Another Christmas Day
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
Listen to Another Christmas Day
A holiday album of all originals, the inimitable vocalist Alex Bird is joined by Ewen Farncombe, Jacob Gorzhaltsan, Julian Anderson-Bowes and Norbert Botos for the 10 jazz tunes.
Farncombe’s lively keys open “Prelude To Christmas”, before Bird’s smooth voice enters the upbeat climate, and “Another Christmas Day” follows with Gorzhaltan’s atmospheric wind amid the dreamy mood and Bird’s expressive singing.
“The Forecast For Today” lands in the middle spot and is a frisky moment thanks to Anderson-Bowes’ playful bass and Botos’ animated drumming, while “Every Time This Year” is an intimate moment of stirring beauty that tugs on the heartstrings.
Landing close to the end, “It’s December” pairs the mature keys with Bird’s glowing pipes alongside some ambience, and “Christmas Eve” exits with softness and a lullaby spirit that’s not short on romance.
Bird has been quite busy making a name for himself in the Canadian jazz scene in recent years, and this addition to his catalog is full of swingin’ fun and emotional balladry that still sound great when it’s sunny and 80 degrees out.
Travels well with: Alex Bird & Ewen Farncombe- Songwriter; Tony Glausi- Everything At Once