Yo-Yo Ma & Friends, Songs of Joy & Peace

Other Album Covers & Images

Yo-Yo Ma , Dave & Matthew Brubeck at recording.

Label: Sony Classical
Year: 2007
Released on LP: No
Released on CD: Yes

Tracks

Joy To The World
Concordia

Personnel

Notes

Recorded on 23rd September 2007.

The deluxe edition includes a 60-minute bonus DVD featuring behind-the-scenes recording session footage with Yo-Yo Ma and the guest artists, a photo gallery, and 5 complete music videos:

James Taylor, "Here Comes The Sun"
Diana Krall, "You Couldn’t Be Cuter"
Alison Krauss, "The Wexford Carol"
Chris Botti, "My Favorite Things"
Renée Fleming, "Touch The Hand Of Love

Reviews

All Music Guide – CD - Review – copyright


Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has long been a giant in the classical world, though he has also made a number of recordings with musicians who play other styles. This holiday disc doesn't exclusively stick to traditional Christmas songs, but covers a wide scope of material in a very ambitious manner. Ma opens with a lovely take of the traditional favorite "Dona Noblis Pacem (Give Us Peace)," playing both the melody and counterpoint via overdubbing. Jazz pianist/vocalist Diana Krall is superb in a swinging rendition of Jerome Kern's unjustly obscure "You Couldn't Be Cuter," adding bassist John Clayton.

An arrangement of "Joy to the World" features pianist Dave Brubeck, cellist Matt Brubeck (his son), and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera in a playful setting that works in "The Christmas Song" and "On the Trail." The senior Brubeck's "Concordia" is filled with spirit in a lively performance with the two cellists.

Chris Botti has never sounded better in the warm arrangement of "My Favorite Things," playing both open and muted trumpet, with pianist Billy Childs, bassist Robert Hurst, drummer Billy Kilson, and guitarist Romero Lubambo. Ma has previously collaborated with bassist Edgar Meyer (who is equally at home in jazz and classical music), though this is the cellist's first meeting with mandolinist Chris Thile. Together they make an impressive trio, especially in the enticing medley of "The Wassail Song" and "All Through the Night." Soprano Renée Fleming's rich voice is beautifully complemented by Ma, Meyer, and Thile.

Having worked with onetime bluegrass fiddler Mark O'Connor, Ma is very much at home with Celtic fiddler Natalie MacMaster in the lively medley of "A Christmas Jig" and "Mouth of the Tobique Reel." Among the other friends featured on this disc are the Assad Family, Wu Tong & the Silk Road Ensemble, tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, plus Alison Krauss with piper Christina Pato. One track doesn't fit in all that well with the rest of this CD. The Beatles' bland "Here Comes the Sun" has a warm vocal by James Taylor but it is hampered by its weak lyrics.

Ken Dryden

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