That Christmas Feeling is the debut solo album from vocalist Reta Watkins, and in surprising fashion she's chosen a selection of holiday favorites to help her deliver that first big splash to the music world. Along with producer Scott Williamson, Watkins has taken her lifelong love of big band styled holiday recordings from Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Bing Crosby, to create a real labor of love that showcases not only her stunning vocal ability but also the engaging orchestral arrangements. Reta's somewhat bluesy vocals work so well on perennial favorites like "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "White Christmas", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and the charming "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", but don't overlook sleeper cuts such as "Mary Did You Know" and "Behold Emmanuel", the former especially quite marvelous as her sultry vocals float around the big band jazz styled arrangements. And, just listen to those soaring horns blasting away alongside the vocalist on a spirited take on "Wonderful Christmastime".
If you enjoy those memorable holiday favorites big band style, toss in an exceptional female vocalist to the mix and you have a new recording that is sure to sit alongside your mandatory classics quite nicely.
Track Listing
- It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
- Mary Did You Know
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Sleigh Ride
- Christmas In Heaven
- Wonderful Christmastime
- I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
- Behold Emmanuel
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas