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JazzDigger Home > R - Jazz Artists > Dianne Reeves > Item 19
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Christmas Time Is Here
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by Dianne Reeves
Sales Rank: 683241
Price:$51.99
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Album Details
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1. Little Drummer Boy - Dianne Reeves, Davis
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2. Carol of the Bells - Dianne Reeves, Leontovich, Mykola
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3. Christmas Time Is Here - Dianne Reeves, Guaraldi, Vince
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4. This Time of the Year - Dianne Reeves, Benton, B.
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5. Christmas Waltz - Dianne Reeves, Cahn, Sammy
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6. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Dianne Reeves, Gannon, Kim
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7. Christ Child's Lullaby - Dianne Reeves, Traditional
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8. A Child Is Born - Dianne Reeves, Rowry, S.
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9. The Christmas Song - Dianne Reeves, Tormé, M.
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10. Let It Snow - Dianne Reeves, Cahn, S.
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11. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Dianne Reeves, Blane, R.
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Japanese pressing of the jazz vocalist's 2004 release, scheduled to include one bonus track. Details TBA. Blue Note.
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Listener Reviews & Comments
What fun it is to hear Dianne Reeves giving fresh interpretations of Christmas standards. In an exciting album of great variety, she ranges from an almost traditional interpretation of "The Christmas Song," which she sings as a slow, danceable ballad with simple piano accompaniment (Peter Martin), to her spectacular jazz celebration of "A Child Is Born," with drums (Gregory Hutchinson), wailing sax (Steve Wilson), syncopation, and Dianne singing scat. Apparently recognizing that most people buying Christmas albums are looking for music that has some resemblance to the traditional carols they grew up with, Dianne does not aim to overpower the original sounds with jazz variations, choosing instead to recognize the mood and meaning of each song while giving it a unique twist. "Little Drummer Boy," which opens the album, for example, is sung as a clean, quiet ballad, but its unexpected syncopated beat and an accompaniment consisting solely of drums, bass, and percussion create an exciting new interpretation. "Carol of the Bells," with a happy, up-tempo beat and deliberate dissonance, features extended solo riffs on the vibes (Joe Locke) and sax (Steve Wilson), and though Dianne sticks fairly close to the original melody, she does it in surprising, finger-popping swing beat. In the wonderful "Let it Snow," a happy, toe-tapping background of bass and cymbals sets off Dianne's extended scat and a jazz piano solo by Peter Martin. One of the most unusual songs is the upbeat "Christmas Waltz" (though no one would ever try to waltz to it). With a fast, syncopated bass (Reuben Rogers), guitar (Reuben Lumbambo) and piano, Dianne allows herself to be a jazz artist here, singing scat, and, in a nice touch, including children at the end. Throughout the album, she is generous with her accompanists, as each one solos and often plays off each other. And just when you think it's impossible for anyone to make "I'll Be Home for Christmas" or "This Time of the Year" sound fresh, Dianne Reeves does it. By giving fairly traditional songs unique beats and introducing new, jazzy interpretations to others, this is an album which should appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. Dianne's control, her wonderful diction, her attention to the meaning of the songs, and her ability to recognize the value of quiet interpretations and soft sounds on some tracks make this an album that honors the holidays by paying homage to its many moods. Grammy #4 may be on its way for this one. Mary Whipple
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Christmas Time Is Here
by Dianne Reeves
Price:$51.99
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