Laura Pausini, omri (Italian: [ˈlaura pauˈziːni]; born 16 May 1974) is an Italian pop singer-songwriter, record producer and television personality. As a child, she was encouraged by her father to join him during his performances in local piano bars. After competing in local singing contests, Pausini signed her first recording contract. She rose to fame in 1993, winning the newcomer artists’ section of the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival with her debut single “La solitudine”, which became an Italian standard and an international hit, topping the charts in Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. Her eponymous debut album was released in Italy on 23 April 1993 and later became an international success, selling two million copies worldwide.
Laura Xmas is her thirteenth studio album (and her first with Christmas music). The album has been released in two versions: in English and Spanish (this version being called Laura Navidad). The song Astro del ciel is performed in Italian and Adeste Fideles in Latin. A special French version of the album was released, with the song Noël Blanc substituting White Christmas. (by wikipedia)
This production not only presents one of the most amazing, beautiful voices to emerge in decades, but all the recordings were with the Patrick Williams Orchestra. Patrick Williams is a 20th and 21st century American composer who is highly recognized for his many achievements and awards in jazz, popular music, concert music and music for film and television. Twelve recordings are featured on this album. Christmas favorites are presented including “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”, “White Christmas”, “Oh Happy Day”, “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and much more.
Personnel:
Laura Pausini (vocals)
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The Patrick Williams Orchestra:
Violin: Brian Benning, Charlie Bisharat, Darius Campo, Roberto Cani, Ron Clark, Kevin Connolly, Joel Derouin, Lisa Dondlinger, Lisa Evtuhov, Neel Hammond, Johana Krejci, Marisa Kuney, Phil Levy, Joel Pargman, Alyssa Park, Sara Parkins, Radu Pieptea, Katia Popov, Rafael Rishik, Neil Samples, Katie Sloan, Ina Veli, Rita Weber, Roger Wilkie
Viola: Robert Brophy, Andrew Duckles, Alma Fernandez, David Walther, Rodney Wirtz
Cello: Trevor Handy, Armen Ksajikian, Timm Loo, László Mezö, Tina Soule, Mike Valerio, John Walz
Saxophone: Dan Higgins, Sal Lozano, Don Shelton, Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Gene Cipriano
Flute: Sara Andon, Greg Huckins, Larry Kaplan, Steve Kujala, David Shostac, Gary Woodward
French Horn: Mark Adams, Jim Atkinson, Steve Becknell, Nathan Campbell, Allen Fogle, Dylan Hart, Paul Klintworth, Kristen Morrison, Danielle Ondarza, Brad Warnaar
Trumpet: Wayne Bergeron, Chuck Findley, Dan Fornero, James Horvorka, Rob Schaer, Mike Stever, Bob Summers
Trombone: Charles Loper, Andy Martin, Bob McChesney, Bill Richenbach, Dave Ryan, Fred Simmons
Percussion: Dan Greco
Harp: Julie Berghofer, Marcia Dickstein
Rhythm Section:
Chuck Berghofer (bass)
Peter Erskine (drums)
Jim Fox (guitar)
Tom Ranier (piano)
Pop Rhythm Section:
Nathan East (bass)
George Doering (guitar)
Randy Kerber (piano)
Dean Parks (guitar)
JR Robinson (drums)
Choral Group (on 07, 08, 10. + 12.):
Soprano: Monique Donnelly, Teri Koide, Susie Stevens, Suzanne Waters
Alto: Christine Guter, Scottie Haskell, Baraka May, Charissa Nielsen
Tenor: Walt Harrah, Todd Honeycutt, David Loucks, Gerald White
Bass: Eric Bradley, Alvin Chea, Bob Joyce, Greg Whipple
Gospel Group (on 11):
Soprano: Alexandra Browm, Carmen Carter, Julia Waters, Suzanne Waters
Alto: Aleta Braxton, Andrea Jones, Baraka May, Maxine Waters
Tenor: Eric Butler, Jim Gilstrap, Dorian Holley, Carmen Twillie
Bass: Eric Bradley, Alvin Chea, Josef Powell, Oren Waters
Kids Group (8): James Johnson-Brown, Micah Luna, Baraka May, Claira Titman, Emily Titman, Scottie Haskell
Waters Trio (on 06. + 09.):
Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters
Tracklist:
01. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Willson) 3.56
02. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Cahn/Styne) 3.01
03. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Coots/Gillespie) 2.07
04. Jingle Bell Rock (Beal/Boothe) 3-47
05. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Blane/Martin) 4.05
06. Jingle Bells (Pierpont) 3.27
07. White Christmas (Berlin) 2.22
08. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (Lennon/Ono) 3.24
09. Feliz Navidad (Feliciano) 3.44
10. Adeste Fideles (Wade) 3.11
11. Oh Happy Day (Hawkins) 4.40
12. Astro del Ciel (Gruber/Mohr) 4.48
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13. Blanca Navidad (Berlin) 2.22
14. Santa Claus Llegó A La Ciudad (Coots/Gillespie) 2.08
15. Va a Nevar (Cahn/styne) 3.01
16. Noel Blanc (Berlin) 2.22
17. Noche de Paz (Gruber/Mohr) 4.48
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