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Track List

Album Remarks & Appraisals:

"The liner notes imply that this is the Christmas album Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli might have made, had they made one... One thing is sure: however you deck your halls with music - whether you dig out that dusty stack of CDs, or cue your Yuletide playlist - this collection is so different from anything else that it's likely to make your guests pause, nogs in midair, to ask what it is. And you don't even have to answer: just show them the CD cover, where Santa drives a gypsy caravan instead of a sleigh. Brilliant and delightful!" -All Music Guide
 

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Album Notes

Personnel: Jeff Magidson (vocals); Deborah Tien Price (violin); Eric Gaenslen (cello); Clint Baker (trumpet).

Audio Mixers: Alan Bise; Alan Bise.

Recording information: Bay Studios, Oakalnd, CA.

Photographer: Stuart Brinin.

The Hot Club os San Francisco continues in the Gypsy jazz tradition of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France (which featured the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt and violin master Stéphane Grappelli), though they've added a few modern touches and a number of guests for this Christmas CD. Steve Allen's "Cool Yule," a hitfor Louis Armstrong, is a surprising choice for an opener, as it has fallen into obscurity. "Don Rudolpho" is a wild, chugging reworking of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in a traditional Gypsy jazz setting. Guest vocalist Isabelle Fontaine duets with rhythm guitarist/bassist Jeff Magidson in a romantic, swinging take of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," while the snappy take of "Sugar Rum Cherry" (Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn's adaptation of Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies") features Evan Price on electric octave violin (in salute to Stuff Smith), complemented by Clint Baker's sassy muted trumpet. The quintet is expanded to an octet for a serious take of "I Wander as I Wander," while the subdued, relaxing setting of "The Christmas Song" consists of just two guitars and bass. The madcap finale is "Auld Lang Syne," followed by a hidden track, a brief rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." It's refreshing to hear new twists on holiday favorites. ~ Ken Dryden

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