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Our Review

With Halloween behind us and the Christmas season in full swing, the only thing we don't have here in central Texas is enough chilly air to make me believe Santa Claus time is just around the corner. We also have had a dry spell in these parts, with little in the way of new Christmas music for several weeks. So, expecting to get stiffed again today, I was overjoyed to find Russ Lorenson's That's What I Want For Christmas in the mailbox. It blew in like a blue norther, changing the atmosphere from warm to cool in an instant.

Russ Lorenson's silky-smooth cabaret vocals put me in mind of cooler weather almost immediately. With such easy listening favorites as My Favorite Time Of Year and I'll Be Home For Christmas leading the way, Lorenson and his band put me in mind of clear, cold nights of times spent in cooler climes. Indeed, cool is the word for this piano (Kelly Park) and saxophone (Tony Malfatti) laden sound, a sound which recalls Bing Crosby's pleasant crooning. Not surprisingly, Lorenson's duet with guest vocalists Terese Genecco, Kristopher McDowell, and Alexandra Kaprelian was Snow, popularized in the movie White Christmas. This was a wonderful track, but remembering the story of White Christmas only served to remind me of how difficult it is to achieve holiday takeoff speed when the weather just won't cooperate. But a central Texas can dream, can't he? And this season, I have What I Want For Christmas to help me.

Cabaret and easy listening fans will want to take note of this great new release, along with anyone looking to take up the pipe and the cardigan and get in the mood for the season. That's what I want for Christmas.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Russ Lorenson: vocals
Kelly Park: piano
Reid Whatley: bass
Adam Goodhue: drums
Tony Malfatti: saxophone, clarinet, flute
Jeff McNish: guitar
Trese Genecco, Kristopher McDowell, Alexandra Kaprelian: guest vocals on Snow

Executive Producer: Russ Lorenson
Executive Producer for LML Music: Lee Lessack
Producer: Kelly Park

Engineered and Mastered by: Mitch Park at Mitch Park Productions

All tracks recorded at Mitch Park Productions, San Leandro, CA
All tracks recorded in May, 2006

Art direction and package design: Dog Haverty for Art + Soul Design

All musical arrangments by Kelly Park, except where noted

Russ Lorenson

What I Want for Christmas

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Track List