Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet: “Fools For Yule” (2021) CD Review

Yes, it’s that time of the year when Christmas music begins to insert itself into our daily lives, playing over the speakers at every store we visit, becoming the theme to every television and radio commercial, and forcing its way into our brains. And though much of it is annoying, each year there are some good holiday albums released. Fools For Yule, the new album from Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, is in that category. Part of its appeal is in the fact that there are several original numbers written by Ginny Carr Goldberg, who also co-produced the album. Part of it is that these vocalists obviously have a sense of fun and joy about what they do, which is obvious from the album’s cover (or the covers of any of their previous albums, for that matter). But the main draw of this release, of course, is their vocal talent. The group is made up of Ginny Carr Goldberg, Robert McBride, Holly Shockey and Lane Stowe. Backing them are Frank Russo on drums, Max Murray on bass, Alan Blackman on piano, Donato Soviero on guitar, and Chuck Redd on vibes, with special guest Keith Carr on Irish bouzouki.

They open the album with “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” which was written by Irving Berlin and is not strictly a Christmas song. They deliver it with a delicious classic style, particularly in their vocal work. If you wish to travel back several decades, or at least make your holiday feel like that of decades past (and who doesn’t?), this track should do the trick. In addition to their wonderful vocal work, this track features some nice stuff on vibes. What is also remarkable about that lead on vibes is that the singers use their voices as backing instruments during it, to excellent effect. That’s followed by “Fool For Yule,” the first of the album’s original compositions and sort of the title track. One thing about the holiday is that, if approached a certain way, it can make us feel like children again, and this song taps into that, with lines like “And then we’ll romp and play/Seven years old again.” It’s an adorable song. “We’ll pile in a sled and we’ll take a ride/Through miles of incredible countryside/With crazy as our compass/We’ll raise ourselves a rumpus.”

I’ve said it before, but the absolute best Christmas television special is A Charlie Brown Christmas, in large part because of the music by Vince Guaraldi. Here the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet covers “Christmas Time Is Here.” Obviously, it is the vocal version they perform, but that doesn’t mean this track doesn’t include a pretty instrumental section. In fact, that section is rather lengthy, and not only includes some excellent work on piano, as you’d expect, but a cool lead on bass. That’s followed by a delightful rendition of “Winter Wonderland,” which includes that extra section at the beginning. I particularly like that introduction, where their voices are backed by guitar. And how can you help but enjoy those “doo-doo” backing vocals throughout the track?

“Whisper,” another original composition by Ginny Carr Goldberg, begins with some soft and rather soothing vocal work, establishing a warm vibe. This song takes place on Christmas Eve, and fits many of the things that are associated with Christmas into its three and a half minutes.  But it is this song’s final lines that I like most: “Dreamers whisper/Secrets they believe/Listen while I whisper/I love you/On this Christmas Eve.” This track also features some good work on piano. That’s followed by another original number, “L’Amour Nous Entoure Ce Soir,” this one sung in French, automatically making it more charming. In addition, there is some wonderful work on guitar, helping to make it one of my personal favorites. We then are treated to a pretty rendition of “The Christmas Song,” delivered a cappella and so really highlighting this group’s vocal talents.

“Santa Dear, Where’s Mine?” is an unusual love song from the perspective of Mrs. Claus. I love that it opens with the words “My man,” making us immediately think of Santa as a lover. This is another of the disc’s highlights, featuring some more wonderful work on piano, a sensuous vocal performance, and a cool, sexy rhythm. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “The weather at the North Pole/Is never really warm/So would a little cuddle/Do you any harm?/I know I can be subtle/But take this as a sign/I need to know you’re trying/So, Santa dear, where’s mine?” This is my personal favorite on the album. It was written by Marilyn Shockey. Then “St. Ita’s Vision” features some gorgeous vocal work.

“It doesn’t feel like Christmas/Might as well just be May.” Those opening lines of “It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas” could have easily been said by my girlfriend, who still hasn’t quite gotten used to winter in Los Angeles. But this song isn’t about that. Rather, it’s about being alone on the holiday. This is another original composition, and it features a good lead on bass. “Christmas was made for children/That’s what they all profess/So now that I’m grown/It’s Christmas alone/I guess.” And these lines are interesting: “Christmas was made for children/Lovers are children too.” The album then concludes with one of the best traditional Christmas songs, “Silent Night,” and it is yet another of the disc’s highlights. The first half is delivered a cappella and is beautiful. Then we get a pretty instrumental section before the vocals return.

CD Track List

1. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
2. Fool For Yule
3. Christmas Time Is Here
4. Winter Wonderland
5. Whisper
6. L’Amour Nous Entoure Ce Soir
7. The Christmas Song
8. Santa Dear, Where’s Mine?
9. St. Ita’s Vision
10. It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas
11. Silent Night

Fools For Yule was released on November 1, 2021 on HouseKat Records.