Jimbo's Jots

Pop quiz: what do you get when you cross a big band horn driven sound, a lead vocal that sounds a bit like Harry Connick Jr. and a Christian faith? You get Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. These Belmont University alums created this sound that transports you back to the days of your grandparents or maybe even great-grandparents at the height of the big band era.

Let me introduce to you Denver and the Mile High Orchestra’s album Timeless Christmas. I was first introduced to DMHO about 15 years ago when I was watching a Christmas special hosted by Philips, Craig and Dean. One of the guests on the show was Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. Their renditions of some of the old favorites will get your jumpin’ and jivin’. One other claim to fame for this band was competing on the FOX network reality show, The Next Great American Band (2007), where they finished third. Although the band is no longer, the members of the band continue to make music of various forms in the Nashville area.

Some of the classics they include on this album are: Jingle Bells, Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Little Drummer Boy (cool song because different bands members riff through the song), Sleigh Ride and they do a bluesy version of Frosty as well.

Here are some of the songs that connect me on another level:

• Born Tonight – a declaration of faith and praise as we enter the manger scene to remember and reflect on the purpose of Jesus being born
• This Christmas All I Need Is You – with the sound similar to a Nat King Cole, we find the song sharing that being with that special someone could be what they enjoy most about the Christmas season
• Jesus Child – an homage to the New Orleans jazz sound. This Christmas carol talks about the baby born in Bethlehem. So “Sing hallelujah!!”
• This Must Be the Place – imagine being lead to where the Christ child is. From its opening words to the end, you are invited into the whole life of Jesus from the birth in a crowded inn to the grave where you see the empty tomb. Your response is worship! This must be the place we worship! DMHO has also invited Marty Magehee of 4 Him to bring his wonderful tenor voice to this project. Clearly a favorite on the album!!

So, here is another album of the Christmas sound you can bring into your home. DMHO also has another Christmas album produced in 2014 called Merry & Bright. You can give that one a listen as well.

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others along the way!