Customer Reviews
Big band, big chorus, big sound. - By: Mary Whipple, 03 Jun 2006 
A different sort of Christmas album, Harry Connick's CD features the big band sound, strong drums throughout, large chorusesin many songs--and Harry Connick. With toe-tapping rhythms & a casual, relaxed attitude prevailing, Connick presents many swingy versions of traditional songs & a number of quiet, soft ballads, accompanied by strings & chorales. Subtlety is not part of the pattern here--the music is, for the most part, bold, celebratory, & full of spirit--with the drums setting the beat & emphasizing the rhythms. The romance of the ballads is emphasized by violins & female choruses.
Throughout the album, Connick sets the pattern of the songsin the first stanza, retaining that pattern throughout, restraining himself from offering improvisations or variations, which would be difficult, if not impossible, with his large orchestra & choral ensembles.
"When My Heart Finds Christmas" begins as a romantic song introduced by strings, & builds to a crescendo at the end, to the accompaniment of insistent drums. In "It Must Have Been Old Santa," upbeat, loud, & full of swing, Connick showcases the piano, with the drums sometimes competing with it. "The Little Drummer Boy" carries a big drum, & the treatment is louder & more assertive than usual.
"Ave Maria" begins as a solo piano, a pleasant change from the elaborate treatments of previous songs, with Connick singing at the midpoint, but Latin is not his "native language," & the passion one associates with this traditional music is missingin this track. "I Pray on Christmas," however, is a hand-clapping gospel song, a rousing performance, stirring for the listener. "What Are You Doing New Year's" offers wonderful sax variations, the only song on the CDin which jazz variations take place.
If you are a fan of big band music & large choruses, Connick's album is highly appealing--fun, relaxed, & filled with the power of strong drumbeats. Connick is one of the players here, less a soloist & more of a director.
Hmmm - By: Paul Johnson, 10 Oct 2003 
I don't really know what to say about this. It does feature some examples of Connick at his best, but when all is said & done, it's just an album full of Christmas music.
I suspect it is worth having some Christmas musicin your collection to play at the festive season & this is as good an exmaple as any, but due to the limited range of music, you would be hard pressed to view it as anything really worth spending time really listening to.
A breath of Fresh Xmas air, innovative yet traditional - By: , 14 Jan 2002 
What great find this was. Connick's vocal talent is perfectly showcased by the HUGE 'big band' sound & this just has to be played LOUD! Old favourites like Rudolph, Ave Maria & Sleighride are given a Connick twist & mix well with original compositions. Santa Claus is a real footstomper, The jazzy arrangement of The March Of The Wooden Soldiers is a delght & the warm & mushy When My Heart Find Christmas is great for a cold xmas night. I can still see those chestnuts & that open fire....excellent.
Really disappointing compared to HCJnr's other music. - By: , 07 Dec 2000 
This selection of Christmas music does little to get onein the Christmas spirit & rarely gets an airing - even at Christmas! It even put me off listening to my other (much-loved) HCJ CDs.
for a swinging christmas try this - By: dogma13, 24 Nov 2000 A very Christmas swing album that should put youin the Christmas mood whatever time of year it is. Some of the slower tracks loose their way a little but this still one of the best festive albums available. Plus this is priced at a very competitive price.
