Our Review
I love the way Yule Fool opens--some jingly bells, a sassy horn, and Marie Alexandre's jazzy vocals swell to take center stage on "Let It Snow." Nice! This album exemplifies the classic small jazz ensemble fronting a break-out star as the vocalist.
Marie Alexandre's voice is an extremely cool jazz instrument; when she sings, she truly takes control. Her vocal instrument is not super-sanitized or homogenous; Alexandre possesses a voice that has real character and texture. Her band (piano, bass, drums, sax) provides great support without overwhelming Alexandre's pipes.
At just over 32 minutes, Yule Fool is short, but satisfying. The nine tracks cover Christmas classics, both timeless and contemporary. My favorite cuts include "The Christmas Song" with its scat-singing intro, and the precious "Silent Night/A Child Is Born" medley.
This music puts the listener in the smoky corner of a cabaret on a cold December night. The night might be cold, but the music is hot, and you hear a flexible, husky, and formidable voice rising over the jazz ensemble's accompaniment; it's Marie Alexandre, and you are no Yule Fool. Enjoy!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
Marie Alexandre: Vocals
Peter Saxe: Piano
Larry Kohut: Bass
Tim Davis: Drums
Jim Massoth: Sax
Amid the hustle & bustle, Wishing you heavenly peace. . .
--Marie Alexandre
I have always loved that special way in which the CHRISTMAS season touches the human heart. I hope my Christmas songs will help us to share that holiday spirit as you listen.
Marie Alexandre
Yule Fool
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Label: Marie Alexandre
Length: 32 minutes
Genre: Jazz
Release: 2001
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Let It Snow |
| That's What We Love About Christmas |
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day |
| The Christmas Song |
| Silent Night / a Child Is Born |
| What Child Is This? |
| Christmas Time Is Here |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |