Christmas Album
Herb Alpert · 1968
32 min · 10 tracks · jazz
Bright brass and lush arrangements create a festive soundscape that reimagines holiday classics with a jazzy flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Winter Wonderland — This track opens the album with a joyful brass arrangement that epitomizes Alpert's signature sound, setting a festive mood right from the start.
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My Favorite Things — Alpert transforms this classic tune into a vibrant instrumental piece, showcasing his trumpet skills and innovative interpretations of familiar melodies.
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The Christmas Song — This rendition features warm, rich horn arrangements that create an intimate atmosphere, highlighting Alpert's skill in reinterpreting beloved holiday standards.
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Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow — With its upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation, this track captures the joy of the season while demonstrating Alpert's ability to infuse energy into traditional songs.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends jazz with holiday classics, showcasing strong arrangements and a festive spirit.
What we noticed
- The album features bright brass instrumentation that dominates the arrangements, creating a festive atmosphere.
- Each track is reimagined with jazz elements, often incorporating syncopated rhythms and improvisational sections.
- The running time of the album is just over 30 minutes, allowing for a concise yet varied exploration of holiday themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- festive background for gatherings
- warmth for cozy winter evenings
- playful tunes for holiday cheer
- short bursts of joyful nostalgia
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of intense soundscapes
- prefer modern, edgy productions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Herb Alpert was at the peak of his career when he released the Christmas Album in 1968, following the massive success of Whipped Cream & Other Delights. This album marked his foray into seasonal music, showcasing his ability to blend pop and jazz elements while further solidifying his status as a crossover artist. Alpert's unique style allowed this project to stand out during a time when traditional holiday albums were prevalent.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chuck Mangione· Burt Bacharach· David Sanborn
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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My Favorite Things
The song shifts into an unexpected key change during the bridge section, enhancing its playful nature and uplifting spirit.
This structural shift not only invigorates the arrangement but also reflects Alpert’s creative approach to reimagining well-known melodies.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Winter Wonderland 3:06
- 2 Jingle Bells 3:12
- 3 My Favorite Things 3:07
- 4 The Christmas Song 3:43
- 5 Las mañanitas 3:00
- 6 Sleigh Ride 4:03
- 7 The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle 2:59
- 8 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 3:49
- 9 Jingle Bell Rock 1:54
- 10 Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring 3:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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