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Our Review

Fans of Harry Connick, Jr., Matt Dusk, and Michael Buble, gather around! You know who you are--you tend to favor crooners, that unique category of Frank Sinatra-esque singers who apply their personal jazzy stamp to otherwise ho-hum numbers, making the tunes all their own. And so it is with young Matt Belsante, who can now be added to the list. With boyish good looks vaguely reminiscent of Jim Carrey, Belsante is a crooner of the smooth, easy-listening variety, and he receives exceptional big band support from the Chris McDonald Orchestra on White Christmas.

Belsante's fine, supple voice is easy on the ears, and the superb orchestration (horns, strings, guitars, keyboards, and percussion) shimmers with jazz-charged verve. At times, the vibrant orchestration crowds the vocals a bit; for that reason, I tend to favor the (relatively) low-key tracks that allow Belsante's textured instrument to shine. For example, the artist delivers an achingly melancholy I'll Be Home for Christmas, and his understated Blue Christmas is similarly first rate. As for the uptempo pieces, Belsante's flamin' opener Jingle Bell Rock and his samba-licious God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are absolutely smokin'!

White Christmas is a terrific holiday package; Matt Belsante provides top-notch adult contemporary fare that will please a broad audience on a cold winter's night. Smoothly satisfying!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Chris McDonald
Executive Producer: Tod Ellsworth

All songs arranged by Chris McDonald except I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (based on original 1960 arrangement by Dick Gregory for Frank Sinatra)

MUSICIANS:
Pat Coil: piano; electric piano; organ
Stephen Kummer: piano
Pat Bergeson: guitar
Craig Nelson: bass
Bob Mater: drums
Mark Baldwin: guitar on "Blue Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
Eric Darken: percussion

Cole Burgess: alto and tenor sax
Mark Douthit: alto and tenor sax (soloist)
Jeff Coffin: baritone sax, flute, clarinet
Denis Solee: tenor sax solo on "Let It Snow"

Mike Haynes, Steve Patrick, George Tidwell (soloist), Jeff Bailey--trumpets
Barry Green (soloist), Chris McDonald, Ernie Collins, Slide Jackson--trombones

David Davidson, David Angell, Pamela Sixfin, Mary Kathryn VanOsdale--violins
Monisa Angell--viola; Kirsten Cassel--cello


From the Website:

Frank Sinatra. Harry Connick Jr. Michael Buble. Now comes the latest in line of the romantic crooners. Enjoy the music of 23 year-old Matt Belsante and the Chris McDonald Orchestra as they swing their way through 12 holiday classics.

Matt Belsante

White Christmas

Artist link

Track List