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Although I was familiar with Kenny Rankin -- whose records are a prominent part of my friend Ricky's music library -- I'll admit that I had never given his music a close listen. Because of what I know of Little Ricky, I had expected Kenny Rankin to be primarily a pop or a folk artist. And there are a times on A Christmas Album when I hear the folky sound I had expected, but I was unprepared for the Rankin's understated jazz arrangements and easy listening vocals.

Although it is not, by a long shot, my favorite musical style, I've actually given a lot of thought to jazz. There seems to me to be a jazz music meant to entertain jazzers and jazz listeners and another jazz music meant to appeal to a wider audience. As someone permanently ensconced in the wider audience seats, I am pleased to report that Kenny Rankin's jazz stylings are pleasing and impressive to non-mavens.

All of his arrangements are original; some draw from his jazz vocabulary, but others are performed as acoustic standards in the relaxed and plaintive register popularized by James Taylor. The breadth of styles apparent in these arrangements would be enough to make this a memorable recording, but the strong, sweet clarity of Rankin's vocals is such a noticeable element that it is almost a counterpoint to the arrangements. I particularly enjoyed The Little Drummer Boy, probably the most difficult of the traditionals to pry loose from its original arrangement. But Rankin manages to give it his personal stamp, with pop, folk, and jazz elements, and a vocal style that doesn't overdo the inherent pathos but doesn't completely let go of it, either. The effect is a wonderfully familiar song you've never heard before.

In spite of the material--too chock full of traditional songs and carols for my jaded ear--this is a wonderful CD, made wonderful by Rankin's magnificent vocals, his unique arrangements, and his eclectic style.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

A Christmas Album was performed by

Joe Beck: electric guitar
David Finck: acoustic bass
Kenny Rankin: classical guitar
Joel Moss: sleigh bells
Chanda Rankin and Gena Maria Rankin: angelic harmonies

Kenny Rankin

A Christmas Album

Artist link

Track List