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Christmas Jazz! Vol. 2

Various Artists
1 disc

1. Jingle Bells - Mark Shane's Xmas All-Stars
2. Let It Snow - Sackville Allstars
3. Merry Christmas Baby - Jim Galloway/Jay McShann
4. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Charlie Bertini & Friends
5. At the Christmas Ball - Sackville Allstars
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mark Shane's Xmas All-Stars
7. White Christmas - Jim Galloway & Jay McShann
8. Frosty the Snowman - Charlie Bertini & Friends
9. What Will Santa Claus Say - Mark Shane's Xmas All-Stars
10. We Three Kings - Sackville Allstars
11. Silver Bells - Jan Harrington
12. Oh Du Frohliche / Alle Jahre Wieder - Mark Shane's Xmas All-Stars
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 1012
Credits

Producer
Engineer
Compilation producer: Frank Nagel-Heyer.
Like the first volume of Christmas music, the second Christmas collection issued by the Nagel-Heyer label uses tracks recycled from previously issued material -- not only its own, but some from the Sackville and Arbors labels as well. Most of the songs come from the same albums that comprise volume one. But it's still good stuff. Charlie Bertini's trumpet is featured on perhaps the most poignant holiday pop song of all, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," familiar to every serviceman at an overseas post since it was written in 1943. Turning 180 degrees, Bertini swings on "Frosty the Snowman." The trumpet player and his friends give this tune typical New Orleans jam session treatment featuring some excellent Allan Vach clarinet and Dave Gannett tuba. One of the best-selling songs of all time, "White Christmas" gets a romantic play by Jim Galloway's tenor, while the blues are added with Jay McShann's vocalizing on "Merry Christmas, Baby." Mark Shane's Christmas Allstars get the bulk of playing time, as they are responsible for four of the cuts. James Chirillo's guitar is front and center on an up-tempo "Jingle Bells," while on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Chirillo and friends get a bit funky. Jon-Erik Kellso's trumpet, both open and muted, gets a lot of play on this track. One of the album's highlights is the ardent "Silver Bells" vocal by Linda Fields. All in all, this CD is good jazz with a theme that happens to be the Christmas season. The performances can stand on their own any time of the year. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan