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. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
Ben Wolfe (Bass), Diana Krall (Arranger), Shari Sutcliffe (Project Coordinator), George Bohanon (Trombone), Diana Krall (Digital Editing), Jeff Clayton (Sax (Alto)), David Swope (Assistant Engineer), Jules Chaiken (Orchestra Contractor), Randy Waldman (Keyboards), Diana Krall (Audio Production), Johnny Mandel (Arranger), Anthony Wilson (Soloist), Tommy LiPuma (Digital Editing), Johnny Mandel (Conductor), Doug Sax (Mastering), Tommy Johnson (Tuba), Sal Cracchiolo (Trumpet), John Clayton (Double Bass), Adam Schroeder (Sax (Baritone)), Al Schmitt (Mixing), Jeff Hamilton (Drums), Charlie Pichon (Make-Up), Adam Schroeder (Clarinet (Bass)), Charles Owens II (Clarinet), Al Schmitt (Engineer), Brian Vibberts (Assistant Engineer), Ben Wolfe (Double Bass), Robert Hurst (Bass), Gerald Clayton (Piano), Brad Warnaar (French Horn), Nicole Clarke (Hair Stylist), Ira Nepus (Trombone), John Clayton (Arranger), Rickey Woodard (Sax (Tenor)), Keith Fiddmont (Clarinet), Bill Airey Smith (Assistant Engineer), Hollis King (Art Direction), Rickey Woodard (Soloist), Diana Krall (Piano), Emil Richards (Percussion), Tamir Hendelman (Fender Rhodes), Joe Porcaro (Percussion), Clay Jenkins (Trumpet), George Bohanon (Soloist), Johnny Mandel (Digital Editing), Charles Owens II (Sax (Tenor)), Diana Krall (Soloist), Steve Genewick (Assistant Engineer), Robert Hurst (Double Bass), Hannah Teare (Wardrobe Assistant), Diana Krall (Vocals), Anthony Wilson (Guitar), Rickey Woodard (Clarinet), Steve Genewick (Digital Editing), Rick Todd (French Horn), Assa Drori (Concert Master), Jeff Clayton (Soloist), Gilbert Castellanos (Soloist), Ira Nepus (Soloist), Evelyn Morgan (A&R), Coco Shinomiya (Design), Tommy LiPuma (Audio Production), Koji Egawa (Assistant Engineer), John Clayton (Conductor), Tamir Hendelman (Piano), Gilbert Castellanos (Trumpet), Alan Broadbent (Piano), Rick Baptist (Trumpet), Keith Fiddmont (Sax (Alto)), Stefon Harris (Vibraphone), Shari Sutcliffe (Contractor), Joe Meyer (French Horn), Jeff Clayton (Flute), Russell Malone (Guitar), Sam Taylor-Wood (Photography), John Clayton (Bass), William Barnhart (Trumpet)
