Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 99

7 WEEKEND MAG FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1997 poga Former lead singer of Three Dog Night has fun with the title track, all things considered. But that's it. "Country Cares for Kids" (BNA, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Alabama and others do their musical bit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Scott Hamilton (not the skater), "Christmas Love Song" (Concord, Slow, sleepy-eyed tenor sax tries to get sensual with holiday favorites.

"Yule Be Boppin' (Blue Note, Vintage jazz by greats like Dianne Reeves, Eliane Elias and Javon Jackson. Dave McKenna, "Christmas Ivory" (Concord, Lively renditions on solo jazz piano. Rick Braun, "Christmas Present" (Atlantic, 12). Polished, funky carols and originals by a trumpeter and his groovin' band. "Voices of Winter" (Gadfly, by Herdman, Hills Mangsen.

Three hearty female voices, sometimes a capella, do English, American and original folk tunes. day standards. And "A Winter's Solstice VI" () is a series of largely forgettable new originals. On the Narada label, this year's new age offerings are also bland. Keyboardist David Arkenstone's "A Magical Christmas" () is anything but.

And Dordan's "The Night Before A Celtic Christmas" () is authentic all right (the musicians are from County Galway), but you've gotta love reels, tin whistles and warbling vocals. Rounding out the annual holiday truckload: "Merry Texas Christmas, VAll" (High Street, 12) by Asleep at the Wheel. Twangy versions of "Let It Snow" and other meteorolog-. ical events Texans know nothing about. Doesn't work for me, y'all.

Donny Osmond, "Christmas at Home" (Nightstar, He should've stayed there. Yolanda Kondonassis, "Dream Season" (Telarc, V2). Classical harpist plucks holiday standards. Chuck Negron, "Joy to the World" (Golden Arrow 12). HOLIDAY CPS, FROM PAGE 25 Cocktail" (Milan, by Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra.

This is a hip, jumpin' version of Christmas, sort of circa 1962. Call it big-band lite, with jazzy vocals by the Beehive Singers (a la Manhattan Transfer). Listeners who like their jazz straight up have three excellent new releases. Grover Washington "Breath of Heaven" (Columbia, 12) is a quiet showcase of the many moods of sax. Washington's fine musicianship is backed by an all-star band including Billy Childs (keyboards), Will Lee (bass) and Hiram Bullock (guitars).

The title track, co-written by Amy Grant, is soulfully sung by Lisa Fletcher. Other standouts are instrumental versions of "I Wonder As I Wander," Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime Is Here" and, believe it or not, "Jesu (Joy of Man's Desiring)." On the same label is acoustic guitarist Peter White with "Songs of the Season" (). His mellow string work is rounded out by session musicians on flugelhorn, flute (Seventh Wave, by assorted artists is also a choice album. Suzanne Ciani leads the way with muscular piano treatments of "Adeste Fidelis" and "Oh Holy Night." Oboist Paul McCandless, bassist Mike Marshall and others follow. Another strong entry is "Celtic Christmas III" (Windham Hill, V2).

Most of the material is unrecognizable, yet the melodies are infectious. Tne artists are adept at capturing the cold, dormant mood of the landscape. "Lully Lullay" by Nightnoise is fragile as an icicle. "Circle of Joy" is a playful tune for harp and violin. "Lament" is a sweeping, mournful piece composed by Patrick Cassidy for organ and orchestra.

This year's other Windham Hill samplers don't fare so well. "The Carols of Christmas II" 12) has its moments (Liz Story's piano on "Once in Royal David's City," George Winston's guitar on "The Christmas Song" and Janis Ian's gentle vocal on Solo pianist Jim Brickman's "The Gift" mixes six originals with holi and French horn. Most unusual track is "River," the old Joni Mitchell tune wish I had a river I could skate away on expressed in a plaintive, lonely vocal by Kenny Lattimore. A jazz CD with plenty of variety is "Jazz Christmas Party" (Warner Al Jarreau's silky phrasing heats up "Celebrate Me Home." The Bob James Trio takes on "Personent Hodie," a hymn more at home with a male choir and succeeds. Joshua Redman, Michael Franks and Bela Fleck also perform.

Like the toys in Santa's sleigh, there seems to be no end to the new age releases. The year's best is "Visions of Christmas" (Rhino, 12). Acoustic guitarist Ottmar Liebert does a Latin version of "Little Drummer Boy." Paul Winter's soprano sax paints a tired and fragile winterscape. John McCutcheon does fancy work on hammered dulcimer. Most cuts have been previously released, but gathered together they're an impressive disc.

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