THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512070158
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. And I must admit, I'm a softy when it comes to seasonal sounds. One chorus of ``The First Noel'' and I'm on a bus to boo-hoo city.
There are some exceptional Christmas CDs on the market. Here are just a few of my favorite things.
A Charlie Brown Christmas,'' Vince Guaraldi Trio, Fantasy.
One of the coolest things ever put on record. Jazz master Guaraldi's lyrical piano work, Monty Budwig's flowing upright bass and Colin Bailey's tasteful drumming provide the perfect soundtrack to the CBS special that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Half of the album's 12 tracks are traditional. The Guaraldi Trio glides through ``What Child Is This,'' ``Greensleeves'' and ``The Christmas Song,'' among others. The six originals are equally good. ``Christmas Time Is Here'' is the standout. This track perfectly conveys Charlie Brown's sense of disillusionment as he watches the other members of the gang get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. Tasty, tasty stuff. Absolutely essential.
Elvis Christmas Album,'' Elvis Presley, RCA
Say what you want about this guy, the voice never failed him. This album's ``Blue Christmas'' has pulled a million heartstrings over the last 35 years.
Side one of the album has the King singing more pop holiday tunes: ``Santa Claus Is Back in Town,'' ``Here Comes Santa Claus'' and ``I'll Be Home for Christmas.''
But side two is the stunner. Elvis goes deep in the soul for rousing renditions of ``Silent Night,'' ``O Little Town of Bethlehem'' and ``Peace in the Valley.''
Presley loved singing gospel. During breaks in his rock 'n' roll recording sessions, Presley would sit at the piano and sing the hymns he learned as a child.
Elvis never won a Grammy award for his rock 'n' roll. But at least the academy voters had the good sense to award him two Grammys for his gospel recordings.
December,'' George Winston, Windham Hill
Winston, a pianist, was one of the first ``new age'' music stars for the Northern California-based Windham Hill label.
He calls his music ``folk jazz.'' His recording technique is simple: Play piano into a microphone, with no overdubbing.
Simple, yet stirring, Winston plays a wide range of holiday music, notably an Appalachian carol from the late 1800s called ``Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head.'' My favorite track is the 19th century Ukrainian carol, ``Carol of the Bells.''
His originals, ``Thanksgiving,'' ``Snow'' and ``Midnight,'' conjure up a host of Christmas memories for me. This is really an all-purpose Christmas album. It works as background while decorating the tree, exchanging gifts with the main squeeze or reading stories to the children.
The Christmas Song,'' Nat King Cole, Capitol
My mother's favorite singer. No argument here. There aren't enough ``o's'' to spell the word smooth when descibing this man's voice.
According to the album's liner notes: ``Nat King Cole has chosen a program of songs that are not only his favorites, but the time-tested favorites of most people.'' Well said.
Cole is accompanied by two orchestras and three choral groups, all under the direction of Ralph Carmichael. The album, recorded in 1946, perfectly captures the magic of Christmas.
And although it's been said, many times, many ways, Cole's take of Mel Torme's ``The Christmas Song'' may be the best match of singer and song in music history.
The Beach Boys' Christmas Album,'' Beach Boys, Capitol
One of the album's tracks, ``Little Saint Nick,'' is a little radio-burnt, but the rest of the album sounds fresh.
Brian Wilson was at the height of his considerable producing and engineering powers when he cut this record in the mid '60s. His voice, one of the purest in pop music, was also in peak form for the album.
He and brothers Dennis and Carl, along with Al Jardine and Mike Love, are in perfect harmony. They sound fine on Brian's originals ``The Man With all the Toys,'' ``Santa's Beard'' and ``Christmas Day.''
The standout cut is ``We Three Kings of Orient Are,'' remarkable in its blending of the five men's contrasting voices.
Narada Christmas Collection,'' Narada Artists, Narada
I tend to like music that is unadorned. This album features pianists, flutists, guitarists and assorted other acoustic players' interpretations of mostly traditional Christmas music. Very quiet, but very good.
Billboard Christmas, 1955-Present,'' Various artists, Rhino
If you want the radio hits, this is the package. All the rocking tunes are here: ``Jingle Bell Rock'' by Bobby Helms, ``Rocking Around the Christmas Tree'' by Brenda Lee, ``Please Come Home for Christmas'' by Charles Brown and ``White Christmas'' by Bing Crosby.
This is the holiday party platter.
Also offered for your consideration:
``Interpretations,'' Boyz II Men, Motown - Their version of ``Silent Night'' ranks with the best ever.
``Fresh Aire Christmas,'' Mannheim Steamroller, Gramaphone - Not exactly traditional, Chip Davis is a one-man band. He does something that is nearly impossible: Davis puts soul into a synthesizer.
Happy Holidays. Have a musical little Christmas. MEMO: John Harper covers Outer Banks entertainment for The Carolina Coast.
Send comments and questions to him at P.O. Box 10, Nags Head, N.C.
27959.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of RCA records
Elvis Presley's ``Blue Christmas'' song has pulled a million
heartstrings over the last 35 years.
Photo
Nat King Cole. My mother's favorite singer. No argument here.
There aren't enough ``o's'' to spell the word smooth when descibing
this man's voice. His album, ``The Christmas Song,'' was recorded
in 1946 and it still captures the magic of the season.\
by CNB