Roasting chestnuts…
Richard Williams comes across as a 21st Century take of Perry Como on this album of Christmas standards and originals. The album comes across almost like a musical play, with various re-iterations of pics such as “The Holiday Season”, “Let It Snow” and “Jingle Bells” sprinkled in between other tunes. Williams is backed by a big band which includes members of The Big Phat Band, as well as the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and a slew a supporting vocalists. Nostalgia oozes on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “White Christmas” with some extra egg nog poured into “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”. A pullover red sweater of an album
Jane Monheit seems to shine on Christmas albums, this being at least her second, mixing jazz bands with strings on this starry night of a session. She has fun latinizing “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and teams well with pianist Max Haymer for “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow” and a gloriously read “The Christmas Song”. There’s a perfectly matched duet with John Pizzarelli as they give fun rapport on “That Holiday Feeling” while sweet Jane is dramatic on “Christmas Time Is Here”. Every song a part of a musical.