Silent Night

Silent Night, Chris Standring's 2022 unique take on holiday classics sees the prolific composer and arranger digging creatively into new territory and offering some unexpected renditions of these very familiar songs. Capturing the warm, nostalgic and sentimental side of Christmases gone by, Silent Night draws from the classic stylings of Nelson Riddle and Vince Guaraldi all with Standring's very individual guitar voice at front and center throughout.

‘Silent Night’ will be released digitally October 14, 2022 on the Ultimate Vibe Recordings label and is quickly into the seasonal groove with an enchanting rendition of ‘Deck The Halls’. Elsewhere and just as good ‘O Little Town Of Bethlehem’ is a number that demonstrates Standring’s boundless creativity while a standout of the whole collection is his take on the instantly recognizable ‘Christmas Song’. Another instant favourite is the shimmering title cut that Standring presents simply but with an arrangement exuding warmth yet all things considered the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the beguiling ‘We Three Kings’. With Dave Karasony on drums and John Leftwich on upright bass it passes the litmus test, and then some, of Christmas music you would be happy listening to in July.

Bass player Kevin Axt completes Standring’s backing line-up and all are superb in jazz trio mode for a hip rendition of ‘Winter Wonderland’ and, although Standring uses ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman’ to conjure up images of (extremely jazzy) carol singers trudging through the snow, it is his reworking of ‘The First Noel’ that will send your mind spinning back to how you remember the best Christmas you ever had.

Talking of music that has stood the test of time the evocative ‘I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas’ checks just about every box imaginable so to say that Standring takes this memorable tune to a whole new level is testimony to the sensitivity with which he handles it. It provides a fitting end to a superb recording that is sure to be a huge seller, not only this year but for many more Christmases to come.

Why not be good to yourself, download the album, pour a glass of wine, light a roaring fire and make your Christmas come early.- Denis Poole Smooth Jazz Therapy