Bob Dylan Christmas In The Heart
Who'd have guessed that this grizzled old campaigner had it in
him to come up with a holly jolly Christmas album. Not I for one,
but such is the joy Bob Dylan brings to his Christmas collection
you can almost hear him smiling. The clue is in the title,
'Christmas In The Heart', and it becomes obvious listening to it
that the sixties icon is enthralled by the season of goodwill. And
he has proved conclusively that he's no Ebeneezer either, as all of
his royalties from the album go to a variety of homeless
charities.
'Christmas In The Heart' is Dylan's 34th album, and his first
Christmas one. It took a lot of people by surprise but most were
won over by the enthusiasm with which Dylan threw himself into the
project. The album has 15 tracks in total, none of which are
original and Dylan for the most part does little to reinterpret
them. And why should he tinker, these songs have stood the test of
time for a reason. People know what they like and so does Dylan, so
he plays it pleasantly straight down the middle. The covers are of
the traditional variety so you won't be finding relatively
contemporary numbers like 'Last Christmas' or 'Fairytale of New
York' on this album. Throughout, Dylan is ably supported by an army
of female backing singers, who sound all the world like a sixties
girl-group. Together they create the sound of the classic Christmas
album, something that you mightn't have thought possible in modern
times.Dylan's vocals are at the forefront of most of the songs and
it works very well. Strip them away and you can hear a fine musical
accompaniment that is sometimes sparse, sometimes lush. There are
plenty of orchestral flourishes and there is no denying that the
album feels nostalgic, with only Dylan's latter day voice giving
the game away. The album's cover is typical of a well worn
Christmas card you might uncover in your attic, Granny's kind words
are still there and inside you glow like a yuletide log.
'Christmas In The Heart' opens perfectly with 'Here Comes Santa
Claus', the song is flush with sleigh bells with Dylan in
particularly ebullient form. His voice has certainly degenerated
over the years but in this seasonal setting it actually works in
his favour, as he could even pass for a kindly grandpa figure.
Similar highlights include 'Winter Wonderland' where the female
backing singers provide a lovely counterpoint to Dylan sandpaper
vocals, which don't sound too dissimilar to that of Louis
Armstrong.
Dylan's greatest success arrives when he tackles traditional
standards and carols. Faced with century's worth of competition the
blues man excels, creating versions that you'll revisit year on
year. 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' is powerful and emotional, you
could imagine how wonderful it eould sound as the bells toll twelve
on Christmas Eve. 'O' Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)' is
plain gorgeous, nothing fussy is needed as Dylan pours his heart
into the rendition and is only interrupted occasionally by his
delightful backing singers. 'The First Noel' could be taken from
the soundtrack of 'It's A Wonderful Life' such is the classic
approach with which Dylan chooses. It will have you pining for
childhood Christmases of yore. 'Little Drummer Boy' has been
covered to death but the version that appears here is a winner. The
theatrics are restrained and its works brilliantly, especially when
twinned with the cartoon video that was made to accompany it.
The majority of the tracks on 'Christmas In The Heart' are slow
and considered but there is one or two exceptions, like the
breakneck 'Must Be Santa' which boasts a Pogues like rush of
frantic energy. Luckily, Dylan keeps up and proves more than a
match for the boisterous music. He also filmed a lively video promo
for it, ending up beside Santa Claus at the denouement. 'Christmas
Island' is awash with country slide guitars and warm breezy musical
asides, and if you are the type to dress according to the song of
the moment do not forget to pack a garland of flowers to go around
your neck.
'Christmas In The Heart' really has universal appeal. Dylan's
fans will be enraptured by the venture and for those normally less
enamored (I've got my hand up) by his output there is a chance to
sit down with the legend for a swell three quarters of an hour of
yuletide fun. Listening to the album you can't help but come to the
conclusion that Bob Dylan truly loves Christmas. And his take on
songs that have been with us all our lives may well have you pining
for a follow up. Who'd have thought?
Bob Dylan Christmas In The Heart Christmas Videos
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