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Our Review

Delicious! Here is another holiday delectable from two superb jazz musicians--the double Bobbys (Bobby Zee and Bobby Zoe), known as "Bobby Zee and Zoe" to their adoring public. "Home for the Holidays" contains great jazz instrumentals from stem to stern. These guys can jam, with a little help from their very talented friends.

Unlike their first holiday CD (see "Cool Christmas", also reviewed on this site), "Home for the Holidays" is a bit more raucous, a bit more hard-core jazz. Although "Cool Christmas" featured well-known selections, "Home for the Holidays" is more worldly and eclectic, pulling in international pieces such as "Shalom Chaverim," "Feliz Navidad," "L'Shana Tovah," and "S'Vivon". In addition, the improvisations here are more free-form than on the relatively restrained "Cool Christmas."

The opening cut, "Deck The Halls," immediately takes off and disappears into the stratosphere. The gentle, swinging treatment of "Feliz Navidad" (with lots of terrific synth vibes) had me swaying in my chair. When the musicians inventively jam on traditional carols such as "Away in the Manger", the standard melody slips from view again and again, only to resurface with sweet recognition. It's a beautiful mix.

This fun and fulfilling holiday CD will delight any jazz aficionado. Bring Bobby Zee and Zoe "Home for the Holidays" for a jammin' good time.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the website:

Produced for the Holiday Season, this release puts a cool jazzy spin on holiday favorites. Add style to your season with holiday favorites from all around te world like "Feliz Navidad," "Shalom Chaverim," and "Away In a Manger." We believe it will become the perfect soundtrack for all of your holiday celebrations.

From the liner notes:

As we go through life, the pursuit of happiness often leads us down a rocky and perilous road on a relentless chase for material things. It seems far too easy in this day and age surrounded by the society we have created to lose sight what really matters in life. The Holiday Season seems to awaken in us an instinctive knowledge of what really does matter most, and helps us to remember how blessed and fortunate most of us are. Family and friends are the heart of what we value most in our lives. The unbiased and unconditional love they have always shown us is by far our greatest treasure. We are blessed with a truly international group of loved ones, friends and family of all races, colors and creeds. This Holiday album is dedicated to all the people we share love with. It is an "International Album" with songs from different countries, nationalities and religious persuasions. We hope you will let these songs take your soul on a musical journey around the world in celebration of the greatest gift of all ... love.

Bobby Zee & Zoe

Home for the Holidays

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Track List