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Jane Monheit: The Season

By Jim Santella
October 11, 2005
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It's that time of the year: time to enjoy our favorite Christmas songs and other traditional holiday songs that have left their imprint. Jane Monheit brings us these and much more with her holiday album, also including a few surprises along with the usual fare.

Her warm voice gives the album a cozy feeling. "Moonlight in Vermont," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" provide the kind of soulful emotions that linger. Up-tempo romps like "Sleigh Ride" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" rock with an exciting jazzscape meant to last. The latter proves her best; she delivers with convincing authority and shares the platform with her regular working quartet plus guest horns. Monheit puts her all into the song and interprets it with heartfelt clarity.

Her duo with guitar on "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" moves with a spiritual quality befitting the true essence of the season. "My Grown-up Christmas List" closes the official program with a lovely prayer for world peace. On the bonus track "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," Monheit echoes her wishes for a fruitful holiday season and wraps up the session on a positive note.

Track Listing

This Christmas; Merry Christmas Darling; The Man with the Bag; Moonlight in Vermont; Sleigh Ride; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; I Love the Winter Weather/I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm; The Christmas Waltz; I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; My Grown-up Christmas List.

Personnel

Jane Monheit

vocals

Jane Monheit: vocals; Michael Kanan: piano, keyboards; Miles Okazaki: guitar; Orlando Le Fleming: bass; Rick Montalbano: drums; Lew Soloff: trumpet; Andy Snitzer: tenor saxophone; strings conducted and arranged by Rob Mounsey.

Album information

Title: The Season | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Epic Records

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Jane Monheit Concerts

Oct 3 Fri

Amelia Island Jazz Festival - Jane Monheit In Concert

Courtyard Springhill Suites By Marriott, Amelia Island
Amelia Island, FL

Oct 9 Thu

Jane Monheit

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos, CA

Dec 4 Thu

Jane Monheit - "The Merriest"

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Dec 4 Thu

Jane Monheit - "The Merriest"

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Dec 5 Fri

Jane Monheit - "The Merriest"

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Dec 5 Fri

Jane Monheit - "The Merriest"

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

Dec 7 Sun

Jane Monheit "Holiday Show"

New Orleans Jazz Market
New Orleans, LA

Dec 19 Fri

Jane Monheit

Zlock Performing Arts Center
Newtown, PA

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