The Bottom Line: Picture sitting next to a warm fire place with a good book being totally relaxed while snow gently falling outside. Add a touch of relaxing music. It's Kenny G's Christmas
popsrocks's Full Review: Faith: A Holiday Album by Kenny G
I have a collection of over 40 Christmas CDs. Most are of artists who sing the familiar tunes in their own personal way. While I do have a couple-a-few Cds that are instrumentals, this one gives a pensive and relaxed spirit of a Christmas setting of sitting by our warm fireplace while snow is gently falling outside.
There is something about the smooth and effortless sound of a soprano sax. This holds even more true when held in the hands of a gifted musician like Kenny G. He's a man who brought the instrument to the masses. He does concerts and twice I was able to sit in the stands of the Jones Beach Theater on a beautiful summer's night watching the moon rise over the waters and feel gentle sea breezes in my face. There is something extremely relaxing about Kenny G's music. This album is a showcase for his talent and the wonderful traditional Christmas music that has been played over the years. It also included secular songs that have been long attached to Christmas and the Holiday Season. This CD also includes a Chanukah Song
His opening song presents the perfect song for the Christmas mood for me. Let it Snow He has a little bounce in the song showing joy. I like that though there is other instrumentation, it's the ...takes forefront.
The First Noel Is gently played. one can follow with words in one's head if familiar. That's what I do if consciously listening to the tune. That's the beauty of this CD you forget the music is there or you pay mind to the words of songs that have long been tradition.
I'll Be Home For Christmas continues in the gentle mood of the previous tune through this reflective and somewhat mournful tune. Again, it's the words of the song that are in the mind that one can conjure up and ponder. Kenny G, in this piece of music as many others adds his own touches.
If you have never been on a Sleigh-ride with horse jingling bells while plowing through drifting snow then this is one song to always keep in mind. The musician really does continue the mood of this one with his own arrangement adding a myriad of rifts that add joy and an upward spirit of fun.
Kenny G takes We Three Kings and Carol of the Bells and blends them into an interesting arrangement having one play over the other. This one does get a bit to "busy" for me.
Thankfully the mood soon comes to a gently pace as he plays a smooth and satisfying O Christmas Tree
The pace picks up just a touch with a piano accompaniment as Kenny G plays Santa Claus Is Coming To Town A big band sound comes in over the piano. Not too loud, just right. I like this one as the artist once again has an opportunity to show his chops.
The music of this album changes pace often. After the last lively big band sound he comes back with an easy going musical melody in Eternal Light. (A Chanukah Song) Though this is not a Christmas song it is a favorite on the CD and it reflects a wonderful warmth I associate with Christmas.
Ave Maria is another that is quiet beautiful. The latter Eternal Light and this one together make for the perfect lead in to the last tunes of the CD and what better songs are there in the Christmas season that can close more satisfyingly than Auld Lang Syne and The Christmas Song.
I do have to say though, It's the Christmas Song with "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" that is my favorite on the CD. It's gentle, heart warming and a fine lead into wishing a "Merry Christmas to you".
This album has an encore of Auld Lang Syne that is mixed with actual radio and TV broadcasts of the last century. I won't list every line and detail but here are some quotes, people and places mentioned. Lindbergh, Stock market crash, Hindenburg disaster, "December 7th a date which will live in Infamy", "Luckiest man on the face of the earth", "Who's on First", "Jacky Robinson goes to bat", "Are you a member of the Communist Party", "Baby you're the Greatest", American Band Stand, "Ask Not what you your country can do for you..." , "Happy Birthday Mr. President", "I have a dream..", "The Beatles"
"Senator Kennedy has been shot", "Dream things that never were and say why not", "One small step for man", "Get the Gorilla in Manilla", "The new home run record, Henry Aaron", "I am not a crook", "Here's Johnny", "Elvis Presley died today", "John Lennon was...", "Live from New York it's Saturday Night Live", AIDs, Challenger, "We'll never forget the last time we saw them...touch the face of God", "Mr. Gorbachov tear down this world", "Skies over Bagdag have been lighted", "Read my lips", "Simpson, Not Guilty", "Princess Diana has been killed", "I'm Ellen and I'm Gay", "I did not have sex with that woman", "Vast Right wing conspiracy", "Indeed I did have a relationship with that woman", Columbine high school, "no more killings", "torch has been passed to a new generation of American".
Final Thoughts
This last piece is something I listen to just to relive some of the last century. It does however break the relaxed tone and upbeat spirit of the rest of the CD but at other times it is quite welcome. All in all, I'm happy to have it on this CD.
The rest of the CD is perfect for me much of the time. It's a fine blend of traditional Christmas songs mixed with more popular songs that relate to the holiday spirit.
Most of the playing by Kenny G is basic arrangement but he does break loose in a couple of the more bouncy fun songs. Most of all though, it's his smooth playing and the tone of his instrument that gives a coziness to the atmosphere and comfort in the spirit of Christmas.
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