I’ve been a fan of Alicia Keyes for years so buying her new Christmas CD should come as no surprise. Santa Baby is a mix of Christmas standards and some new songs. I heard an interview with Alicia Keyes on National Public Radio (you can listen to it here) and marveled at the discussion about how difficult it is to sing “Ave Maria.” GRADE: A
I also enjoy Dave Koz and his mellow smooth jazz music. If you’re looking for a soothing Christmas CD for those cold winter nights, Christmas Ballads would be the perfect choice! Are you all ready for the Holidays? GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Santa Baby“ | Joan Javits Philip Springer Tony Springer | Alicia Keys | 3:53 |
| 2. | “Christmas Time Is Here“ | Vince Guaraldi Lee Mendelson | Keys | 3:26 |
| 3. | “My Favorite Things“ | Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II | Tommy Parker Joshua “YNG Josh” Comerly[a] | 3:54 |
| 4. | “December Back 2 June” | Alicia Keys | Keys | 2:43 |
| 5. | “Please Come Home for Christmas“ | Charles Brown Gene Redd | Keys | 3:17 |
| 6. | “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)“ | John Lennon Yoko Ono | Keys | 4:05 |
| 7. | “You Don’t Have to Be Alone” | Keys | Keys | 2:19 |
| 8. | “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)“ | Robert Wells Mel Tormé | Keys | 2:47 |
| 9. | “Old Memories on Christmas” | Keys Natalie Hemby | Keys | 2:59 |
| 10. | “Not Even the King“ | Keys Emeli Sandé | Keys | 3:00 |
| 11. | “Ave Maria“ | Franz Schubert Walter Scott | Keys | 3:46 |
TRACK LIST:
1. The Christmas Waltz
2. Away In The Manger / Silent Night
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) / Imagine (feat. Rebecca Jade)
4. Greensleeves
5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / My Favorite Things
6. Ave Maria
7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / Happy Holiday
8. Merry Christmas Darling
9. Petit Papa Noël
10. Wrapped Up In Your Smile
I like Alica Keyes but not overtly fond of Xmas music. But smooth Jazz is for me the elevator music of this century. Greensleeves is a Xmas song?
Steve, sometimes I need some smooth jazz (aka, elevator music) to mellow me out. Hope you and Patti are ready for the Bomb Cyclone when it hits the Detroit area! Western NY gets it tomorrow! Our weather-guessers are predicting 70 mph winds!
I just keep telling myself that in four more days it’ll be over.
Michael, I’ll be back with non-Holiday music next week!
There are a lot of Christmas songs I like but hearing them so often for such a long period does detract.
Patti, that’s why we have over 100 Christmas CDs. Diane and I alternate the Christmas Playlist every year to keep it fresh.
Since when is “My Favorite Things” s Christmas song? Pass on both of these. I lay Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” instead (on the Phil Spector Christmas Album). She blows everyone else away.
Jeff, I think “Holiday” songs got mixed into the “Christmas” songs. I’m with you on Darlene Love: fabulous!
I’m not really a Xmas fan – too much Kitsch for me, but I bought the Phil Spector Christmas Album and Darlene Love was one of my favourite singers as a student.
Wolf, Darlene Love needs more love from the listening public!
“My Favorite Things” does have a Whole Lot about wrapping presents about…certainly an honorary Boxing Day song. Coltrane’s album (and even the Brubeck Quartet’s contract-fulfilling quickie) have made it Necessary for at least some jazz fans, such as Keys.
Of these, I suspect I’d like the Keys album better, wouldn’t hate the Koz. The K-files. K-Rations. Keys to the Season, and a Just Koz.
About it, that is.