From the Vault...

10/17/2004
#912

info
Chuck Brown & Eva Cassidy
"The Spirit Of Christmas"


© Raw Venture Records
Year of Release: 1999
Rating:

track listing
  • Merry Christmas Baby
  • White Christmas
  • What Are You Doing
    New Year's Eve
  • This Christmas
  • Silent Night
  • God Rest Ye
    Merry Gentlemen
  • Have Yourself A
    Merry Little
    Christmas
  • The Christmas Song
    (with Eva Cassidy)
  • The Spirit Of Christmas
    (with Eva Cassidy)

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    Chuck Brown & Eva Cassidy related sites:
    Chuck Brown & Eva Cassidy Websites
    Wikipedia: Chuck Brown
    Eva Cassidy

    Previous Review: #911
    Brooks & Dunn--Borderline
    Next Review: #913
    Triumph--Just A Game
    Chuck Brown & Eva Cassidy
    "The Spirit Of Christmas"



    Ok, so Christmas isn't here yet, but it is not too far away...


    Chuck Brown is a soul/blues artist, and he was fortunate to include a wonderful young singer by the name of Eva Cassidy on his Christmas album (on two songs), likewise the two of them recorded a duet album, entitled The Other Side. The songs contained here on Brown's The Spirit Of Christmas has the familar Christmas tunes, yet updated to a soulful and jazzy approach.


    "Merry Christmas Baby" definitely has an upbeat soulful approach, and his version of "White Christmas" mixes soul and new age jazz, easily fitting New Age Jazz formats. Likewise, another smooth jazz is the song not in the "familar standard Christmas" -- "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," a very smooth, bluesy mood setter. The upbeat soulful "This Christmas" also fits the New Age Jazz category, having a very happy-snappy jazz sound.


    "Silent Night" may best be remembered as very soft and slow, but Brown's version kicks it high in the upbeat soul fashion, which compares to one act featured from The WSVNRadio Hall of Fame, Soundoctrine. Likewise, another standard slow Christmas favorite is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Again, on Brown's version, it is has an updated upbeat New Age Jazz sound, as heard on his "Silent Night."


    But one song that has been done in the slow and easy fashion is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." And Brown's version is extremely exceptional, in a great slow and romantic jazz style. Likewise, the traditonal jazz style as heard on Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song" is heard on Brown's version, and it also includes a guest vocalist, Eva Cassidy, and both voices are truly beautiful, making this song a great Christmas song to add to anyone's list. The original "The Spirit Of Christmas" blends both Brown's and Cassidy's voices well, as any original Christmas tunes adds an extra texture to the well-known standard Christmas favorites.


    The Spirit Of Christmas has great soul and new age jazz, where any fan of this type of music will enjoy this album during the Christmas season. With the share of traditional favorites, a few originals, and the guest songs with Eva Cassidy, this album will bring up anyone's spirits for the Christmas holiday.


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    Previous Review: #911
    Brooks & Dunn--Borderline
    Next Review: #913
    Triumph--Just A Game