Saturday, 3 December 2022

Various Artists - Christmas At Birdland (Deluxe Edition)


22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Stream Christmas at Birdland (Deluxe Edition) here (Spotify)
Read my review of the original release here 

I fell hard for the musical holiday shenanigans of Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso and Klea Blackhurst a few years ago when they released their phenomenal album, Christmas at Birdland, just a few short years ago. Since that time the songs have been the soundtrack to memories past, sung alongside new experiences and continue to promise to be there for all those festive moments yet to happen. It is the responsibility of any Christmas album to fulfil this duty and Christmas at Birdland has done so admirably. I'm rather delighted that some new songs have now been added via the now customary deluxe edition (because a Christmas album is for life, not just the season it was bought in). Three new songs added as well as an orchestral remake of a song from the original album make this sparkle and shine all over again (and for many years to come)...
  • Jingles The Christmas Cat ~ Jim takes the lead on this playful romp, all about the unsung hero of the holidays (the titular feline). A gleeful piano accompaniment dances like Prancer across the stars whilst Jim is the most compelling narrator of this forgotten seasonal story. Pulsing percussion prowls alongside jingling bells to make a delicious cabaret style song that leaves you feeling merry and bright. 
  • Old Days, Old Times, Old Friends ~ perhaps the most charming, reflective song for this time of year since ABBA's Happy New Year (but less melancholic). Billy is an enchanting crooner, the sincerity in his vocal beautifully complementing the graceful sweeping strings. It is like a scene from the 50s MGM Christmas movies, timeless yet with an always timely message. Play beyond the festive period for whenever you need a musical hug.
  • We Need A Little Christmas ~ the original magic of the song (one of my favourite festive musical theatre songs, taken from Mame) is given a cheeky makeover by Klea. She gaily immerses herself in the radiant score and adds some fun new flourishes by infusing a few well known lines from different Christmas carols. It is as crazy and delirious as the season itself - and the layered voices of our trio at the end is both joyful and triumphant.
  • It's The Holiday Season (Orchestral Mix) ~ Donny Osmond joins our elf-tastic trio on a sumptuous new take on the original album's opening track. It is a master class in how to sound so at ease singing something that is not easy to perform; it is big band opulence yet still delightfully intimate - as if it is being performed in your living room. The jazz hand, chorus line leg kick finale makes you glad from head to mistletoe.
**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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