Christmas Songs

01. Jingle Bells
02. Let It Snow
03. The Christmas Song
04. Winter Wonderland
05. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
06. Christmas Time Is Here
07. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
08. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
09. White Christmas
10. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
11. Sleigh Ride
12. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep

As the song goes, “Merry Christmas” has already “been said many times, many ways.” Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs is a worthy–though not particularly unique–addition to the holiday catalog. On it, she excels with an approach mastered long ago: elegant delivery that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In “Winter Wonderland” she promises to “frolic and play the Canadian way,” which should draw smiles from her native land. (That’ll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends “Jingle Bells” with the girlishly giddy statement, “I’m just crazy about horses.” Well…can’t argue with that. –Leah Weathersby