Dianne Reeves - Christmas Time Is Here
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Dianne ReevesEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-10-05
Music Label: Blue Note Records
Soundtracks:
- Little Drummer Boy
- Carol of the Bells
- Christmas Time Is Here
- This Time of the Year
- Christmas Waltz
- I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Christ Child's Lullaby
- A Child Is Born
- The Christmas Song
- Let It Snow
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Free Music Notes for Christmas Time Is Here
Free Music Review: Fresh interpretations of familiar Christmas songs.
Hit: 5 Stars
What fun it is to hear Dianne Reeves giving fresh interpretations of Christmas standards. In an exciting album of great variety, she ranges from an almost traditional interpretation of "The Christmas Song," which she sings as a slow, danceable ballad with simple piano accompaniment (Peter Martin), to her spectacular jazz celebration of "A Child Is Born," with drums (Gregory Hutchinson), wailing sax (Steve Wilson), syncopation, and Dianne singing scat.
Apparently recognizing that most people buying Christmas albums are looking for music that has some resemblance to the traditional carols they grew up with, Dianne does not aim to overpower the original sounds with jazz variations, choosing instead to recognize the mood and meaning of each song while giving it a unique twist. "Little Drummer Boy," which opens the album, for example, is sung as a clean, quiet ballad, but its unexpected syncopated beat and an accompaniment consisting solely of drums, bass, and percussion create an exciting new interpretation. "Carol of the Bells," with a happy, up-tempo beat and deliberate dissonance, features extended solo riffs on the vibes (Joe Locke) and sax (Steve Wilson), and though Dianne sticks fairly close to the original melody, she does it in surprising, finger-popping swing beat.
In the wonderful "Let it Snow," a happy, toe-tapping background of bass and cymbals sets off Dianne's extended scat and a jazz piano solo by Peter Martin. One of the most unusual songs is the upbeat "Christmas Waltz" (though no one would ever try to waltz to it). With a fast, syncopated bass (Reuben Rogers), guitar (Reuben Lumbambo) and piano, Dianne allows herself to be a jazz artist here, singing scat, and, in a nice touch, including children at the end. Throughout the album, she is generous with her accompanists, as each one solos and often plays off each other. And just when you think it's impossible for anyone to make "I'll Be Home for Christmas" or "This Time of the Year" sound fresh, Dianne Reeves does it.
By giving fairly traditional songs unique beats and introducing new, jazzy interpretations to others, this is an album which should appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. Dianne's control, her wonderful diction, her attention to the meaning of the songs, and her ability to recognize the value of quiet interpretations and soft sounds on some tracks make this an album that honors the holidays by paying homage to its many moods. Grammy #4 may be on its way for this one. Mary Whipple
Christmas Time Is Here Poster
Japanese pressing of the jazz vocalist's 2004 release, scheduled to include one bonus track. Details TBA. Blue Note.Jazz singer Dianne Reeves has created one of the tastiest holiday jazz records in recent memory. Ripe with emotional transformations and musical innovation, Reeves takes you on a winter sleigh ride rich with an acute sense of phrasing and a warm, range that will captivate. You won't immediately recognize most of the dozen standards here since Reeves and a smart group, led by pianist Peter Martin, revise and deconstruct the holiday staples that range from "Christmas Time Is Here" to "Christ Child's Lullaby" (the former delivered like a torchy love song, the latter a delicate folk arrangement framed by a string section). This singer's singer takes such delight in singing in and out of melody lines and pushing a phrase above, below and sometimes beyond that she sweeps you up into her flights of fancy and finesse. Just listen to her change "The Christmas Waltz" into a rhythmic wonder. The reward for owning this disc once the ornaments and the rest of the CDs go back in the attic? You get to keep this one out and play it all year round. --Martin Keller
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