Christmas Gifts Ideas

Christmas by Al Jarreau

Price: $6.50

Al Jarreau has become a master of both studio and stage after signing with Reprise in 1975. He is one of the most exciting and analytically acclaimed performers of our time. Now, He releases his first holiday collection and first album of newly recorded music since 2006’s Givin’ It Up. Christmas includes the singer’s disctinctive vocal spin on a dozen yuletide classics.

Christmas by Al Jarreau Track List:

1. Winter Wonderland – Smith, Richard B.
2. Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Traditional
3. White Christmas – Berlin, Irving
4. Carol of the Bells – Traditional
5. O Come All Ye Faithful – Traditional
6. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) – Torme, Mel
7. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Kent, Walter
8. Gloria in Excelsis – Williams, Larry
9. Christmas Time Is Here – Guaraldi, Vince
10. Have Yourself a Merry Small Christmas – Martin, Hugh
11. Some Children See Him – Burt, Alfred
12. The Small Christmas Tree – Rooney, Mickey

Released on: October 14th, 2008

Customer Review for Christmas by Al Jarreau at Amazon

I really liked the arrangment of the songs. But, it is classic Al Jarreau. I recommend this album to fans. -- Very nice CD

The CD was in excellent condition and the Christmas selections were very nice. CD was received within the timeframe as predicted. -- Al Jarreau Christmas

If you like Al Jarreau (we do!) or like good jazz vocals, or Christmas tunes, or any combination thereof, you'll love this CD. Go for it! -- INstant Classic in our house

This is one of my favorite artist: I thought the cd was worth every penny and more. The sound was great - add this to yiur collection... -- Excellent

"I really hope you folks like this listen. There are some 'Jarreau-isms' that stretch the boundaries of 'traditional' a little bit, but it's all with the greatest respect and reverence. And it's still real approachable and fun." ~ Al Jarreau ~

Al Jarreau's "Christmas" is the latest addition to my Christmas music collection. It is his very first Christmas album. On his concise Liner Notes, he admitted that he had been "promising all his fans to record a Christmas album for decades and had also been promising his wife, Susan, the most Christmasy person he knows, way, way longer." I'm so glad that he finally kept his promise and recorded a lovely Christmas album last year for his fans to enjoy year after year for all the years to come.

The listeners are in for a real Christmas treat as Al Jarreau announces to the world that "Christmas Time Is Here." He will take you to "Winter Wonderland" and will warm your heart while he sings some of the best-loved Christmas carols such as "The Christmas Song," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas" and a lot more.

One of the many things to love about this recording is the well-blended voices of Take 6 as they join the multi-Grammy-winning-artist in rendering one of the best tracks, "I'll Be Home For Christmas."

Another reason to appreciate it is the element of cool jazz that Al Jarreau and the band infused on the traditional carols heard in "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Carol of the Bells" and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing."

One more thing to consider is the excellent musicianship of arranger/multi-instrumentalist Larry Williams (keyboards/clarinet/tenor sax/piano), Larry Goldings (organ), Chris Walker (bass), Mark Simmons (drums), Jo Turano (background vocals/piano/tenor sax), Lenny Castro (percussion), Michael O'Neill and Ross Bolton (guitar), from among others.

All things considered as to vocal style, musicianship, arrangements and material, this is one of the most enjoyable Christmas music I've ever heard in my entire listening journey. It is truly a listening delight. My ears are drawn to his unique and ingenious "Jarreau-isms" that he is stylistically famous for.

On Liner Notes, Al Jarreau quoted a line taken from his favorite movie, "A Christmas Carol," which happens to be the most popular Christmas story ever told. It is also the most remarkable and enduring classic from Charles Dickens, so I'm sharing it here...

"Merry Christmas, everybody! God bless us, every one. And God bless Tiny Tim." -- "Merry Christmas, Everybody!"