Earworthy - Sound recordings, criticism - Brief Article

American Visions, Dec, 1999 by T. Brooks Shepard

Etta James' simple, soulful delivery on 12 Songs of Chrism (Private Music) is an exquisite elucidation of Marshall McLuhan's dictum that "the medium is the message." Secular or religious, traditional or contemporary, Christmas music and the artists who perform it embody unselfish moments founded on joy. Not joy for you and me (or us and ours), but joy to the world. There is no holiday--spiritual or otherwise--that has inspired such a worldwide celebratory musical extravaganza. In its depth and breadth, the poetry and harmony of the Christmas season constitute an unrivaled musical colossus.

Equally unmatched is the wide-ranging African-American contribution to the one holiday that sets aside petty divisions among people and--sans equivocation--proposes to all humankind: peace on earth. The overwhelming and audacious beauty of the concept is breathtaking. So is the music. Christmas trends and fashions dissipate; gifts of plastic, fabric, metal and wood are broken, lost, discarded or packed away. Even the Christmas tree becomes compost after the ornaments are closeted for another year. However, the music, like Bird, lives.

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to brush up against the royalty of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song." When all is said and done, is not Mr. Cole the King of Christmas Music? Does his silky, smooth tonality and superlative articulation herald the beginning of the season? "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ..."

I can suggest some other Christmas packages that will make your people love you even more. The song "Every Year, Every Christmas," on Luther Vandross--This Is Christmas (Sony), is a reaffirmation of this man's originality. A Jazz Noel (Windham Hill), which features the Braxton Brothers, Earl Klugh, Michael Franks and Spyro Gyra; Jingle Bell Swing (Sony/Legacy), with Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock; and Ultimate Christmas (Arista), with Boyz II Men, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston and Luciano Pavarotti, illustrate the eclecticism that this season engenders.

The King's brother, Freddy Cole, takes a glistening pianistic and vocal trip to your people's mistletoe on I Want a Smile for Christmas (Fantasy).

The Joy of Christmas Past (GRP) is on another level because of the prominence of "Pops." Who is "Pops"? Louis Armstrong, my brothers and sisters! Adding to the wonderfulness is Duke Ellington, shining like a star atop the tree.

In praise of the Three Kings, who were intelligent and intuitive and just plain smart enough to dig on the celestial significance of it all, come Vickie Winans, Live in Detroit II (CGI Platinum); Ann McCrary, What Is This? (Against the Flow); and Toronto, Canada's Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale, Life Is (EMI Gospel). The Gospel Soul of Marion Williams (Shanachie) is a standout.

Donna Summer's Christmas Spirit (Polygram) radiates good will. Laserlight's Christmas Blues and Shout--with Lionel Hampton, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, Eartha Kitt, Billy Eckstine, Lena Home, Johnny Otis and (you guessed it) Duke Ellington--exemplifies the legacy and musical Christmas continuum of Africans in America.

Swing Into Christmas (Columbia), featuring Wynton Marsalis, Grover Washington, Tramaine Hawkins, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Roberts and David Sanchez, and Christmas Carols and Sacred Songs With the Boys Choir of Harlem (Toshiba-EMI), produced and performed by the adroit jazz pianist, arranger and composer James Williams (and complemented by the always enjoyable vocalist Dianne Reeves), are two holiday albums that are resplendent with displays of sonic individuality that is the jazz world's alone.

The O'Jays provide a holiday rhythm-and-blues sparkle with the dance grooves of "Christmas Time in the City," the intimacy of the blues classic "Merry Christmas, Baby," and the tender appeal of "Santa's on His Way" in their slick, professional Home for Christmas (EMI) package.

Christmas is a season of cosmic reverence, and 'tis the season to be jolly. Like the universe, our melodic Christmas stocking is vast--with neither top nor bottom and with a multitude of stars to enjoy.

One question remains. The O'Jays ask, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" To which the Isley Brothers answer, "Y'all keep on dancin'." Have a good one! Peace. Out.

T. Brooks Shepard is a writer in Boston.