Christmas Songs

1	Jingle Bells 3:25
2	Let It Snow 4:01
3	The Christmas Song 4:23
4	Winter Wonderland 3:14
5	I'll Be Home for Christmas 3:07
6	Christmas Time Is Here 3:34
7	Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2:53
8	Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:19
9	White Christmas 4:31
10	What Are You Doing New Year's Eve 4:09
11	Sleigh Ride 3:26
12	Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep 3:40

Barnes & Noble

Jazz musicians are lucky when it comes to recording holiday music. When Christmas rolls around they have the chance to dig into such classic, beautifully constructed songs as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “White Christmas,” not to mention Mel Tormé’s perennial “Christmas Song.” Add in gems like “Christmas Time Is Here” (of Charlie Brown fame), “Let It Snow,” and Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” and you have the makings of a terrific album, which is just what Diana Krall finds herself with as she dips into this repertoire on her aptly titled Christmas Songs. Backed by the swinging Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and aided by arrangements from Johnny Mandel and others, Krall turns in joyful and affecting performances, relishing the high quality of the material. This isn’t heart-on-your-sleeve singing -- Krall is much too subtle for that -- but neither is it emotionally distant. Sweetly playful at times, inwardly expressive at others, Krall consistently demonstrates the superior vocal skills that have made her a modern crossover icon. In an era of stentorian pop divas, she knocks ‘em dead with a whisper. This delightful project can stand next to the very best jazz holiday recordings. William Pearl

All Music Guide

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

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[Grade: A+] Krall makes each familiar tune new and inviting. This isn't just a fine Christmas record - it's one of her best recordings yet. Terry Perkins