Gary Williams - Big Band Wonderland (2015)

Tracklist:

01. Gary Williams - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (2:17)
02. The Patriot Girls, Gary Williams - Medley: Mistletoe and Holly/Marshmallow World (4:03)
03. Clare Teal, Gary Williams - The Christmas Waltz (2:46)
04. Gary Williams - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (2:38)
05. The Patriot Girls, Gary Williams - The Christmas Song (2:40)
06. Gary Williams - Caroling Caroling (2:53)
07. Gary Williams - Snowbound (3:32)
08. Gary Williams - Let It Snow (2:10)
09. Michael Feinstein, Gary Williams - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man with the Bag (2:28)
10. Gary Williams - Winter Wonderland (2:56)
11. Gary Williams - Sleigh Ride (2:32)
12. Gary Williams - Jingle Bells (2:12)
13. The Patriot Girls, Gary Williams - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (2:58)
14. Gary Williams - I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bonus Track) (3:01)

Gary Williams, star of the West End’s Rat Pack, having sung in concert with several big bands, had a long-held dream to record an album with a big band of his own. As with most dreams, this was going to be expensive. So to help finance the recording he looked to crowdfunding in order to raise around half the sum required. Due to the generosity of friends and fans, it only took three days to achieve that target.

The resultant disc (Big Band Wonderland) is, to quote Tony Hatch, a fabulous feast of seasonal songs that is a delightful mix of Christmas evergreens together with some lesser-known ones. It has guest contributions from the Patriot Girls (Jo Gibb, Joanne Pullen and Marissa Dunlop), Clare Teal and the legendary Michael Feinstein.

There are many Christmas compilations albums around, but this one brings freshness to the familiar standards as Williams glides with consummate ease, adding his interpretation to such numbers as ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Let It Snow’, and ‘Jingle Bells’. Even old Rudolph benefits. His familiar story seems to fade into the background, thus allowing the listener to concentrate on the band’s fine accompaniment.

The band does full justice to the excellent arrangements that punctuate the vocals. Their glorious sound is a true partnership with Williams – it complements his singing but never threatens to dominate.

Of the lesser-known songs I was enchanted by the romance of ‘Snowbound’ that features some fine duetting with Matt Regan on piano. This track is possibly the most elegant number on the disc.

Jazz singer Clare Teal, well-known on the concert circuit as well as through her work on radio, duets with Williams on ‘The Christmas Waltz’ which has a gentle, mellow introduction that changes as they move into some excellent close harmony.

American singer and pianist Michael Feinstein is equally famous as an interpreter and archivist of the Great American Songbook. Feinstein kicks off ‘(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man with the Bag’ and is soon joined by Williams. Together they produce a smooth, swinging duet, complete with a couple of comic quips at the fade out.

If you love the big band sound and swinging vocal and want to make your Christmas complete then this disc is for you.

To finish I look to the last number on the album and ask that you ‘Have Yourself A Merry Christmas’ dear reader and quote from Williams’ sleeve notes.

“So pour yourself a generous glass of port, put your feet up and enjoy your very own Big Band Wonderland.”

Barrie Jerram