Brett Eldredge GLOW

Personnel: David Spinozza (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Sylvia D'Avanzo, Adda Kridler, Yuko Naito-Gotay, Paul Woodiel, Sean Carney, Jonathan Dinklage (violin); Chris Cardona, Isabel Hagen (viola); Clarice Jensen, Anja Wood (cello); Aaron Heick (alto saxophone); Charles Pillow, Dave Riekenberg (tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone); Nick Marchione, Scott Wendholt, Barry Danielian, Tony Kadleck (trumpet); Michael Davis , Randy Andos (trombone); Jeff Nelson (bass trombone); Rob Mounsey (piano, keyboards); David Finck (acoustic bass, electric bass); Dennis Mackrel (drums).
Audio Mixer: Jay Newland.
Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; The Attic, Bellevue, TN.
Arranger: Rob Mounsey.
Abandoning all modern trappings, Brett Eldredge chooses to go the full Frank Sinatra on his 2016 seasonal affair Glow. Leaving behind the R&B rhythms that underpin his hit singles is a bit of a risky move for Eldredge, as it pushes the spotlight directly onto his vocals. Eldredge may not take many risks on Glow -- he's determined to adhere to string-saturated tradition, so he never plays with his phrasing -- but he's warm and charming, which gives him enough swagger to ride the snazzy big-band arrangements on Glow. Often, these tunes -- everything is familiar apart from the newly written title track, which is designed to pass without notice among the standards -- are so overheated they suggest a Vegas revue, but that's also the appeal of Glow. Eldredge plays with the schlockiest aspects of show biz, but his tongue is never in his cheek: he believes in this bluster, and that's the fun of Glow. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

• Format: CD
• Genre: Christmas / Chanukkah