On November 3rd, ECM released its very first CD of Christmas music! Carla Bley, one of jazz's greatest arrangers, turns her attention this time to a delightful collection of traditional and non-traditional seasonal fare which she's titled: Carla's Christmas Carols
Christmas music has been an enthusiasm of Carla Bley's for decades, and the pieces she has chosen here are subjected to her offbeat wit and idiosyncratic arranging skills. Selections include “O Tannenbaum", “Away In A Manger", “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", “Jingle Bells", “O Holy Night" and “Joy To the World", plus Mel Torm's “The Christmas Song" and a brace of Carla's own pieces - “Jesus Maria" (first recorded by Jimmy Giuffre back in 1961), and, giving the devil his due, “Hell's Bells".
You should be able to find this album in fine record stores but for your convenience click here to be linked to the correct page on Amazon.com
