Christmas Songs (CD)

Personnel: Mel Torme (vocals), John Colianni (piano), John Leitham (bass), Donny Osborne (drums).Recorded in the Music Hall, Cincinnati, on April 5-6, 1992 and Commercial Recording, Cleveland, Ohio on June 19-21, 1992. Includes liner notes by Donald Elfman. Cincinnati Sinfonietta conducted by Keith Lockhart.Because Mel Torm‚ co-wrote quot;The Christmas Song,quot; it was a surprise to many of his fans that when he recorded this full-length Christmas album for Telarc in 1992, it was his first. Since he is backed by a large orchestra (conducted by Keith Lockhart) in addition to his regular trio and the emphasis is on ballad renditions, Torm‚ does not get many opportunities to scat and swing on this pleasing but unadventurous set. However, the 16-track album, which includes several medleys and a pair of instrumentals for the orchestra, features tasteful and melodic Torm‚ interpretations of 20 Christmas-associated songs, and the album is worthwhile, if not essential.