Christmas Favorites [Laserlight]

Read About This Recording

When Bing Crosby arrived on the scene in the late 1920s, his baritone voice was a welcome contrast to the many "boy tenors" and semi-operatic singers that were often heard in pop music. Crosby's relaxed delivery, jazzy phrasing and friendly personality resulted in him being called a "crooner," one who seemed to sing simply for the fun and joy of it all. He permanently changed pop music.

Smooth Carols features Crosby, and other crooners he influenced, performing Christmas songs. Dating from the 1940s and '50s, this collection gives listeners an opportunity to compare Bing Crosby with Mel Tormé (who performs his most famous composition, "The Christmas Song"), Perry Como ("Jingle Bells"), Dennis Day, Frank Sinatra ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town"), Buddy Clark, Dick Haymes, Dean Martin (a second version of "Jingle Bells"), Johnny Mercer (with The Pied Pipers) and Nelson Eddy ("Silent Night").

While Bing Crosby does not perform his most famous recording "White Christmas" (Dick Haymes does the honors), he uplifts "Happy Holidays" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." All in all, Smooth Carols is a tribute to both the continuing vitality of Christmas music and the classic crooners.

—Scott Yanow

Contents

While supplies last!

Bing Crosby: Happy Holidays; O Come, All Ye Faithful; Mel Tormé: The Christmas Song; Perry Como: Jingle Bells; Dennis Day: Christmas Medley: Adeste Fidelis/Silent Night/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Frank Sinatra: Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Buddy Clark: O Little Town of Bethlehem/Silent Night; Dick Haymes: White Christmas; Dean Martin: Jingle Bells; Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers: Winter Wonderland; Nelson Eddy: Silent Night.