Jingle All the Way

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All instruments are played with incredible skill to make for a fun Christmas album
Wow. Bela Fleck and the other guys who play with him on this album are quite incredible. The banjo playing is spectacular and so fast you have no idea how he does it. The bass is mind boggling, I didn't even know you could get certain sounds out of a bass until I heard this. The saxophone is also quite incredible. The drums are good, and I've heard he uses some strange string instrument for half his drums, but man he's good too. This album is great for music appreciators as you will be blown away by the incredible skill showcased here. The biggest example of this is easily on the Twelve Days of Christmas where the counting and key changes for each day every time it comes up! It's nigh impossible to keep count by just listening to it, in fact. The rest of the songs are just plain fun to listen to, each one displaying that amazing musicianship. Overall I highly recommend this album as there are many, many words you can use to describe it, 'incredible' being only one of them.

A phenomenal band having a great time
The Flecktones have always been known for incredible instrumental abilities and challenging arrangements. By recording a holiday collection, they have made their music more accessible without sacrificing technique. This is also an incredibly diverse collection: I find that there are songs I can't stop listening to, some I enjoy greatly, and some that are fine (as well as one that is terrible--I can tolerate Tuvan throat singing as a texture, not as the primary instrument as it is on the Jingle Bells reprise). "Jingle Bells" has quite a bit of throat singing, but the chromatic bass line is what really makes this different and interesting. Similarly, "Silent Night" has enough alternate chords and a driving rhythm to make a well-known carol new and unusual. "Sleigh Ride" is the first song that I find incredible--Bela starts it with a common opening banjo-lick (think "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"), that tears into a series of single-line runs that are astonishing in their fluidity. Jeff matches this on the sax later in the song, all of which is propelled by Vic and Futureman's astonishing groove. Vic's solo includes a quote from "The Wizard of Oz," and during the instrumental breakdown he begins a "Rudolph" quote that the rest of the band picks up on. Astonishing musicianship; any question that these guys love playing together? The next song is a stunningly gorgeous solo bass rendition of "The Christmas Song." Vic shows the full potential of the bass as a solo instrument with high chords over a resonating low tone that is full and beautiful. "12 Days" is another favorite, with the band tackling a different meter and key with each day. How they stay together through 12 key and tempo changes at the end is astonishing to hear (props to special guests Andy Statman and Edgar Meyer, here and on other songs). The fact that this is bookended with a Bach oratorio demonstrates the range of these musicians: classical banjo (think "Perpetual Motion") with a sax counterpoint, quarter-notes on the bass driving it along; yes, it's a classical piece, but a fully modern arrangement. The Peanuts songs are next; from the other reviews, these are clearly favorites, though I found little unusual about the arrangements, perhaps because they were jazz pieces to begin with. The Jingle Bells reprise, as I mentioned, is the one song I never listen to. The Hanukkah Waltz is good, Sugar Plum fairies has some astonishing banjo runs which are then duplicated on bass. "What Child is This" is my absolute favorite: more Tuvan throat singing, but it perfectly fits the mood and feel of Dyngyldai: this song has the heaviest groove I've heard in a long time, and when it takes off the power is overwhelming. "O Come" is a nice, slow mandolin/string bass duet that is unremarkable. The medley is interesting, then the band has a blast with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Vic and Futureman start the groove, everyone else joins in, you hear the count-off, then there is a fantastic definition of the melody, with all the instruments trading off single notes. I first heard this idea on the "Strength in Numbers" CD, and am still always amazed when it happens. This is the band having their last blast. "River" is solo Bela, playing piano and banjo simultaneously. The fact that it is simultaneous is an unnecessary gimmick: the arrangement is beautiful and perfect. My point in this review: the musicianship is incredible and the songs are varied. Chances are you'll find something you love, even if you don't love the entire collection.

Outstandingly creative and fresh
An innovative look at a some traditional tunes by the Flecktones along with Andy Statman, Edgar Meyer, and a group of Tuvan throat singers. Some of the songs are presented in fairly traditional ways, but the bulk are creative new takes that explore the basic musical structure and find some often hidden qualities of these very familiar tunes. A highlight for me was The 12 Days Of Christmas, where each "day" is in a different time signature! Another interesting cut is Jingle Bells (reprise) where the melody is croaked out by a Tuvan throat singer accompanied by Bela's banjo. Their kind of bluegrass breakdown take on Sleigh Ride is also very exciting, and a fairly straight read on Linus and Lucy really stands out. The musicianship is outstanding-- the mighty Flecktones, Andy Statman's clarinet and mandolin, and of course the brilliant Edgar Meyer. Throughout there is a sense that the musicians were having a lot of fun doing this. It sure is a lot of fun to listen to!

My Favorite Christmas Album
I must admit I was reluctant getting this album, thinking oh no just another christmas album what have they sunken to? It immediately has become my favorite christmas album, very inovative and modern to say the least. I saw this guy that makes the "nasaly" vocals and once you understand it you might think differently. It is a ancient asian vocal technique where the guy is creating two distinctly different octaves at the same time, it's quite difficult to say the least but if you can get over the plain old wierd sounding (funny looking too) guy it's really quite entertaining. You have to leave it to Bela he always comes up with, or they seek him out, wierd musical talents just look at Future Man. I have a collection of about 50 christmas albums and really enjoy the inovations that modern music can apply to this tradition and this is certainly not just another christmas album, good job Bela and the gang!

The Best Jazziest Christmas Music Ever!
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have come together with a wonderful Christmas CD in the form of Jingle all the Way. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are making some of the most innovative and refreshing music these days, and it really shows in this Christmas CD. Bela plays the banjo, Victor Wooten on bass guitar, Future Man on percussion, and Jeff Coffin on sax and woodwinds and strange vocals. The last one does make some really strange vocal noises that I've heard in recent years; he doesn't sing, he nasally and throatfully performs, and strangely appropriate at times(Jingle Bells and Jingle Bells are examples). My absolute favorite tunes on this CD are the remake of Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy", "Silent Night", "Sleigh Ride", and "Bela's Banjo Solo Christmas". These wonderful renditions of classic Christmas songs in pure instrumental form are wonderful to listen to. So, have a Bela Fleck Christmas!