Does the world need another Christmas album? After listening to ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ I think that you will agree that yes, the world does need another Christmas album, this Christmas album!
Growing up in the wonderful melting pot that is the United States, have had the pleasure of being exposed to many different cultural experiences. During the holiday season in December, Christmas music has always provided me with my favorite soundtrack. I want to offer some nice music from the soul to add to the collective soundtrack. Having worked with a wide array of artists in various genres, my tastes in music are very eclectic. One approach I like in particular is a very organic approach so I set up the foundation of this music with acoustic bass, acoustic piano, and drums. I then added to the pot some instrumental overdubs of Hammond B3 organ and a few subtle keyboards. Rounding it out I had some of my favorite singers lend their interpretations to these classic Christmas songs.
Winter Wonderland is a fresh and funky new approach to the song in a New Orleans Meter-esque vibe with just the trio.
O Christmas Tree is a nod to the wonderful Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas approach to the song featuring the trio again.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas the album’s title cut, is done as a Jazz ballad and features the unbelievable vocals and tenor saxophone of Brad Collins.
Little Drummer Boy is done is a classic second-line New Orleans feel with added Hammond B3 to put additional grease on it.
A Child Is Born is a Jazz waltz in a classic jazz trio setting featuring Lori Williams on vocals. Lori is an amazing established solo artist and puts her unique and masterful stamp on the song.
The Christmas Song is done is beautiful Jazz ballad style featuring Andre ‘Blues’ Webb on superbly soulful vocals a la Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross…
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a lovely harmonic re-working of the classic featuring a blistering drum solo at the end by Mark Prince.
O Holy Night is done is classic gospel style a la Aretha Franklin, Billy Preston, Ray Charles, featuring the stunningly beautiful and powerhouse vocals of Tracy Hamlin.
Silver Bells is done by the trio in a Samba and is a bright and happy interpretation.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside is done in a Swing and features lovely and entertaining interplay between two wonderful vocalists Kara Britz and Brandon Combs.
Christmas Time Is Here is a beautiful and lilting Jazz waltz ballad featuring Marshall Keys’ soulful, sensitive and beautiful interpretation on alto saxophone.
Silent Night concludes the album in a classic Gospel style featuring the amazing Bryan Fox on vocals.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas promises to make the listener feel good through the music! It truly must be heard in its entirety to appreciate how much soulful music is up for offering. It is not just great holiday music, it is great music for any time of the year…
MUSICIANS
Benjie Porecki: piano, organ, keyboards
Mark Prince: drums
Michael Bowie: bass
Brad Collins: saxophone & vocals on track 3
Marshall Keys: saxophone on track 11
Lori Williams: vocals on track 5
Andre “Blues” Webb: vocals on track 6
Tracy Hamlin: vocals ch tracks 8 and 12
Kara Britz: vocals on track 10
Brandon Combs: vocals on track 10
Bryan Fox: vocals on track 12
All bass, drums, piano, saxophones, and vocals on tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 12 recorded at Studio 51 Brad Baerwald
Female vocal on track 10 recorded by Corey Britz at Britzkrieg Studio
All other tracks recorded by Benjie Porecki at Funklove Studio
Mixed by Benjie Porecki at Funklove Studio
All tracks arranged and produced by Benjie Porecki Mastered by Charlie Pilzer at Airshow Mastering
Graphic Design by Todd Googins