June Christy was always an exceptional vocalist steeped in cool jazz who had a knack for unearthing interesting songs and fostering under-recorded songwriters. With the unjustly neglected
This Time of Year Christy decided to address the fact that every single Christmas album seems to feature the same few seasonal songs.
This Time of Year is that rarest of things -- a winter concept album of all new material that can be listened to even when the holidays are over. While
Christy had a sunny image, listeners sometimes confuse her upbeat blonde looks with her actual music; here she continues her propensity to explore the darker end of the emotional spectrum on what is basically the
Only the Lonely of Christmas albums. The fact that the title track finds
Christy singing, "I feel like a Christmas Cinderella/Trading in her fellah and her dreams" immediately clues you into the fact that this isn't exactly the kind of yuletide cheer that
Andy Williams spreads. But the album isn't only a refreshing change of pace -- it succeeds on musical merits alone and master arranger
Pete Rugolo (who was to
June Christy what
Nelson Riddle was to
Frank Sinatra) contributes deceptively complex charts that support
Christy beautifully. Of course, things get better for the lovelorn protagonist through the course of the album, but not before
Christy reminds you that the forced joviality of Christmas can sometimes make you feel less, not more, connected to your fellow man.
This Time of Year remains the Christmas album of choice for those who feel a little out of step with the holidays. ~ Nick Dedina