Even when it's done well, as this is. There were only a few songs that sounded like they should be Christmas carols at the mall, which is a pretty low number for this style of music. It's pretty tasteful, non-intrusive and not schmaltzy. Personally, however, I like my jazz a little closer to home. I prefer hearing individual voices, and hearing the ring that only comes when voices are let loose to do their thing.
Studios change the sound, blend out the overtones.
I thought the interpretation of an American in Paris was terrific, and arranger Don Hart packed a lot of other great songs in behind it. But Not For Me was a great arrangment of a great song, but his version of Embraceable You left me unmoved. I thought A Little Jazz Bird sounded the most like a Christmas carol at the mall, but I freely admit that I've never liked the song to begin with. And I was disappointed in A Foggy Day , but that's because I've always adored Ella Fitzgerald's eloquent, ornamented delivery of this beautiful number. See, it all comes down to taste and style.