Christmas CDs
Smooth Jazz Christmas Music
Christmas CD Reviews
Greg,
Thank You so much for the CDs! Wow, what a surprise to get the second gift CD!!!! That was very thoughtful! I really enjoyed it!!!
Just thought I’d tell you how I found out about you! I’m a copyright examiner at the copyright office in Washington, DC. I examined your Christmas Hymns album several weeks ago and I fell in love with the first track…couldn’t stop playing it…over and over!!! It’s so spirited and joyful! I kept the extra CD on my desk for a while to listen to it while I wrote letters. It’s a great album! You see, I was a music ed. Major in college (clarinet was my major instrument, with a minor on alto sax) – yes, we all have music degrees here in the Performing Arts section!!! It’s required for the job! I haven’t played the sax in ages…and miss it! What a fun instrument. I played in a few jazz bands in college and had a blast!
Anyway…I just knew I had to have your album…so did a little sleuthing…couldn’t find it on Amazon! and finally saw the reference to your website in the CD notes…duh!
Anyway, thanks for a great product…and for the great customer service! Enclosed is my check…I included a little extra just to say “thanks!”
Happy Holidays!
Claire Gardiner
Review from Canada’s Café Jazz
Christmas 2004
Joy to the World - Greg Vail: Whether he's playing a passionate ballad or dazzling us with a charged performance, Vail remains one of contemporary music's most dynamic performers. A man of deep personal conviction, Greg brings all these elements to a wonderfully joyful rendering of the holiday classic.
Enjoy!
Label: Greg Vail Music
JazzLynx.net
Christmas, The Hymns CD Review
On Greg Vail Music, 2000
Of course it is more tempting for sax lovers to stuff their stockings with the best selling Kenny G, Dave Koz or Boney James CDs, but this smaller indie release by one of smooth jazz’s most durable saxmen is a spirited delight on par with those.
Vail and his right hand man, Rob Mullins, vary the mood nicely, from the frantic, classically tinged soprano-driven opening track “Deck The Halls” (complete with an explosive synth orchestra) to the gentle, reflective “What Child Is This.”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Joy To The World” balance tender soprano melodies with seductive light funk grooves.
Vail adds a sweet wistfulness to “Silent Night” by choosing to go with flute.
He opens “O Holy Night” with an ominous atmosphere featuring a distant alto flute intro before easing into the main, soft rhythmic tune on soprano.
On the cover of the disc, Vail’s “featuring Rob Mullins” credit seems to give the keyboardist an almost equal billing; the tandem is in perfect synch on the simply arranged, gorgeous piano-soprano duet of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
Mullins adds some exotic chimes and percussion textures to a dreamy rendition of “We Three Kings.”
The variety will more than hold the listener’s interest even as we wonder why he’s wearing sunglasses on a project celebrating songs usually associated with cold and snow.
This CD is available through Vail’s website at www.gregvail.com
Jonathan Widran
Christmas Hymns - Christmas Music CD
Sample Audio - Christmas the Hymns
- Listen to Christmas the Hymns
- Deck The Halls
- What Child Is This? / Away in the Manger
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
- Joy To The World
- Silent Night
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- O Holy Night
- We Three Kings
- The First Noel / It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Click CD Cover for a 5 song Sample
- Greg Vail Music CD Catalog
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- or check your favorite online music store!
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Greg Vail Music
Review bySmoothJazz.com
Christmas Hymns
For those who truly appreciate the spirit of Christmas, saxman Greg Vail has something to stuff in your stocking. CHRISTMAS - THE HYMNS, is destined to become your favorite holiday CD.This moving album employs a traditional sensibility while remaining smooth. Smooth indeed, but mind you, this is not just another Smooth Jazz Christmas album.
You will love the jazzy versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Joy To The World", and "We Three Kings", you will also find lovely hymns and pure traditional tunes.
Greg's holiday album features his long time friend and collaborator, keyboardist Rob Mullins. The two have created a new classic.
This is the one for wrapping the presents, drinking the cocoa and decorating the tree. Pick up a copy for yourself and your friends and family.
Smooth Jazz dot com
