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Classic AOTW Herb Alpert & TjB CHRISTMAS ALBUM SP-4166

Discussion in 'The Beat of The Brass: Herb Alpert/Tijuana Brass' started by Harry, Dec 18, 2008.

?

What is your favorite track?

Winter Wonderland 5 vote(s) 13.9%
Jingle Bells 6 vote(s) 16.7%
My Favorite Things 11 vote(s) 30.6%
The Christmas Song 2 vote(s) 5.6%
Las Mañanitas 2 vote(s) 5.6%
Sleigh Ride 2 vote(s) 5.6%
The Bell That Couldn't Jingle 3 vote(s) 8.3%
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 1 vote(s) 2.8%
Jingle Bell Rock 3 vote(s) 8.3%
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring 1 vote(s) 2.8%
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  1. Mr Bill Administrator

    Much as I dislike those two songs, that was an amazing video!

    --Mr. Bill
    Mr Bill, Dec 22, 2008
    #21 Share

  2. A&Mguyfromwayback Member

    The best part is, as a child our family owned a really crappy knockoff Christmas album by the "Monterey Brass"....wish my folks had spent the money on the real thing way back then....
    A&Mguyfromwayback, Dec 23, 2008
    #22 Share

  3. Michael Hagerty Member

    Was in a store this weekend where the Tijuana Brass Christmas Album played all the way through. Great to know new listeners are being exposed each season.

    ---Michael Hagerty
    Michael Hagerty, Dec 23, 2008
    #23 Share

  4. Dave Active Member

    Well, these two are my FAVORITE Herb Alpert/TjB Christmas Songs...! Glad I had a chance to see the video...

    Now I'm REALLY in the Christmas Spirit!!! :santa:



    Dave
    Dave, Dec 23, 2008
    #24 Share

  5. Marty Member

    I had the original album back in 68 but my folks also got me that "crappy" knock off the Montery Christmas album wich I grew to love also.You gotta give the Montery Brass Christmas a chance .It will grow on you. I can't pick a favorite track on Herb's album.They are all the greatest in my opionion...but I just made a cd deleting all the choir intros & it COMPLETELY transformed the album! As Ed Sullivan said-"they are hot as pistols!"
    Marty, Dec 28, 2008
    #25 Share

  6. 122intheshade New Member

    I was just thinking the same thing (about the intros) while listening to the Christmas Album on the way to work! Those ooo-ooo-ooo-ooohs are interminable. I love your pic, Marty, because I also had the SRO CD with me to see if Herb might have purloined his intro to "Jingle Bell Rock" from his intro to "Wall Street Rag". You gotta admire a guy who can reach back decades to find something obscure and totally make it his own (not unlike the Doors doing "Alabama Song").
    122intheshade, Dec 29, 2008
    #26 Share

  7. Captain Bacardi Administrator

    I was in a convenience store today and heard "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" playing. Usually this store has a Golden Oldies radio station playing (I'm assuming it's an XM or Sirius thing) so this was a surprise to hear. I actually stayed in the restroom a little longer just to listen. :laugh: Of all the songs on this album this was an interesting choice to play. Nice to hear, though!



    Capt. Bacardi
    Captain Bacardi, Dec 23, 2009
    #27 Share

  8. Mike Blakesley Administrator

    I always thought that song would make a good basis for a kids' aniimated TV special.
    Mike Blakesley, Dec 23, 2009
    #28 Share

  9. KeithH New Member

    I voted "Jingle Bells", though "My Favorite Things" is a close second. "My Favorite Things" is the track on this album that I have heard the most on the radio over the years. I also noticed that Starbucks had it playing as part of their holiday music loop this year. Stabucks released a Christmas compilation CD this year. Maybe "My Favorite Things" is on the CD and that's why I keep hearing it in their stores?
    KeithH, Dec 25, 2009
    #29 Share

  10. Rudy Spinning The Wheels Of Steel

    I don't know if I'd vote it as my absolute favorite on the album, but "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" is one of the favorites since it is a unique song: it's not about Santa, snow, etc. It's a story song about a single Christmas bell. Always glad to hear it after endless different versions of all the other holiday songs out there. I like Bacharach's version as well.
    Rudy, Dec 26, 2009
    #30 Share

  11. DAN BOLTON Active Member

    I never really thought about that until now, but you're right. It's a song about cooperation between the forces of nature and folklore...usually, there are conflicts between Santa and Jack Frost or the elves or some other plot device designed to scare the little children, or at least pique their interest in the latest TV movie of the week. But, in this song, everybody is on the same side. Neat.

    I used to sing this song to the kids at church, always got a big smile from them.

    It doesn't hurt that it's also one of Herb's better vocals, and tailor -made for his talents.



    Dan
    DAN BOLTON, Dec 26, 2009
    #31 Share

  12. Captaindave Active Member

    I like Sleigh Ride the best. I like the arrangement.

    I like the contrast in the middle where the trombone takes a solo, but the rhythm continues to keep the beat going. And the way it gradually picks up back to the original tempo after that bridge.

    The whole album is full of nice contrasts and nicely created and executed arrangements. The arrangements give the songs a new lease on life, even though some of them have been around a long time.

    And, of course, hearing these songs with the TJB style and sound makes them seem new and original.
    Captaindave, Dec 27, 2009
    #32 Share

  13. Mike Blakesley Administrator

    I just realized I said the same thing back in '08. Well, I'm gonna repeat it every year until some famous TV producer takes notice! :D

    I gave this album my annual top-volume end-to-end listen on Christmas Eve while driving to meet my wife to go visit her mom for Christmas. I think I'm gonna change my least favorite song to "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring." For some reason this year, my previous least-fave, "Sleigh Ride," sounded better to me. It's still not up there with the album's best in my book -- IMHO you can't top the 1-2-3 punch of the first three songs -- but it's a good version of the classic tune.
    Mike Blakesley, Dec 27, 2009
    #33 Share

  14. Mr Bill Administrator

    I don't remember which tune I voted for when this poll first appeared, but like Mike, my favorite track varies by mood and year to year.

    I enjoy "The Bell that Couldn't Jingle" simply because it is so different than any other tune on the CD. I also like the somberness of "Jesu..."

    "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bell Rock" seem to have been tailor made (to my ears anyway) to be a double A-side single as opposed to my two least favorite tunes which DID get the double A treatment -- "My Favorite Things" and "Christmas Song." I'll refrain from my usual rave as to the mystery of "MFT" being a Christmas song or my natural dislike of "TCS" no matter who (yes, even Mel Torme) is performing it... :wink:

    --Mr Bill
    at least "WW" & "JBR" sort of got special "back to back" treament by virtue of their inclusion on !i! Something Festive !i!
    Mr Bill, Dec 28, 2009
    #34 Share

  15. Harry Administrator

    It looks like I never voted in this poll from a few years ago and I still don't know which one would be a favorite - they're all great in my book.

    That video that Mr. Bill and others refer to is still on YouTube:



    Giving this one a spin right now.

    Harry
    Harry, Dec 20, 2011
    #35 Share

  16. abstract_fan Member

    Herb created a Christmas album which (similar to how he approaches his recent American songbook work) isn't just some pop star (who is not a great record producer like Herb) playing/singing a bunch of songs.

    His creativity is at his usual high level.

    Vocals:
    1) caroling interspersed throughout
    2) shoo-be-dooby Mel Torme scatting on Jingle Bells
    3) nicely arranged intro singing on Bell That Couldn't Jingle
    4) reverent singing on Jesu
    5) Herb's vocals are terrific, terrific

    Choice of songs:
    1) Las Mananitas (Mexican birthday song); with the BMB
    2) Bell That Couldn't Jingle (good work from his buddy Burt; should be better known)
    3) Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Herb reverently plays a religious Bach chorale)

    Arrangements:
    1) Let It Snow anticipating Kenny G
    2) Jingle Bell trumpets on Bell That Couldn't Jingle
    3) the march segment on Sleigh Ride
    4) unusual tempos (which is usual for Herb)

    And, if that weren't enough, how about that cover?
    abstract_fan, Dec 20, 2011
    #36 Share
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