(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man With the Bag - Brooks, Dudley
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Coots, J. Fred
Cool Yule - Allen, Steve [1]
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus - Rene, Henri
Sleigh Ride - Anderson, Leroy
White Christmas - Berlin, Irving
Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season (Medley) - Berlin, Irving
That Swingin' Manger - Traditional
It's a Marshmallow World - DeRose, Peter
Christmas Night in Harlem - Parish, Mitchell
Mistletoe and Holly - Sanicola, Henry
The Christmas Blues - Cahn, Sammy
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Cahn, Sammy
Sleigh Ride - Anderson, Leroy
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Coots, J. Fred
A Rootn' Tootn' Santa Claus - Haldeman, Oakley
Zat You Santa Claus - Fox, James [Vocals]
You expect holly and ivy at Christmas, but how about a two-olive concoction loaded with classic swing? Eighteen cuts deep, there are pieces here for every generation that ever dug the style, from the '40s to the music's ... more » rebirth in the '90s. Truly timeless performances by Louie Armstrong (who rightfully should be Father Christmas), Louis Prima, Les Brown, and Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, are matched by the country & western swing of Tex Beneke and filled with likeable middle-of-the-road pop fluff by Jack Jones, Jo Stafford, and Manhattan Transfer. The always-innovative Mexican pop composer-genius Esquivel delivers his eccentric trademark version of "White Christmas," while Bob Francis apes the Sinatra-Crosby-Como Rat Pack crooner style with "That Swingin' Manger," a must for any martini and mistletoe party. --Martin Keller« less
You expect holly and ivy at Christmas, but how about a two-olive concoction loaded with classic swing? Eighteen cuts deep, there are pieces here for every generation that ever dug the style, from the '40s to the music's rebirth in the '90s. Truly timeless performances by Louie Armstrong (who rightfully should be Father Christmas), Louis Prima, Les Brown, and Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, are matched by the country & western swing of Tex Beneke and filled with likeable middle-of-the-road pop fluff by Jack Jones, Jo Stafford, and Manhattan Transfer. The always-innovative Mexican pop composer-genius Esquivel delivers his eccentric trademark version of "White Christmas," while Bob Francis apes the Sinatra-Crosby-Como Rat Pack crooner style with "That Swingin' Manger," a must for any martini and mistletoe party. --Martin Keller
Cool, balanced, blend of artists for Swingin' Christmas
11/16/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rhino, the company that shops licenses from multiple
labels (rather than one label's library), has come through
with a fascinating mix of artists which range from Jack Jones
to Louis Armstrong, Loius Prima to Esquivel, Jo Stafford to
Kay Star, Tex Beneke to Woody Herman with a fascinating record
of AWAY IN THE MANGER by Bob Francis in swing tempo and unique lyrics called A SWINGING MANGER. The overly recorded WHITE CHRISTMAS is presented here by ESQUIVEL in a manner that is unique and refreshing. Half the songs, although familiar, are less frequently found in collections such as this.
I probably should have given it 5 stars."
Good Stuff!
Rat Patrol Radio | 11/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While I didn't care for one or two tracks, I have to agree with the other reviewer about this CD being an excellent, *diverse* set of swinging Christmas tunes. I was actually looking forward to Christmas getting closer so I could dig this one out and play it again (without strange looks from my wife!) Recommended without hesitation!"
An excellent & diverse collection.
12/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has great swingin' songs for the hip and the square. The first cut, "Shake Hands With Santa", is so hip & powerful that you'll be congratulating yourself on your purchase before it's over. "That Swingin' Manger" will remind you of a Bill Murray SNL skit. The Vic Damone & Jack Jones songs will convince you that sometimes being square can be cool. Highly recommended."
Swingers dig the holiday season too, man
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 11/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rhino Records' Swingin Christmas CD is chock full of classic Christmas tunes and an overall flavor of jazzy, swinging 1940s style. The quality of the sound is excellent; and we get many famous artists performing here on this album.
Louis Prima does his usual work on "Shake Hands With Santa;" the number is electric and it swings brightly as Louis does it up right! Good brass, too. Woody Herman does a fantastic job with his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," too. Moreover, the immortal Louis Armstrong & The Commanders do a great job of "Cool Yule." I predict that you will enjoy "Cool Yule" very much!
Esquivel performs Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" with panache and sensitivity; and The Manhattan Transfer gives us a more recent recording of "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Song" that stays consistent with the overall swing flavor of this fine album.
Listen also for Louis Armstrong to return a second time with The All Stars to perform "Christmas Night In Harlem;" Louis sings this flawlessly. "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" gets the royal treatment from Les Brown that uses the brass just right; and Louis Armstrong returns for a third and playful number on this CD: Louis & The Commanders end the album with "Zat You Santa Claus."
The liner notes give us the song credits; and there's a very informative essay by Billy Vera. The artwork is great!
This CD has great numbers on it and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys classic Christmastime music with a swinging twist. The remastering is excellent which enhances the beauty of these tunes even more.