Our Review
I'm sure I risk annoying the man calling him a legend, but Jesse Colin Young still casts a long shadow over the sixties. It was just the one song, but it was a catchy little anthem that so encapsulated the Zeitgeist that it is synonymous with the peace movement and oldies radio to this very day. The world has moved on, and so has he, but he still has it: soulful voice, California folk-rock riffs, talented musicians all about him.
Every cut is carefully crafted and acoustically rich. That's really him playing that slide guitar, and although there is nothing more trite than Christmas music (believe me, I know about this), Mr. Young sings it all with a wink and a nod, as if to say sure, it may be silly, but it's still a lot of fun to play this stuff. Over all, the record is a mostly sacred set, but even at his most serious, there is an incredible lightness to his songs.
Among the lush string arrangements are featured at times Dylan Kai on lead guitar, The Magic Strings (Ursula Vietze, violin, Connie Young, viola, Marsha Lydiard, cello), and Betsy Curtis and Vito Truglia's vocals. Other arrangements are just Jesse Colin Young and his guitar. Just!
I rave about a lot of good music, probably because I listen to so much. But listen up now when I rave about Jesse Colin Young's Songs for Christmas. You won't be disappointed.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2002)
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From the liner notes:
Jesse Colin Young, namesake for sixties band the Youngbloods, now lives on the big island, Hawaii, with his wife and children. Here is a recent update.
Jesse Colin Young
Songs for Christmas
Artist link
Label: Liquid Records
Length: 44 minutes
Genre: Acoustic
Release: 2002
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| White Christmas |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Away In A Manger |
| Santa Claus Is Coming To Town |
| Silent Night |
| Some Children See Him |
| Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer |
| What Child Is This? |
| O Little Town Of Bethlehem |
| O Holy Night |