The music in this CD not only reflects the great material of the season, but vocalist Marie Alexandre interprets the music in a fresh and exciting way.  She is a Chicago gem worthy of much, much wider recognition!
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Marie Alexandre adds vocal jazz delights to the season on her CD "Yule Fool"! 

With a lithe voice that deftly dances through creatively challenging arrangements, Ms Alexandre envelopes the listener with warmth and cheer like rum & eggnog. 

Backed by a solid and tight band, the songs glide with subtle, sure aplomb. Above it all Ms. Alexandre swoops and skiis through sonic powdered snow squalls like a veteran. There are hints of Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae in her youthful sounding original voice, especially in the tastefully satisfying "Silent Night/ A Child is Born" medley and "That's What We Love About Christmas"--two songs that exemplify the CD's success in avoiding shopworn cliches found in too many Xmas albums by better known artists. 
The band members support and enhance with strong solos, and when called for, the whole unit makes the holidays swing! 

There's no time to yawn here-- Mel Torme's Christmas Song is born-again with groovin' Bossa Nova that Ms Alexandre ends with classy surprise punctuation like the best of Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto. "A Child is Born" is given Coltrane-like muscle and freedom, adding even more celebration to the theme which instantly makes perfect sense. And Alexandre makes execellent use of her phrasing through shifting time measures and rests (ironically) in "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". 
The end effect is a thoroughly satisfying record that ends almost too quickly. Marie Alexandre, with her soft, soothing and friendly voice inspires Holiday cheer while perking the ears and soul.                                                    
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