Our Review
The Elven Princess you see here, with the Santa hat and white violin, is Cathy Morris, the chief ambassador from the land of Party Jazz. If I stumble a bit in describing the variety of styles I heard on A Cathy Morris Christmas, it is from sheer exhaustion: I danced myself out listening to this Christmas party record. Not only does Ms. Morris play a variety of styles, but she injects tremendous energy into every number.
Many of her arrangements are latin flavored, but her rhythmic diction extends far beyond the diversity of latin forms. A master of pacing, she follows a cuban, bongo infused Jingle Bells with an emotional pop jazz arrangement of Good King Wenceslas reminiscent of Pat Metheny.
I was so pleased to hear Toyland (one of the best kept secrets in the realm of Christmas music), especially when played with the sadly whimsical feeling her violin conveys here.
She has obviously listened to a lot of music and has incorporated elements from folk, jazz, new age, and swing. Her eclectic arrangements make every song a different adventure. Her band, accomplished musicians all, combine with Ms. Morris to produce a hearty creole.
Verve and virtuosity characterize this recording.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Cathy Morris
A Cathy Morris Christmas
Artist link
Label: Morris Studios
Length: 48 minutes
Genre: Jazz
Release: 1998
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Deck The Hall |
| White Christmas |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Medley |
| Jingle Bells |
| Good King Wenceslas |
| Toyland |
| Santa Claus Is Coming To Town |
| Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel |
| Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| Try To Live Everyday Like Christmas |
| Jingle Bells Reprise |