Christmas Songs (1999) (Feat. Bridgewater/King/Krall )

Product Summary Label: Telarc UPC: 00089408343728 Release Date: 9/28/1999 Buy.com Sku: 60380059 Item#: MGFY9Y Buy.com Sales Rank: 25654 Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Away In A Manger - (featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater) ~ Ray Brown Trio 2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - (featuring Diana Krall) ~ Ray Brown Trio 3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman ~ Ray Brown Trio 4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - (featuring Etta James/Russell Malone) ~ Ray Brown Trio 5. Little Drummer Boy ~ Ray Brown Trio 6. Christmas Song, The - (featuring Kevin Mahogany/Russell Malone) ~ Ray Brown Trio 7. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - (featuring Ralph Moore) ~ Ray Brown Trio 8. Winter Wonderland - (featuring Nancy King) ~ Ray Brown Trio 9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas ~ Ray Brown Trio 10. O Tannenbaum ~ Ray Brown Trio 11. Jingle Bells - (featuring Marlena Shaw/Ralph Moore) ~ Ray Brown Trio 12. White Christmas - (featuring Vanessa Rubin) ~ Ray Brown Trio 13. Christmas Rap, The - (featuring Gregory Hutchinson) ~ Ray Brown Trio   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info Full title: Christmas Songs With The Ray Brown Trio. Ray Brown Trio: Ray Brown (bass); Gregory Hutchinson (vocals, drums); Geoff Keezer (piano). Additional personnel: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Nancy King, Diana Krall, Kevin Mahogany, Vanessa Rubin, Marlena Shaw (vocals); Ralph Moore (tenor saxophone); Russell Malone (guitar). Recorded at O'Henry Studios, Studio A, Burbank, California from December 15-17, 1997; Sony Music Studios, Studio D, New York, New York from April 27-29, 1998. Includes liner notes by Jon W. Poses. Personnel: Gregory Hutchinson (vocals, drums); Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall, Etta Jones, Kevin Mahogany, Marlena Shaw, Nancy King, Vanessa Rubin (vocals); Russell Malone (guitar); Ralph Moore (tenor saxophone); Geoff Keezer (piano). Liner Note Author: Jon W. Poses. Recording information: O'Henry Studios, Studio A, Burb (12/15/1997-04/29/1998); Sony Music Studios, Studio D, NY (12/15/1997-04/29/1998). Arranger: Ray Brown . Ray Brown finally got around to producing a Christmas CD and it was worth the wait. The great bassist has seven guest vocalists plus features for tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore and guitarist Russell Malone; his gifted trio includes pianist Geoff Keezer and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Dee Dee Bridgewater at first sings "Away in a Manger" in a traditional vein with only Keezer's fluid piano accompanying her, but Brown's arrangement evolves into a swinging gospel setting. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" showcases Diana Krall in a saucy, recurring call and response with Brown in a bluesy take. Kevin Mahogany is the vocal equivalent of an open fire on a cold night during "Christmas Song," which also has a nice solo by Russell Malone. Hutchinson does a humorous vocal rap on "The Christmas Rap," a funky original by Brown. Vanessa Rubin, Etta Jones, Marlena Shaw, and Nancy King also each add a distinct individual touch to a holiday favorite. The highlights among the instrumentals begin with a rather unique marchlike cadence that evolves into a Baroque fugue to introduce the centuries-old "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen," featuring Keezer's tremendous chops. Ralph Moore's hard-blowing tenor sax is the centerpiece of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Liner note writer Jon W. Poses' assertion that "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is "the trio's best improvisational vehicle" is difficult to debate. Even though the songs have been recorded countless times over the decades, Ray Brown's crisp and innovative arrangements and his brilliant choice of supporting musicians and singers make this Christmas CD one for the ages. ~ Ken Dryden Producer: Elaine Martone; Ray Brown Engineer: Michael Bishop Musical Guests Dee Dee Bridgewater Etta Jones Nancy King Diana Krall Vanessa Rubin Kevin Mahogany Marlena Shaw Russell Malone Etta James Ralph Moore Gregory Hutchinson   Compilation Appearances Concord Jazz Heritage Series S Usa All Stars In Berlin 1955 Jazz At Night's End Duke Ellington Swings Groovin' The Blues Intimate Evening Jazz For Dads Jazz Moods Jazz Live From New York Party Mix Celebrating 25 Years Jazz Collection Concord Records 30th Anniversary Box SACD Sampler 3: Telarc Jazz (SACD) Contemporary Records Story Harold Arlen Centennial Celebration Jazz Moods: sounds Of Spring Cafe Jazz Friends And Family Surround Sounds 2   Associated Artists and Works Alexander, Monty Almeida, Laurindo This One's for Blanton ~ Ellington, Duke Ellington, Duke Arrival: Jazz/Concord/Seven, Come Eleven ~ Ellis, Herb Gillespie, Dizzy Gillespie, Dizzy Gillespie, Dizzy Johnson & Johnson & Brown Jackson, Johnson, Brown & Company ~ Johnson & Johnson & Brown Johnson & Johnson & Brown Johnson & Johnson & Brown Jones, Hank (Jazz) Manne The Very Tall Band: Live at the Blue Note ~ Peterson, Oscar Peterson, Oscar Previn, Andre Basic Reeding ~ Reed, Lucy Various Artists   Technical Info Release Date : 08/29/2006 Original Release Date : 1999 Catalog ID : 83437 Label : Telarc Distribution Number of Discs : 1 Runtime : 51m : 37s Studio/Live : Studio Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : DDD UPC : 00089408343728    Product Image