October 11, 2011

Joyous Jersey Boys Season’s Greetings!

October 11th, 2011

JB Christmas Album

**It is our pleasure to introduce a new JBB Correspondent–George O’Brien, who is sharing his joy with the newly released Rhino “Season’s Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas” album!**

By George O’Brien, Jersey Boys Blog Special Correspondent

Some people say it’s too early to listen to Christmas music. It’s only October. Normally, I would agree. But when I got my copy of the Jersey Boys Christmas album last Thursday, I didn’t wait to open and play it. If I got hit by a truck between now and December 1, what a great album I would have missed!

I know I’m mixing my Church calendar events, but this album has resurrected my interest in new Christmas music, which had been lagging over the last few years. There are so many little touches and surprises in both the musical and vocal arrangements, and the vocals are just outstanding throughout. This album is full of WOWs!

There’s something in every track, but if you put a Tommy-gun to my head, here are my choices, in no particular order:

  • The “Moody’s Mood For Love” take by John Lloyd Young on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” I’m very glad he was invited back for this project.
  • The ethereal splendor of “Breath of Heaven” performed by Travis Cloer.
  • The “Who Loves You” bridge section in “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
  • The street sounds, kids’ voices and even a stray horse that can be heard
    on various tracks.
  • The “Bye Bye Baby” chants in “Auld Lang Syne.” This track is a spectacular finale to the album.

I think that anyone with even a passing interest in Jersey Boys should buy the CD or a download of the album, “borrow” it from a friend, or otherwise creatively acquire it (short of outright theft). It’s an evolutionary step up from the original “4 Seasons Greetings” album on VeeJay, and I’m glad I was here almost 50 years later to hear it. Bob Gaudio and Ron Melrose, along with the ultra-talented members of the worldwide JB family, have created a new FV4S-inspired Christmas classic that will keep me going for another 50!

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