Rod Stewart’s “Merry Christmas, Baby” just debuted on PBS-TV
stations across America (check local listings for times in your area).
The latest in THIRTEEN's Great Performances series, it opens with Stewart riding a bicycle up to a hillside
mansion. He quickly changes into a suit and starts this elegant hour-long holiday
special that revolves around solid new Verve Music Group CD, “Merry Christmas,
Baby.”
With conductor (and album producer) David Foster on piano,
Stewart performs alongside a small band and string section throughout the
program. They do most songs in a main room with an audience but also venture outside
where “snow” covers the ground and trees. Stewart does a traditional, intimate
take on “White Christmas” in a private room with just Foster and veteran guitarist
Dean Parks.
There’s a good vocal chemistry between Stewart and duet
partners Mary J. Blige (a dramatic “We Three Kings”), Michael Buble (the
breezy, humorous “Winter Wonderland”) and Cee Lo Green (the soulful, Motown-ish
title track, complete with female backing vocal trio).
Trumpeter Chris Botti appears on the virtual "duet" with Ella
Fitzgerald (a sleek, jazzy “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”). A bagpipe
ensemble even brings some of Stewart’s native Scottish heritage to “Auld Lang
Syne.”
More lively soul strains come via the horn-driven original
finale, “Red-Suited Superman” with guest Trombone Shorty. Longtime Stewart fans
and those who came along more recently with the “Great American Songbook
Series” should enjoy both the TV special and album alike.
In Southern California, airdates on KOCE include: 8:30 p.m. Nov. 29, 1 a.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Other airdates on Ovation are: 3 p.m. Dec. 9, 2 p.m. Dec. 10.
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