CD/LP/Track Review
Rick DellaRatta Quintet: Jazz at Christmas Time (2002)
C. Michael Bailey
...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...
...a bit of Holiday verse...
Pianist and vocalist Rick DellaRatta provides the Christmas season with a breezy collection of holiday favorites delivered with sincere urbanity. The highlight of the disc is the solo piano version of the Mahalia Jackson classic "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Here, better than anywhere else, does DellaRatta display his considerable talent. He digs deep into the blues of the song, uncovering its core of struggle and victory. "Greensleeves [What Child is This]" is taken at a quick clip with Jimmy Madison providing very Elvin Jones-like percussion. "Sleighride" is perfectly accented with Cecilia Tenconi’s flute and DellaRatta’s spare comping.
Rick DellaRatta’s vocals are a bit of an acquired taste, sometimes being stretched too thin across some of the songs. That said, though, his vocals are very effective on "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and make this disc a warm and inviting offering for this festive season.
Visit Rick Dellaratta for more details on ordering this recording.
Track Listing: Winter Wonderland; Christmas Song; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; The Little Drummer Boy; Greensleeves; Christmas Waltz; Go Tell it in The Mountain; Sleighride; I'll Be Home for Christmas; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. (Total Time: 60:00).
Personnel: Cecilia Tenconi
Record Label: Stella Records | Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
