Nancy Lamott - Just in Time for Christmas (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

Sparkling Christmas album by cabaret singer extraordinaire.

Mary Whipple | New England | 12/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this 1994 recording Nancy Lamott puts her unique stamp on familiar Christmas fare, along with some newer songs. Her cabaret approach is showcased by her arranger and accompanist on piano, Chris Marlowe, who keeps the accompaniment simple, allowing Nancy's voice to capture the moods and vitality of the season without the distraction of big orchestrations. Ranging from softly sweet to full-out, Nancy Lamott is "on" here, communicating the spirit and messages of these songs in her own style.

In "Some Children See Him," the simple piano accompaniment, in the same range as Nancy's voice, blends with it and feels like a duet, with her voice sounding as clear as the piano itself. The lovely "(Christmas) Stay With Me" once again keeps the background piano simple, while a muted trumpet answers Nancy's bluesy lyrics and starts a dialogue, ending in a stirring trumpet solo by Glenn Drewes.

Not all songs are simple, however. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" features a walking bass and a lively duet with Michael Feinstein, as Nancy and Michael, delightfully at cross-purposes in this song, argue whether he will stay with her or go home. "Just in Time for Christmas," one of the most memorable songs on the album, is a love song, with Nancy announcing "You brought me the greatest gift of all," a message which grows in volume and orchestration until she is singing full-out at the conclusion. In "All Those Christmas Cliches" the singer, sadly jaded by holiday decoration and tradition, now wants it all--the tree, the wreath on the front door, the plywood reindeer, sentimental cards, kids, and laughter--a poignant reminder that for Nancy these dreams did not come true.

As always, her powerful voice remains totally under control, ranging from the softest whisper to some full-out belting. Her diction and phrasing give the album a sense of immediacy--as if she is singing to each listener personally--and though many songs are sweetly sung, Nancy is simultaneously tough and strong--never demure or coy. According to the press, difficulties between the Lamott family and Midder Music, her recording company, have now been resolved, and up to ten new albums of never released material should start being available by the summer of 2005. Mary Whipple

"

Brings you Christmas cheer 12 months a year

Mary Whipple | 02/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was once chastised for listening to this CD in AUGUST....but I couldn't help myself! Nancy's voice is as wonderful as always, and Christopher Marlowe's arrangements outstanding (no surprise there, either!) "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is stunning in its simplicty - no one has sung, or will sing, it better. Two other favorites are the title track and "All Those Christmas Cliches." Although we just celebrated Christmas 1998, I must urge anyone interested to BUY this now, as sales of all Nancy's CDs are being halted due to legal battles with the estate. Don't miss this one!"

Nothing Like Her

Mary Whipple | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I learned this album was on the way, I had already bought all of Nancy's earlier recordings. I was already so in love her voice but, though my hopes were high for her Christmas album, I wondered if she could bring anything new to holiday songs that had been done and done and done. When I heard "Just in Time for Christmas," I was bowled over by the new life she breathed into all the old songs. "I Saw Three Ships/Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella", "Some Children See Him", "I'll Be Home for Christmas" -- just three tracks that I believe are now the definitive recordings of those tunes.And the title track, "Just in Time for Christmas," is classic Nancy La Mott -- she starts out on the quiet side, grabs your attention in small ways, and then builds up to an emotional peak that's almost too much to take.Thoughtful song choices, brilliant Chris Marlowe arrangements, and of course that singular voice -- what an amazing combination. Every year when I open the box of Christmas music and see this album waiting for me again, I feel that strange and wonderful blend of joy and sadness that Nancy La Mott and her music brought us for the all-too-short time she was here."

Still the Best

Rusty Kransky | Greenport, NY United States | 12/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is still my favorite Christmas recording ever made. Nancy LaMott's voice, the terrific Chris Marlowe arrangements, and the song choice are all wonderful. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" has never been sung more effectively, "Just in Time For Christmas" and "All those Christmas Cliches" are touching and lovely. Unusual choices like "A Child is Born" and "Earth and Sky" reflect Nancy's originality and humanity perfectly. If you like Christmas music, this CD is essential for your collection. You'll find yourself listening to it repeatedly!"

Sing a Torch, Jeannette Isabella

Gregor von Kallahann | 12/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Say what you want about Kathie Lee Gifford, she at least had the good taste and savvy to champion singer Nancy LaMott (during the latter's lifetime) and did her part to promote this great but somewhat obscure cabaret singer to a national audience. Of course, Nancy LaMott is still not the household name she should be if this were a just world. Posthumous stardom is not an impossibility, as the success of Eva Cassidy's records have proven. Nancy LaMott was certainly as big a talent--and as compelling a story as Ms Cassidy, but her recorded legacy has been (apparently) been tied up in various legal wranglings, which is more than unfortunate. It's almost criminal that her records are not more readily available. She was among the greats, and if megastardom was not something to be realized in her all too short life, at least let her be discovered now.

But, hey, it's the holiday season, and I'm in a generous mood, so let me just do my bit to promote Nancy LaMott's music--and in her Christmas album in particular. For some reason, I found myself going on a holiday music bender this year. Perusing the old collection, it became ridiculously clear how many holiday albums I owned, and how few I had actually listened to. Nancy's was one I had played quite a bit back when it was new, and then it joined the ranks of the other Christmas recordings stashed away "until next year."

So I made a point to rediscover these yuletide treasures once more this season. And many of them really were quite good. Of course, one hears the many of the same tunes over and over and over again. I'm sure that I could get into numerous debates over which singer "owns" this song or does "the definitive" take on that one. Such arguments are pointless, and not exactly in keeping with the holiday spirit anyway, but I will say this: when Nancy LaMott takes on one of those old holiday chestnuts (whether or not it's roasting on an open fire) you will, at least for the moment, put all other fondly remembered versions out of your mind. She makes all those old songs new again--no mean feat when you're talking "The Christmas Song" or "I'll Be Home For Christmas." And the new stuff is pretty wonderful too. A little cabaret irony on the title track and "All Those Christmas Cliches," a little unabashed mush on numbers like "Earth and Sky" and "Some Children See Him." It all works, in part because of who Nancy LaMott was--a great interpretive singer who could interpret just about anything.

"

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