There isn't a lot
Frankie Valli hasn't done in a career that's spanned seven decades (so far). One of those things used to be making a Christmas album as a solo act, but
Valli has crossed that off his bucket list with the release of 2016's
'Tis the Seasons, with the title punningly reminding us that this is the work of the leader of the enduringly popular vocal group
the Four Seasons. While
Four Seasons fans may be part of the target audience for this, except for a cover of "Frosty the Snowman,"
'Tis the Seasons doesn't bear much resemblance to
Valli's chart hits of the '60s and '70s. Instead, this album is focused on contemporary pop in various flavors, though none so strong they they would disrupt a normal family get-together. The production is polished and up to date, and the song selection is devoted entirely to various holiday classics, ranging from the twinkling electro-pop of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and the grand-scale spectacle of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Angels We Have Heard on High" to the somber tone of "Blue Christmas" and the romantic mood of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." And
Valli and producer
Bob Gaudio bring in legendary guitarist
Jeff Beck to lay smooth but rootsy blues figures over "Merry Christmas, Baby."
'Tis the Seasons finds
Frankie Valli embracing more than just his signature vocal sound, and bringing a modern but crowd-pleasing approach to these classic songs of the season. ~ Mark Deming