz album of all time, especially if you like the big band format.
Before Quincy Jones became the king of pop music producing and arranging, he was a fabulous jazz arranger and leader.
My brother, Bill Charlap, turned me on to it during this past summer's Jazz in July series at the 92nd street Y, where he is the artistic director. One concert in the series was a tribute to Quincy Jones and Oliver Nelson. They played one or two songs which are featured on this CD. Great stuff! Go ahead and check it out -- you will not be disappointed.

1. "Quintessence (Quincy Jones)" 4:21
2. "Robot Portrait (Billy Byers)" 5:25
3. "Little Karen (Benny Golson)" 3:44
4. "Straight, No Chaser (Thelonious Monk)" 2:26
5. "For Lena and Lennie (Jones)" 4:17
6. "Hard Sock Dance (Jones)" 3:20
7. "Invitation (Bronislaw Kaper, Paul Francis Webster)" 3:35
8. "The Twitch (Byers)" 3:50
 
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Brass Attitude -- CD

Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau

1998 Concord Records

Maynard,s best album in many years!!!, March 18, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Brass Attitude (Audio CD)

With "Brass Attitude", Maynard has perfected the "little big band", his preferred format for the last several years. Exciting, richly textured arrangements performed by Ferguson's exceptionally talented young musicians make this Farguson's' best peformance since 1970's "MF Horn". Maynard makes greater use of his lyrical skills on fluegelhorn here, especially on the haunting "Caruso", and tracks include everything from a jazz waltz ("Waltz for Nicole"), to a bluesy feauture for the wonderful scat singer and baritone saxophonist Denis Diblasio ("The Lip"). For long time Maynard fans, there are plenty of high notes; for potential new fans, though, this is an album with a nice balance of swingers and slower, romantic pieces. Worth a listen, then, for anyone who's either loved MF for years, or is curious about large group jazz.

Track Listing
1. Just Friends
2. Waltz for Nicole
3. I Love You
4. Milk of the Moon
5. Misra-Dhenuka
6. Knee Deep in Rio
7. Erica and Sandra
8. Lip, The
9. Caruso
 
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Christmas Caravan -- CD

Squirrel Nut Zippers

1998 Mammoth Records

Squirrel Ride, December 9, 2003
By Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Christmas Caravan (Audio CD)

The Squirrel Nut Zippers offer up a unique Christmas album. They play acoustic instruments mostly in a hot jazz style, although some of the songs veer into traditional country territory. It's nice that 7 of the 10 songs here are Zippers originals, because who needs another version of "White Christmas", really? "A Johnny Ace Christmas" is the best of the originals, it's about the singer who died playing Russian Roulette on Christmas Eve in 1954. There are also three songs here that were not written by the Zippers. "Winter Weather" is a nice version of a song that hasn't been recorded too many times. "Sleigh Ride" is a swinging instrumental. Which brings us to "Hanging Up My Stockings". This song has a copyright of 1952, but this appears to be the first time it has actually been professionally recorded. I don't know this for certain, but it seems that somebody found an ancient demo of this song from the 50s, and the Zippers became the first group to record it. In fact, the original scratchy songwriter's demo is included as an unlisted bonus track at the end of the album. I would recommend this CD to anybody who is looking for something a little different in Christmas music.

Track Listing
1. Winter Weather
2. Indian Giver
3. Johnny Ace Christmas, A
4. My Evergreen
5. Sleigh Ride
6. I'm Coming Home for Christmas
7. Carolina Christmas
8. Gift of the Magi
9. Hot Christmas
10. Hanging up My Stockings
 
Dennie said:
heeman said:
Dennie said:
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December -- CD

George Winston - Piano Solos

1982/1990 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com essential recording

December holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map and being the new age album most likely to find its way into music collections of all ilk. In spite of being relentlessly overplayed during the holidays, the solo piano recording has aged quite well. Winston shapes holiday war-horses and original compositions into a captivating contemporary statement. His spare, understated style captures the feel of the dark season, employing ample resonance to evoke a reflective spaciousness. The album's straightforward simplicity conveys both the celebration and quietude that characterize the best of the Yuletide spirit. --Richard Price

1 Thanksgiving 4:04 George Winston
2 Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head 2:40 John Jacob Niles
3 Joy 3:13 David Qualey, from J. S. Bach
4 Prelude 1:16 George Winston
5 Carol of the Bells 3:56 George Winston, from M. D. Leontovych
6 Night, Part One: Snow 1:51 George Winston
7 Night, Part Two: Midnight 1:56 George Winston
8 Night, Part Three: Minstrels 2:00 Malcolm Dalglish
9 Variations on the Kanon by Johann Pachelbel 5:21 Johann Pachelbel
10 The Holly and the Ivy 4:52 George Winston, from traditional
11 Some Children See Him 3:43 Alfred S. Burt
12 Peace 4:02 George Winston


Back when we lived in the Northeastern US, this was a standard to curl up in front of the fireplace with the special gal and listen to......... :text-bravo:

Good Stuff Keith, it is perfect for that! :handgestures-thumbup:


Dennie

Eh, as a pianist, I always thought Winston was a bit of a faker. DUnno... I would suggest you try some Philip Aaberg, his first album, High Plains, is sorta similar to Winston's style, but IMHO FAR FAR more interesting. Then Aaberg moves in a more jazzy direction and improves even further, one of my favorite artists.
 
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Christmas In Manhattan - Elegant Holiday Instrumentals -- CD

Various Artists

1996 Unison Music

CAN'T DO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. SMOOTH AS EGG NOG. RIVALS THE GRP HOLIDAY STUFF.
, October 27, 2005
By VINCENT P TARSITANO (PORT ORANGE, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Christmas in Manhattan (Audio CD)

I picked this up a few years ago in a "bargain" bin. Boy, was I rewarded. Knowing what a gem this collection is, I'd gladly pay full price!

CHRISTMAS IN MANHATTAN is just a title here, as this set was recorded in Nashville, by some of that city's finest, under the direction of David Huntsinger. Very tasty versions, featuring saxes, flugelhorn, trumpet, great keyboard/string work, with a lot of originality, but also quite faithful to the composers' intent, I believe.

While listening, however, you could easily imagine that you are in a Manhattan jazz club during the holiday season [how cool would THAT be!].

"I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day," is probably the most dazzling instrumental version I ever heard of that tune, featuring a full, acoustic, orchestral sound, with a great jazzy underscoring vibe. "The Christmas Song [Chestnuts Roasting...]" is very beautifully executed, as well, as is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." This ensemble's version of "Pat-A-Pan" is wonderfully novel and jazzy through-and-through. The medley of "Deck The Halls/O Come All Ye Faithful" is brilliant, as it combines the best new age/jazz/and classical feels.

This collection is clunker-free, and very enjoyable from start to finish.

DON'T PASS UP THIS ONE! [...Even if you have to write to UNISON MUSIC, Nelson Place @ Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214.]

1. Christmas Song
2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
3. Jolly Old St. Nicholas
4. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Deck the Halls (With O Come All Ye Faithful) [Medley]
7. Pat-A-Pan
8. What Child Is This?
9. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (Medley With Angels We Have Heard and Go, Tell it on the Mountain
10. How Far Is It to Bethlehem?
 
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