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Our Review

Al Jarreau! I have admired this excellent gentleman for decades. His legendary voice embodies absolute flexibility, and his style reflects boundless energy and imagination. This multi-faceted artist has actually won Grammy Awards in jazz, pop, AND R&B; his talents are unstoppable. On Christmas, Jarreau demonstrates that he hasn't lost a step; this seasonal adventure shimmers in all three aural flavors: juicy jazz, pleasing pop, and the sweetest R&B.

This is Jarreau's first and only holiday release, and it is terrific. His back-up support also impresses; Jarreau surrounds himself with very talented musicians and singers. Larry Williams, for example, burns up the ivories on Carol of the Bells, and bass player (and lyric writer!) Chris Walker transforms O Come All Ye Faitful with a fresh opening verse, giving the usually staid carol a casual, rolling vibe. There is no doubt, however, about who stars on Christmas; Jarreau dazzles with his elastic intonation and magical phrasing.

My favorite track is probably Jarreau's mind-bending, free-form Carol of the Bells, which had me on the edge of my seat--so cool! His White Christmas is relatively traditional with substantial orchestration; the lingering ending bars, however, showcase Jarreau's innovative vocal techniques as he repeatedly urges that our Christmases "be white." Given my fondness for a cappella singing, I naturally embraced Jarreau's work with Take 6 on I'll Be Home for Christmas. The album (almost) ends with a fun and unusual The Little Christmas Tree, a holiday number covered by Nat King Cole in the early 1950s and only rarely since. The love story between a daddy and the unwanted tree he is bringing home to home and family, the lyrics recall how Charlie Brown remarkably transformed a forlorn, virtually needleless pine into glorious Christmas splendor in the well-loved holiday special. The final notes of Christmas are actually a brief bonus track; Jarreau provides a quick, playful, a cappella rendition of Up on the Housetop.

Al Jarreau is a national treasure, and he sparkles brightly on Christmas, an upbeat offering that should entertain a broad cross-section of audiences this holiday season. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

More

From the promotional materials:

Al Jarreau: vocals, background vocals

Others:
Larry Williams
Chris Walker
Mark Simmons
Michael O'Neill
Lenny Castro
Joe Turano
Larry Tuttle
Dan Higgins
Phil Ayling
Dave Carpenter
Larry Goldings
Ross Bolton
Jerry Hey
Take 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, David Thomas, Joey Kibble, Cedric Dent & Alvin Chea)
Alyncia Mack
Montina Cooper
Michael Thompson
Ramon Stagnaro


Produced by Larry Williams & Al Jarreau except:
Track 3 (produced by Chris Walker, Larry Williams, & Al Jarreau)
Track 5 (produced by Joe Turano, Larry Williams, & Al Jarreau)

From the Website:

Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide.

Al Jarreau

Christmas

Artist link

Track List