12 Songs of Christmas is a holiday album by American singer Etta James, released in October 1998 through the record label Private Music. The...

Etta James - 12 Songs of Christmas

Παρασκευή, Νοεμβρίου 18, 2011 Giorgos Varvakis 1 Comments

12 Songs of Christmas is a holiday album by American singer Etta James, released in October 1998 through the record label Private Music. The album, produced by John Snyder, features standards arranged mostly by pianist Cedar Walton and solos by Walton, George Bohanon on trombone and Red Holloway on tenor saxophone. Critical reception of the album was positive overall. Following its release, 12 Songs reached a peak position of number five on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Artist: Etta James
Title Of Album: 12 Songs of Christmas
Year Of Release: 1998
Label: Private Music
Genre: Blues, Jazz, RnB, Holiday, Christmas Jazz
Quality:
MP3
Bitrate:
320kbps
Type: CD
Total Time: 1:03:26
Total Size: 144 mb

Tracklist:

1 Winter Wonderland Bernard, Smith 4:26
2 Jingle Bells Pierpont, Pierpont 5:26
3 This Time of Year Hollis, Owens 5:47
4 Merry Christmas, Baby Baxter, Moore 6:10
5 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Blane, Martin 4:45
6 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Coots, Gillespie 6:22
7 White Christmas Berlin 5:52
8 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) Torme, Wells 4:23
9 The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum) [Carol of the Drum] Davis, Onorati, Simeone 4:59
10 Silent Night Gruber, Mohr, Traditional 4:49
11 Joy to the World Handel, Mason, Watts 5:30
12 O Holy Night Adam, Dwight 4:50

Personnel
Adolphe Adam         Composer
Robi Banerji         Assistant Engineer
Lou Baxter         Composer
George Bohannon     Trombone
Ronnie Buttacavoli     Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Rudy Calvo         Make-Up
John Clayton         Bass
Lupe DeLeon         Executive Producer
Michael O. Drexler     Digital Editing, Engineer
John Sullivan Dwight     Composer
Franz Gruber         Composer
George Frederick Handel Composer
Billy Higgins         Drums
Red Holloway         Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
Etta James         Arranger, Vocals
Sametto James         Bass (Electric)
Lowell Mason         Composer
Sonny Mediana         Art Direction, Photography
Joseph Mohr         Composer
Johnny Moore         Composer
Johnny Moore         Composer
John Nelson         Assistant Engineer
Jay Newland         Engineer
James Pierpont         Composer
Josh Sklair         Arranger, Guitar
John Snyder         Producer
Cedar Walton         Arranger, Piano
Isaac Watts         Composer

Review
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
It's a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion. Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea. Each song on the album doesn't sound like a traditional carol, even if they're very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, they'll be quite pleased indeed.

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