A Christmas Song

Description

A Christmas Song is a Christmas album by the American singer and songwriter Russ Taff, released on Sparrow Records in 1992. The album was produced by James Hollihan.

Russ Taff and James Hollihan Jr.’s quirky ‘A Christmas Song’ is released on Sparrow Records. Taff wraps that magnificent voice and some truly inventive Big Band swing arrangements around some tired Christmas clichés/songs. But when he busts out of elevator music (as he does with «What A Wonderful World» and «What Child Is This?»), the results are a revelation. [Bob Darden, Billboard Magazine, 14 November 1992]

Inspired by the era of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, Russ Taff has approached this album with a unique flair of blues, swing and jazz. The sophisticated style decorates traditional Christmas carols with the brilliance of a new fallen snow. It is that fresh – while retrospective of an earlier time. The Nashville String Machine is included on several of the selections, giving it a romantic quality that makes you want to hang out by the fire with a St. Bernard (and that special someone).

«Let it Snow» has James Hollihan Jr. swinging on guitar accompanied by John Hammond on drums who creatively carries the rhythm throughout the album. This is refreshing in an age where drum machine seems to have monopolized the music industry. A fast jazzy rendition of «Angel We Have Heard on High» features Matt Rollings on vibes, evoking the Christmas spirit like a chorus of icicle windchimes. For those who appreciate a cappella singing, «The Christmas Song», written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells, is arranged with harmonies in the style of Take 6 (all sung by Hollihan, who also produced). The playful expression Taff incorporates into every song makes this album a winner for both the young and the old. [J. Brittany Ham, CCM, December 1992]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-christmas-song/716614909)

CD tracklist:

01. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 4:34
02. Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:57
03. The Christmas Song – 2:19
04. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:01
05. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 4:01
06. Let It Snow, Let It Snow – 2:39
07. White Christmas – 3:51
08. What Child Is This? – 2:41
09. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 4:07
10. What A Wonderful World – 2:27

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records. A Home Video was also released. Remastered and re-issued on Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl LP by Girder Records/Limited Run Vinyl in 2024, pressed on Red Vinyl. Also re-issued on CD.

A full-page advertisement for the Russ Taff album A Christmas Song was featured in the November 1992 issue of CCM Magazine.