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Australian Janet Seidel's smooth Hooray for Christmas is an easy-listening treat for the holidays. She's a Down Under Wonder with understated jazz vocals floating over an excellent ensemble (Chuck Morgan on guitars, brother David Seidel on double bass, Bob Jeffery on saxes and flute, Billy Ross on drums, and Janet herself on piano). This is low-key, cabaret-style jazz presented with soft sophistication.

Hooray for Christmas contains 14 cuts, largely contemporary holiday classics. The special surprises here include the terrific title track "Hooray for Christmas" (by Don Sebesky), the sweet Australian Christmas carol "The Silver Stars Are in the Sky," the melancholy "Dear Heart" (by Henry Mancini and others), and "White Xmas/(Noel Blanche)" providing Irving Berlin's classic in both English and French. The album closes with the most beautiful gem, the traditional Celtic hymn "Be Thou My Vision."

During the most harried moments of the holidays, an album like Hooray for Christmas can offer a sublime window of calm. Leave behind the havoc; Janet Seidel's pure vocals can transport you to a simpler, more elegant, place. Thank you, Janet, for these very cool cabaret carols!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Janet Seidel: vocals, piano
Chuck Morgan: guitars
David Seidel: double bass
Bob Jeffery: saxes, flute
Billy Ross: drums

From the Web site:

Based in Sydney, Australia, Janet Seidel sings classic jazz standards and uses the finest of Australia's jazz musicians in her band. A graduate of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, she is also a music educator. Janet tours extensively with her jazz group throughout Australia and overseas. She has played all the major Australian Jazz and Arts Festivals.

Janet Seidel

Hooray for Christmas

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Track List