James Taylor at Christmas
Posted on | October 17, 2009 |
Looking for a smart, never-out-of-style singer who turns in a perfectly solid collection of Christmas songs, including a few surprises? J.T. is your man on James Taylor at Christmas, which is nicely balanced between pop and jazz selections, with more stately hymn-like fare and balladry. Always fine in his charmingly understated voice, Taylor and company try out the old gospel standard “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and the memorable “Some Children See Him.” He smoothly cuts through ” (more…)
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October 17th, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rekindle Your Love of Christmas Music!
James Taylor’s unique voice, and the instrumental arrangement for the carols on this CD create a beautiful listening experience!
October 17th, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
James Taylor’s voice is in excellent form on his Christmas CD entitled James Taylor At Christmas. The CD boasts an excellent collage of traditional and somewhat formal holiday hymns interspersed with more playful, upbeat pop numbers. The ultimate effect is sheer delight to almost anyone’s ears; and just one listen to this CD will prove it.
The CD starts off beautifully with a playful and heartfelt rendition of “Winter Wonderland.” Chris Botti plays the trumpet on this song, too. This secular music is quickly followed by the more religious “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”
Some other songs celebrating the joy of the holiday season include a pleasing and laid-back duet for James Taylor and Natalie Cole on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside;” “Jingle Bells” onto which James Taylor puts his own stamp using a unique arrangement; “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. Toots Theilemans does a great job on harmonica for “The Christmas Song,” too.
“In The Bleak Midwinter” is a much more religious song with a lush musical arrangement; James Taylor addresses the importance of loving Jesus as Jesus loves everyone. “Who Comes This Night” is based on the nativity scene in the manger and it is equally charming.
The CD ends with the thoughtful “Auld Lang Syne.” The musical arrangement is flawless and this is the perfect song to end this CD.
The liner notes are beautiful. There are two great photos of James Taylor and the song credits are there, too.
In addition, there is the issue of the differences between the three “versions” of this CD. This CD is, for the most part, a re-issue of James Taylor’s 2004 Christmas CD put out by Hallmark. There is the 2004 Hallmark version which is now difficult but not impossible to obtain. The 2004 CD has the song “Deck The Halls.” On the other hand, this 2006 Christmas CD has the songs “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “River,” a song about escaping from the holiday crunch-rush. There is, believe it or not, a third version of this album that does have “Deck The Halls” as a bonus track. I agree with the reviewer who writes that this third edition WOULD be the definitive James Taylor Christmas CD. If you can’t find the version that includes “Deck The Halls,” I suggest this CD as a solid alternative.
There may be three versions of this CD; but James Taylor surely put his heart and soul into every song on all three CDs. All technicalities aside, you can’t go wrong with this CD. It still boasts excellent sound quality, great cover art all its own, a wide range of Christmastime songs and excellent contributions by Natalie Cole, Chris Botti and Toots Theilemans. John Pizzarelli and Dave Grusin play guitar and piano respectively on this album as well.
May you get this CD and enjoy as much as I did! SMILE
October 18th, 2009 @ 1:36 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great service
I received the product as ordered, in the condition promised, and well within the shipping parameters established. That’s all I can ask for.
October 18th, 2009 @ 2:20 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Taylor at Christmas
Don’t have any James Taylor music, but I’m from his “generation” and I like his music. I especially love Christmas music and this is an excellent CD.
October 18th, 2009 @ 3:21 am
James Taylor’s Columbia holiday set is a gorgeous and friendly set that brings the smile of friends and good times to disc. Chris Botti’s trumpet is lovely on the opener “Winter Wonderland” with James’ voice oozing that warm friendliness that makes him sound like he’s in YOUR living room singing just for YOU! James’ voice is lovely on the gospel favorite “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “Shepherds watching over their flocks by night, out of the darkness shown a heavenly light.” “Jingle Bells” is recast as blues funk track with some tasty lead guitar licks. The teasing duet with Natalie Cole on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” polishes the lovely melody with their voices playing well off each other. Joni Mitchell’s classic “River” from her album “Blue” has now firmly become rooted in the Christmas cannon of modern singers with James’ lonesome voice tailor-made (pun intended) for the tune. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is stunningly beautiful with the melody boasting its hopeful cheer and James’ voice a dear lament for days gone by. “Some Children See Him” with Dave Grusin’s piano is beautiful in this sparse musical setting. “Who Comes This Night” is a new song penned by producer Dave Grusin that first appeared on James’ limited-release Hallmark set. With my family attending to a loved one who is all too quickly passing this holiday, its lovely message brings tears to our eyes, “Who sends this song upon the air to ease the soul that’s aching, to still the cry of deep despair & heal the heart that’s breaking.” It is simply a lovely melody, superbly sung. The set ends with a classic version of the great New Year’s song “Auld Lang Syne.” James Taylor’s “At Christmas” touches the heart in ways only his music could. Treasure this one! Enjoy!
October 18th, 2009 @ 6:46 am
It doesn’t get any better than that.
Yes, there are some really fine songs here, with new versions of old favorites. But, the absolute best song in this collection has got to be the duet with Natalie Cole, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. I don’t know of any other Christmas song that is sexy. This one song is worth the price of the whole CD. It makes me want to sit down with a glass of wine in front of the fireplace and watch the lights on the tree and dream a little, even when I don’t have time for that. But, it’s always worth it.
This is my second favorite CD ever (first is Nat King Cole and his rendition of “O Holy Night”, which is not at all sexy, but does make me cry it’s so beautiful). Third, in case you’re looking for more good xmas music, is Celtic Woman’s “A Christmas Celebration”, which is obviously a totally different sound but still so good you stand still and hold your breath.
I asked for this for Christmas, even though I already have a copy. That’s a first. But, I don’t want to take any chances on not having a good copy of this beautiful music.
Obviously, highly recommended.
October 18th, 2009 @ 8:06 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!!!
James Taylor performing with the brilliant musical arraingements of Dave Gusin along with a wonderful mix of great supporting musicians.
October 18th, 2009 @ 9:59 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have yourself a very Taylor Christmas
James Taylor’s Christmas album can be listened to all year long, because it is that good. I especially loved his arrangement of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.
October 18th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Taylor
Pure and simple James Taylor…what else is there to say?! I’m not big on Christmas music, but this one I listen to over and over - love it!
October 18th, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
just what I needed
Currently I am renting a small space and have stored non-essential items in a storage unit. Unfortunately this holiday season came and I had no Christmas ornaments, decorations,…
October 19th, 2009 @ 12:55 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Taylor Christmas CD is great
Great music to “get in the spirit” of Christmas. The pleasant, relaxing voice of James Taylor singing everyone’s favorite holiday songs, in his own great style. *****CD
October 19th, 2009 @ 6:54 am
2.0 out of 5 stars
Uninspired
A long time James Taylor fan - but there is a certain cheese factor about these arrangements that makes them truly difficult to listen to.
Do look elsewhere.
October 19th, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad track on the entire CD . . . .
I’m a huge Christmas music fan. 32 CDs in my collection . . . and still buy a new one each year. The day after Thanksgiving I just put them on multi-disc player suffle and let…