The Ultimate Lounge Christmas
Artist: John Jonethis
Label: Essential, 1998
Time: 12 tracks/34:04 min.
Remember Lounge Freak from last year with its new lounge versions of Jars's "Flood" and DC Talk's "Jesus Freak?" Well, John Jonethis has always wanted to do a Christmas album, and here it is complete with similar lounge versions of some Christmas classics. Although horns, saxes, and lots of piano contribute to an occasional big band feel, I still found the album a little too laid back for my tastes. I prefer a more upbeat jazzy, swing feel, but this album is very well done and would made a great gift for your grandparents. It reminds me very much of the Christmas album that Russ Taff did several years ago. You'll find mostly secular favorites: "Winter Wonderland," "Christmas is for Children," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." "Silent Night" is the only overtly Christian song on the album. Consequently, while all the songs point to Christmas as a season for love and family, this project as a whole falls short in pointing to the real reason for Christmas.
By Shari Lloyd (10/31/98)
