4/5
A Holly Jolly Jones Christmas.
DUMBO, Brooklyn. The world's most famous bridge in the background as a bicycle rolls into frame across the cobbled streets that lead to that classic view of New York's other iconic gateway heading back to Manhattan. Christmas lights wrapped around the spokes like tinsel. Leading a St. Nick bike trip through the B.K. like a Santa Dash with one that looks nostalgically like Richard Attenborough's 'Miracle On 34th Street'. All the way to a rooftop Christmas party full of "friends that feel like family" and good times. Striking a pose in a matrimony of photo booths, beard face pulls and playing with Chris Kringle hats like cheerleader pom poms. As our smokey, smouldering muse winks at us fondly. Coming out of the cold of an atmospheric winter like steam from NYC manhole covers. Open it up like presents in just a few more sleeps, because that time of year has come round again. When Norah Jones gifts us with yet another record for the singer who gets out more albums these days than our older relatives this season. Last years safe as houses at home 'Pick Me Up Off The Floor' was proceeded by her 'Begin Again' new way of making music. Not to mention her second album with her Puss N Boots 'Sisters' that came right after their own Christmas 'Dear Santa' EP. Or her ''Til We Meet Again' live album that began this year to tide us over until the next time. And this full album will pick us up the same. Greetings from the most magical city in yuletide. Coming home for Christmas just in time like Marvel's 'Hawkeye' series, wrapping up its finale tonight in a bow as Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld take one. Like we wish we only could return to our residences, corona quarantined at a distance. "Last year was so hard with all the friends I couldn't see/Christmas without you was not as bright as it could be/I pushed through those winter nights just wishing you'd appear/Please say that you're coming home for Christmas time/It's only Christmas once a year/Do do do do do do", the performer who even gave us homemade concerts during corona last year soothingly sings on 'It's Only Christmas Once A Year', like a warm blanket after another year of discord behind our own doors. Making it count even if we can't fly home (hands up, lost in Japan. I miss you being close my beautiful family). All as she reaches for the star on a classic, dressed up cover that feels like its 'Not Too Late', with iconic New Yorker red shining like Christmas tree neon. On her tippy toes touching the tippy top like the top of the Empire State Building she recently cold, gloved hands played her piano on in concert with her band and the winter 'Boots' of fellow Puss, Sasha Dobson. Snow and good feeling falling all around this fall from the 'Come Away With Me' diamond singer who really takes us away in faraway land nostalgia tonight.
October gave us this set like Christmas coming early. This month gave us deluxe wrapping. And in an August rush this writer didn't even have the time to tweet if it's too early (not anymore) to watch Sofia Coppola's 'Lost In Translation' reunion like 'On The Rocks', 'A Very Murray Christmas' yet. And in the blink of an eye its here and I may not even get the chance to make it on my list. But the singer who performed with Bill Murray and Puss N Boots as well as her own Christmas covers over the calendars gives us not only one of the greatest Christmas sets of all-time with outstanding, original new classic and a small sprinkling of legendary standards with her iconic vocal take, but one of her best actual albums. From 'Come Away' to 'Day Breaks' and all 'The Fall' of the 'Little Broken Hearts' and Willies in between for the jazz, new age, genre bender songstress. An eighth wonder for the album of the same number, just like fellow New York as they come piano icon Alicia's 'KEYS' (also unlocking one of the greatest hits of her accomplished album career, this month). This is a real album to add to her classic collection. Nuanced and not some nice nostalgic novelty for the holiday sales. This 'Feels Like Home' like Dolly Parton's 'Christmas On The Square'. Or the Gaslight of Brian Fallon's anthemic take on the 'Night Divine' standard. Not to mention Ben Harper's instrumental 'Winter Is For Lovers'. Or John Legend's 'A Legendary Christmas' by the fire like a yule log. Tank's 'A Classic Christmas Night' and 'A Very She & Him Christmas' to name just a fond few. But this one tops them all on the tree and it's thanks to the stunning single and vivid video from this 'Jolly Jones' for the 'Christmas Calling' that calls back to the classic, homaged hums of 'Sunrise' as this year begins to set like this one in our unconscious memory. "I wanna hear the music play/I wanna dance and laugh and sway/I want a happy holiday/For Christmas/I could call you on the phone/Sing a song, it feels like home/Instead of feeling all alone/This Christmas," Jones sings to our jonesin' hearts in kind who are really feelin' it. All we want this Christmas, Mariah, is a Happy Christmas. And maybe a sing-a-long to you too.
So come on and come one, come all like everyone welcomed at the door of her home here in enthusiastic embrace...even with our elbows. No matter if you're wearing the same ugly sweater. It's a good look and it's all love with a piano by the fire in the snow globe album title track 'I Dream Of Christmas' to stocking fill your advent calendars with more hallmark harmonies. "I dream of Christmas/Snowflakes in the air/I dream of Christmas/Beauty everywhere/Fa la la la la la la la/Fa la la la la la la la/Fa la la la/La la la la la. Sing along at home. It's coming like Coca Cola holiday trucks. Just look out your 'Home Alone' window and give us a wave like Culkin's Kevin. Because red sweater on 'Lost In New York', there is nothing quite like this right now. Like a sleigh riding through Central Park similair to a carriage. All the way to the romantic ice rink and the 'Christmas Glow' for a Norah signature. Or the 'Blue Christmas' classic from many a live show, brought to the studio setting for this Blue Note record. Christmas, what a time to have the blues like Bill somberly staring from the window of another hotel to the city. But it's just been one of those years...again. Still, Miss Jones once more is here to provide a beautiful balm to all that. Dreaming of a 'White Christmas' like that unmistakable track, or Chipmunk creator Ross Bagdasarian's 'Christmas Don't Be Late'. Not knowing again that it actually might be cancelled in the end. But not this time. As like mistletoe and wine, Norah gives us a fine 'Christmastime' ("Can you believe it's Christmastime/Sometimes the joy is hard to find/All around the world/There's still ways to be kind") and a moral message for this greeting card for the seasons. Reassuring us that walking in this 'Winter Wonderland', 'You Are Not Alone'. "If you are tired/And if you are scared/You're not alone/If you were good/If you were bad/You're not alone/Jesus was born/On Christmas Day/Gave us his love/To make our own way', showing us the right Manhattan sidewalk path on Christ's birthday, like a star at night. And this one shines on 'Run Rudolph Run'. Loading up all the presents for our dear hearts now 'Christmastime Is Here'. Longing for 'A Holiday With You'. Asking, "Would you like to spend Christmas with me?/Would you like to sit under my tree." Uhh, YES! But Christmas shoppers and sales staff alike, we know how annoying these albums become when played on repeat as the needle falls more than the ones on your tree. So even though right now this is the moment (from 'O Holy Night', to 'The Christmas Waltz'), 'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?' Because like a Tank thanksgiving turkey ('Thankful For You'), Jones adds another decoration dedication to her first holiday album in this 'Last Month Of The Year'. "Here's the jackpot question in advance" she builds up to ask. Ringing in the New York, New Year in Times Square like a Dick Clark ball drop, Norah is still rockin' around the tree. "When the bells all ring and the horns all blow/And the couples we know are fondly kissing/Will I be with you or will I be among the missing/Maybe it's just too early in the game/Ah but I thought I'd ask you just the same/What are you doing New Year's/New Year's Eve/Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight/When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night/Welcoming in the New Year/New Year's Eve." Yet again, all you had to do was ask. Get your roasting chestnuts into this. This gets us into the spirit like the 'Christmas Carol' ghosts of past. No matter the Dickens. Even if this Christmas can't be a reality like last, Norah Jones makes it all a dream. Merrily on high. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)', 'Christmas Glow' , 'I Dream Of Christmas'.
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