Our Review
I like many different Christmas CDs, for many different reasons. I like Ilene Weiss's Weiss Christmas for its strong contemporary folk style, for all of the original Christmas songs which will--or ought to-- become seasonal classics. I like her laid back style, and I like the arrangements. I like the fact she had the swat to attract the Roches and Loudon Wainwright III to sing on her record. But most of all, I like her honest treatment of the Christmas event and how it is celebrated and experienced in the United States of America.
I'll be the first to admit that I have a soft spot for such "crusty God-is-love types" as Weiss. And my life long crush on Terre Roche would preclude my awarding anything but the highest superlatives to any Christmas effort on which she appears. But believe me when I say I don't expect to hear a more forceful and touching Christmas song this year than Talkin' to the Wrong Guy, as a girl who learns a bitter truth and, facing up to it, gives up a false hope for a true one.
Weiss doesn't raise false hopes. After several strong compositions she reveals the depth of her awesome talent with Xmas at the South Pole (Tonight). In a blues register worthy of Angela Strehli, she reveals to us just exactly how Mrs. Claus plans to spend Christmas Night.
Weiss sings her own Christmas, and it is a Christmas I recognize and want to hear sung. I listened to every word, and I liked every song.
This record is a keeper!
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Ilene Weiss
Weiss Christmas
Artist link
Label: Gadfly
Length: 42 minutes
Genre: Folk
Release: 1997
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| It's That Time Again |
| Talkin' To The Wrong Guy |
| His Initials |
| Tree |
| Santa Claus Is Coming To Town |
| The Santa Rap |
| Xmas At The South Pole (Tonight) |
| A Minute After Midnight |
| No Room At The Inn |
| Take It All Away |
| Another Funky Xmas |
| The Day A Baby Was Born |
| Harvest For The World |