Every year I find myself hunting through record stores for something "different" to listen to during the holidays and invariably walk out empty handed. Most Christmas albums are either very traditional or recorded in a very stylistic way. In other words, they were made in a very reverent manner which gives the feeling of being set in cement.When Tim Houser asked me if I would like to be part of the Manhattan Transfer's Christmas Album I immediately said "yes." The very thought of collaborating with these four unique and talented individuals would be the key to making the truly special album I have been seeking.
Well, different is good, and with the four CDs previously mentioned you've definitely got the "traditional" approach in virtual lock-down. So here we have soulful harmonies on songs like "The Christmas Song" and a little jazzier version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," along with the more unusual, such as their cover of the Lennon & McCartney tune "Goodnight." This is a fun, pleasant Christmas album, offering a wide variety of Christmas songs and reflecting a very different musical tradition. Of the group, I'd have to say that this one, along with the Frank Sinatra disc, are the best of the bunch, and definitely could serve as excellent additions to anyone's Christmas music collection.
Article comments
1 - Shuga
Ehh i think ill stick to the old fashion christmas songs. Hey but dont get discouraged all those ones had to have started somewhere right??