Welcome to the latest edition of Masterpiece Reviews. Once again, we’ve thrown on our favorite velvet robe, turned up the fire, and are here to regale you with stories of the greatest and most classic albums of all time. It’s a fresh, new perspective on why these albums are filed under “M” for masterpiece.
In 1957, Frank Sinatra had already released three studio albums: Close To You, A Swingin’ Affair!, and Where Are You?. He would end the year by putting out his fourth full-length album, and debut Christmas album, A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra. Featuring arrangements from Gordon Jenkins and backing vocals from The Ralph Brewster Singers, the album was a two-sided affair with the first half comprised of secular holiday tunes and the second half featuring traditional carols.
With its jazzy version of “Jingle Bells”, a timeless rendition of “The Christmas Song”, and a soaring take on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, Sinatra’s Christmas album would go on to be certified platinum, reissued multiple times for new generations to appreciate, and is considered one of the most classic holiday albums in American music.
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