Leon Redbone's
odd voice always takes a while to get used to, but his sincere interpretations of early jazz styles generally win audiences over. For this warm session, he sings 11 Christmas songs, including old favorites (
"White Christmas,"
"Frosty the Snowman" and "Let It Snow") and some lesser-known but worthy numbers ("There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays,"
Terry Waldo's
"That Old Christmas Moon," and the classic title cut). Joined by pianist
Dr. John
, the versatile
John Gill
(tripling on banjo, drums and bass sax), three strings, and clarinetist
Bobby Gordon
, among others,
joyous performance should please his fans. ~ Scott Yanow