Album Review: Boptism Christmas from Rich Willey

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Album:  Boptism Christmas
Artist:  Rich Willey
Label: Boptism Music
Website: https://tinyurl.com/BopXmas
https://boptism.com

Call it old fashion, call it nostalgic but whatever people call holiday tunes garbed in traditional swing fixings and classic jazz decor, it is just what the soul needs.  Trumpet player Rich Willey tweaks an assortment of Christmas fan favorites with his own handcrafted stylizing and signature champagne-imbued cheer on his release Boptism Christmas.  Willey shines a spotlight on everything good about swing jazz.  He is endearingly the Lawrence Welk of his day.

Willey's bubbly trumpet toots flutter and furl smoothly across "Silver Bells" as the smoky fumes of Alex Taub's organ embellish the liveliness surging along the melodic progression.  The fluid motion of Taub's keys cruising languidly along "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is accentuated by the soft undulations of Andy Page's guitar, creating a tranquil atmosphere while the horns cradle the listener in pacifying dewdrops.

The instrumentation oozes with reverence and affection for these timeless tunes.  That is especially true in Russ Wilson's vocal treatment of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer," as he injects a jovial Dean Martin-like glaze to the track.  Calling out Santa's sleigh riding team, he adds to the list, "Vito and Guido and Knuckles and Louie / Tommy and Dickie and Harry and Freddy," embracing a playful twist in the lyrics.

An entertaining effort by Rich Willey, Boptism Christmas will put a smile on audience's faces, incite happy thoughts and stir up good cheer.  Willey shines a spotlight on everything uplifting about classic jazz and swing, and shows a deep affection for contributing to its endurance.

Musicians:
Rich Willey plays trumpet, bass trumpet, valve trombone, tuba, Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI), composer, arranger, and bandleader
Dylan Hannan - alto saxophone
Ashley Pritchard - tenor saxophone
Bill Reichenbach - trombone and bass trumpet
Alex Taub - piano and organ
Andy Page - guitar
Zack Page - upright & electric bass
Justin Watt - drums
Russ Wilson - vocal* and drum†

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