Tony Bennett - A Swingin' Christmas
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Free Music Notes for A Swingin' Christmas
Free Music Review: Love notes to Tony's newest album
Hit: 4 Stars
A delightful package of holiday music. To my surprise the theme music from Loretta Young's CHRISTMAS EVE by Johnny Mandel now has lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. To me it is the highlight of the album. A lush arrangement of ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU.
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE from A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is the best version other than the original soundtrack recording.
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is beautifully done but whenever I hear this song memory takes me back to the TV film THE EXECUTION OF PRIVATE SLOVIK. Sinatra's version of this played over the execution preparations and deed. So it bothers me. When Doris Day sings it I have no problem. Go figure.
O CHRISTMAS TREE with a quartet is another highlight.
The swing numbers make up most of the album. I don't really care for these songs performed that way but they are well done.
Good job.
Free Music Review: Weathered yet worthwhile
Hit: 4 Stars
While Tony Bennett has sounded better in the past, the sincerity of his interpretations exudes a warmth missing from most contemporary holiday releases. Anyone interested in hearing a familiar voice in these turbulent times would be well served with this nice little collection.Free Music Review: Tony Bennett At His Best
Hit: 4 Stars
Not as good as his last but essential Christmas classics. Have to add to your Christmas library! Tony never disappoints especially with the big band sound, exactly what we're missing this time of year.Free Music Review: Reality Check
Hit: 3 Stars
I wanted to really get excited over this release, since I really like jazz big bands doing holiday music - with or without singers. At 37 minutes and 6 seconds, this CD reminds me of an LP and is very short on music. The Basie band is "featured" on only 6 of the 11 tracks and is very subdued. As described on the "Making Of" DVD, Tony Bennett has his own tempo - and this is a tempo different from the normal Basie band tempo. This "Making Of" DVD also has the Basie band working with Bennett on "A Christmas Song" for a brief segment, but this chart is not on the CD for whatever reason. The Deluxe edition (apparently only available at Target) has a "Live in Concert" DVD add on in addition to the "Making Of" DVD that covers only 4 of the Basie charts with Bennett (genereously considering that "My Favorite Things" is a Christmas song).
I would really want to give any Basie & Bennett collaboration all the stars possible, but with the Basie band on a little more than half the songs, with the 37 minutes of music around half of a normal CD, and with the music coming across as half of what it is capable of being, 3 stars is quite generous.
Free Music Review: A Little Disappointed
Hit: 3 Stars
We love Tony Bennett AND big band music, but we were a little disappointed in this. Just seemed bland, with little feeling.