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When Greg Vail's little girl Vanessa giggles "Daddy, Is it Christmas yet?", all you parents will smile, recognizing that childish anticipation of the holidays that still lives in all of us. This is how sax man Vail opens his second holiday album, Is It Christmas Yet? (his first holiday album, Christmas: The Hymns, is also reviewed here). Both are instrumentals, but in my view, this 2004 release differs from the earlier album in at least four important respects. First, the song emphasis here is more on contemporary holiday tunes (like "Winter Wonderland"), rather than on ancient carols. Second, Vail's sax seems more at center stage in this recording, and he really makes it smoke. Third, Christmas: The Hymns featured keyboardist extraordinaire Rob Mullins, and that colored the CD's presentation to a fairly large extent. Finally, Is It Christmas Yet? is the genuine jazz article; it is traditional jazz played in the "old school" way. This definitely is NOT adult contemporary pop or funk or anything other than straight-up jazz.

Backed by an excellent combo, Vail pulls out all the stops, and his sax really wails. I particularly loved his relatively slow, highly textured, and very emotive, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." In contrast, "The Little Drummer Boy" is a runaway freight train, all speed and splash. The string bass is really special as Vail takes the harmony on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (one of my favorite renditions ever. To be honest, it's all good here. Even little Vanessa Vail's way-too-cute vocals on "Silent Night" (under a minute!) work. "Winter Wonderland" is an excellent closer and personifies "cool."

Is jazz your thing? Greg Vail's exciting Is It Christmas Yet? is an outstanding holiday option for your audio system. Give it a spin!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Greg Vail: soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones
Bobby Cruz: B3 organ
Jason Mills: guitar
David Levray: electric bass
Dave Stone: string bass
Bubba Bryant: drums
Ron Robertson: drums
Rick Alvarez: keyboard
Vanessa Vail: child's voice and vocals on "Silent Night"
Lexi Gunn & Emma Gunn: vocals on hidden track

Producers: Greg Vail & Rick Alvarez
Executive Producers: Barbara Vail & Rick Alvarez

From the Web site:

The Latest CD Release at Greg Vail Music is new and old at the same time. Is It Christmas Yet? is new since it was tracked in late in 2004, but is old in sound since it is TRADITIONAL JAZZ with real people playing live in the old school jazz tradition.

Greg Vail brings old and new together at a time of year that tends to do this naturally. Fresh new arrangements featuring Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bari Sax, recorded 24 bit at 96K for amazing sound, timeless favorites and real, live, L.A. musicians stretch these favorite Christmas Songs in the spirit of the Jazz masters of the past. You are going to love this Jazz Christmas CD!

Greg Vail

Is It Christmas Yet?

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Track List