When you think about classic Christmas songs – you know the timeless ones that are the standard in which all new holiday music is compared to – names like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, Nat King Cole, Brenda Lee, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, and others are the first to come to mind. Now it’s no secret that Brett Eldredge was highly influenced by ol’ Blue Eyes and company growing up (ever see his covers of “That’s Life” and “Come Rain or Shine”? If not, go to now!) so it’s not surprising that the country crooner decided to record his very first Christmas album Glow in the footsteps of the greats before him, and he pulls it off really, really well.
With a strong brass section from the get-go, the first track “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” sets the mood for the entire album. The introduction is so retro that you anticipate Sinatra’s vocals but are in no way disappointed when Eldredge comes in as his voice fits like a glove. The horns continue throughout the song as if a track of Count Basie’s band was laid down underneath, topped with Eldredge’s adlibbed “oh yeahs.” As the song concludes, Eldredge takes it home, holding out the notes on “snow” the way only a crooner could.
When deciding which songs to choose for an album as tribute to such an iconic era in music, Eldredge would have made a huge misstep if he didn’t include Dean Martin’s classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” However, being a duet, Eldredge faced the challenge of choosing someone who fit vocally as well as in the tone of the era. Enter the one and only Meghan Trainor. The song starts off with that amazing brass section introduction, setting up the scene for the flirtatious song. Trainor’s vocals complement Eldredge’s perfectly and are somewhat reminiscent of the original (which was in fact a female chorus).
Following in the style of Crosby and Sinatra, Eldredge does a wonderful job on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Joined simply at first by only a piano, Eldredge’s vocals shine as he takes his time and doesn’t rush through the song. The beautiful sounds of strings and a jazzy piano solo in the middle keep true to the lounge allure of the song.
Eldredge continues to channel Sinatra through classics like Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “The First Noel” and the upbeat “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.”
About halfway through the album is the title track “Glow,” the only original song penned by Eldredge and recent BMI Songwriter of the Year Ross Copperman. The jazzy tune could easily have been written during the same era as the rest of the classics: heavy on the brass with Eldredge’s smooth vocals and lyrics that would make any woman swoon:
Pour on the bourbon it’s gettin’ late
Let’s melt all the frost on the window pane
Let’s never let this moment slip away
Just stay, just stay
You look good in the light of my Christmas tree
You and the mistletoe and me
You are my sunshine over a field of snow
And I love to watch you glow
As important as Eldredge’s vocals are, the amazing musicians on this album are the key piece to taking the listener back to such an iconic era. The list of instruments consists of (takes deep breath): alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trombones, trumpets, violins, cello, viola, harp, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, piano, and drums. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, band members of Bruce Springsteen, Sting and the late Prince are a part of this amazing ensemble.
With several country artists releasing Christmas albums this year, Eldredge’s is sure to stand out as his big brass sound and Sinara-esque crooning transports you to a different era in music. Glow is sure to be a timeless favorite in any Christmas lover’s collection.