John Basile: “Silent Night” (2019) CD Review

It’s that time of year again, when department stores assault us with Santa displays, tinsel and “Jingle Bells,” when we must be cheerful or suffer the wrath of the mysteriously appointed holiday angels. It is enough to drive even the sanest of us into fits of rage and despair. But in the middle of the maelstrom, there is some peace to be found. Of the fourteen million new Christmas albums released each holiday season, some are actually quite good. Jazz guitarist John Basile’s new release, Silent Night, can be counted among them. Most of the songs that he chooses to cover are traditional fare, but he delivers good instrumental renditions. And he kindly avoids “Jingle Bells.” He also includes one original tune on this album. It is a solo album, with John Basile not only playing guitar, but also using MIDI guitar technology to fill out the sound. He also did all the arrangements.

The album opens with an interesting version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” the pace just a bit faster than you might be used to. Still, it has a pleasant and fairly mellow vibe, and features some nice guitar playing, particularly when he departs from the regular line of the song. That’s followed by “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” It’s an instrumental version, so it won’t offend those idiots who want to change the song’s lyrics (yes, I’m talking to you, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson, you nincompoops). This version features a pretty introduction before getting into the body of the song. The vocal lines are performed by two guitars speaking to each other in duet. It’s an enjoyable rendition.

We then get the album’s sole original number, “Lulladay,” which eases in, and has a peaceful and somewhat mystic vibe, setting a certain mood. It also features some of my favorite guitar work of the album. John Basile follows that with “Silver Bells,” a song written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. This one moves at a fairly quick clip, and features a rhythm that is unusual for this song. “Silver Bells” is certainly one of the better Christmas songs, and I like this bright and joyous rendition. John Basile also gives us an unusual and pretty version of “Silent Night,” another track that establishes and explores a certain mood. That’s followed by “Toyland,” a song composed by Victor Herbert for the musical Babes In Toyland. John Basile delivers it with a different rhythm than is normally present.

“O Tannenbaum” (here presented as “Oh Tannenbaum”) is another of my favorites. This is a holiday song that I have mostly enjoyed over the years, and this version has a cheerful vibe, the guitar keeping things bright and clear. “What Child Is This?” follows. I’m always tickled when an artist delivers an instrumental rendition of this song and calls it “What Child Is This?” After all, the music is “Greensleeves.” “What Child Is This?” is a hymn set to the music of that song, and so any instrumental version is simply “Greensleeves.” But no matter. I’ve always loved this music, and this rendition is quite good. That’s followed by a more recent piece, “A Child Is Born,” composed by Thad Jones. This track has a pretty sound, with the guitar work at times uplifting.

I’ve said it before, but A Charlie Brown Christmas is absolutely the best television holiday special, and a large part of its appeal is Vince Guaraldi’s music. On this album, John Basile covers “Christmas Time Is Here,” delivering a rendition that has a happier sound than the original. It should fill you with warmth and good cheer and optimism. That’s followed by a really good version of “The First Noel,” which is at its best when it strays from the song’s usual line. The album concludes with “Auld Lang Syne,” because a new year closely follows Christmas. Let’s hope this will be a good year, full of joy and compassion and intelligence.

CD Track List

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
2. Baby It’s Cold Outside
3. Lulladay
4. Silver Bells
5. Silent Night
6. Toyland
7. Oh Tannenbaum
8. What Child Is This?
9. A Child Is Born
10. Christmas Time Is Here
11. The First Noel
12. Auld Lang Syne

Silent Night was released on October 1, 2019.