Several years ago I did a review for Joshua Bell’s At Home with Friends album and it is still in my regular rotation of music. Such a warm sound with wide variety of guest artists that it just feels familiar and comfortable. When the opportunity came up for me to review his newest album, Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends, I couldn’t wait to listen. Sure enough, it didn’t disappoint! Just as warm and comfy, but with the extra familiarity of your favorite Christmas tunes! This is a a grab a glass of wine and sit by the roaring fire kind of album. Or, if you’re my kids, a put on your slipperiest socks and ice skate around the house kind of album.
I love that the album has so many classics that are well-arranged and performed. And I especially love how many of the featured artists are my person favorites – Alison Krauss, Branford Marsalis, Kristin Chenoweth, Placido Domingo, and Gloria Estefan. Such an eclectic bunch!
I have two favorite songs on this album. Bell performs a Nutcraker Medley with the professional accapella group Straight No Chaser in which they say not even one real word, nothing but scat! Love it! And then there’s Christmas Confusion, which is a holiday song that cleverly mixes both Christmas and Hanukkah songs. The song was arranged by violinist Aleksey Igudesman, who is considered the “the new Victor Borges of classical music”. (If you have never heard of Victor Borges, you’ve got to stop what you’re doing right now and listen to this, my favorite comedic bit possibly ever. And if my status as music and grammar nerd wasn’t already solidified before you watched that, I’m sure it is now!) Of the song, Bell says, “It’s a parody on the holidays, and something that will definitely make people smile.” And smile I did from beginning to end.
Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends :: $10.99 on iTunes
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