Leave it to annual DMA winner Jill Jack to uncover the true spirit of Christmas. Rather than try to add a contemporary edge to these old standards, Jack has taken the traditional route, which in itself is an alternative move nowadays. Agghh, we’ve gone full circle. She does stray from time to time, and that’s when she falls over. Still, even the cover art will fill you with warmth, especially the back picture which sees Jack toasting the holidays with her band.
In fairness, holiday music is a tough sell with uber-cool music fans, but Jill Jack has produced as album that is actually very listenable in the right setting. There’s a slight twang to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” that keeps things interesting. Her take on Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” should be skipped. That song didn’t ever need a reggae touch. Best track is “Baby it’s Cold Outside,” which sounds as sassy and cute as it ever did.
