Kirk Whalum - The Christmas Message (2005) flac

Tracklist:

[5:47] 01. Kirk Whalum - The First Noel
[4:48] 02. Kirk Whalum - Do You Hear What I Hear?
[5:06] 03. Kirk Whalum - Love From A Star
[5:27] 04. Kirk Whalum - Cradle In Bethlehem
[6:25] 05. Kirk Whalum - O Holy Night
[3:21] 06. Kirk Whalum - The Little (Ghetto) Drummer Boy
[2:04] 07. Kirk Whalum - Rise Up Shepard And Follow
[3:02] 08. Kirk Whalum - Sweet Little Jesus Boy
[5:02] 09. Kirk Whalum - Amazing Grace
[5:07] 10. Kirk Whalum - We Three Kings
[3:49] 11. Kirk Whalum - The Christmas Message
[4:38] 12. Kirk Whalum - O Little Town Of Bethlehem
[5:00] 13. Kirk Whalum - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
[4:51] 14. Kirk Whalum - Blott En Dag

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ABOUT THE ALBUM
1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
Total length: 01:04:14
Main artist: Kirk Whalum
Label: Rhino / Warner Records
Genre: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
2005 Warner Stategic Marketing

Kirk Whalum assembled a wide array of musical talent to perform 14 updated arrangements on this superior collection of hymns, Christmas carols, and holiday folk music. While preserving the style of polyphonic modality (as in the ancient forms of caroling), Whalum updates the traditional carol "Little Drummer Boy" to "Little 'Ghetto' Drummer Boy" by using the two-part doo wop-flavored harmony of Kyle Whalum and Kevin Whalum atop a very hip beatbox rhythm loop to symmetrically structure a new setting. Other outstanding arrangements include the opening track, "The First Noel," which features Whalum playing its improvised melody on tenor saxophone, the reggae backbeat added to "Do You Hear (What I Hear)," and the soulful lead vocals of John Stoddart on his original composition "Love from a Star." Whalum's original composition, "Christmas Message," is a sensitive duet that features the saxophonist's soprano voice beautifully accompanied by the contemporary Christian instrumentalist Phil Keaggy on acoustic guitar. This holiday collection is commensurate with Whalum's previous inspirational and spirited instrumental offering, Hymns in the Garden, in that it offers a wonderful visitation to classic songs with a very different approach and touch.
© Paula Edelstein /TiVo


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