Holiday Music, 2010

Pick Hits:

Matt Wilson, MATT WILSON’S CHRISTMAS TREE-O (Palmetto, $16.98)—Drummer Matt Wilson has come up with some of the wittiest arrangements of holiday favorites. Every cut is a winner, from the beloved chestnuts to lesser known treats (“Happy Xmas [War is Over]” and “Mele Kalikimaka”). Wilson’s trio uses a palette of sound: reedman Jeff Lederer plays saxophones and clarinets galore, plus piccolo and toy piano, and bassist Paul Sikivie holds down the bottom. Fun and fresh.

Pink Martini, JOY TO THE WORLD (Heinz, $15.98)—The “little” big band, Pink Martini, has always arranged songs with wit and inventiveness, and lead singer, China Forbes, can sing in many languages. Expect the same treatment on their holiday disc: Two versions—one Japanese—of “White Christmas” start the proceedings (complete with the seldom-sung verse), and a wild Brazilian version of “Auld Lang Syne” ends things on rousing note. Forbes does the sultry “Santa Baby,” and a conga-driven “Little Drummer Boy.” I guarantee you’ll hear songs that are on no other holiday disc—sung in Hebrew, Arabic, Ukrainian, Ladino, Chinese, German, and Italian (Verdi!). Have a Pink Martini Christmas!

Kate Rusby, SWEET BELLS (Pure Records, $14.98)—Singer Kate Rusby hails from south Yorkshire, and brings some wonderful arrangements of traditional songs (and writes a few new ones), backed by a jaunty band of guitar, bass, and diatonic accordion—and a brass quintet on some numbers. Rusby also takes familiar lyrics and puts them with new melodies, such as a slow version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and the two treatments of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.”

Anonymous 4, THE CHERRY TREE (Harmonia Mundi, $18.98)—The four women of Anonymous 4 bring their crystalline voices to songs and carols both from medieval England and colonial American inspired by the miracle ballad, “The Cherry Tree Carol.”

More Voices:

Stile Antico, PUER NATUS ES (Harmonia Mundi, $18.98)—The 12-voice English ensemble sings Advent and Christmas music by Taverner, Tallis, Byrd, and Sheppard.

Putumayo, WORLD CHRISTMAS PARTY (Putumayo, $14.98)—Perhaps the best Putumayo Christmas release, focusing on African, Caribbean, and Latin jazz versions of the classics.

Puppini Sisters, CHRISTMAS WITH THE PUPPINI SISTERS (Verve, $10.98)—Great retro swing-era harmonies.

Annie Lennox, CHRISTMAS CORNUCOPIA (Decca, $17.98)—Traditional carols, with strong vocals by Ms Lennox, backed by the  African Children’s Choir.

The King’s Singers & WDR Big Band, BACH: CHRISTMAS ORATORIO (Signum, 2 CDs, $23.98)—Jazz meets baroque to great effect, arranged and conducted by Bill Dobbins.

The Washington Chorus, CHRISTMAS WITH THE WASHINGTON CHORUS (Dorian, $16.99)—A joyous collection of songs, with new arrangements for brass and chorus by conductor Julian Wachner, as well as old favorites. Recorded live at Strathmore.

Indigo Girls, HOLLY HAPPY DAYS (Vanguard, $18.98)—Favorites and originals by the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers.

THE GLEE CHRISTMAS ALBUM (Columbia, $13.98)—The Glee phenomenon continues.

Susan Boyle, THE GIFT (Sony, $13.98)

A FEW ALL-TIME FAVORITES

WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS CHRISTMAS?: 24 Recordings from 1917-1959 (Dust to Digital)—This compilation, by WAMU radio host and music scholar Dick Spottswood,  is a spectacular and revelatory collection. It’s filled, as Dick says, with “Southern fiddles, jazz bands and blues singers, festive music form Puerto Rico, Italy, Ukraine, and Trinidad (some great calypsos)…[There is] equal time for sacred and secular, for Christ and Santa Claus, and for respectable and rowdy.” Every song is a delight and a true wonder from long ago.It comes in a beautiful package complete with notes in a mini-booklet and a post card. Do not miss this great CD.

The Duke Ellington Orchestra, THREE SUITES, featuring The Nutcracker Suite(Columbia)—Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn wrote complex and witty arrangements for the best-known pieces from Tchaikovsky’s grand ballet score, bringing out new tonal colors and adding a lot of swing. Highlights include “Sugar Rum Cherry” (a reworking of “Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairies”), “Arabesque Cookie” (“Arabian Dance”), and “Danse of the Floreadores” (“Waltz of the Flowers”). This is a gem.

Emmylou Harris, LIGHT OF THE STABLE (Reprise)—Emmylou combined traditional seasonal hymns (some from Nova Scotian traditions), a couple of bluegrass favorites, with a few originals—all in beautiful acoustic arrangements. The album has an all-star lineup, featuring Ricky Scaggs, and harmony vocals by Sharon and Cheryl White, Dolly Parton, and Neil Young. For the 25th anniversary edition of this classic, Emmylou recorded three new songs with Kate and Anna McGarrigle.

JOHN ADAMS: EL NIÑO (Nonesuch)—El Niño, from 2001, is John Adams’s lovely and very original take on a “nativity oratorio.” It combines the spectacular voices of soprano Dawn Upshaw, mezzo Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, baritone Willard White, three countertenors, an adult and children’s choirs, plus the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin—all under the direction of Kent Nagano. Its very literary libretto mixes poetry by Sor Juana, Rosario Castellanos and Gabriela Mistral with passages from the Bible, New Testament Apocrypha, and English Mystery Plays. This is a very special work.

Staple Singers, 25TH DAY OF DECEMBER (Stax)—Originally released in 1962, Pops Staples (and his very identifiable reverb-y guitar) and his children (Mavis, Yvonne, and Mervis) sing gospel-infused holiday songs. 

Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (Verve)—Recorded in 1960, the First Lady of Song swings the classic holiday tunes like no one else. Every generation of jazz singer has studied this classic.

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra (Capitol)—Recorded in 1957, this is a highlight from Frank’s Capitol years, with very hip arrangements by Gordon Jenkins.

Phil Spector, A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU FROM PHIL SPECTOR (Sony)—Originally released in 1963, this is one of the greatest Christmas albums of all time. Producer Spector was at his peak in creating his “wall of sound,” and the over-the-top renditions of holiday hits by the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Darlene Love will never be surpassed.

FAVORITES FROM RECENT YEARS

Bob Dylan, CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART (Columbia)—On his last three albums, Bob Dylan has explored the breadth of American song, going all the way back to parlor songs, ragtime, and old-time blues and ballads. But Christmas songs? Yes, indeed—Christmas in the Heart has some very hip arrangements and a cheery backup chorus as well. How about “The Christmas Blues,” a Hawaiian number (“Christmas Island”), or a rousing norteño polka (“Must Be Santa”), complete with accordion? Dylan sings the classic religious tunes with sincerity and longing, and the pop tunes with a surreal smile in his voice.
All of the CD royalties will be donated to Feeding America, a charity providing meals.

Yo-Yo Ma & Friends, SONGS OF JOY & PEACE (Sony)—The lineup is amazing: Renée Fleming, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Joshua Redman, members of the Silk Road Ensemble, fiddler Natalie McMaster, bagpiper Cristina Pato. There are four improvisations on Dona Nobis Pacem, featuring Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile; the Assad Brothers; Paquito D’Rivera; and Chris Botti.

Mary Chapin Carpenter, COME DARKNESS, COME LIGHT: 12 CHRISTMAS SONGS (Zöe/Rounder)—Twelve original songs of the season.

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, JINGLE ALL THE WAY (Rounder)—Collaborating with Tuvan throat singers, and the great clarinetist, Andy Statman, banjo master Béla and the Flecktones come up with the freshest arrangements.

Diana Krall, Christmas Songs (Verve)—Diana Krall has been at the top of the jazz charts for years, so it was just a matter of time before she recorded a holiday album. On Christmas Songs, she sings the seasonal chestnuts, plus a lesser-known Irving Berlin song, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” She is accompanied by the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra in arrangements by John Clayton, and, on three songs, by an orchestra in arrangements by Johnny Mandel.

Carla Bley, CARLA’S CHRISMAS CAROLS (ECM)—Jazz pianist and composer Carla Bley arranges and plays some wonderful Christmas tunes, along with Steve Swallow on bass, and the marvelous Partyka Brass Quintet. Traditional with a twist…highly recommended.

Sting, IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT… (Deutsche Grammophon)—Sting’s album is a quiet and thoughtful set of songs on the themes of winter and the yuletide season in the British Isles. Little-known carols are mixed with music by Purcell, Praetorius, as well as adaptations of Schubert and Bach, and a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. Sting recruits some of the best Celtic musicians around, as well as the chamber choir, Stile Antico. This is a subdued and beautifully-arranged collection, in the face of the prevailing onslaught of “jolly” Christmas CDs.

Imani Winds, THIS CHRISTMAS (KOCH, $17.98)—Imani Winds members Valerie Coleman and Jeff Scott are great arrangers—check out all of the wind quintet’s four CDs.

A NEW JOY: Orthodox Christmas (Harmonia Mundi), Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Chorus, Paul Hillier, conductor—The 19th and 20th-century compositions come from a rich Estonian, Russian, and Ukrainian liturgical tradition that was suppressed during most of the last century, and is only now being uncovered. Starting with the sound of bells, the hymns and carols on this CD are breathtaking, and are to be enjoyed the whole year round. A New Joy is one of the most beautiful recent holiday recordings.

James Taylor, AT CHRISTMAS (Columbia)—JT teams up with jazz arranger Dave Grusin for one of the coolest, swinging-est albums of holiday tunes. With an ace band and a string and woodwind section backing him, Taylor sings the first bluesy version of “Jingle Bells,” gives us “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” complete with the seldom-heard verse. From “Winter Wonderland” to “Auld Lang Syne,” Sweet Baby James makes even the most traditional songs seem new.

Sufjan Stevens, SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS (Asthmatic Kitty)—This box set contains five discs that were originally sent out every year to Stevens’s family and friends. Sweet, earnest vocals sing traditional favorites like “Silent Night” and “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” and his own whimsical creations like “Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)” and “Come on! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance!” You will not regret purchasing this collection that includes stickers, a short story by Rick Moody, a 40-page booklet, comics, and more. Songs is my new favorite holiday music. •Morgan McMillian

Odetta, GONNA LET IT SHINE(MC Records)

NEW ORLEANS CHRISTMAS (Putumayo)—The ever reliable Putumayo label salutes the holiday spirit, New Orleans style, with performances by, among others, pianist Ellis Marsalis, New Birth Brass Band, and the Dukes of Dixieland. Other Putumayo Christmas titles are: A JAZZ AND BLUES CHRISTMAS, and A FAMILY CHRISTMAS.

Kate & Anna McGarrigle, The McGarrigle Christmas Hour(Nonesuch)—When a family caroling session includes Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and friends like Emmylou Harris, the results are sure to be special. The album mixes two French carols, traditional songs, and seasonal originals. A highlight is Rufus doing a swoony version of Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.” The joy of gathering round and singing together comes through on this album, and it will add some new songs to your holiday songbook.

BACH: CANTATAS, VOL 15: For the Third Day of Christmas (Soli Deo Gloria), The Monteverdi Choir & The English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner, conductor—Another release in Gardiner’s majestic, year-long Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, completed in 2000, Vol. 15 was recorded live at St. Bartolomew’s in New York.
More:

Louis Armstrong & Friends, CHRISTMAS COLLECTION (Hip-O)—Besides Louis singing “’Zat You, Santa Claus?” “Cool Yule” and “Christmas in New Orleans,” you also get Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” and gems from Mel Tormé, Louis Jordan, and Peggy Lee.

Anonymous 4, WOLCUM YULE (Harmonia Mundi)—With Irish harpist Andrew Lawrence-King). Anonymous 4 has also done three other seasonal albums.

Chrismas with the Tallis Scholars (Gimmel)—A double CD for a low price, this is a fine introduction to one of the premier groups in Renaissaince music.
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Pete Seeger, Traditional Christmas Carols (Smithsonian/Folkways)—From 1967, Pete sings, with banjo and guitar.

ESSENTIAL CAROLS (Decca, 2CD), King’s College Choir
TCHAIKOVSKY: NUTCRACKER: Complete Ballet(Philips), Kirov Orchestra, Valery Gergiev, conductor.

Local Favorites:

Linn Barnes & Allison Hampton, HOLLY EVE (Oak Leaf Records)—Longtime DC favorites, guitarist/lutenist Linn Barnes and Celtic harpist Allison Barnes have released their third holiday CD, following Wassail and Yule. Holly Eve has arrangements of tunes from Welsh, Breton, Provençal, German, French and English sources. Linn & Allison also have two other holiday CDs, YULE and WASSAIL (Oak Leaf Records).

Denyse Graves, A CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS (Carmen)

THE CHARLIE BYRD CHRISTMAS ALBUM (Concord)

The Washington Chorus, SING NOEL! (Gothic)

Last Train Home, HOLIDAY LIMITED (Red Beet Records)

Music for Hanukkah

The Klezmatics, WOODY GUTHRIE’S HAPPY JOYOUS HANUKKAH (JMG)—While living in post-war Coney Island, and, inspired his mother-in-law, the Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, Woody Guthrie wrote many Jewish-themed lyrics. Though he never had a chance to set them to music, the Klezmatics take on that task, with vocalist Lorin Sklamberg and trumpeter Frank London providing clever arrangements, and the band in full happy Hanukkah spirits.

Eran Baron Cohen, SONGS IN THE KEY OF CHANUKAH (New Line)—Composer for his brother’s (Sasha Baron Cohen) films, Eran spins some new tunes for the season.

Festival of Light (Six Degrees) is a compilation featuring klezmer, jazz, and pop musicians doing traditional and original Hanukkah songs. Artists include the Klezmatics with Chava Alberstein, Rebbe Soul, David Broza; even Jane Siberry and They Might Be Giants take a turn. A highlight is the Masada String Trio doing “Bikkurim.” There is also FESTIVAL OF LIGHT VOL. 2 (Six Degrees).

Finally, I recommend any of guitarist Tim Sparks’s three CDs of arrangements of traditional Jewish melodies from around the world, “from Yemen to the Caucasus, from Krakow to Tin Pan Alley” (all on the Tzadik label). Neshamah is for solo steel-string guitar; Tanz adds bassist Greg Cohen and percussionist Cyro Baptista; and, finally, At the Rebbe’s Table adds guitarist Marc Ribot on nylon-string guitar, plus cellist Erik Friedlander to the trio. All of Spark’s albums are wonderful for year-round listening.