GAP
MANGIONE, FAMILY HOLIDAYS (Josh Music)
Bill DeLapp, Syracuse
New Times
Rochester-born
and -bred keyboardist Mangione sidelines the expected schmaltz from
the Christmas standards found on this album, instead imbuing each
number with vivacious jolts of energy. His rearrangement of "Sleigh
Ride" takes the Leroy Anderson original into new realms of
musical majesty, with trumpeter Jeff Jarvis and John Hasselback
on trombone helping to lead the charge and significantly change
the old chestnut. Mangione's big-band blast accomplishes something
most holiday albums can't: You can play it year-round, because it's
that good
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