5 comments about Smooth Jazz Christmas.

1. Smooth Jazz listeners have one characteristic in common,they never wait for the masses to tell them when a CD is going to be a hit they know from the first sound to the last it's a winner. So is the case with Marcus Johnson's Smooth Jazz Christmas CD.Starting with the Waltz style sound of "We Three Kings" to the funky smooth groove of "Little Drummer Boy" to the hipswaying/electric slide/cha cha/hand dance sound of "This Christmas", down to the smooth,silky voice of Keith Ailer on "The Christmas Song", this cd is sure to please every listener's palate in music.This cd comes with some top notch musicians as well; Sax:Jackiem Joyner, Guitar;Stanley Cooper,Justin Young, Acoustic Guitar:Manual Saiz Sr. , Bass:Sean Ceason, Keys:Bryan Mills,Louis Hayslett, Drums:Jason Holt (check him out on Little Drummer Boy), Vocals: Kia Calloway (beautiful rendition of "Let It Snow"). Last but not least one of the most incomparable smooth jazz pianist of our time Marcus Johnson who is sure to go down in the history of music as one of "the" greatest musicians of this era. Introducing to some and presenting to others,as he calmly takes us into Holiday Season 2005, MARCUS JOHNSON with his new cd titled "Smooth Jazz Christmas"..Enjoy & Merry Christmas TO ALL!



2. You know and love this guy's music, and, if you live in the DC area, you know him as co-host of Smooth Jazz 105.9's popular morning show. Keyboardist (and Three Keys Music owner) Marcus Johnson gives us the hottest, hippest Christmas album since Ramsey Lewis' immortal "Sounds of Christmas" project years and years ago. Marcus likes to think of his music as "instrumental R&B," and SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS has definitely got the smooth grooves goin' on... Plus some very cool straight-ahead stuff too. This one's gonna get tons of play in my house this season, and for seasons to come. All the tunes are holiday classics, from the carols to the secular pop favorites, and Mr. Johnson breathes fresh new life into each one of them. You'll be hearing this one a lot on your favorite Smooth Jazz outlet as well this season. My favorites include the festive "This Christmas," the sultry take on "Little Drummer Boy," and East Coast crooner Keith Ailer's rich vocal work on "The Christmas Song." What's important to me in a Christmas album, though, is that all the songs are great, and that it wears well when you put it on endless repeat for those holiday get-togethers. SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS passes that test with flying colors, and I'm betting that it's destined to become an instant Christmas classic. ~SCOTT O'BRIEN



3. Marcus Johnson is a wonderful jazz artist and business man who is a great credit to his community. His music should be heard nationwide. This cd is a must have addition to one's Christmas music collection.



4. Marcus Johnson's unique style of jazz is translated into a compilation of good music for the listener.



5. I just can't get enough of this cd. It's August and I'm still listening to it! It's simply a beautiful display of perfect musicianship. I highly recommend it. It will surely touch your heart and stir your soul during the Christmas seasons to come.

3 comments about Christmass.

1. This is a compendium of mostly live recordings from Frank Black's latest solo acoustic tour. If you're a fan, you probably already have this, but if you don't, get it while you can.
   
   It's a testament to the strength of his songwriting that so many of these tracks stand up to solo acoustic renditions. As you can see, he also peppers in a few Pixies songs here & there, which is always a treat.
   
   There are also a few *new* songs here, recorded while on the road and remixed. The best of them are "(Do What You Want) Gyaneshwar" and "She's my Way". I can't vouch for the others, which seem to be semi-failed experiments (especially "Demon Girl"... yeck).
   
   The outtakes at the end are quite funny, especially the last one where Charles is dealing with a drunken screaming fan proclaiming that she saw him step out of a UFO before the concert.
   
   Anyway, get it if you dig Frank Black. It's a great tide-me-over until Bluefinger is officially released.



2. Frank Black, a.k.a Black Francis, a.k.a Charles Michael Kittredge Thompson the Fourth is best known as the "inventor" of Alt Rock, while fronting "The Pixies", a late 80s/early 90s Cult band with fans like Curt Cubain and David Bowie (who has covered two Pixies tracks, including one "Cactus", on his 2002 album "Heathen"). But the Pixies have disbanded a long time ago, and despite a financially successful and artistically questionable reunion tour, true fans know that some of the most interesting music our hero has produced is scattered throughout his eleven Post-Pixies Studio albums, various B-Sides, and the soon to be released 2007 album "Bluefinger", which will feature Charles Thompson retaking his Pixies moniker for a concept album about the life and art of a Herman Brood, a Belgian Rock star.
   
   Meanwhile, we have this album. A true oddity, Christmass is a 2006 release featuring assorted live tracks, hotel room recording, and a couple of demo-level songs. Most of the album tracks feature only Frank Black and the guitar, and were recorded on his 2006 solo acoustic tour.
   
   This is not an album for the uninitiated fan, although Pixie-heads would appreciate the various Pixies songs here. Ever since it has been featured in David Fincher's classic Fight Club, "Where is My Mind?" became one of the Pixies' best known tunes. The rendition here is absolutely brilliant, Frank's powerful singing and the crowd's enthusiasm are both apparent. Of the other Pixies tunes, I quite like "Wave of Mutilation" which received subtle reworking, but am less fond of Cactus.
   
   The assorted studio recordings vary between the cool-and-bizarre "Radio Lizard" which features only vocals in one of Frank's most experimental recordings in recent years, "(Do What You Want) Gyaneshwar" which is a fine, fast Frank song, and "Demon Girl" which is a silly and forgettable love song.
   
   People who have been privileged enough to attend a Frank Black concert know that he's a phenomenal performer, and indeed, the live tracks are the highlight here. Though accompanied mostly by a guitar alone, Frank delivers rendition that routinely match or supersede the album versions. Although he doesn't hit gold every time - "Massif Central", probably the best track off Frank's 2003 album "Show Me Your Tears" sounds good but not nearly as powerful as the original - for the most part he delivers. So "Bullet" from "Dog in the Sand" sounds completely different (with the main riff muted) but every bit as powerful. "Nadine", not one of my favorite tracks, receives a spooky and subtly powerful reading, and "Living on Soul" a B-Side, sounds less like a hard rock track as in the original but as a powerful and effective pop/rock tune which narrates a sense of hopelessness, with cool cultural allusions to boost "You can't get off your stop/ like Old Charlie on the MTA".
   
   The highlight of the album, for me at least, is the new track "Dead Man's Curve" first recorded in an as-yet-unreleased session with long time collaborator Eric Drew Feldman, "Dead Man's Curve" is one of the best Frank Black songs of all time. Hard rocking, musically clever and lyrically disturbing "I've seen the lights on the valley
   /From Dead Man's Curve/Down lover's alley/I never lost my nerve". I have seen Frank perform this song live with a band, and it was an absolute peak in an outstanding show.
   
   The CD comes with a bonus DVD which features Frank alone on the stage. While Frank's trademark energy and intensity takes an unusually long time to load, once Frank Black gets to the groove, he offers a mesmerizing performance, with special highlights including 2002's "California Bound" and the Pixies' classic "Ed is Dead".
   
   Ultimately, this is a recording for those in the know. It shows a stripped Down Frank Black which may come as a shock to those who only know him from his Pixies or early solo days. For a new comer I would recommend the recent best-of collection. But for those who have already had a taste of Frank Black's music, and would like to go beyond step one, this is a worthy recording.



3. not only do you get a cd w\ unreleased F.B. songs, solo acoustic versions of his classics(and a couple of PIXIES hits!, you get a dvd of a solo acoustic frank black performance! it's like he's in the room playing just for you! you need this...

1 comments about Christmas Spirit ... In My House.

1. 
   Ok friends. The holidays are coming to a close again, I know, I know its sad. What we need is a little last minute celebration. One more cup of rum and eggnog, one more kiss under the misletoe, and one last Christmas sing along. What shall we sing? Well, lets grab the Joey Ramone IN MY HOUSE EP. This way, we get a short and sweet collection of up paced, yet home style, songs to warm the bones. Merry Christmas-I don't want to fight tonight, and What a Wonderful World will lead the cheer, but you also get a few other cuts. Don't forget to drop a sip for Joey Ramone... R.I.P and God Bless. Happy New Year kids....

1 comments about Deck the Halls.

1. This strange movie was as far from Christianity to obscene scenes, the music is as varied as the sordid duel between a successful doctor, played by Matthew Broderick who looks like the eye surgeon who botched both the cataract operations in January, 2002, when he put silicone implants in my eyes. He was very like my old dentist, Dr. Aymett Garner, who was also the Mayor of the small town. The new weird neighbors who moved in across the street from the doctor's family at night, were your usual un-Christian types. Buddy had decided to try to be a car salesman and sold his first used car to the owner of the dealership. His wife had been a model for a college art class in the nude, and the twin blonde daughters were interested only in sex and boys.
   
   The doctor's family were the opposite: dignified and the usual upper crust of the neighborhood and he was the Mayor as well as owning a store on the city square. When the two men meet, Buddy is stealing the doc's newspaper. The talk was weird as the words the doctor used were over Buddy's head, like "sarcastic" and "metaphorically." Later, Buddy did use "indigeous" to the region and "cliche" -- who'd have believed it?! The daughters of the sexy model found the big house owned by the doctor on the internet map, but their house right across the street was absent. Buddy decided to put Christmas white lights all over the house and his yard to make them visible from outer space. He even had a Santa's sleigh (the runaway horse scene was funny) with two skittish horses he had "found" on the outskirts of town on which he had duct-taped reindeer horns. He did have a real camel and sheep out in his front yard, with all of the general Christmas outdoor decorations.
   
   The music coming from his house was loud and obnoxious; yet, cars, trucks, all type of vehicles parked outside the doc's house to see the display. The vulgar sheriff even admitted that he had taken his family out to see it. No one around could sleep because of the noise and the light display. Buddy had stolen electricity with two different lines from the doctor's house. He had taken his project too far and it became a public nuiance. He agreed that it was a stupid idea but was encouraged by his wife to add on to the circus. This movie was way overdone, more worthy and fitting of a Will Ferrell flick like Elf.
   
   Steve, the eye doctor, was extremely organized, the exact opposit of Jeff and Christine who looks like his wife. His pre-teen precosious son used walkie talkies to take matters into their own hands to unplug the lights after the carolers led by the doctor could not perform their yearly ritual of singing "Deck the Halls" and other carols around the neighborhood. His son enjoyed watching the sexy females across the street and said this was his best Christmas ever.
   
   If you like bathroom humor (like those movie goers in this town), then this is the show for you this season. There is no dignity and it parodies Christmas -- no religious aspect. Christmas is the birthday anniversary of the Christ child who was totally forgotten in this low-class attempt to be funny. The music selected for this movie was not always appropriate to the season but to the obscenity of Buddy's attempt to outdo his high-class neighbor and to take over his place of being in charge of Christmas for the town.

5 comments about Birth of Jesus: A Celebration of Christmas.

1. 'Birth of Jesus: A Celebration of Christmas' is John Michael Talbot's nineteenth release. This CD contains -12 tracks- of beautifully performed traditional songs of the season. Some you'll know, ('We Three Kings'), others you probably won't ('The Appointed Time'). Still all in all, a very nice addition to anyones Christmas CD collection.



2. I have almost 150 Christmas CDs, so believe me when I say this is one of the best Christmas albums I've ever heard! Christmas is about Christ, which this album makes abundantly and beautifully clear. Most of the songs are traditional carols, some of them quite ancient, while the others are originals written by Mr. Talbot.
   
   The songs blend absolutely gorgeous orchestrations and arrangements with a boys choir and a hearty English chorale with definite medieval overtones. The two songs with Mr. Talbot's fellow monks just add to the overall effect of transporting the listener into the midst of a medieval celebration. I've heard no other Christmas album like this, although some tracks on Mannheim Steamroller's albums would be closest in style, and can't recommend it highly enough. Very beautiful, very spiritual, this album is truly what Christmas is all about.



3. My family loves this CD. We listen to it all year, not just around Christmas. It is very uplifting. Out of the recordings we have by Talbot, this is our favorite.



4. There is much Christmas music today that is trendy and modern, which is ok.
   But this Christmas CD has a more ancient feel to it, which somehow seems
   appropriate as we reflect on the birth of Christ. JMT did a great job on
   this project (I speak not as a musician but as one who loves hearing music).
   There are several original songs, as well as a number of traditional Christmas
   songs, all of them well done. Of the original songs that JMT wrote, I
   especially like "Wonderful Counselor" and "Glory to God". I highly recommend
   this recording.



5. John Michael Talbot isn't everybody's cup of tea, but those who appreciate his meditative and worshipful style will love this CD. This is classic JMT - beautiful lyrics, melodies, and guitar passages. If you're looking for a bouncy, upbeat holiday offering, this isn't it. If you want a break from the holiday hassle and rush and seek to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, you will appreciate this beautiful CD.

1 comments about Crystal Gayle Christmas.

1. Christmas just isn't the same without this classic album of holiday songs! I grew up listening to this, and recommend it to anyone.

No comments about Blue Christmas: Christmas Coll - 20th Century Masters.

1 comments about Midnight Groove: Art of Smooth Jazz.

1. When I bought this CD I said myself "I don't care...totally this CD is cheap." I am very happy to own this CD. Earl Kugh is as usual, great. Tod Cochrane's A Voice in the Forest is nice and peaceful. You will also feel good by listening David Arkenstone, The Braxton Brothers, Larry Coreyll and Tom Grant. However by far this CD pays off by the music of two extreme guitarrists that changed my concept of playing guitar: Peter White and Craig Chaquico. Both are really amazing. I could say that this CD value should be at least twice its Amazon tag. I strongly recommend to buy this CD!!!

3 comments about Southern Rock Christmas.

1. I would never have thought of either the blues oriented Canned Heat or Foghat as being "Southern Bands," just on the basis of their sound without bringing up they are from, respectively, the West Coast and the British Isles. That being said, "Southern Rock Christmas" is a nice collection of Christmas rock songs with an emphasis on the guitar as a instrument of holiday joy (e.g., Steve Morse on "Joy to the World"). The dozen tracks collected here go all the way back to the Sixties and include offerings from definitely Southern bands including Lynyrd Skynyrd ("Run Run Rudolph"), Charlie Daniels ("Christmas Time in Dixie"), and Alabama ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"), although clearly the rock part is as optional as the Southern. But I gave up on taking the hyperbolic titles of hit collections seriously a long time ago. Elvin Bishop gets bonus points for coming up with the most rocking version of "Silent Night" I have stumbled across to date, and you will be surprised to hear "Came Upon a Midnight Clear" as offered up by BR5-49. The Fabulous Thunderbirds doing "Winter Wonderland" is worth the hearing as well and if you do not have George Thorogood's "Rock and Roll Christmas," then this is a good way of picking it up. If you are not troubled by mixing blues and country with the holiday rock, then the other serious complaint is that there are only 12 tracks and less than 40 minutes of music.



2. Amazing !! Any man who respect himself should have this cd. Have'nt you be bored with the soft and sweet versions of Christmas songs? Yoy can't have a Christmas party without this cd.



3. YOU WOULD THINK A CD CALLED SOUTHEAN ROCK CHRISTMAS WOULD BE SOUTHERN BANDS. I GUESS FOGHAT MIGHT BE FROM SOUTH ENGLAND, AND CANNED HEAT COULD BE FROM THE SOUTHERN WEST COAST. YOU THINK WHO EVER PUT THIS CD TOGETHER MIGHT HAVE HAD A LITTLE MORE MUSIC INFORMATION.

No comments about Christmas With Mandolins.