VERY BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF YEAR 2004
MISS CHILLY HUNG | Kennedy Town Praya, Hong Kong | 11/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The true and genuine feeling of Christmas spirit comes through in this beautifully arranged new album of Laura. It's been 10 years ago since Laura's released her first bossa nova album 'The Lady Wants To Know', the 3rd release of Laura's most successful albums.
It's going to be a magic Christmas. To capture magic, Laura renders 13 seasonal classics with a brand new interpretation with a range of music from bossa nova to ballad classics. Of this year's slew of Christmas releases, this is surely one of the coolest, oozing smooth accessible jazz that conjures the festive spirit in a subtle way. This release features a slightly more bossa nova feel to it than other Christmas releases. Re-arrangements of traditional Christmas numbers are only vaguely recognisable as their original incarnations.
Laura's sultry and smoky voice cruises effortlessly from the bossa nova tunes 'Sleigh Ride', 'Winter Wonderland', to the jazz licks of 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', 'The Christmas Song' and the French version of 'Noël À Paris' pulls off a jazzy version, the CDs mellowest track.
Traditional unforgettable favorites are all included in this impeccable album like 'The Christmas Waltz', 'Christmas Morning', 'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?', 'Once A Year Miracle', 'A Song For Christmas', 'Merry Christmas Darling', 'Christmas Time Is Here', and the title song 'The Very Time Of Year'. The depth of feeling that Laura portrays in the new interpretation unmistakably between the lyrical and the passionate.
Laura is often credited with having created the bossa nova sound as a result of this marvelous CD, which is probably the most important and significant jazzy Christmas album ever released. Classic, wonderfully delivered, impressive tunes that leave you wanting the next.
Easy listening for those mellow moments over the festive season. As you look ahead to the new year what better way to celebrate the holiday season than by listening to Laura this most excellent and fabulous Christmas album ever!
Laura has done it again - `The Very Best Time Of Year' will no doubt punches for `The Very Best Christmas Album of Year 2004'!!!
"
The Holiday Season with Laura
Robert L. Schlumpf | Rockwall, TX USA | 05/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is just one of Laura Fygi's fabulous CDs. This talented lady has a voice that is so enjoyable to listen to, that one must play her music over and over and still not get enough. I recently discovered her on XM radio, and now have five of her CDs. Although she is considered to be a jazz musician, her ballad and love song
renditions cannot be bettered. Her command of languages is also first rate. Why she doesn't tour the US with her orchestra is a mystery. I would be one of the first to purchases tickets."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1