1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Let It Snow
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. The Christmas Waltz
5. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
6. The Christmas Song
7. Home For The Holidays
8. Christmas Time With You
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. Silent Night
11. Christmas Time With You (duet)
This album popped into my inbox recently and what I first noticed was the very nice cover. Always a good start. So I decided to look into who David Ian is all about. In a nut shell here is a quick bio of David: Born in Toronto, Canada, Ian came early to music, beginning classical piano study at age five. A few years later, he experienced a moment of epiphany: "After seeing Back to the Future, I realized that playing guitar was my destiny. It really wasn't even a choice." Ian performed in a number of garage bands throughout junior... Read More This album popped into my inbox recently and what I first noticed was the very nice cover. Always a good start. So I decided to look into who David Ian is all about. In a nut shell here is a quick bio of David: Born in Toronto, Canada, Ian came early to music, beginning classical piano study at age five. A few years later, he experienced a moment of epiphany: "After seeing Back to the Future, I realized that playing guitar was my destiny. It really wasn't even a choice." Ian performed in a number of garage bands throughout junior high and high school, and after graduating from college became lead guitarist in the acclaimed band Church of Rhythm. That group eventually morphed into the even more successful rock group Superchick, which earned a Grammy nomination award in 2009 for best Rock/Rap Gospel Album. Yet now he has released an album called Vintage Christmas and let me just say, I love it
Vintage is the perfect word to describe the music on this album, from the moment opening track 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' kicks off, or even struts into life, you know we are going back to the era of classic vintage jazz. The rich tone of the stunningly played jazz piano with smooth vocals really add a laid back approach. There is even a vinyl hizz to the song that seems to add 40 years to it, even if done in a very modern jazz way. I love it.
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow continues with the Jazz, Jamie Culum-esq feel of the whole of the album, with soft yet creative drums added with clever bass work. The simple yet effective soft approach to singing the chorus that we have all come to know over the years is pure genius. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is a slowed down piano instrumental version, this gives the musicians a chance to show what they can do. There is even a little bass solo ringing out to the melody.
If the classic songs like The Christmas Song and I'll Be Home For Christmas done in a piano led jazz way isn't enough for you, then the Christmas carols Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night may be perfect for you. Both piano led with their own style with the latter being an instrumental and simply beautiful. Moving slightly away from the upbeat Jazz, this is rich toned piano played with feeling to a very well known song. To summarize, this album is the best Christmas Jazz album I have ever heard, granted I haven't heard that many over the years, but this one is good!
The scene is set, it's snowing outside, the twinkle of the Christmas lights are shining around, you know it's cold but the warm log fire in the coffee house is keeping you warm while you drink your coffee and other such Christmas treats, and this is the album you know is being played in the background with the soft jazz feel that everyone can enjoy, young and old. This album is one for the real musicians, with no cheesy songs, just vintage styled music that doesn't shout, what this album does is give you a Christmas hug and smiles at you.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 5 Out Of 5 Stars Standout Tracks The Christmas Song
Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
