Product Description

After signing with Reprise in 1975, Al Jarreau has become a master of both studio and stage. He is one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time. He now releases his first holiday collection and first album of newly recorded music since 2006's Givin' It Up. Christmas includes the singer's disctinctive vocal spin on a dozen yuletide classics.

Track Listing

1. Winter Wonderland
2. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
3. White Christmas
4. Interlude: By My Christmas Tree
5. Carol of the Bells
6. O Come All Ye Faithful
7. Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
8. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Al Jarreau, , Take 6
9. Gloria in Excelsis
10. Christmas Time Is Here
11. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
12. Some Children See Him
13. Little Christmas Tree
14. Up on the Housetop

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11966 in Music
• Brand: Rhino
• Released on: 2008-10-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

I'm dreaming of a jazzy Christmas
Been waiting for Al Jarreau to bring out a Christmas CD for a long time. His "White Christmas" cover is one of my favorites. This year, he's listened and gifted us with a CD. And what a generous gift, too. Jarreau's packed a whopping 14 songs and 54 plus minutes into this collection.

"Christmas" is not for non-jazz or non-Jarreau fans. If you like the traditional ballads done the same old way just by different singers, don't buy this CD. If you want a lot of upbeat, some syncopation, and a whole lot of souful jazz, this CD is for you. I'm definitely going to be enjoying this CD for years to come.

Favorites:

Carol of the Bells
White Christmas
Gloria in Excelsis

My only complaint is I wish Jarreau had come up with a new song for us to enjoy this Christmas. I love his work on the tried and true, but I'd like to see him really step out and show us something new.

Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

"Merry Christmas, Everybody!"
"I really hope you folks like this listen. There are some 'Jarreau-isms' that stretch the boundaries of 'traditional' a little bit, but it's all with the greatest respect and reverence. And it's still real approachable and fun." ~ Al Jarreau ~

Al Jarreau's "Christmas" is the latest addition to my Christmas music collection. It is his very first Christmas album. On his concise Liner Notes, he admitted that he had been "promising all his fans to record a Christmas album for decades and had also been promising his wife, Susan, the most Christmasy person he knows, way, way longer." I'm so glad that he finally kept his promise and recorded a lovely Christmas album last year for his fans to enjoy year after year for all the years to come.

The listeners are in for a real Christmas treat as Al Jarreau announces to the world that "Christmas Time Is Here." He will take you to "Winter Wonderland" and will warm your heart while he sings some of the best-loved Christmas carols such as "The Christmas Song," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas" and a lot more.

One of the many things to love about this recording is the well-blended voices of Take 6 as they join the multi-Grammy-winning-artist in rendering one of the best tracks, "I'll Be Home For Christmas."

Another reason to appreciate it is the element of cool jazz that Al Jarreau and the band infused on the traditional carols heard in "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Carol of the Bells" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing."

One more thing to consider is the excellent musicianship of arranger/multi-instrumentalist Larry Williams (keyboards/clarinet/tenor sax/piano), Larry Goldings (organ), Chris Walker (bass), Mark Simmons (drums), Jo Turano (background vocals/piano/tenor sax), Lenny Castro (percussion), Michael O'Neill and Ross Bolton (guitar), from among others.

All things considered as to vocal style, musicianship, arrangements and material, this is one of the most enjoyable Christmas music I've ever heard in my entire listening journey. It is truly a listening delight. My ears are drawn to his unique and ingenious "Jarreau-isms" that he is stylistically famous for.

On Liner Notes, Al Jarreau quoted a line taken from his favorite movie, "A Christmas Carol," which happens to be the most popular Christmas story ever told. It is also the most remarkable and enduring classic from Charles Dickens, so I'm sharing it here...

"Merry Christmas, everybody! God bless us, every one. And God bless Tiny Tim."

An amazing Christmas album
As expected from one of the most renown vocal artists in the world today; an album of ultra high integrity and quality. The album treats the listener to a variety of Christmas songs and carrols, performed with all the finesse and bravura this gentleman is all about, with brilliant musical accompaniment. Even the recording leaves little to be desired, on any level of sound system, a Hi-Fi tidbit. Enjoy!