Sunday, March 7, 2010

Modern Christmas Recordings

While the 1950's and 1960's had the heart of the easy listening/crooner christmas recordings, there are a number of modern day artists providing that very same/similar sound today, in the 2000's. Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, and John Pizarelli aside, a small list of other modern day artists are:

1) DAVID GUIDICE - CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

Fans of Harry Connick Jr. should really like David Guidice as his vocals sound very similar to Mr. Connick's. Not only that but like Harry Connick Jr., David guidice arranged the songs on this cd and also plays piano.

This David Guidice cd is more 'pure' jazz rather than the full big band/orchestra that Harry Connick Jr. employs in his music so David Guidice is definitely a breath of fresh air yet still somebody with a familiar sound.

David Guidice really knows how to sing and I'm certain he may be the greatest talent out there that remains unsigned (by a major label at least). Incredible!

Every song is great and with the exception of 2 songs, all the musical backing is by a jazz trio (which includes David Guidice on piano). The two exception songs employ synth sounds by David Guidice which is pretty much fake strings/fake orchestra sound. While I usually don't like this, it works decently onthese two tracks which are Mr. Guidice's originals.

There are three original songs on this cd and the two aside from immediately above, a third original christmas song is performed with just the jazz trio and Mr. Guidice's incredible vocals.

Every song is great, some highlights are the opening medley of HAPPY HOLIDAY/IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON which is nice and upbeat jazz yet with a very smooth and warm atmosphere. SNOWBOUND is another highlight and continues upbeat yet warm sound. It is also very romantic. WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEARS EVE is also similar to the above songs minus the upbeat sound. It is slower and more relaxed and smooth. Also very romantic. Both SNOWBOUND and WAHT ARE YOU DOING ON NEW YEARS EVER are my favorite versions of each of them, they are just incredible.

All I can say is I recommend this cd 100% and is one of my favorite christmas recordings of all-time, and that's out of hundreds of christmas cd's I own.

2) ANDREW HELLER - CHRISTMAS WONDER

For fans of Robert Goulet, this cd has Andrew Heller singing with his incredible vocal talents, like a broadway singer (or, as mentioned above, like Robert Goulet). It has an orchestra with