For this installment, I’ll highlight two CDs by a favorite vocalist and pianist of mine: the incomparable Nat King Cole.  Instantly recognizable, Nat King Cole’s voice was lent to many hits throughout the 50s and 60s.  Over his career, he had recorded a number of Christmas tunes.  One such collection is on his album The Christmas Song, which is the title of arguably the most famous rendition of that holiday chestnut (on an open fire).  Cole’s voice is in top form, and the orchestrations are courtesy of Ralph Carmichael.  This is very much a holiday album in the traditional sense, as you would not find Cole taking any chances with jazz renditions or trio interpretations of the classics.  To some it is an acquired tastes, but many of us grew up with albums such as this one, and it’s like comfort food.

For a more upbeat and family-oriented album, give a listen to the Cole, Christmas and Kids compilation CD.  Released in the 1990s, the songs are clearly more oriented to the little ones hanging stockings by the chimney:  “Frosty The Snowman,” “The Little Christmas Tree,” “All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” and “Take Me Back To Toyland.”  “The Christmas Song” makes an appearance here as well, but it is an earlier and slightly less polished version.  One bonus track is a promotional spot for “Toys For Tots.”  This CD is not an actual full album, but instead collects tracks from a couple of different years all in one place, all nicely remastered and sequenced to make a nice holiday album.