JERSEY JAZZ

by Joseph Lang

Joseph Lang of Jersey Jazz reviews Carolyn Lee Jones, Christmas Time is Here. Lang says; “Dallas-based vocalist CAROLYN LEE JONES has produced a winner with Christmas Tine Is Here (Catn’round Sound), a 12-song collection that avoids being a lot of the same old, same old. Yes, there are “The Christmas Song,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Santa Baby” and “White Christmas;” then there are several that familiar but not overdone tunes like “I’d Like You for Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Toyland;” a few rarely recorded selections including “Warm in December” and “Jingles, the Christmas Cat;” songs that fit the season but are not considered Christmas songs, “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” and “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep);” and a new bit of whimsey, “Red Christmas.” Jones has a warm voice and is a hip vocalist with a natural jazz feel to her singing. The arrangements by Brad Williams and David Pierce are nicely executed by a variety of musicians in combinations ranging from a quartet to a nonet that includes a three-piece string section. All in all, this is a wonderfully satisfying outing.”