Search - Frank Patterson :: At Xmas

Thank You, Mr. Patterson for Your Christmas Gift

H. F. Corbin | ATLANTA, GA USA | 12/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a world where we supposedly cannot say "Merry Christmas" in public and Hallmark and Macy's are way out of control, it is refreshing to listen each year to the beloved Frank Patterson's Christmas recording. There are twelve selections here, many of the standards. Besides the carols there is "Jingle Bells," a good choice to include. He sings two of my favorites, "The Little Drummer Boy" and "O Holy Night" and does great and marvelous things with "Adeste Fideles," that is, his glorious tenor voice soars and weaves and has a beautiful life of its own apart from the written notes. This is as good an arrangement of this standard as you will hear.



Biggest surprise on this CD: "Scarlet Ribbons." Christmas? I'm not sure. It has been recorded by a lot of people including The Kingston Trio and Willie Nelson. It may indeed be associated with Christmas; but whether it is or not, it's a beautiful song. Mr. Patterson can include "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and call it Christmas if he wants to. From where I sit, he can do no wrong.



Hearing this glorious CD again is bittersweet since Mr. Patterson left us all too soon. We can be thankful for small blessings, however, that we can still hear his wondrous voice thanks to modern recordings."