Music Review: A Holiday Carole

Album:A Holiday Carole
Composer: Carole King
Music: Hear Music
Rating: 3.5
Christmas theme: This album for the holiday season was acclaimed singer-songwriter Carole King’s (she has won four Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her songwriting and is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song) first album after her collaboration Live At The Troubadour with James Taylor.
Favorite Things offers up some light, breezy jazz, while Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday has King channelling her R&B voice. Chanukah Prayer is almost like avant garde jazz rendition of a traditional prayer. Her voice is absolutely on point throughout and the closing New Year’s Day, with its wispy, almost ethereal vibe, ends the album on a soothing note.
If you’re wondering about the album’s overall approach, it is actually perfect for a nice evening where you’re putting up Christmas decorations with family or if you simply want to relax and listen to some Christmassy numbers that aren’t over-the-top and are soothing to listen to. Christmas Paradise and Christmas In The Air are wonderful mood setters. New Year’s Day is also quite a lovely track that is taken to another level with some melodic piano backing. All in all, a mellow, warm album perfect for evening listening.
LISTEN: Songs of Carole King on Gaana.com
WATCH: Carole King - The Making Of A Holiday Carole