December (Rpkg)

I love Christmas music. My wife complains about storing all my CDs for 11 1/2 months out of the year [yes I wait until well after Thanksgiving]. There are times during this season, often in the late evening, when I want to listen to Christmas jazz that doesn't try too hard to prove it's really jazz [and not just Christmas schmaltz] but which is still different enough to give me a break from the Christmas music that I am playing almost non-stop [as I start late, I feel it's perfectly justifiable to listen in excess]. That's when this album really comes into its own. Christmas with a dash of bluesy melancholy [and who doesn't have the occasional melancholy moment sometime during the season?].
Dave Koz and Kenny G have a wonderful Christmas sound that doesn't try too hard; great with a glass of wine. When I want a bit more jazz and a wee bit less Christmas, I go with this album. Mix a bit of melancholy with some wonderful Christmas tunes and a very talented trumpeter -...Read more

Chris Botti's sound is nothing short of amazing. His pure and warm tone produces a delectably soothing feeling. Yes, I know that this cd is basically just a remake of his last Christmas album but they have added two fantastic pieces of music to this album. They are Schubert's "Ave Maria" and "I Really Don't Want Much for Christmas (featuring Eric Benét)".

First, "Ave Maria" is performed with a wonderful arrangement. You know how during Christmas you go into cathedrals or traditional churches and you hear the choir singing beautiful hymns, which are so touching and heartfelt? Well, this is what this arrangement is like. Chris Botti is backed up by a wonderful choir (St. Jon's Choir) and the London Session Orchestra. Truly, the feeling is transcendent as the choir sings warmly in the background and the trumpet voice just soars in the graceful melodic lines (by soar, I mean a beautiful melody coming out, not blasting high notes). This performance is simply gorgeous...Read more

Without a doubt, this will be one of the most played Christmas offerings this year and probably for years to come. I'll leave it to those who feel they must to make comparisons of Mr. Botti to the likes of Marsalis, Davis, even Clark Terry and others; this CD stands alone in originality and artistry. The "Silent Night" track alone is worth the purchase but every track offers sensitivity, creativity and achievements in the art of ensemble only envied by most groups. Frankly, I'd give it six stars and thank Chris Botti for his gift to us all.