Search - Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme :: That Holiday Feeling

One of the Great Holiday Albums

Joseph Grienenberger | San Diego, CA | 11/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Growing up in the 60s and 70s, this was my family's favorite Christmas album. Even with the durable vinyl that Columbia Records used, I believe we went through three or possibly four copies.



With the advent of CDs in the early 80s, I gave up my turntable and sold off most of my LPs -- and of course soon missed this recording, since it wasn't to be found on CD. After dozens and dozens and dozens of listenings over the years, I could "hear" this album in my head, but of course it wasn't the same.



So I was overjoyed to find this recording finally remastered onto CD last year. Having become a musician in the intervening years, when I played the CD I experienced not only nostalgia from my childhood but also found that my now-trained musical ear immediately recognized these instrumental arrangements as being top-notch. Steve and Eydie were of course in exceptional vocal form when they made this recording [and the digital transfer is terrific], but since they are noted for being dedicated to having the right orchestral sound, they certainly chose an excellent crew [headed by the great Don Costa] when they made this recording. The musicians and the orchestrations are a perfect match for the vocalists.



The "big band" sound on some of the tracks is terrific, but the softer selections feature some really shimmering and subtle orchestral work. I won't do a track-by-track review, but here's a prime example: Anyone doing "White Christmas" always has Bing Crosby in their memory, since that song-and-artist are one of the classic partnerships. There have been a LOT of covers over the years, but they've all been lame attempts at being cheery and warm. However, the arrangement here for Eydie Gorme takes a decidedly different tack, starting with a decidedly bittersweet intro and going on to include some rapturous yet very subdued backing vocals. And Miss Gorme's vocals are passionate and full-bodied. The result is a version that is so unique and beautifully artistic that it more than holds its own if anyone insists on comparing it with Crosby's. No easy task, that.



Mr. Lawrence is of course terrific as well. His creamy baritone fits his solos very well -- a smooth sound, and a knack for lyric interpretation. Well, the same can be said for Miss Gorme, for both these artists have a true talent for really dedicating themselves to the song at hand [as opposed to the multitude of performers whose prime concern has been to make the song merely a tool to show off their voices]. On the numerous duets, they both make the fun palpable and engaging.



Given the plethora of pop music Christmas albums that have been produced over the decades, this really is one of the few that really feels like a holiday album. Other artists think merely warbling their way through holiday songs is sufficient, but Lawrence and Gorme are never anything less than a joy -- their infectious fun and heartfelt singing make this sound like a live performance rather than a studio recording. Even the use of sleighbells on one number, usually a very hackneyed, trite, and pedantic orchestral trick, actually contributes to the fun and doesn't sound remotely corny.



So if you like singers with exquisite taste and solid vocal technique, if you like Christmas albums that aren't hokey and workmanlike, and if you appreciate truly artistic and vibrant orchestrations, you will quickly come to love this fine recording.



Forget Amazon's limit of five stars for ratings -- this one gets ten stars from me."

That Holiday Feeling

Mack | North Carolina | 12/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have enjoyed this for over 30 years. Up until now I had to listen to the vinyl version. It's great they finally made this available on CD and give you 2 bonus tracks too. This is Christmas Music at it's best. I just hope the radio stations add this to their playlist."