#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD FULL#
#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD PRO#
#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD SERIES#

But the sound is clean and dynamic and contains the excitement of Wolf's Christmas party. Christmas Vibes is not an audiophile recording: Such highly produced albums rarely render a sense of the three-dimensional space in which the recording got made. The music never sounds artificial or cluttered. He uses these tools tastefully and selectively, to enlarge the ensemble and expand his color palette.

#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD PRO#

He also works with a Logic Pro X digital audio workstation to create several synthesized instruments including cello and timpani.

#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD FULL#

Wolf the pianist is a full collaborator here, not only comping but executing all the piano details in the meticulous quartet arrangements and engaging in improvised duets with himself. He has worked as a sideman on both piano and drums. He has been a multi-instrumentalist from the age of 3. Press notes imply that taking the piano chair was not Wolf's original intention, but Plan B worked out fine. But Wolf plays all the piano parts himself, overdubbed. The core band is a quartet, with vibes, piano, bass, and drums. Apparently, the timing necessitated some last-minute changes in personnel. Its voluptuous bell tones make any melody sound more permanent.Ĭhristmas Vibes was recorded in mid-March 2020, as the United States was beginning to shut down.

#CHRISTMAS WHISPERINGS CD SERIES#

'Do You Hear What I Hear?' becomes a continuous series of calls and ascending responses it sounds newly triumphant. As he carefully delineates the melody, his notes hang in the air as if reluctant to leave the song. It is quietly captivating when, on the second track, some pensive piano chords, widely spaced bass markings, and cymbal whisperings turn into 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' Bing Crosby has owned this song forever Wolf borrows it for a while. While the prevailing mood is one of celebration, there are also moments that touch deeper emotions and memories. It is fascinating to hear how, after lightly bouncing over the top of 'O Christmas Tree,' he flows into long, elaborate lines that keep changing direction and eventually wind their way back to the song.

But he finds opportunities everywhere to unleash his vast vibraphone technique and his inspired imagination. If all Wolf did was play such tunes straight, this would be a fun record. 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Winter Wonderland' are among the most familiar songs in American culture, but the former has never pranced with such headlong, ecstatic energy, and the latter has a new throbbing groove. Wolf's group, with bassist Jeff Reed and drummer Carroll 'CV' Dashiell III, finds it impossible not to swing their butts off.

You may find it impossible not to get up and dance. Here's a challenge for you: Try to listen to 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Winter Wonderland' without smiling. In this year of years, in this holiday season observed in a pandemic, it arrives like a life-affirming antidote to darkness. (The other is Joel Ross.) Wolf's album is not a masterwork, but it is a lovely, heartfelt offering that deserves its place in this magazine's December issue. Warren Wolf is one of the two most important vibraphonists to enter jazz in the new millennium. Typically, they are 'big' records by major jazz artists.Ĭhristmas Vibes has the major-artist part covered. Only 12 albums a year get to be Recordings of the Month in Stereophile, and only a few are jazz. Mack Avenue MAC1183 (CD, also available as download). Warren Wolf, vibraphone, piano, Fender Rhodes, wind chimes, tambourine, Logic Pro X digital audio workstation Jeff Reed, acoustic and electric bass Carroll 'CV' Dashiell III, drums Christie Dashiell, Allison Bordlemay, Micah Smith, vocals.

Christmas whisperings cd