Big Band Christmas

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Big Band Christmas Rating: Price: $5.98 Market Place $4.03 Buy Used From $3.35  by Intersound Records Release Date:   24 August, 1999 Sales rank:   125724 Catalog:   Music Media: Audio CD ASIN:   B00000JJVP UPC:   015095180827 Store:   Amazon.com Usually ships in 24 hours

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Songs List of Big Band Christmas

Joy to the World Once in Royal David`s City Silent Night We Three Kings Go Tell It on the Mountain - Margaret Becker Angels We Have Heard on High Caroling, Caroling Sleigh Ride Holly and the Ivy Christmas Medley: Jingle Bells/White Christmas (I`m Dreaming Of)/Winter Good King Wenceslas God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Away in a Manger - Rick Baptist O Come All Ye Faithful

Reviews for Big Band Christmas

Ralph Carmichael`s Big Band Christmas The Carmichael group is one of those fine working bands still around. The musicians are, without exception, excellent. These folks play straight ahead big band music with great precision and clarity. It is a very "clean" band. All the fundamentals are there....tone quality, intonation, phrasing, dynamics, rhythm, articulation, attacks, releases, improvisation.....everything. This is a vibrant, sensitive, happy big band (if there is such a thing) that plays with passion and fire, has fun and swings like mad. All of the techniques of great writing are evident thruout. There is all kinds of "stuff" going on....all the time. Carmichael is a great arranger who did lots of charts for Kenton and others from the 50`s to the present. If you have Kenton`s Christmas album (the band with 5 trpts, 4 trbs, and the mellophoniums) you will recognize many of these arrangements with a few modifications. Like the big, fat, "perverted 27th" chord (read 9th) at the end of God Rest Ye Merry. This program reflects Carmichael`s consummate skill. He is a master at writing counter lines, riffs and little "doo-dads". You hear them everywhere. His harmonies and chord structures are at once basic, sometimes complex, full, modern and fresh. Dissonance is used, but sooooo appropriately and tastefully. He`s not afraid to "sit on the keyboard". Keep your ear open for the riffs, licks, slides, glisses, glides, counter lines and motifs, assorted beeps, bops, rips, pops, lifts, dips, flips, drops, fills, ka-chings, ba-dupes, ka-pows, duuu-dops, time shifts, beat shifts, and even (excuse me, Emmeril) some BAMS! The section work is superb. They blend. They bite. They flow. They schoomze. They scream. The quality of the musicianship is also reflected in the interpretation. From tender, lovely, flowing, sensitive, smooth lines to powerful, biting, stinging, screaming punctuation...all driven by a superb rhythm section. It`s all there. Don`t think there is a weak link in the group. I did have a problem with that funky little melodica synthesizer thingie (it`s called a breath box) that the piano player uses on occasion, but got used to it. It does offer a whimsical contrast to the precision playing of the band. You will also be made delightfully aware of the presence of the bari sax and bs trb. Carmichael uses them precisely the way they were meant to be used. Finally, you can actually hear ALL the music. For best listening get the CDs. The TV production is OK, but the CDs are outstanding. The mic placement, mixing, and engineering in general are superior. Unless you have one of those theater set ups, TVs have notoriously bad sound compared to a good stereo. He has two albums, in addition to this Christmas album, currently available on Amazon.com. One is "Big Band Classics", or something like that, on which they play those old chestnuts we have all played over the years. However, the sound on all the tunes, is much better than the originals...because you can hear stuff....because the finest, up to date equipment is used to record the band. The other album is a collection of "gospel" tunes. It too, is a great album with wonderful sound and interpretations. If you are a fan of big band music you will absolutely love these CDs. Ah garonteee! A Worthwhile Addition Carmichael arranged the carols for Stan Kenton`s Christmas LP `way back in the early sixties, and re-records some of them here. He`s added a female vocalist and a chorus for some pieces. Topnotch musicians, well recorded, great arrangements. I do think the Kenton recordings sounded better, to my ears, because of the use of mellophoniums and 5th trumpet and tuba, but Carmicheal`s use of French horns is quite listenable. Kenton fans may hear the ghostly presence of Stan in there.

Frank Sinatra Christmas

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A Frank Sinatra Christmas

List Price:	$16.95
Sale Price:	$11.53
You save:	$5.42 (32%)
Market Place	$12.05
Buy Used From	$7.00

 by Alfred Publishing Company
Release Date:   01 July, 1999
Sales rank:   1452878
Catalog:   Book
Media: Paperback
Author:   Sinatra
ASIN:   076040013X
Store:   Amazon.com
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Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

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Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection by Reprise Release Date:   26 October, 2004 Sales rank:   20060 Catalog:   Music Media: Audio CD ASIN:   B00063MC66 UPC:   081227654221 Store:   Amazon.com Usually ships in 24 hours Rating: Price: $18.98 Market Place $6.69 Buy Used From $5.70

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Songs List of Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

I`ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm The Christmas Waltz Santa Claus Is Coming to Town The Little Drummer Boy We Wish You the Merriest Have Yourself a Merry Christmas Go Tell It On The Mountain The Christmas Song I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I Wouldn`t Trade Christmas Christmas Memories The Twelve Days of Christmas Bells of Christmas An Old Fashioned Christmas A Baby Just Like You Whatever Happened to Christmas White Christmas Silent Night

Product Description of Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

Talk about your gifts of Christmas past, The Christmas Collection is a must-have for any Sinatra-phile, right down to its family photos and one priceless shot of Sinatra swinging a golf club next to the tree wearing a Santa suit! Complete with four previously unreleased tracks (some from live TV specials) -- including two with Bing Crosby ("The Christmas Song" and "White Christmas"), the 18-song collection surveys Sinatra`s holiday output and its effects are often chilling. Listening to him glide soulfully through Jimmy Webb`s melancholy but romantic "What Ever Happened to Christmas?" or hearing him do his immaculate phrasing on "Silent Night" when he was visibly frail and aging in 1991 are close encounters of a Sinatra kind that are rarely captured on one album. There`s also a delightful "The Twelve Days of Christmas" sung with his kids Nancy and Frank, Jr., from their 1969 record The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas and insightful and intimate liner notes by James Ritz, not to mention those magical orchestral arrangements. Here`s a five-star package to remind us that it`s still Frank`s world--we just rent a stable in it. Highly recommended. --Martin Keller

Reviews for Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

Christmas Feast With Some New Goodies! My four-year-old granddaughter Emily still doesn`t realize it . . . but her favorite lyricist is Johnny Mercer. We`ve been singing songs like "I Remember You" and "I Thought About You" each night after prayers since she was only two. Now, thanks to this (her new, favorite Christmas CD) Emily will be singing Irving Berlin`s seasonal classics (both of them included here). Last night I took Emily and her seven-year-old brother Thomas to see "The Polar Express." On the way home, in the darkness of her father`s car, and with the first blizzard of the season bearing down on the "world`s `coldest major city" (according to the U.S. Consular service) the little lady treated us to a-chorus-or-ten of "Felice Navidad" (or as she has re-Christened Jose`s Yuletide treasure: "Felice nany-mah.") Later, in between her sips of hot chocolate-with-floating-pink-marshmallows, (and while grandpa cursed his way around the front window with the last string of colored lights) my little, blue-eyed angel added or adjusted the last of our Christmas tree ornaments -- while listening to Frank Sinatra sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Emily immediately recognized Frank`s version on this CD as the very same one she`d heard only an hour before at "The Polar Express." In the movie Frank`s rendition of the song is given pride-of-place -- underscoring the very climax of the movie - at the arrival of Santa to a thunderous welcome from the elves. Emily was entranced. And so here we are, on the eve of the anniversary of Frank Sinatra`s birth. There is the requisite roaring fire sheltering us against the snow (that just turned to freezing rain); and, with genuine French champagne in our veins, we are luxuriating in the sounds of this, the best ever Frank Sinatra Christmas compilation. To borrow a line from the opening track of Irving Berlin`s `other` Christmas classic [both are here, including a duet with Bing, on Crosby`s all-time (secular) Christmas best seller] "I can`t remember a worse December, just watch those icicles form . . . What do I care if icicles form? I`ve got my love to keep me warm . . ." ---- I acquired this CD only yesterday. I`d been walking out the door of a big department store and suddenly pulled up - unable to believe my ears: A `new` Sinatra song! Even hearing it through a tinny little ceiling speaker, I could appreciate its rare beauty. I knew in an instant this song, obviously titled "Christmas Memories" had been arranged by the late Don Costa (who in my book is second only to Robert Farnon as the "greatest string arranger" of the previous century). So there I stood in the doorway at Sears as if transfixed - being slip-streamed by other shoppers, while I savored every note of this `new song` "Christmas Memories" -- before heading right back into the store to find this album which contained this precious gift to Sinatra fans. Someday, if she cares about such things, I`ll tell Emily that this one was actually composed, not simply arranged, by Don Costa - and that the lyric was penned by multiple Academy Award nominees and `Best Song` Oscar-winners "The Bergmans" (Marilyn and Alan - who wrote so many magnificent songs with Michel Legrand and other composers). They were specially commissioned to compose the words for this Sinatra `single,` released in November of 1975 (and not recorded by any other singer for almost 20 years). Included incidentally later on this CD is the song that made the flip side of this single, recorded October 24, 1975 titled "A Baby Just Like You" (words and music by John Denver and Joe Henry). The liner notes imply that the singer - then a new Grandpa --- personalized the lyrics, (otherwise devoted to the true sanctity of Christmas celebration) -with words of greeting to his granddaughter Angela. It`s a more pedestrian tune, elevated (as usual) by a perfectly fitting Don Costa arrangement -- and with words that would tear at the heartstrings of any Grandpa: "A Savior King was born that day, A baby just like you . . . And as the Magi came with gifts, I`ve come with my gift too . . . That you may know the warmth of love And wrap it all around you . . . Merry Christmas little Angela Merry Christmas everyone!" The CD`s next track, "Whatever Happened to Christmas?" by Jimmy Webb -- another delightfully evocative arrangement by Don Costa -- was (according to the informative liner notes by James Ritz) first heard on the "Sinatra Family Christmas" album of 1969. Frank sings the next track "White Christmas" as a duet with Bing Crosby. This "previously unreleased" rendition was first seen on a "Frank Sinatra Show" televised the night of December 20, 1957. Sinatra`s favorite arranger Nelson Riddle conducts the orchestra; from the days of live television, its apparent the two old friends hadn`t really rehearsed the song; The two are out of sync more than once, and never stray from strict unison singing--- as if each performer felt the other should take on the harmony line - so neither did! The last track on this CD - the previously unreleased "Silent Night" - will be profoundly emotional for all of us who`ve watched our father grow more old and frail. Daughter Nancy recalls that, on the afternoon of the recording (August 21, 1991) "It was an emotional (time) because he was doing it for the children" (intended as a fund-raiser for one of Nancy`s charities). "He was," she says "not feeling good that day and it was difficult for him to record. I hear the weakness and the frailty in his voice, and it is so sweet and tender that it is just heart-wrenching." The emotional effect is deeply magnified by a new Johnny Mandel arrangement, commissioned especially for this 2004 release by producer Charles Pignone. The latter assembled some of Sinatra`s favorite musicians as the orchestra`s core, including Sinatra`s pianist since the 50s Bill Miller (on celeste), as well as guitarist Al Viola and percussionist Larry Bunker (whose credits on drums included a stint with Bill Evans). Longtime Sinatra associate Terry Woodson is given the `last word` in the perfect liner notes: "Right before it started" (this year`s recording of the orchestral supplement to the `Silent Night` recording of 1991) "I said to Al Schmitt" (a legendary figure among the great recording engineer`s of Hollywood) "that there is so much tension in (this) room, you`d expect `The Old Man` to walk in." In a very real way Frank Sinatra has done just that: walked back into the lives of his fans . . . with a little posthumous help from those who knew and loved him best-bestowing on us a real lasting and Yuletide gift -- what is certain to be a perennial, Christmas favorite for young and old. Emily will be presented with her very own copy -- to help deck the halls of Christmas`s-yet-to-come . . . inscribed by the funny old man she used to call `Grumpa.` And perhaps she`ll think of him when she hears the closing words of the song that was his favorite here: " . . . I close my eyes and see . . . Shiny faces, of all the children Who now have children of their own . . . Funny, but comes December And I remember Every Christmas I`ve Known." Not the best or happiest As a long-time fan of Sinatra from over the pond, I`ve never thought that he was that interested in Christmas, or at least the seasonal songs of Christmas. His album for Capitol was OK, but not up there with the likes of Nat Cole, or Perry Como, or even Dean Martin. This collection from Warners doesn`t do much to change my mind. It has been gathered from a number of sources, including a 1964 album with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, one from 1968 with his family, a one-off Christmas single, un-released snippets from a 1957 TV show, and a recording of "Silent Night", for charity, in 1991. Highlights are "The Christmas Waltz", and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". The numbers with Fred Waring and chorus are good too, although on some of them there`s precious little Sinatra solo; in fact "Go Tell It On The Mountain" is nearly all Bing Crosby. Crosby takes the lion`s share of the three short duets taken from the 1957 TV show - Sinatra joins in, reluctantly and out of time, at the end. The family album must have sounded a good idea at the time, but the songs now sound toe-curlingly embarassing. And he sounds distinctly uncomfortable singing "Little Drummer Boy". "Christmas Memories", a single from 1975, is a maudlin tune, reminiscent of "I Will Drink The Wine", belying the lyric about stringing popcorn and cookies baking in the kitchen, and by this time Sinatra`s voice was well beyond its prime, and sounds it. "Silent Night" was originally recorded with just piano accompaniment, for charity in 1991; it has had an orchestral arrangement by Johnny Mandel added to it now. Daughter Nancy admits, in the booklet and the DVD, that he was unwell and had to be coaxed (to put it kindly) to do it. I cannot describe how painful it is to listen to this track - he`s struggling for breath and it was clearly torture for him; I was just glad he made it through to the end. The "bonus" DVD, all seven minutes of it, has soundbites from members of the family, Johnny Mandel and the Sinatra alumni, gathered to record the orchestral backing for "Silent Night", then the recording itself, with very brief flashes of a young Sinatra and a Christmas tree. Throughout all of this the orchestral backing, arrangements and production are as good as you expect with any Sinatra recording; with the involvement of Nelson Riddle, Jack Halloran and Johnny Mandel they couldn`t be anything else. It is Sinatra`s vocal input that falls short in many ways, which is a shame. I prefer to remember him at his peak, rather than trying to eke out one last song in the twilight of his years. Comfort music To this day I still think Frank Sinatra`s voice is the one I hunt through my cd`s to find when I need something audio-cozy. His voice is still the most recognizeable, unmistakeable sound to my ears. The best version of "The Christmas Waltz" is his. Without a pause he could then sing something so silly like "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" then something so religiously moving like "The Little Drummer Boy" and then just easily swing into something so uptempo and fun like "We Wish You the Merriest." I love the inclusion of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." However, the most moving track of all is the oh so gentle age but still so emotionally strong sound in his voice for the final track "Silent Night." This cd was beautifully put together. I also recommend "Christmas with the Rat Pack" for some Dean Martin favorites too.

Encyclopdia of Jazz

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The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz   by Oxford University Press Release Date:   01 September, 1999 Sales rank:   188228 Catalog:   Book Media: Hardcover Author:   Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler ASIN:   0195074181 Store:   Amazon.com Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks

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Product Description of The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz series was Leonard Feather`s franchise for decades, providing fans with large-format books that featured photos of jazzers and short bios detailing their background and recordings. When Feather passed away in 1994, though, his editorial partner Ira Gitler was left with the task of completing this new edition, then four years in development. It`s much different from Feather`s earlier volumes--The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 60s, for example--opting for an all-text coverage and a standard-size hardcover, emphasizing perhaps the book`s inarguable value as a reference. For historical purposes, the book is vastly important, giving extremely concise rundowns of musicians` lives--so concise, in fact, that most multisyllabic words are abbreviated. For contemporary players, though, especially Europeans, the volume is spotty. Trumpeter Joe Morris, who wrote "Punch & Judy" and played throughout the 1940s and `50s with Johnny Griffin, Elmo Hope, and others is certainly important. But what of the living Joe Morris, who`s not a mainstream player but who nonetheless possesses amazing skills that reach at least as far as his predecessor? And while trumpet virtuoso Michael Philip Mossman is here, where is John Zorn? This isn`t nitpicking on the mainstream so much as it is recognizing that books like Jazz: The Rough Guide have stepped up to address the skimpy coverage of living, thriving musicians. Having said all that, it`s vital to note Gitler and Feather`s strengths: they`ve canvassed the past thoroughly, reaching to Italy to include reed dynamo Gianluigi Trovesi and pianist Giorgio Gaslini (but not trumpeter Pino Minafra or saxophonist Carlo Actis Dato). They`ve also caught key players from the early 20th century and from the peak bebop and hard bop eras, as well as the 1970s, when the avant-garde and fusion reigned in an oddly shaped jazz world. But these biographies were always Feather`s and Gitler`s strengths, making earlier by-decade editions of the Encyclopedia so important. --Andrew Bartlett

Reviews for The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz

Essential jazz reference book Back in the mid-1960s, as a high schooler just discovering jazz, I found a copy of Feather`s "Encyclopedia of Jazz (1960)"; it was a revelation and fostered my enthusiasm and knowledge of the music and musicians. I still have it. But this completely new book is just as good, if not better. It contains brief biographical entries on 3,300 musicians covering all eras, styles, and genres under the wide umbrella of jazz. The entries, though concise, are thorough and trace each musician`s career and recorded output. It should be on every jazz fan`s shelf. Highly recommended. Jazz Reference As a librarian, I can`t begin to explain the value of this volume for use by students and other patrons wanting concise but informative biographical information on jazz musicians -- a very popular topic for school reports. The entries may be short, but they are complete, and can serve as a starting point for further research.