The closer
Christmas approaches, the more appear every year new
Christmas albums. Even the least jazz musicians can
escape this influence. Peggy Dusquesnel's double CDs are
still one of the better specimens of the genre.
An instrumental and a vocal album allow us
choosing our personal taste. In addition to classic
hymns she also offers us her own compositions on both
CDs. Peggy is supported by Jay Leech (guitar), Brian
Kilgore (percussion) and Andre Mayeux (string
orchestrations).
The instrumental album starts with Little Drummer
Boy, Harry Simeone's popular Christmas song. While
Peggy plays with the right hand the classic theme, she
adds with the left hand a jazzy addition before the
introduction meanders into a free improvisational part.
The interpretation of O Come, O Come Emmanuel
shines with Brian Bromberg's wonderful acoustic bass
solo and an extensive piano rendition. The title song
impresses with Rick Braun's lead on the flugelhorn. The
less known Mary Did You Know is very melodious
with a Latin impact.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing was
recorded with a great respect for the original.
Something like this it will sound on some Christmas
concerts. The buoyant Christmas is Here fits
perfectly into this concept. Peggy's approach to the
classic hymn O Christmas Tree is quite unusual.
She takes the Latin avenue.
Silent Night, however, is interpreted as a
country music piece. What Child Is This? is a
popular Christmas carol written in 1865. Peggy mixes it
up with Petite Fleur. Her own song Under
the Christmas Tree has, apart from the Christmas
character strong traits of country music. I Wonder
as I Wander by folklorist and singer John Jacob
Niles is brilliantly modeled by Peggy and Brian
Bromberg.
Final piece on the instrumental album is Light of
Christmas in full jazz swing. While the
instrumental music conveys a contemplative impression,
one finds on the vocal album plenty of excitement.
Peggy's Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is
consistent and in view of the high performance of the
involved musicians a delight. On Mary Did You Know
Peggy duets with Emma Werderman in wonderful harmonies.
With Light Of Christmas she delivers another
composition to the eternal Christmas hymns.
Silent Night is the vocal equivalent to the
instrumental version of the first album. Also the second
disc can not miss the title track. This time, Peggy
sings a duet with Bill Cantos. On Breath Of Heaven
(Mary's Song) and on Under The Christmas Tree
both team up again. I Wonder As I Wander
follows as vocal song. This time the second CD is closed
with the swinging Christmas is Here.
Sometimes you should not wait until Christmas to give
gifts yourself or others. All I Ask for Christmas
is an ideal present for the quick deciders.


Biography
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Album Information
Title: All I Ask for Christmas (Instrumental)
Artist: Peggy Duquesnel
Year: 2013
Length: 0:51:37
Genre: General Holiday
Label: Joy Spring Music
Tracks:
01 Little Drummer Boy (Instrumental Version) [4:58]
02 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental Version) [4:20]
03 All I Ask for Christmas (Instrumental Version) [4:51]
04 Mary Did You Know (Instrumental Version) [4:12]
05 Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Instrumental Version) [4:35]
06 Christmas is Here (Instrumental Version) [4:13]
07 O Christmas Tree (Instrumental Version) [4:23]
08 Silent Night (Instrumental Version) [3:30]
09 What Child is This (Instrumental Version) [4:28]
10 Under the Christmas Tree (Instrumental Version) [4:10]
11 I Wonder as I Wander (Instrumental Version) [4:01]
12 Light of Christmas (Instrumental Version) [3:57]
Title: All I Ask For Christmas (Vocal)
Artist: Peggy Duquesnel
Year: 2013
Length: 0:37:16
Genre: Christmas Jazz
Label: Joy Spring Music
Tracks:
01 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town [3:35]
02 Mary Did You Know [4:13]
03 Light Of Christmas [3:59]
04 Silent Night [3:28]
05 All I Ask For Christmas [4:52]
06 Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song) [3:45]
07 Under The Christmas Tree [5:15]
08 I Wonder As I Wander [4:00]
09 Christmas Is Here [4:10]
Further review:
Seems Like I Know
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