Basic production issues mandate that seasonal records be finished long before anyone in their right mind might think about Santa Claus, but some, like
Holiday Soul, manage to capture the best of the season's feeling.
Don Patterson, working here in the standard organ trio format with a young
Pat Martino on guitar and drummer Billy James, has the holiday season down, uh, cold. The group put their own warm spin on winter classics, staying true to the melodies while giving themselves room to stretch out a bit. It adds up to a hopeful, fun record, perfect for any holiday party, no matter your affiliation. ~ Kurt Edwards