A versatile composer and pianist, Richard Williams has written music for short films, animations, a book soundtrack, vocal artists and You Tube stars. His 74-minute debut album, Hollywood Christmas, revisits timeless Christmas big band jazz and orchestral music in the style of legends such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, and The Carpenters. Recording short arrangements of over twenty pop favorites and musical snippets with Big Band Jazz, this project also layered in the strings and woodwinds of the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.  Eleven lead vocalists are featured on the album, and four short tracks include the Company B Singers (“Happy Holiday,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Up on the Housetop”). I must admit an affinity for hearing tracks that present full-length 3-4 minute renditions of the songs, such as Alex Stiles’ singing “The Christmas Song,” Rebecca Lopez vocalizing “White Christmas,” Dmitry Noskov crooning “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and Chelsea Brooke Olson voicing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”        

There are also a couple instrumental tracks of Richard Williams’ original music, “Coming Home” and “Someway, Somehow.” The latter half of Hollywood Christmas, tracks 23-40 present the instrumental accompaniment for the 18 songs sung earlier on the album. It’s a novel approach to highlight his arrangements without the lead vocals. Practice your own singing with the tight, cohesive big band and orchestra. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)