We Three Kings; White Christmas; Winter Wonderland; Sleigh Ride; It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year; Christmas Heart; O Tannenbaum; Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful; A Child Is Born; Joy To The World; Angels We Have Heard On High (49.43)
Featuring among others Kenny Burrell, Conte Candoli, Pete Christlieb; Teddy Edwards, Terry Gibbs, Fete jolly, Eugene Maslov, Les McCann, George Shearing and Cedar Walton
This may seem on the face of it, a lightweight varied selection of seasonal songs put together for the Jazz fraternity. However, I can assure you that everyone is in a swinging mood, with one exception being Teddy Edwards' delicate solo saxophone on "Silent Night."
The remaining pieces favour the interpretations of the star pianists Cedar Walton, Pete Jolly, Eugene Maslov, George Shearing, Les McCann and Gerry Wiggins, Ralph Moore, Conte Candoli and Pete Christlieb make small contributions on three separate selections. Although the titles suggest the Christmas season, the performances would be just as enjoyable if played in mid-June!
If you like variety in your listening with not too many outlandish solos this CD could be very pleasing.
by Al Merritt