Wishes: A Holiday Album
Kenny G's 1999Faithalbum was an unexpected triumph of content and creativity. The album was largely driven by the long "Millennium Mix" buried at the end of the CD--an inspired soundbyte tour of the last century's historical triumphs and tragedies, with the alto sax man playing "Auld Lang Syne" underneath, it's emotionally moving and timely. The Kenny G ofWisheslacks the vision he displayed withFaith. Among the 10 tracks, two secular medleys ("Frosty the Snowman"/"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Deck the Halls"/"The Twelve Days of Christmas") are matched by the sacred medley of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful," all marred by predictable arrangements. Finally, KG awkwardly revives "Millennium Mix" as "Auld Lang Syne (The Freedom Mix)"by simply adding some 2000 election, 9/11, and New Year celebration bits.--Martin Keller