Posted on: Friday, November 26, 2004
CD REVIEWS
It's starting to sound a lot like Christmas
Associated Press
"ReJoyce The Christmas Album" by Jessica Simpson; Columbia Jessica Simpson offers a variety of holiday treats that will appeal to both her young fan base and the older set on "ReJoyce: The Christmas Album."
She wisely chose to anchor "ReJoyce" (named for her late grandmother) with classics like "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" "O Holy Night" and "What Child is This." She delivers a simply beautiful rendition of "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)," and she performs "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" with a gospel choir.
On the flip side, Simpson puts her own stamp on standards like "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," giving both a retro-'50s jazzy treatment. She also updates "The Little Drummer Boy" with sister Ashlee.
The only drawback to the album is that it's poorly organized. Tracks jump from the most serious of religious carols to quick, catchy tunes without giving listeners much time to change gears.
— Caryn Rousseau
"Chris Isaak Christmas" by Chris Isaak; Warner Ripping off wild guitar riffs in between the smoothest of smooth vocals has always been Chris Isaak's claim to fame, and it's charming to hear him pull it off again on "Chris Isaak Christmas" without sounding redundant or unnecessary.
Sure, Isaak could sing the phonebook and make it sound sweet. But hearing him put his signature croon on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," just feels perfect.
He hits all the right notes on "The Christmas Song" too, with light and jazzy guitar chords melting into the background.
His backing band, Silvertone, is in top form as usual, the product of a lot of concert dates and heaps of talent.
— Ron E. Harris
"Everything You Want For Christmas" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; Big Bad Records Swing music specialists Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have chipped in for the holidays with "Everything You Want For Christmas," 10 soulless songs meant to be a kitschy yuletide offering, but missing the mark.
Let's be honest. These guys had their day, gimmick albums aside. "Everything You Want For Christmas" is simply their latest step in a long descent from quality music.
The BBVD guitar riffs aren't as fast as they used to be, and the piano playing sounds like hokey honky-tonk like "Mr. Heatmiser" and "Christmastime in Tinsel Town."
Sorry to be the grinch, but this is musical coal for the Christmas stocking.
— Ron Harris
"Barenaked for the Holidays" by Barenaked Ladies; Desperation Records The fine "ladies" from Canada really need no introduction. The all-male quintet's blend of quirky lyrics coupled with jangly, danceable music has made them more than a cult favorite nearly worldwide.
This 20-song, nearly 47-minute album is the personification of Barenaked Ladies: fun, irreverent and just what you need to hear, whether sitting around the Christmas tree, lighting the Menorah or grumbling about the throngs of crowds at the department store.
There's a nice blend of holiday favorites on here — "I Saw Three Ships" and "O Holy Night" and "I Have a Little Dreidel" — but the true gems are the originals. "Elf's Lament," is a laugh-aloud look at what it's like for Santa's elves who have to endure the hustle of meeting millions of Christmas wishes. It sure isn't nice for the elf, but it's naughty fun to have a laugh at his expense.
Other originals include "Christmas Pics," a jazz-inflected look back at family traditions and photo snapshots of the holidays. Throw in a cover of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and the holiday is complete.
— Matt Moore
