by Scott Yanow
One of the better Christmas jazz sets, Joe Williams is heard in quartets and quintets with pianist Norman Simmons, in several tender duets with pianist Ellis Larkins and backed by a horn section on a few tracks. It is nice to hear Williams' versions of such tunes as &Winter Wonderland,& &Silent Night& and &The Christmas Song,& but it's his interpretation of Thad Jones's &A Child Is Born& that takes honors.