The title references the number of times these Sixties-Seventies chart mainstays have cut a Christmas album, but it's a bit misleading. The second album was actually the first album with some additional songs, so it was actually number one and a half; this 2011 disc is therefore more accurately 2 1/2. Now that we've gotten the OCD portion of the program over with, on to this entirely new collection of songs. Previous holiday entries by this classic rock semi-orchestra were noted around these parts as sounding very much like the band in its salad days, particularly on vocals and horns. The newest release still has those features, but the band has also adapted its rhythmic approach; this go-round, they sound very much influenced by modern R'nB. Another difference is that this time, they bring in some guest performers. They kick off the album with a cover of Sir Paul's "Wonderful Christmastime" featuring duet partner Dolly Parton, and let's say it's an interesting experience to hear Dolly singing over R'nB rhythms. Bebe Winans steps in to sing the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling" as a soul ballad, Steve Cropper helps rock up "Rockin' and Rollin' On Christmas Day," and America teams up with Chicago for "I Saw Three Ships," combining acoustic guitars with the home team's famous horn section. They also cover N'Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," copying their feel but adding the Chicago sound to the proceedings. New Year's gets double love with a rocked-out "On the Last Night of the Year" and the usual ballad treatment of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," and like an increasing number of artists they've decided "My Favorite Things" is a Christmas song. They go out with a medley of "Here Comes Santa Claus/Joy to the World," in which the second song drags in the mandatory kiddie chorus, though over top of an R'nB rhythm section. There's plenty of energy in this second-and-a-half go-round, though I believe it will be most successful with existing Chicago fans.Chicago XXXIII, O Christmas Three (Chicago Records II)
The title references the number of times these Sixties-Seventies chart mainstays have cut a Christmas album, but it's a bit misleading. The second album was actually the first album with some additional songs, so it was actually number one and a half; this 2011 disc is therefore more accurately 2 1/2. Now that we've gotten the OCD portion of the program over with, on to this entirely new collection of songs. Previous holiday entries by this classic rock semi-orchestra were noted around these parts as sounding very much like the band in its salad days, particularly on vocals and horns. The newest release still has those features, but the band has also adapted its rhythmic approach; this go-round, they sound very much influenced by modern R'nB. Another difference is that this time, they bring in some guest performers. They kick off the album with a cover of Sir Paul's "Wonderful Christmastime" featuring duet partner Dolly Parton, and let's say it's an interesting experience to hear Dolly singing over R'nB rhythms. Bebe Winans steps in to sing the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling" as a soul ballad, Steve Cropper helps rock up "Rockin' and Rollin' On Christmas Day," and America teams up with Chicago for "I Saw Three Ships," combining acoustic guitars with the home team's famous horn section. They also cover N'Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," copying their feel but adding the Chicago sound to the proceedings. New Year's gets double love with a rocked-out "On the Last Night of the Year" and the usual ballad treatment of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," and like an increasing number of artists they've decided "My Favorite Things" is a Christmas song. They go out with a medley of "Here Comes Santa Claus/Joy to the World," in which the second song drags in the mandatory kiddie chorus, though over top of an R'nB rhythm section. There's plenty of energy in this second-and-a-half go-round, though I believe it will be most successful with existing Chicago fans.No TrackBacks
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