sometimes jews do christmas best (neil diamond, barbra streisand, jesus). now, i wouldn't go as far as to say Christmas Is In The Heart is the best christmas album, but it is some kind of wonderful. you may or may not know that mr. dylan has an interesting voice, and it's what makes this record so great. it's a joyous record that is at times tongue-in-cheek one moment and beautiful the next with a classic 1950's 1960's sound. the arrangements really are amazing but most importantly they are fun. fun is a must when it comes to christmas albums. yes i'll take the melancholy & reflective sounds of the season, but ya gotta give me some yuletide smiles from time to time.
the album starts off with the classic Here Comes Santa Claus. sleigh bells, banjos, jazz & slide guitar, and stupendous backing vocals give you a glimpse of what is to come. my favorite vocal performance is on Hark The Herald Angel Sing. think of your drunk uncle belting out the tune with all the passion he can muster. add a couple of fiddles and some really pretty female backing vocals, and you have christmas magic. O' Little Town Of Bethlehem, the album closer, has got some pretty amazing vocals on it as well.
the pinnacle of the record comes with Must Be Santa. it's an orgy of accordions, mandolins, drums on the backbeat, gang vocals and dylan naming past presidents in with all the reindeer. the video is absolutely fantastic. it fits the song so perfectly, and is mr. dylan in his pajamas? take a look and tell me i'm not wrong....
Christmas Is In The Heart is a new classic, and really will be in my christmas record rotation forever. get it. get it now.
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