AMG Review of Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra [Bonus Track]

Jim Smith
All Music Guide

It can be argued that Sinatra never sounded fully comfortable singing Christmas carols, and this record is no exception. While his other albums of the period are bursting with dash and sensitivity, this is a distant, even slightly lackadaisical performance. It's no dud on its own, but compared to the classic Christmas records of other artists, and especially to Sinatra's best work, it is unusually somber. Gordon Jenkins' adventurous arrangements are occasionally intrusive, but the album has touches of magic during "The Christmas Waltz" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." [Capitol's 2007 reissue featured one bonus track.]