Review Summary: Taylor James offers us a cornucopia of succulent sounds for our ears, a delightfully soulful old school R&B ride. Every now and then, a new Christmas song may come along that we just may add to our long list of caroling classics, “Christmas and You” i
It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. The old favorites we're used to hearing each holiday season return like old friends at this time of year to warm our hearts and please our ears. Then, every now and then, a new Christmas song may come along that we just may add to our long list of caroling classics. This year, at least for me my friends, that song comes from the Christmas EP by Taylor James, and aptly titled "Taylor-Made", called "Christmas and You".
"Christmas and You" has all the prerequisite sounds you usually hear in a common carol, like sleigh bells and church bells set to a dreamy winter waltz tempo, but when that smoky sax comes in you know you're in for a delightfully soulful old school R&B ride. And that's all within the first sixteen bars of the introduction. By the time Taylor's angelic voice comes in a' crooning at the end of that sixteenth measure, like a present under the yuletide tree, there will be no doubt in your mind that Santa Claus has indeed, once again, left gifts galore for you and yours.
Mr. James is not left alone handling the vocal duties in his song. He's joined by a sweet choir that sounds like angels harking on high in a sky full of bright stars and sugarplum dreams. Instrumentally, besides the aforementioned tenor sax, you'll hear not only the usual bass, drums and keyboards, but a beautifully played flute, tasty string pads and hot horns. Taylor offers us a cornucopia of succulent sounds for our ears.
The entire EP consists of only two songs, but there are six distinct versions of "Christmas and You" on it (listed as "New School - Radio Mix", Old School - Radio Mix", "New School - Extended Mix", "Old School - Ext. Mix", "Old School - Instrumental", and "Original - Recorded 1975". The other tune included is titled "Wishing You A Merry Christmas". This one's a bit more upbeat and a tad more funky than "Christmas and You".
It usually takes many, many years for a song to become a classic. Well, I may be going out a bit on Christmas tree limb here, but If I may be so bold, I predict that "Christmas and You" will find its way on our lists of classic carols and favorite holiday songs one day. Because when I hear a beautiful little Christmas EP like "Taylor-Made" I have to say, "Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow..."
heartsofgoldrecording.com
RIYL: Freddy King, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, Jimmy Witherspoon
