Christmas Time is Here - Erin O'Donnell

It's going to be hard not to rave here

It's going to be hard not to rave here, but I'll try to show some restraint. Let me just say that I absolutely loved this CD. I confess that I do get a bit tired of the same renditions of the same songs each year, though I love a classic as much as the next person. Erin O'Donnell studied jazz in college and for that scholastic turn of events, we can be forever grateful. She wisely assembled a superb team of players- pianist Ben Shive, drummer Jim Brock, and upright bassist Byron House, who has mastered the art of soft swing- and together they have created a fresh Christmas music experience that we can all celebrate
The production style is perfectly bare-bones, allowing O'Donnell's voice to sparkle through the material. They establish their groove right out of the gate with opener, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and they never give it up throughout. Frosty the Snowmanswings like never before and Christmas Time is Here, the old Charlie Brown classic, makes you see Snoopy carving his figure eights on the ice as if you had traveled back in time. These arrangements are creative and well thought out, from Angels We Have Heard On High's samba beat and sparkling keyboards to the 40's feel of I'll Be Home for Christmas, with its retro introduction. The soft bongos perfectly match the gentle piano to set up a melancholy feel that fits the tune to a tee. The beauty of this band is in the way they ever so smoothly offer the listener a fresh take, never forcing themselves or intrusively tearing down your memories, not an easy task when offering up carols so familiar and sacred to our deepest recollections. And the two original songs are a good fit with the classics included, especially Christmas Kiss, written by O'Donnell's husband Brad.

The Basics
Style: Swing/jazz influenced Christmas songs

Released October 5, 2004

10 songs


The Track List
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Frosty The Snowman: Winter Wonderland / Medley
Christmas Time Is Here
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Christmas Kiss
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Waiting For Love To Be Born
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas