Lou Rawls Christmas [B&N Exclusive]

by Lou Rawls

Overview

This was the last album recorded by Lou Rawls, who had just received word that he had cancer when these 2004 sessions were held, and that knowledge lends a bit of extra poignancy to some of these tracks, particularly the powerful version of "Silent Night" Rawls turns in here. No stranger to holiday albums (he released Merry Christmas Ho! Ho! Ho! in 1965 and Christmas Is the Time in 1993 and compilations combining the two show up nearly every year), Rawls stuck closer to jazz this time out, and it's nice to hear some of these holiday classics done up in a 21st century swing style, and Rawls' smooth, elegant baritone is always a welcome listen. The opener, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" swings powerfully, and the aforementioned "Silent Night" is a show stopper, but the most intriguing track is a lightly funky and bluesy version of "Jingle Bells," which features an inspired piano arrangement from Mark Adam Watkins. Rawls loved singing holiday music, and it shows here. If he knew that this would be his last album (and he probably did), that knowledge still couldn't take the joy and hope out of his voice. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	11/02/2004
Label:	Barnes & Noble
UPC:	0603777800226

Tracks

1. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
2. Jingle Bell Rock
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. The Christmas Song
5. Joy to the World
6. Winter Wonderland
7. Deck the Halls
8. Jingle Bells
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. Silent Night
11. Christmas Is the Time
12. Auld Lang Syne
13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lou Rawls   Primary Artist,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

J. Fred Coots   Composer
Isaac Watts   Composer
Felix Mendelssohn   Composer
Charles Wesley   Composer
Jeff Colella   Composer
Franz Gruber   Composer
James Pierpont   Composer
Joseph Mohr   Composer
Lou Rawls   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Lowell Mason   Composer
Joe Beal   Composer
Michael Lloyd   Arranger
Jim Boothe   Composer
Robert Wells   Composer
James Boothe   Composer
Dick Smith   Composer
Joseph Carleton Beal   Composer
Robert Burns   Composer
Frederick Oakeley   Composer
Felix Bernard   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
John Francis Wade   Composer
Tommy Oliver   Arranger
Mercedes Valdez   Composer
Mel Torme   Composer