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No doubt about it--Sue Keller, my favorite ragtime chanteuse, is BACK! Last year I reviewed "She Loved Christmas" (also reviewed on this site), and Keller's first holiday CD is a true gem. Amazingly, her 2004 release "My Reindeer Don't Like To Fly" may be even better. Keller's voice and piano definitely make magic here.

Before we get to the music, let's think "reindeer." Before I opened the CD, the cool graphics grabbed me right away. The cover features a very handsome reindeer named Ukkonen resting, his massive antlers casting a reflection on the snow. In fact, the album features several other photos and three other reindeer--probably all good friends of Ukkonen (and perhaps Rudolph). Nice!

As for the music, Keller once again pulls out all the stops--a little crazy and a lot wonderful! The 17 tracks on this generous (almost an hour) album nicely demonstrate the artist's piano chops, her husky and expressive voice, and her killer sense of humor. The song selection is absolutely priceless; most are relatively modern Christmas classics, with two of the finest renditions of Joni Mitchell's "River" and Steve Allen's "Cool Yule" I have ever heard. The remaining three cuts are sparkling Keller originals. Three numbers are instrumentals; the classically-styled "Gesu Bambino" is thrilling, including some terrific percussive flourishes.

"My Reindeer Don't Like to Fly" opens in swingin' fine fashion with a countrified ragtime presentation of "Here Comes Santa Claus." Keller's voice is so charged with emotion that she could provoke tears by singing the phone directory--her "Where Are You, Christmas?" and "River" are heartbreakers. And, as far as I can tell, Sue Keller was born to sing numbers like "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Santa Baby"--her husky interpretations are right on target. The "Jing-A-Ling/Merry Christmas Polka" medley is a funny delight; the music has circus or vaudeville sensibilities.

Favorites are difficult to choose on a CD like this, but I suppose I most enjoyed the title cut, which plays like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Bunny Hop" with a distinctive reindeer slant. The vocals intonations, including background singers, and the instrumentation recall the best of World War II-era swing. The lyrics are a hoot: "Comet's complainin' that the reins are too tight, Donner needs a dentist for that overbite, Blitzen is afraid of goin' out in the dark, and Prancer's on vacation in Yosemite Park", and "I'd like to take my furry friends for a beer, but I can't get them out more than once a year" and the constant refrain "Oh me, oh my, my reindeer don't like to fly!" Great fun!

Thank you, Sue Keller, for another outstanding holiday effort. Hope the reindeer overcome their flying difficulties to bring you something extra-fine this Christmas.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Sue Keller: Piano, Lead Vocals, Organ Marimba, Steel Drums, Sleigh Bells, Harp, and musical arrangements
Pete Devine: drums, percussion, background vocals Gino Agnello: acoustic guitar
Judy Leschewski: background vocals

Special thanks to:

Reindeer Ranch, Kalamazoo, MI and its owners Gary and Carol Borton.

Gary Borton: Photography
Ukkonen: cover; Lichen and Tundra: left inside cover; Askvader: right inside cover and rear cover.

Pianos:

Per (Worra) Larson, Sampletekk: Malmsjo White Grand
Kip McGinnis, Bardstown Audio: Bosendorfer Imperial Grand
Michiel Post, PMI: 1923 Steinway Grand

Howard Vigorita: recording and artwork

Sue Keller

My Reindeer Don't Like to Fly

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Track List