Review and More

Our Review

All smoke and ice, the amazing Diana Krall's husky jazz voice makes her remarkable Christmas Songs one of the best holiday albums released this year. Although Krall has long been a personal favorite, her singing occasionally seems a bit remote. That's no problem here; Krall's passion for this project is immediately evident, and her vocals are electric with emotion. She's having fun taking ownership of these dozen tracks, making the contemporary carols come alive with sassy, smokin' excitement.

On a more superficial level, Christmas Songs has fun cover art. On the front, the very lovely Diana Krall is reclining, her legs akimbo, in a chair. The room is rather stark--just a wood floor and bare wall. Krall wears an expectant look and a gorgeous green satin gown as she lies back--is that a "come hither" look or one of exhaustion after a tough recording session? There's no mistaking the expression on the jewel box's flip side; Krall is all seductive smiles, this time standing in red satin. Red and green? Sounds like Christmas to me!

Canadian Krall had me from the first track to the last! Rhythmic bells welcome listeners to "Jingle Bells," a number that usually does not thrill me. Krall's version, though, had me swinging with delight in my chair, and her scat-singing interludes are sensational. Her precious treatment of Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" provides the sweetest close to an outstanding holiday CD. Krall's voice is supported in diverse ways; most often, the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra provides smooth and sophisticated "big band" treatments. For some pieces, Krall enjoys the simpler context of a more intimate ensemble. Every way which way, the musicianship is first class.

This recording is consistently wonderful; picking favorites is virtually an impossible task! That being said, I personally prefer the numbers that let Krall's voice firmly take center stage with more limited accompaniment. For example, her "Christmas Time Is Here" is achingly beautiful in its simplicity, as is "The Christmas Song."

So hot, so cool, so perfect! Diana Krall's Christmas Songs is a jazzy holiday treasure to be explored and savored year after year. Simply marvelous!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

More

From the liner notes:

Produced by Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall
Co-produced by Tommy LiPuma and Johnny Mandel (6,8)
Recorded and Mixed by Al Schmitt

Arranged and conducted by John Clayton except:
"White Christmas" arranged by Diana Krall
"The Christmas Song" arranged by Diana Krall and John Clayton
"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Christmas Time Is Here" arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel

The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Jeff Hamilton: drums
Robert Hurst: bass
Anthony Wilson: guitar
Gerald Clayton: piano on "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
Tamir Hendelman: piano on "Sleigh Ride"; Fender Rhodes on "What Are You Doing New Years Eve"

Saxophones--
Jeff Clayton: lead alto saxophone, flute
Keith Fiddmont: alto saxophone, clarinet
Rickey Woodard: tenor saxophone solos, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Charles Owens: tenor saxophone, clarinet
Adam Schroeder: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet

Trumpets--
Rick Baptist, Sal Cracchiolo, Clay Jenkins, Gilbert Castellanos, William Barnhart

Trombones--
Ira Nepus, George Bohanon, Ryan Porter
Tuba--Tommy Johnson
French horns--Rick Todd, David Duke, Joe Meyer, Brad Warnaar
Percussion--Joe Porcaro

Other players:
Russell Malone: guitar (8)
Stefon Harris: vibes (9)
John Clayton: bass (3,9)
Robert Hurst: bass (10)
Ben Wolfe: bass (6,8)
Emil Richards: percussion (10)

From the Web site:

There are some unspoken rules in the jazz world. Rules that say acoustic-oriented jazz musicians are not supposed to have platinum and gold albums or sell out large auditoriums night after night. Rules that straight-ahead jazz releases are not supposed to reach the top of Billboard's pop charts. Rules that jazz artists shouldn't expect to receive standing ovations at Lilith Fair or compete with Santana, TLC, the Backstreet Boys, and the Dixie Chicks in a GRAMMY® category.

For the past ten years, someone has been breaking these rules and demonstrating that a jazz musician can, in fact, enjoy mass appeal without sacrificing her jazz foundation. Her name is Diana Krall. Not only has the Canadian singer/acoustic pianist become the top-selling artist on the Verve roster, she has become jazz's top selling vocalist, period. She is a crossover phenomenon who has remained faithful to her bop and swing roots.

Diane Krall

Christmas Songs

Order from Amazon

Track List