The album features several guests, including the immortal Johnny Mathis, Ledisi and Ellis Marsalis. But I've no doubt the members of the orchestra will get plenty of opportunity to strut their stuff, too.
Fans of Rat Pack styled Christmas croonings are in for a treat when Russ Lorenson (backed by the Kelly Park Big Band) drops his second holiday album on September 4. His first, "What I Want For Christmas" from 2006, was a highly satisfying set of classic Christmas sounds and featured a terrific version of "I Guess There Ain't No Santa Claus" as well as "Christmas In San Francisco" (originally written for Tony Bennett, first recorded by Vic Damone, and currently most associated with Russ Lorenson--yes, his version was that good).
"In The Holiday Spirit" is available for pre-order now through Russ' site and includes both chestnuts of old (such as "The Christmas Blues" and "A Winter Romance") and newer songs written in the old standard style. There are also nods to Bing ("Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth"), Sammy ("It's Christmas Time All Over The World") and Louis Prima ("Shake Hands With Santa Claus"). That's what I call a full service playlist.
And its great that the album is coming out in early September, so we lovers of the sounds of the season can get something new, yet classic, to kick off the holidays. After all, "It'll Be Christmas Before You Know It".
Darlene Love, the reigning Queen of Christmas, is delivering a new non-holiday CD--all the more needed now that the annual David Letterman appearances are done. "Introducing Darlene Love" will be Darlene's first non-Christmas studio album in nearly 20 years. Steven Van Zandt of E-Street band fame will produce the album which is expected in the fall on his Way Cool label (in cooperation with Columbia Records). The album will feature songs written by Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Linda Perry (remember "What's Up" from 4 Non-Blondes?), Joan Jett, Jimmy Webb, and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil to name a few (and, personally, I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of those folks turn up in a supporting role on the disc). "Introducing Darlene Love" is set to drop early this fall.
All the songs on "The Girl Who Cried For The Boy Who Cried Wolf" are written by Laurie, except "The Slave's Lament" (originally penned by Robert Burns in the 1700s). You can get a taste of the album on Laurie's Soundcloud page, pre-order via Bandcamp, and (if the exchange rates get you down) prepare to get the digital version from Amazon MP3. And don't forget, you can still get Laurie's 2012 Christmas single, "Merry Christmas From Scotland", as a name-your-price download on Bandcamp.
I know I should probably play a song from her new album, to see us out, but this is the one that gets me every time.