December -

Customer Reviews:

A nice addition to one's Christmas cd rotation!
I passed on this cd in 2002. It seemed a bit flat, and I certainly prefer Chris Botti's horn playing to his singing. The removal of "Perfect Day", and the addition of "Ave Maria" and "I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas" in the 2006 re-issue were sufficient enough for me to buy this version. I'm now recommending this cd.
--2006-12-15

It's all good except the tracks with heavy drums
Really liked all songs excepts ones with heavy drums (drum machines?) on them. Felt the heavy/steady percussion was not warranted, or appropriate, for such a mellow trumpeter.

The songs are:
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Little Drummer Boy (no surprise I suppose)

It's not that I am against drums, but just thought that they could have been softened or reduced so that they didn't overpower the songs.
--2006-12-10

"December ... Chris Botti ... Sony Records (Original Recording Reissued)"
Sony Records brings to the table another music maker Chris Botti with "DECEMBER", all the
splendor of the Christmas Holidays on 13 Tracks...Botti creates visual moods of each
Christmas selection ... every track moves you ... It flows naturally and perfectly from
track to track... If you're looking for a piece of music to capture your heart and a deeper
meaning of Christmas...you've found it .

13 Selections from Chris Botti in the order they appear on the album:

1.The Christmas Song 4:32
2 Ave Maria 5:46
3 Winter Wonderland 3:08
4 The First Noel 2:50
5 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 4:02
6 Hallelujah 3:04
7 I Really Don't Want Much for Christmas 4:18
8 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:31
9 Santa Clause Is Coming to Town 4:07
10 Silent Night 5:45
11 Little Drummer Boy 3:05
12 O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:10
13 I'll Be Home for Christmas 4:07

Botti takes a more contemplative look at the Holiday Season with this album ...
his unmistakable intimate, low key signature of playing ... Botti interprets songs and carols of the
season including beautiful renditions of "AVE MARIA" and "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" ...
each reflects the emotion of the Season ... a must have for all Chris Botti fans, plus adding to
your beautiful Christmas Music Collection..

Total Time: 56 mins on 13 Tracks ~ Sony #75381 ~ (10/10/2006)
--2006-12-09

Easy solution -
If you already have the originally released "December" go to iTunes and download "Ave Maria" and "I really Don't Want Much for Christmas." Those two tracks are not on the original "December" release.

If you don't have the original and purchase this cd still go to iTunes and download "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Perfect Day" from the original "December" release that are not on this cd.

Are you confused? No worries - either way you can't lose owning either.

While you're at iTunes and thinking Christmas, download the single "Emmanuel."

Then burn a cd with all the former "December" tracks and newer tracks you've purchased and voila - you have the whole set of not-to-be-missed Christmas music. Enjoy - but not with Egg Nog - it's not good for you.
--2006-11-16

Re-issue with 2 new tracks
This is a re-issue of Chris Botti's holiday album with 2 new songs: track 2 (Ave Maria) and track 7 (I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas - (with Eric Benet)) are not included on the 2002 release. But these are not additional tracks. They replace 2 songs from the original release. So listen to the songs and then decide, which version you like more.
The 2 new songs are great, but I still don't know, if I should buy that CD, because I already own the first release.
--2006-10-30

December

- Columbia