Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 219 - Thinking about Christmas Songs Part III Final Chapter

Jazz Christmas albums are a hidden gem!

This is Part III of our Christmas song discussion.
In the previous Christmas song feature, we discussed jazz and how to listen to it.
This time, I would like to introduce some Christmas albums that feature the Hammond organ.

As I wrote last time, there are many Christmas song-themed jazz songs that use the organ. Since Christmas is a Christian holiday, this means that the organ is an instrument in the middle of the formula: Christmas -> church -> hymns -> organ....

Another reason may be the unique warmth of the Hammond organ's tone. I am sure there are many reasons, but I think Christmas songs using the Hammond organ are very good.
The last of this year's Christmas albums will focus on such Hammond organ-based albums by saxophonists, and I will also introduce the history of common Christmas songs.

Jazz Christmas Album by Saxophonist Harry Allen

In the past, he performed Christmas songs with master pianist Tommy Flanagan, but the album below is the first to feature all Christmas songs.
I listened to a lot of Harry Allen's work around the year 2000. One of the most impressive albums was Harry's Christmas album that was also released in 2000.

■ Recommended album: Christmas in swingtime / Harry Allen (2000)

This is Harry Allen's first album of all Christmas songs that he released in the year 2000. The cover photo was taken when Harry was a child on a ski trip during the Christmas season. Harry himself seems to have fond memories of Christmas.
However, do not underestimate it as a mere Christmas album. As the title “Christmas in Swingtime” suggests, this is a swing jazz album dressed in Christmas songs.
Harry chose organist Larry Goldings as his partner. Larry is a first-call musician who also plays piano but is known for his skills as an organist.
The guitarist is Peter Bernstein, a top young bop guitarist who has played on many of Larry's albums. Naturally, the combination of the two organists and guitarists is outstanding. The drummer is Jake Hanna, a leading swing musician.
When the organist plays jazz, he plays the bass line himself, so there is no bassist participating. Take this opportunity to pay attention to the bass lines played by the organist. The other vocalist is John Pizzarelli.

Recommended Song: “O Christmas Tree”

Also known by its original title “O Tannenbaum”, this folk song is an old German Christmas carol. It is said that Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, was born in Germany, and the song was introduced to England about 100 years ago. This instrumental song tells of a green fir tree that brings bountiful blessings and enjoyment.
The quartet performance includes tenor saxophone, Hammond organ, guitar, and drums. The relaxed performance creates a Christmas feeling. Larry Goldings' on-point Hammond solo is a must-listen.

Recommended Song: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

A 1934 song by Haven Garesby and J. Fred Coots.
The song was not expected to sell well because of its childish content, “You better watch out, You better not cry,” but it became a big hit when it first aired on a radio program.
Record sales by Bing Crosby and Perry Como reached 4 million and the song became a standard Christmas song.
The opening section is a long, single shot of Larry Goldings' Hammond organ that is consciously devoid of emotion, as if he understood the concept of the song and was playing a toy piano. No organ spinning effects are used, and the sound is almost entirely bare Hammond.
When all the members join in, the performance returns to its normal specifications. The contrast between the two is vivid and enhances the Hammond solo at the beginning of the piece.

Recommended Song: “Merry Little Christmas”

Co-written by Rahul Blaine and Hugh Martin, this song was written for the musical film Meet Me in St. Louis in 1943. The song was sung by Judy Garland who starred in the film and it then became widely known.
The Hammond organ introduction by Larry Goldings opens the duo by Harry Allen and Larry. The Hammond organ and tenor saxophone together create a moist Christmas mood.You can guess just how high the level of their ability is and enjoy the performance between the two skillful players.

Recommended Song: “Let It Snow”

A 1945 work by Jules Stein and Sammy Cahn. A classic Christmas song performed by the Woody Herman Orchestra and others. It was also used for the ending of the movie “Die Hard” starring Bruce Virus.
Larry's Hammond solo on the four beats is full of speed with block chords. The running bass line by Hammond that supports the beat is also a must-hear.

Recommended Song: “White Christmas”

Sung by Bing Crosby as an insert song in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, the song was also covered by Frank Sinatra. The song became a million-copy seller and became a Christmas classic.
Harry's tone is wonderful as he plays the opening section with a single guitar backing.
Larry Goldings' Hammond solo is also excellent, setting the song in a Christmas mood.
Larry is very good at playing solos in slow-tempo songs like this. His solos with a great tame effect should be heard by all organ players.

Recommended Song: “Blue Christmas”

Sung by Elvis Presley in 1957, this song was a big hit. This pop song was taken up by many artists including Tony Bennett. The lyrics are “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you, I’ll be so blue just thinking about you.”
John Pizzarelli sings “Blue Christmas,” which, unlike the lyrics, is smooth and sarcastic.
Harry's improvised obbligato, which he blows behind the vocalist while singing, is pleasant.

Recommended Song: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

A 1949 work by Johnny Marks. Sung by Bing Crosby, it became a very popular standard that has been covered by many artists and sold over 50 million copies.
Harry Allen performs this song in waltz tempo. The song is about a reindeer named Rudolph with a red nose who becomes a laughing stock among his peers, but then Rudolph's nose helps light the way for Santa's sleigh. While the song is cute, the catchy melody of the piece is beautifully incorporated into the jazz format.

Recommended Song: “I'll Be Home for Christmas”

A 1943 classic by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, and Buck Lamb. Known for being sung by Bing Crosby, it became a million-copy seller. A hit during World War II, the song was also a comfort to soldiers away from home.
Sung slowly, Harry's saxophone sounds beautifully as if it carries on that sentiment. The ad-lib exchanges between Larry Goldings and Peter Bernstein on organ and guitar in the latter part of the song are superb.

Musicians, albums, and recommendations featured in this issue

• Artists: Harry Allen, Larry Goldings, John Pizzarelli, etc.
• Album: Christmas in swingtime
• Recommended songs: “O Christmas Tree”, “Santa's Coming to Town”, “Merry Little Christmas”, “Let It Snow”, “White Christmas”, “Blue Christmas”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “I'll Be Home for Christmas”

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