This Time of the Year

1	Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2:10
2	Winter Wonderland 2:44
3	Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 3:16
4	The Christmas Song 4:06
5	Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 2:19
6	This Time of the Year 4:12
7	Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 2:54
8	I'll Be Home for Christmas 3:41
9	The Christmas Blues 4:13
10	Merry Christmas, Baby 3:07
11	What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? 4:06
12	Here Comes Santa Claus 2:30

Barnes & Noble

Steve Tyrell may not have the vocal chops of, say, Tony Bennett, but he’s got a positive energy and a sheer love of singing that have endeared him to a strong and ever-growing fan base. The first holiday music album from this gruff-voiced swinger finds Tyrell in his element, covering classic tunes with the assistance of top-drawer jazz musicians. All the secular jewels are here: “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “The Christmas Song,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” among them; Tyrell also finds room for everyone’s favorite piece of holiday grit, “Merry Christmas Baby,” and "The Christmas Blues," as well as the lovely Frank Loesser ballad “What Are You Doing on New Year’s Eve?” His obvious affection for this material, and the swinging rapport he has with his musicians, particularly the great trumpeter and singer Clark Terry, who is featured on a terrific rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” make this album a joy. William Pearl

All Music Guide

Steve Tyrell has attracted enough attention for his two regular albums, A New Standard and Standard Time, that he is almost beyond journalists' usual tack of describing a new singer's voice by who he sounds like; pretty soon, they'll be saying that other singers sound like him. But it remains true that if you have never heard him but you are familiar with Dr. John, your first reaction upon hearing him is likely to be that you are listening to Dr. John. Well, maybe a younger Dr. John, and one whose accent isn't quite as swampy. But the basic elements -- the grit and gravel in the tone, the slurred, deep South phrasing -- are much the same. Of course, Tyrell comes by the sound of his voice honestly, hailing from Houston, TX, and boasting a musical career (albeit, behind the scenes) as long as Dr. John's. But it remains true that Dr. John got there first, and so the comparison remains inevitable. As on his regular albums, Tyrell lines up a cast of jazz heavyweights for these small-group sessions, allowing plenty of space for soloing, particularly by trumpeter Clark Terry, who shines on "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "The Christmas Song." Tyrell is at his best on the bluesier numbers, especially "Merry Christmas Baby," but he adds soul to anything he sings. His fans are likely to welcome this just as they did his first two albums. But don't be surprised when you've got this disc in the CD player on Christmas Eve and your visiting cousin Shirley says, "I didn't know Dr. John made a Christmas album!" William Ruhlmann

Entertainment Weekly

Tyrell delivers a finger-snappin'. soulful holiday set that'll please both standards lovers and hipsters.

Downbeat

Overall, it's an enjoyable listen, and Tyrell is full of vigor.