Dave Stryker (guitar); Stefon Harris (vibes); Jared Gold (organ); McClenty Hunter (drums/perc) + Steve Nelson (vibes – 1 track).
(Review by Lance).
I’d vowed not to review any Xmas albums this year but, to not do so, would be like telling the neighbourhood kids to f… off and come back when they’ve learned the words to Good King Wenceslas.
However, I digress, DownBeat – in its wisdom – allocated 4 stars to this album which meant that I should, at least give it a listen. After all, in the same issue, Quentin Collins’ Road Warrior only managed a 3* hit and that was fantastic!.
So I gave it a spin which was my first big mistake. I was at home when I should have been listening to it on an escalator in a department store or maybe whilst browsing the liquor shelves in a downtown Asda.
Having said that, I was suddenly, if not in Nazareth, at least on the road to the Tesco branch in Damascus! This wasn't music to browse by - it was music to listen to and who cares if you misread the sell buy date on the turkey? - a turkey this ain't! Whichever store chooses to use this as their checkout softener, I’ll be first in line to sign up for their loyalty card.
There is good news and, naturally, bad news although some may reverse the categories – viz there are no vocals. To me the good news is that there are no vocals which means you can enjoy the music without the lachrymose sentiments expressed.
Say what you like, most of the Christmas songs are great – it’s the words that let them down. Once the mince pies and the mulled port have gone and you've kissed the wife's friend's chubby daughter once too often ("May I offer you a ride on my sleigh dear?") the words don't mean a thing – but hearing them instrumentally adds an extra dimension, the wife's friend's chubby daughter is now history, but the solos and the arrangements are memorable.
And to think I intended slagging this one off!
Lance.
This Christmas; What Child is This?; God Rest You Merry Gentlemen; Happy Xmas (War is Over); Soulful Frosty*; Christmas Time is Here; Sleigh Ride; Blue Christmas; We Three Kings; O Tannenbaum.
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