Diana Krall - Christmas Songs featuring The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Vocals, piano – Diana Krall [click here to see more vinyl featuring Diana Krall]
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Orchestra – The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (A1-2, A4-5, B4-5)
- Alto saxophone, flute – Jeff Clayton
- Alto saxophone, clarinet – Keith Fiddmont
- Baritone Saxophone, bass clarinet – Adam Schroeder
- Bass – Robert Hurst
- Drums – Jeff Hamilton
- French horn – Brad Warnaar, David Duke, Joe Meyer, Rick Todd
- Percussion – Joe Porcaro
- Tenor saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Rickey Woodard
- Tenor saxophone, Clarinet – Charles Owens
- Trombone – George Bohanon, Ira Nepus, Ryan Porter
- Trumpet – Clay Jenkins, Gilbert Castellanos, Rick Baptist, Sal Cracchiolo, William Barnhart
- Tuba – Tommy Johnson
Conductor – John Clayton
Arranged by John Clayton (A1-2, A4-5, B2, B5-6)
Written by James Pierpont (A1), Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn (A2), Mel Tormé & Robert Wells (A3), Felix Bernard & Richard B. Smith (A4), Kim Gannon / Walter Kent / Buck Ram (A5), Vince Guaraldi & Lee Mendelson (A6), J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie (B1), Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin (B2), Irving Berlin (B3, B6), Frank Loesser (B4), Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish (B5)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master Tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record Color : Black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12’’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Optimal Media Gmbh
Label : Verve
Original Label : Verve
Recorded in 2005 at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA, Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA, Schnee Studios, North Hollywood, CA
Recorded and mixed by Al Schmitt
Engineered by Bill Smith, Brian Vibberts, Dave Swope, Koji Egawa, Steve Genewick
Produced by Diana Krall, Tommy LiPuma
Mastered by Doug Sax
Art Direction by Hollis King
Design by Coco Shinomiya
Photography by Sam Taylor-Wood
Originally released in October 2005
Reissued in 2013
Tracks :
Side A:
1. Jingle Bells
2. Let It Snow
3. The Christmas Song
4. Winter Wonderland
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. Christmas Time Is Here
Side B:
1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. White Christmas
4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
5. Sleigh Ride
6. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep
Reviews :
“On her first full-length Christmas album, pianist/vocalist Diana Krall delivers a smoky, sophisticated, and slightly melancholy album perfectly suited to accompany egg nog cocktails and romantic afterglow holiday affairs. Although there isn't anything unexpected on Christmas Songs -- Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" is as close to obscure as it gets -- Krall coos life into such standards as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." It also doesn't hurt that she gains top-notch support from the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, whose urbane arrangements help bring to mind similar works by such iconic vocalists as Nat King Cole, June Christy, and Frank Sinatra. But it's not all deep sighs and bedroom eyes; on the contrary, Krall keeps things swinging with such uptempo numbers as the joyous "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland," and the Blossom Dearie-inflected "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." If you like your holiday albums cool and classy, Christmas Songs is a stocking stuffer that's sure to please.” Allmusic Review by Matt Collar.
Diana Krall and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra perform holiday standards like "Jingle Bells» , "Let it Snow", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "White Christmas." and "I'll Be Home for Christmas".
This first full length holiday recording by Grammy Award-winning artist Diana Krall is an uplifting collection of seasonal favorites, with Krall sounding better than ever on both piano and vocals. This LP features swinging big band arrangements by John Clayton and several tracks for quartet, including string arrangements by Johnny Mandel and is produced by Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall.
"Diana Krall provides the best jazz vocal disc of Christmas music that you can find. Superbly backed by the Clayton/Hamilton Big Band, and sporting copious amounts of the singers muscular piano playing, there is nothing to discourage recommending this disc." C. Michael Bailey, allaboutjazz.com
Rating:
AllMusic : 4 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.42 / 5 ; Jazzwise : 4 / 5 ; The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings : 2.5 / 4