Anita Baker - Christmas Fantasy
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Anita BakerBrand: BAKER,ANITA
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-10-04
Music Label: Blue Note Records
Soundtracks:
- Frosty's Rag (Frosty The Snowman)
- Christmas Time Is Here
- I'll Be Home For Christmas
- Christmas Fantasy
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Moonlight Sleighride
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Family Of Man
- My Favorite Things
Free Music Notes for Christmas Fantasy
Free Music Review: Do you hear what I hear?
Hit: 5 Stars
Elegant, brilliant, far too short but oh so sweet while it lasts.
Anita Baker's new album "Christmas Fantasy" twinkles and gleams like the crust of a new fallen snow. Her voice is just as crisp and clear; just as strong as ever, if not stronger, and to me it seems, odd as this may sound, more "adult". Not more "mature" as in older, but more experienced. This is a woman whose voice is the instrument she has played since she was a child and it shows on "Fantasy". It is a more "grown up" album. Far jazzier than any other album she has ever released. The voice on this album is not the one of an elder diva but of the "Songstress". Fans of Anita's will swear these cuts were recorded in the late 80's. Her phrasing is superb, the timbre in her voice unchanged, with all the lilt, power, passion, punch, dance whatever you want to call the God-given velvet-lined thunderbolt of a voice she's been blessed with on a CD just in time for the holidays.
With a supporting cast including Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Joe Sample, the Yellow Jackets and long time producer Barry Eastmond this album is an instant holiday classic. From the "Nawlin's" flavored "Frosty's Rag", a new take on "Frosty the Snowman" that actually made me laugh out loud at one point, to the hyper-be-bopped version of "My Favorite Things" the 9 expertly engineered tracks on "Christmas Fantasy" (by none other that multi-Grammy-winner Al Schmitt) smolder, sizzle and pop like a fire on cold winter's night.
The afore mentioned "Frosty's Rag" is a Cajun flavored appetizer for the main course rest of the album. Of special note is "Christmas Time is Here", an homage to late jazz great and "Peanut's" pianist Vince Guaraldi that would make Schroeder green with envy. "Moonlight Sleigh Ride" is a bop wonderland for scat fans and Anita's shows off just how well she can, while at the same time giving generous amounts of album time for Nathan East and Joe Sample to showcase their talents. "Family of Man" I can tell you right now will be a concert favorite. People will be swaying, singing and clapping their hands along with Anita and the band the whole time. But my favorite, the one that is so beautiful not even the grinchiest of souls could possible listen to and not get a tear in their eye is Anita's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". As she sings "...O come let us Ah-ha-aah-dore him..." you'll smile and tear up at the same time. Quite possibly the most beautiful, solo (no choral backup) of this song I have ever heard. It's exquisite. Just to have this song alone is worth the price of the album.
I was saddened by the one star evaluation given by the poor woman a few reviews down. Maybe after listening a few more times her heart will have the chance to grow three times like another well known Christmas humbugger. "Christmas Fantasy" is a stylish, fresh yet still holding-on-to tradition offering from an artist whom I have always considered to be the very best at what she does.
If you'll pardon the expression, "Christmas Fantasy" is a priceless gift from Anita Baker for the holidays. If you're an Anita Baker fan this is a must have, if you're a fan of smooth jazz this is the perfect holiday offering. Do yourself a favor and don't put an "angel" on top of your tree this year...put one in your stereo.
Welcome back again, Anita! Thank you for giving your fans such a wonderful gift to share for the holidays.
Christmas Fantasy Poster
Last fall, eight-time Grammy-winning singer Anita Baker returned to the pop music scene after a ten-year hiatus with a gorgeous new album released on Blue Note Records entitled My Everything. After a triumphant year, Baker is back with a brand new holiday album: Christmas Fantasy. Baker arranged all nine tracks with producer Barry Eastmond, and penned three, for this soulful album, which includes such yuletide classics as "O, Come All Ye Faithful," "I'll be Home For Christmas," and a sweet rendition of "Christmas Time is Here".Baker first gained prominence with the smash success of her 1986 release Rapture (Elektra Records), following up with four more hit platinum albums and multiple Grammys for soulful classics such as "Caught up in the Rapture," "Giving You the Best that I got" and " I Apologize." Her debut release for Blue Note Records, My Everything was released in September 2004, debuted at #4 on the pop charts and quickly went gold. The album has received countless accolades including two Grammy Award nominations (Best R&B Record for "You're My Everything", and Best Traditional R&B Album) and several #1 radio singles.
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