 ‘Tis the season! Christmas tours from our favorite
artists have begun, shopping season is in full force, and
to accompany it all – holiday music to make us all
smile! This year we have a new CD to brighten our spirits
just a little more. Peter White Christmas
with Rick Braun & Mindi Abair is a long
awaited collection of Christmas favorites. And if you
have ever seen any of their sold out shows during the holiday
touring season, you’ll want to pick this one up! This
CD IS the show! Besides our three headliners,
the band rounding this out is Ron Reinhardt (piano/keys),
Rayford Griffin (drums/vocals), and Nate Phillips (bass). Plus
guest appearances by Jeffrey Osborne, Brian Bromberg, Kevin
Wyatt, Lenny Castro, and Russ Braun.
From the opening notes of Rick’s trumpet on “The
Little Drummer Boy,” you begin to smile. Rick
plays this classic song like no one else. And when
he is joined by Peter’s guitar and Mindi’s alto
sax, it is pure joy! “The Christmas Song” is
always a holiday favorite. But with Mindi and Rick’s
vocals, there’s that extra little pizzazz! For
this listener, you can actually hear Rick smiling when he
sings. Mindi’s original tune, “I Can’t
Wait for Christmas,” is always a crowd pleaser. Audiences
have come to truly enjoy her singing and her words are always
so personal. A very jazzy version by Peter comes up
next on “Greensleeves.” Peter makes this
timeless song a funky, headbopper especially when Rick teams
up with him!
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is
always one that brings a lump into the throat of this Chanukah-celebrating
fan. And I truly love hearing Rick offering his take
on it. He has become so comfortable singing and puts
his whole heart into it. Just beautiful! And
what a surprise to hear Peter on the harmonica! Who
knew he had so many other talents! “River,” the
Joni Mitchell classic hit, is another favorite sung by Mindi,
accompanied by the gentle guitar of Peter and Lenny Castro
on bongos. To pick up the tempo and add some fun, there’s “Jingle
Jangle Blues.” This is the jazziest take on Jingle
Bells ever! Brian Bromberg adds is great bass to this
one.
“Silent Night” is nothing short of Heaven. With
Peter pouring his soul into it, and the vocals of Jeffrey
Osborne, how can you miss? Rick’s trumpet adds
another dimension with “My Favorite Things” in
the background. “The Best Part of Christmas” is
another vocal featuring Mindi. She knows just how to
stir everyone’s emotions with her songs.
After several peaceful, introspective songs, it’s now
time to rev it up with “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town/Boogie
Woogie Bugle Boy.” This is nothing but fun! High-speed
antics with everyone involved – even Peter giving
us his version of singing! This is truly where their
personalities come out and you see how much fun they have
together. You can feel it!
Rounding out the album is “Happy Christmas/O Holy
Night” and “White Christmas.” Mindi
takes this Beatles tune and really makes it shine and then
Rick adds his trumpet and you feel yourself swaying! The
vocals on “O Holy Night” brings chills. To
hear Mindi, Rick, Rayford and Kevin Wyatt all singing it
just beautiful. “White Christmas” is performed
by none other than Peter. What a perfect close to this
CD. His guitar is so sweet and then joined by Mindi
and Rick, on sax, trumpet and vocals; it feels like the holidays
have truly arrived.
Peter White has put together a wonderful touring show for
the holiday season and now we all get to relive the fun and
beauty of the music anytime we want with this CD. Peter
White Christmas with Rick Braun & Mindi Abair is
sure to get your holidays off to a terrific start and bring
back great memories of their shows together. A great
addition to the collection – even without any Chanukah
songs!!!!
- Bonnie Schendell
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