Album: What a Night! A Christmas Album

Introduction
"What a Night! A Christmas Album" is a vacation album by American singer, pianist, composer, and star Harry Connick, Jr. Released on November 4, 2008, under Columbia Records label, the album includes a mix of standard Christmas carols, modern vacation tunes, and original tracks penned by Connick himself. It marks his 3rd holiday-themed album, following the success of "When My Heart Finds Christmas" (1993) and "Harry for the Holidays" (2003). "What a Night!" is a festive and vibrant album that showcases Connick's distinct jazz-tinged arrangements and his flexible vocal stylings.

Tracklist and Notable Songs
The album consists of sixteen tracks, covering a variety of Christmas tunes ranging from widely known classics to lesser-known gems. A few of the standout conventional songs consist of "It's one of the most Wonderful Time of the Year", "O Come All Ye Faithful", and an assortment of "We Three Kings" and "Carol of the Bells". Connick's performances of these songs are defined by his unique jazz-infused, huge band plans, giving them a fresh and modern take while remaining true to the standard spirit of the holiday.

Among the initial structures written by Connick for the album, "What a Night!" title track stands apart, providing an upbeat, swinging, and appealing tune that immediately mesmerizes the listener. Other original songs include "Song for the Hopeful", which features well-known gospel and jazz singer Kim Burrell, and "All I Want for Christmas". These tunes demonstrate Connick's songwriting expertise and his capability to develop unforgettable, engaging music that blends with the classic vacation offerings.

Connell likewise showcases his musical flexibility by offering intimate and stripped-down moments, such as "Winter Wonderland" carried out exclusively by him on piano and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" in a duet with Haitian-American violinist and author DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain). These minutes work as a contrast to the big band arrangements and emphasize Connick's musical level of sensitivity and virtuosity.

Reception and Accolades
"What a Night! A Christmas Album" got mainly positive evaluations from critics and fans alike. The album gathered appreciation for Connick's special spin on familiar holiday tunes, in addition to his original compositions and arrangements. The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart.

Especially, Connick's duet with Kim Burrell, "Song for the Hopeful", got a GRAMMY Award nomination in 2010 for Best Gospel Performance. Burrell's remarkable singing capabilities coupled with Connick's soulful piano make the song an effective and emotionally resonant addition to the album.

Conclusion
"What a Night! A Christmas Album" is a wonderful and interesting vacation album that showcases Harry Connick Jr.'s significant talents as a singer, pianist, arranger, and author. By mixing traditional Christmas classics with initial compositions and innovative plans, Connick creates a vibrant and warm vacation atmosphere that appeals to listeners of all ages and backgrounds. With its mix of upbeat, big band tunes and intimate, emotive minutes, "What a Night!" is a standout holiday album that deserves a place in any Christmas music collection.