Diana Krall and The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – Christmas Songs (180g Vinyl LP)

2005’s Christmas Songs is a hip sleigh ride that jingles its jazz credentials proudly, and revels in a wide range of the jazz greats: Nat “King” Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Rosemary Clooney. It’s an album that benefits not only from Diana Krall’s swinging and singing, but her own production A-team, co-producer Tommy LiPuma and engineer Al Schmidt. Krall also credits her long-standing bond with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, as she is accompanied here by both their Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and her regular rhythm backup: guitarist Anthony Wilson and bassist Robert Hurst. Clayton also provided arrangements for Christmas Songs, as did Johnny Mandel.

1. Jingle Bells
2. Let It Snow
3. The Christmas Song
4. Winter Wonderland
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
6. Christmas Time Is Here
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
9. White Christmas
10. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
11. Sleigh Ride
12. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep