With all the terrible things happening in the world right now there’s a lot to feel despondent about this holiday season, but yesterday at work I heard this bouncy, swinging version of (Walking in a) Winter Wonderland on KKUP radio and my mood was immediately lifted. This jazzy rendition with the sparkling piano playing of Ramsey Lewis accompanied by Eldee Young on bass and Redd Holt on drums works better as an instrumental by focusing on the upbeat melody and leaving out the song’s rather strange and opaque lyrics.
No one song is going to solve the world’s problems but even the tiniest spark of joy in the dead of winter when darkness pervades is a reminder of all the good things in the world and can inspire one to keep hope alive.
Happy Winter Solstice!
Robert Kirkendall 