Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett's love affair with Count Basie's band has lasted longer than the great Basie himself. On this delightful holiday platter, Bennett sits in with Basie's orchestra and show's everyone how it's done -- relax, be yourself and swing through Christmas and straight into the New Year. Monty Alexander holds down Basie's place at the piano while West Coast stalwart Bill Holman writes most of the charts. The album shines with Bennett's innate musicality and decency. You aren't ever going to hear better versions of "Silver Bells" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" anywhere.