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.
![Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Bonus Tracks]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0044006508627_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Bonus Tracks]")
![James Taylor at Christmas [Bonus Tracks]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0602537173402_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "James Taylor at Christmas [Bonus Tracks]")
![Elvis Christmas [RCA]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0828768890820_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Elvis Christmas [RCA]")
