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Christmas All Over the World recreates the electric piano quartet sounds of the 1960s, providing laid-back pop with jazz leanings. The first three cuts reflect fuller orchestration; the remaining tracks set up the listeners with martinis in a dark lounge while Chandler and his crew play an relatively intimate set of swingin' Christmas tunes.

When I first saw the album's name, I assumed that the CD might feature holiday music from all around the globe, but that's not what's happening here. "Christmas All Over the World" is one of two catchy, original holiday tunes by Chandler; the other is "Christmastime." In fact, of the ten tracks presented here, six are well-known offerings, two are Chandler originals, and two are new tunes by Josh Hemingway and Kevin Waldrop ("Everyday Like Christmas" and "Gift of Love").

Chandler plays an exhilarating piano on all the tracks and provides laid-back vocals on all but two (the instrumentals are "What Child Is This" and "Christmastime Is Here"). His textured, slightly breathy voice is used to especially good advantage on warm and winning numbers such as "The Christmas Song" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

The band is top notch. Of particular note is Lee Braswell, who plays a jazzy sax on many cuts, including a terrific turn on the instrumental "What Child Is This," which is my pick as the shining star on the top of this particular holiday tree. Nice!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Chris Chandler: Lead Vocals and Piano
Lee Braswell: Sax on #2, 3, 4, 6, 9
Val Davis: Drums on #2, 3, 7, 9
Jeff Franklin: Drums on #1, 5, 8
Phil Hadaway: Bass & Drums on #4, 6; (& organ on #10)
Dave Keller: Bass on #2, 3, 7, 9
Reid Richmond: Guitar on #1, 5
Kevin Rose: Synthesizers on #8
Sidra Sams: Background vocals on #5
Clarence Williams: Bass on #1, 5, 8

The electric piano entered contemporary Jazz in the late 1960's, attempting to make the organ more like a regular piano in Jazz groups. Plus musicians were dissatisfied with the state of acoustic pianos--mechanically out of tune and in disrepair. On Christmas All Over the World, recording engineer Phil Hadaway and I happened across the sound for seven of the tunes on the CD. This sound is the electric piano quartet of the late 1960's: Fender Rhodes Piano, Stand-up Acoustic Bass, Trap Set and Saxophone. The first three original Christmas songs are bigger production numbers.

Produced by Chris Chandler.

From the Web site:

Chris Chandler and Southern Charm and Swing--it's more than a Swing Thing! The music Smells like Jazz, Feels like Blues, and Rocks like R&B.

Chris Chandler

Christmas All Over the World

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Track List