It's that time of the year: time to enjoy our favorite Christmas songs and other traditional holiday songs that have left their imprint. Jane Monheit brings us these and much more with her holiday album, also including a few surprises along with the usual fare.
Her warm voice gives the album a cozy feeling. “Moonlight in Vermont,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and Donny Hathaway's “This Christmas” provide the kind of soulful emotions that linger. Uptempo romps like “Sleigh Ride” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” rock with an exciting jazzscape meant to last. The latter proves her best; she delivers with convincing authority and shares the platform with her regular working quartet plus guest horns. Monheit puts her all into the song and interprets it with heartfelt clarity.
Her duo with guitar on “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” moves with a spiritual quality befitting the true essence of the season. “My Grown-up Christmas List” closes the official program with a lovely prayer for world peace. On the bonus track “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve,” Monheit echoes her wishes for a fruitful holiday season and wraps up the session on a positive note.
Visit Jane Monheit on the web.
By Jim Santella allaboutjazz.com
Technorati tag: Jazz
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