Tonight, it’s ladies night, with our three from a trio of elegant singers.
“Carol of the Bells,” Nancy Wilson, from “A Nancy Wilson Christmas,” 2001.
A classy turn by the great jazz stylist. She’s backed by New York Voices, a fine quartet, on this often challenging tune for singers.
Did you know that even though Wilson has been performing since the ’60s, this was her first Christmas album? I didn’t.
Nor did I know the proceeds from this album go to “MCG Jazz, a social enterprise supporting the youth education programs of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, a nonprofit, minority-directed, arts and learning organization located in Pittsburgh,” according to her web site.
You’ll find another cut from this album, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” over at the digital download area of the Telarc Records web site.
“Santa Claus Got Stuck in My Chimney,” Ella Fitzgerald, 1950, from “A Stash Christmas Album,” 1985. It’s out of print. This tune and some of the other cuts on this album are available on “Swingin’ Christmas,” an mp3 album available from Amazon.
It’s one of the great whimsical Christmas tunes, done with Miss Ella’s light touch. Recorded on Oct. 26, 1950, with an uncredited vocal group backing her. That’s Charlie Shavers on trumpet and Roy Brown on bass among the backing musicians.
“This Christmas,” Patti LaBelle, from “Blues and Soul Christmas,” a 1997 compilation on MCA.
It’s another cover of the modern classic by Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinner. I’m guessing this version is from her 1990 Christmas album, also entitled “This Christmas.”
Enjoy. More to come, but Christmas draws near.
1 Comment
December 18, 2007 at 9:07 am
Thanks! My boy Noah and I are loving the Ella Fitzgerald track! Nothing is funnier (says Noah) than thinking of Santa sliding down the chimney! And getting stuck? Hoo boy!
Tom