To my ears, the best versions of "Winter Wonderland" conjure up images of a leisurely stroll or sound like a fun romp. Aimee Mann succeeds by slowing down the tempo and singing at an unhurried pace, while Kate Rusby peps up the tune effectively by speeding up the tempo and jutting into a minor key briefly during the chorus. Ray Charles gives the melody a swagger that other versions don't typically achieve, and Wynton Marsalis's trumpet rendition is upbeat and vibrant.
Until recently, however, I hadn't heard Francis Goya's 1978 rendition. If you like hearing "Winter Wonderland" as a warm, leisurely guitar instrumental, you'll likely enjoy it. Did KEZK play this during its easy listening years, I wonder?
