Okay, so this one was a pleasant surprise for me. I wish I could say that I’ve heard this song before today, but I’d be lying if I did. I knew I wanted to find a great Christmas song for this week’s Track, but I wasn’t sure where I’d land. As it turns out, I landed on “The Christmas Song,” as played and arranged by Tony Mottola, from his Close To You album.
Contempory jazz is pretty terrible in my humble opinion, with its smeared melodic lines and repetitive vamps. But this classic comp-style jazz is a different story. The harmonies are interesting and the melody is intertwined within the chordal changes. Mottola’s performance is inspiring and it is a testament to the way jazz should be.
This Christmas tune is a surprise gift to me (and you too, I guess). Just in time too!
For more information about me and the guitar lessons that I give in and around Baltimore, visit www.ewguitar.com.
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Before commenting on the track of the week, I’d just like to tell you how much I truly enjoyed your blogs this year! Well written, thoughtful musings on a wide range of musical tidbits that put a smile on my face every time! You truly have a gift for writing! As for contemporary jazz, I’m personally fond of the “smooth jazz” sound, if for no other reason, it is usually well recorded, and for the most part well arranged with a nice sense of flow. It’s the improvisational type jazz that I’m not particularly fond of. Bob James, David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Peter White, are the type of Jazz musicians I enjoy. As for your track of the week…beautiful interpretation of a classic christmas song,done with the style and grace it deserves. Great tune!