duaneiac

This is one I bought this year which I really liked:

Disc 4 of 4, which contains a June 27, 1960 recording of a concert in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This was my last holiday disc for the season: I was kind of disappointed by that disc. I saw the HCSF perform songs from the CD during a holiday concert the year that disc came out and the songs seemed much better "live". Maybe they had had more time to live & work with the arrangements or maybe they could relate to the material better because the concert was in December and they could really feel the holiday spirit then (which can be hard to do in a recording studio months before Christmas).. The CD is "ok", but the concert was "really good".

This has some 1930's recordings, but some tracks are from the 40's and 50's as well. Still,m it's a dandy compilation ans Louis' reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" is delightful icing on the holiday cake!

I listened to this CD and was totally floored by this Martin Denny track. It's performed in an MJQ vein (I wonder who the vibist was here) and really rather lovely, not what I would have expected from Martin Denny

Two legendary singers who never got around to recording a Christmas album, but there are a couple of wonderful holiday video clips to enjoy. This first one has become one of my favorite seasonal tunes, even if it is kinda depressing. A captivating performance with no flashy camera work or quick editing -- just an immensely talented singer who could give a more compelling performance simply seated in a chair than most any singer today could give with loads of lasers, lights and backup singers and dancers to support them. Next, a truly awful song given a much better performance than it deserves. "Ya gotta do what Ethel does" -- where can I buy that on a T-shirt? This video also contains the wonderful seasonal sentiment, "Imogene -- ya look like an idiot!". This was probably shot on a mid-size TV studio set, but the old gal was still singing for the folks at the back of the balcony. It must have been something to have to stand next to her while she was belting out this tune.

Darlene Love recorded a full Christmas album a few years ago. It's okay, but it's hard to top the original "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)". which is one of the real gems of pop music.

My gosh, that's awful news! He was such a powerful singer, one I've enjoyed listening to for over 20 years after discovering him on his early CDs on the Enja label. I only got to see him perform once and he was a good "live" singer too. That's way too young for him to pass away. I'm very thankful for the music he made and left for us to enjoy. May he Rest In Peace.

A few suggestions: and this CD features Christmas songs sung by Betty carter, Shirley Horn and Abbey Lincoln:

I'm so sorry to learn this. She was one of my favorite singers. I got to see her perform once about 18 years ago, I guess, when she was touring to promote one of her Concord Records releases. She was still a terrific performer then. Since I had not heard any news about her in quite a while, I assumed she must have had some health issues. I hope she is at rest now. Thank you Ms. Smith for all your wonderful music. (When I saw her perform, they had a table in the lobby where one could sign up for her mailing list. For the next two years, right around this time of year, i got in the mail a free Keely Smith desk calendar. Cool!)

I am grateful to the Grateful Dead for putting out a couple of Ken Nordine albums on their own record label.

followed by

The newest one from Van Morrison is a mix of originals and standards like "The Party's Over", "Unchained Melody" and "Makin' Whoopee". Sir James Galway appears on one track.

Yaaar!

Remembering Dave Brubeck Dis c 1 of 2 and also this on which DB appeared on one track, a performance of his and Iola's "God's Love Made Visible" (which has become one of my favorite Christmas songs). Also appearing on this CD are Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Grady Tate, Jackie & Roy, Toots Thielemans, Jon Faddis, Candido and many more.