Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Chris Ruggiero - Christmas With Chris Ruggiero


47 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Christmas with Chris Ruggiero here (external link)

I love it when an artist's appreciation of the music they grew up with influences their own personal style. That is certainly the case with Chris Ruggiero whose love of rock and roll, doo-wop and crooners shines through on his (hopefully) inaugural Christmas album, Christmas with Chris Ruggiero. His very charming smooth and expressive vocal style adds a little bit of sparkle to these well-known holiday tunes; this means you are in familiar territory of knowing the songs but always getting a little flourish of surprise through the thoughtful productions. He's added in a few special guests to help him out here and there (because who doesn't love visitors at the most wonderful time of the year), whilst over on his website there is some great merchandise to help brighten up your festive season. Now if you manage to get to see one of his Christmas shows, let this Brit boy know so I can live vicariously...

The album begins with soul classic, This Christmas. A stripped back intro lets Chris' voice shine before a rich texture of brass and percussion add some flavour. It's a laid back yet still exuberant take (with some lovely keyboard solo in the middle 8). Like the next track, Sleigh Ride, it leaves you feeling merry and bright. Chris is on a giddy romp during this song with lush backing vocals and an intricate score which adds to the magic and sparkle of the song. He slows the pace for The Carpenters standard, Merry Christmas Darling. There is a sweet sense of pathos and melancholy in his voice, the performance telling a story in between the words and music. The emotion continues in Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), where Chris even adds a little Elvis inspiration to his vocal style in the build of "please" before the final chorus. A sad song that ends up joyful and triumphant.

Getting lovely Darlene Love to join in on Grown Up Christmas List is quite the coup; she's actual Christmas royalty and this is her first new holiday song since the brilliant All Alone On Christmas. Each solo moment is glorious but the way their voices work together is pure artistry - no need to belt it out, just the emphasis of the voices to enhance the hopeful lyrics. The Christmas Song conjures up images of crackling fires and warm mugs of cocoa (from a festive Chris Ruggiero mug available on his website). It is a soothing balm that helps the crazy of the world fade away, even if just while the song plays. A jubilant It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year demonstrates (as if you weren't already aware) how much Chris loves these songs - there is just such a sense of joy embedded in each note he sings. Blasts of trumpet dance alongside that propulsive beat. Grab the one you love and shimmy.

Please Come Home For Christmas embraces the lolloping blues rhythm of the songs, with Chris' voice dripping with sincere aching for what might have been. That sax solo in the bridge makes it a vivid duet. It's Christmas Once Again is a wondrously descriptive song that paints an picture of ever winter wonderland you've imagined, delivered with a genuine sense of enchantment from Mr Ruggiero. Wayne Bergeron (trumpeteer extraordinaire) joins Chris on a jazzy take on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. His instrumental is just as lyrical as any of the verses Chris sings - Judy would have been mesmerised by this performance of her evergreen song. I'll Be Home For Christmas embraces full on fifties doo-wop boy band and it is an absolute pleasure to listen to. The piano chords & harmonies swathe Chris' soaring voice brilliantly. It takes us into Silent Night, the final track, and -far too soon - Christmas with Chris Ruggiero is over. Time to hit repeat and relive it all over again. 

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