Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

This lavish holiday set has been called the greatest rock & roll Christmas album of all time. That's an opinion that's tough to argue with when you find yourself immersed in the massive sounds painstakingly crafted by legendary producer Phil Spector. His "wall-of-sound" technique is perfectly suited to the music of the season, as he proves with layer upon layer of piano, sleigh bells, buoyant percussion, and, of course, those legendary Spector sound harmonies. The Crystals turn their sassy interplay into sheer magic on "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", The Ronettes stroll sweetly through numbers like "Sleigh Ride", while Darlene Love delivers areal knockout punch with her yearning version of "Christmas (Baby, PleaseCome Home)". Sure to become the soundtrack for your holidays. --DavidSpragueThis lavish holiday set has been called the greatest rock & roll Christmas album of all time. That's an opinion that's tough to argue with when you find yourself immersed in the massive sounds painstakingly crafted by legendary producer Phil Spector. His "wall-of-sound" technique is perfectly suited to the music of the season, as he proves with layer upon layer of piano, sleigh bells, buoyant percussion and, of course, those legendary Spector sound harmonies. The Crystals turn their sassy interplay into sheer magic on "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", The Ronettes stroll sweetly through numbers like "Sleigh Ride" and Darlene Love delivers a real knockout punch with her yearning version of "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)". Sure to become the soundtrack for your holidays. --David Sprague

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Good, but...., 05 Nov 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Good, but...., 05 Nov 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

A wonderful collection of songs - you'll not regret buying it!, 07 Jan 2008
I am biased of course because I love James Taylor's voice...! but this is sublime for a christmas feel anytime of the year...even if,like me, you are not vaguely religious, all the songs just feel 'right'!

Perfect Christmas music, 05 Jan 2008
I ordered this after hearing James Taylor singing a couple of the songs on a radio show. The CD is just beautiful and I have had it on almost non-stop since i bought it. Taylor has a lovely voice, the arrangements are wonderful and it evokes a really relaxing 'mince pies baking in the oven, snow falling outside' sort of atmosphere. Just perfect.

Love it!, 16 Dec 2007
It's beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. If I had to pick a favorite it would either be River or Baby It's Cold Outside. You can't go wrong with this CD.

Great for relaxing at Christmas, 04 Nov 2006
For any fan of James Taylor, Christmas albums, or simply excellent music this is a must buy. James Taylor has a very easy voice to listen to, and the majority of the songs are instantly recognizable. There are some beautiful vocals, which add to already well known songs. If, like me, you managed to get the Hallmark Christmas album from the US, 10 tracks are the same here (10 out of the 12 being on this, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas already being owned by fans who bought October Road a few years ago), the only "New" track to true JT fan is "River", but "Deck the Halls" is not on this new release, and was on the Hallmark version.
I've listened to this album(The Hallmark version) a lot since I bought it, and I'm already looking forward to the festive season, so that I can listen again.

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Good, but...., 05 Nov 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

A wonderful collection of songs - you'll not regret buying it!, 07 Jan 2008
I am biased of course because I love James Taylor's voice...! but this is sublime for a christmas feel anytime of the year...even if,like me, you are not vaguely religious, all the songs just feel 'right'!

Perfect Christmas music, 05 Jan 2008
I ordered this after hearing James Taylor singing a couple of the songs on a radio show. The CD is just beautiful and I have had it on almost non-stop since i bought it. Taylor has a lovely voice, the arrangements are wonderful and it evokes a really relaxing 'mince pies baking in the oven, snow falling outside' sort of atmosphere. Just perfect.

Love it!, 16 Dec 2007
It's beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. If I had to pick a favorite it would either be River or Baby It's Cold Outside. You can't go wrong with this CD.

Great for relaxing at Christmas, 04 Nov 2006
For any fan of James Taylor, Christmas albums, or simply excellent music this is a must buy. James Taylor has a very easy voice to listen to, and the majority of the songs are instantly recognizable. There are some beautiful vocals, which add to already well known songs. If, like me, you managed to get the Hallmark Christmas album from the US, 10 tracks are the same here (10 out of the 12 being on this, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas already being owned by fans who bought October Road a few years ago), the only "New" track to true JT fan is "River", but "Deck the Halls" is not on this new release, and was on the Hallmark version.
I've listened to this album(The Hallmark version) a lot since I bought it, and I'm already looking forward to the festive season, so that I can listen again.

Silver Bells, Golden Stars, 06 Jan 2008
Just when I thought a nostalgic Christmas was over I came across this super 2 CD set from NotNow. The set boasts 50 songs and a whole host of well known stars too. It is good to have a mix of both American and British stars represented and there are even duets.
This is a welcome addition to the Christmas titles offering something just a little different and with Eartha Kitt, David Whitfield, Dickie Valentine, Bing, Dick, Frank, Perry, Nat, Ella, Peggy and Judy to serenade you whilst you cook that traditional roast turkey what more could you ask for?
Favourite songs for me are "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"; "Silver Bells"; "Santa Claus got Stuck in My Chimney" and the traditional carols.
Good sound throughout and attractive packaging make this a great gift too.

disappointed by a slow cd, 23 Dec 2007
If you like old fashioned slow songs then you may love this, if you are of the older generation you may love this cd. But me, being 36, hated it, it was far too slow and boring and a complete waste of money, I won't listen again, it will make a good Christmas present for my wifes parents - they will love it - I just hope they don't play it in front of me!

Sorry to be so negetive, but like all Amazon reviews you can only say what you think!! If you are looking for upbeat lively music look else where!

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Good, but...., 05 Nov 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

A wonderful collection of songs - you'll not regret buying it!, 07 Jan 2008
I am biased of course because I love James Taylor's voice...! but this is sublime for a christmas feel anytime of the year...even if,like me, you are not vaguely religious, all the songs just feel 'right'!

Perfect Christmas music, 05 Jan 2008
I ordered this after hearing James Taylor singing a couple of the songs on a radio show. The CD is just beautiful and I have had it on almost non-stop since i bought it. Taylor has a lovely voice, the arrangements are wonderful and it evokes a really relaxing 'mince pies baking in the oven, snow falling outside' sort of atmosphere. Just perfect.

Love it!, 16 Dec 2007
It's beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. If I had to pick a favorite it would either be River or Baby It's Cold Outside. You can't go wrong with this CD.

Great for relaxing at Christmas, 04 Nov 2006
For any fan of James Taylor, Christmas albums, or simply excellent music this is a must buy. James Taylor has a very easy voice to listen to, and the majority of the songs are instantly recognizable. There are some beautiful vocals, which add to already well known songs. If, like me, you managed to get the Hallmark Christmas album from the US, 10 tracks are the same here (10 out of the 12 being on this, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas already being owned by fans who bought October Road a few years ago), the only "New" track to true JT fan is "River", but "Deck the Halls" is not on this new release, and was on the Hallmark version.
I've listened to this album(The Hallmark version) a lot since I bought it, and I'm already looking forward to the festive season, so that I can listen again.

Silver Bells, Golden Stars, 06 Jan 2008
Just when I thought a nostalgic Christmas was over I came across this super 2 CD set from NotNow. The set boasts 50 songs and a whole host of well known stars too. It is good to have a mix of both American and British stars represented and there are even duets.
This is a welcome addition to the Christmas titles offering something just a little different and with Eartha Kitt, David Whitfield, Dickie Valentine, Bing, Dick, Frank, Perry, Nat, Ella, Peggy and Judy to serenade you whilst you cook that traditional roast turkey what more could you ask for?
Favourite songs for me are "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"; "Silver Bells"; "Santa Claus got Stuck in My Chimney" and the traditional carols.
Good sound throughout and attractive packaging make this a great gift too.

disappointed by a slow cd, 23 Dec 2007
If you like old fashioned slow songs then you may love this, if you are of the older generation you may love this cd. But me, being 36, hated it, it was far too slow and boring and a complete waste of money, I won't listen again, it will make a good Christmas present for my wifes parents - they will love it - I just hope they don't play it in front of me!

Sorry to be so negetive, but like all Amazon reviews you can only say what you think!! If you are looking for upbeat lively music look else where!

Bah Humbag!, 30 Oct 2008
Absolutely awful, this is a shoddy complilation of Xmas songs. The sound quality is terrible and the album seems to be a montage of old radio broadcasts. At times it seems that Sinatra is singing with a bucket on his head. If you want real nostalga then this album may appeal but I would advise you to stay well clear.

For a Classic Christmas, 30 Nov 2007
I would disregard the first review of this CD and skip straight to the second. This CD is wonderful. For those that want a more traditional, classic Christmas this is the one to get. Sit by a roaring fireside under the twinkling lights of the christmas tree, mulled wine in one hand, mince pie in the other and this music playing in the background. Truly magical!

My favourites on the 2 CD's (bargain!) are Dean Martin's "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", Louis Armstrong's "Zat you Santa Claus" and Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

The quality of the music is as good as you can get when the recordings are so old. It's not crackly and inaudible however, just full of charm.

You really can't go wrong purchasing this! Merry Christmas!

Superb- A Heartwarming Soundtrack to Your Xmas, 25 Nov 2007
I really dont understand the last reviewers negative comments. True, these recordings arent modern quality ... GOOOOOOD !. These were recorded well over 50 years ago, what do you expect ?. For me, this adds to the experience.
These recordings are good quality, not like some of those rediculous Rat Pack
sets you get, which are live & terrible quality. Most are studio recordings & some are songs lifted from live recordings of festive radio shows (still recorded in a studio). I love this 3 cd set, just pop it on, on Christmas morning ... Perfect.



Don't Buy This, 07 Dec 2006
Don't buy this CD. The sound quality is absolutely appalling -- it's as if someone is holding a microphone to a cheap radio with bad reception. Dreadful, absolutely waste of money even though it is cheap. (I'd give it ``minus'' stars if I could.)

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is really one of Spector's Top 10 hits with different words, which simply shows the producer was creating the effect he wanted here). "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is in the same mode, but there is a sense in which the "Wall of Sound" is just effective.

Spector comes out to wish everybody the very merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years for "Silent Night," which is a reminder of when music groups used to talk directly to their fans on records. That seems a bit strange now, but what stands out more is how the simple musical arrangement at the end is such a complete change of pace from the rest of the album, so that "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" ends on a much quieter note. But up to that point this is certainly one of the high energy Christmas albums of all time and if you need a burst of musical energy to get you through decorating, cooking, or whatever, this one fits the bill.

Christmas doesn't get any better than this!, 10 Dec 2005
Contender for the best Christmas album ever.
Many years ago I was given a lift home by a friend who started sneezing. I opened the glove compartment for a tissue and the cassette of this album was inside. I asked to borrow it so as I could tape it as Christmas was a few days away and the album wasn't available at the time, some years ago!
It completely blew me away. I start listening to it from September to get in the mood and it never fails to get me feeling all 'tinsled up'.
Buy it, you won't regret it.

Good, but...., 05 Nov 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

A wonderful collection of songs - you'll not regret buying it!, 07 Jan 2008
I am biased of course because I love James Taylor's voice...! but this is sublime for a christmas feel anytime of the year...even if,like me, you are not vaguely religious, all the songs just feel 'right'!

Perfect Christmas music, 05 Jan 2008
I ordered this after hearing James Taylor singing a couple of the songs on a radio show. The CD is just beautiful and I have had it on almost non-stop since i bought it. Taylor has a lovely voice, the arrangements are wonderful and it evokes a really relaxing 'mince pies baking in the oven, snow falling outside' sort of atmosphere. Just perfect.

Love it!, 16 Dec 2007
It's beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. If I had to pick a favorite it would either be River or Baby It's Cold Outside. You can't go wrong with this CD.

Great for relaxing at Christmas, 04 Nov 2006
For any fan of James Taylor, Christmas albums, or simply excellent music this is a must buy. James Taylor has a very easy voice to listen to, and the majority of the songs are instantly recognizable. There are some beautiful vocals, which add to already well known songs. If, like me, you managed to get the Hallmark Christmas album from the US, 10 tracks are the same here (10 out of the 12 being on this, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas already being owned by fans who bought October Road a few years ago), the only "New" track to true JT fan is "River", but "Deck the Halls" is not on this new release, and was on the Hallmark version.
I've listened to this album(The Hallmark version) a lot since I bought it, and I'm already looking forward to the festive season, so that I can listen again.

Silver Bells, Golden Stars, 06 Jan 2008
Just when I thought a nostalgic Christmas was over I came across this super 2 CD set from NotNow. The set boasts 50 songs and a whole host of well known stars too. It is good to have a mix of both American and British stars represented and there are even duets.
This is a welcome addition to the Christmas titles offering something just a little different and with Eartha Kitt, David Whitfield, Dickie Valentine, Bing, Dick, Frank, Perry, Nat, Ella, Peggy and Judy to serenade you whilst you cook that traditional roast turkey what more could you ask for?
Favourite songs for me are "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"; "Silver Bells"; "Santa Claus got Stuck in My Chimney" and the traditional carols.
Good sound throughout and attractive packaging make this a great gift too.

disappointed by a slow cd, 23 Dec 2007
If you like old fashioned slow songs then you may love this, if you are of the older generation you may love this cd. But me, being 36, hated it, it was far too slow and boring and a complete waste of money, I won't listen again, it will make a good Christmas present for my wifes parents - they will love it - I just hope they don't play it in front of me!

Sorry to be so negetive, but like all Amazon reviews you can only say what you think!! If you are looking for upbeat lively music look else where!

Bah Humbag!, 30 Oct 2008
Absolutely awful, this is a shoddy complilation of Xmas songs. The sound quality is terrible and the album seems to be a montage of old radio broadcasts. At times it seems that Sinatra is singing with a bucket on his head. If you want real nostalga then this album may appeal but I would advise you to stay well clear.

For a Classic Christmas, 30 Nov 2007
I would disregard the first review of this CD and skip straight to the second. This CD is wonderful. For those that want a more traditional, classic Christmas this is the one to get. Sit by a roaring fireside under the twinkling lights of the christmas tree, mulled wine in one hand, mince pie in the other and this music playing in the background. Truly magical!

My favourites on the 2 CD's (bargain!) are Dean Martin's "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", Louis Armstrong's "Zat you Santa Claus" and Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

The quality of the music is as good as you can get when the recordings are so old. It's not crackly and inaudible however, just full of charm.

You really can't go wrong purchasing this! Merry Christmas!

Superb- A Heartwarming Soundtrack to Your Xmas, 25 Nov 2007
I really dont understand the last reviewers negative comments. True, these recordings arent modern quality ... GOOOOOOD !. These were recorded well over 50 years ago, what do you expect ?. For me, this adds to the experience.
These recordings are good quality, not like some of those rediculous Rat Pack
sets you get, which are live & terrible quality. Most are studio recordings & some are songs lifted from live recordings of festive radio shows (still recorded in a studio). I love this 3 cd set, just pop it on, on Christmas morning ... Perfect.



Don't Buy This, 07 Dec 2006
Don't buy this CD. The sound quality is absolutely appalling -- it's as if someone is holding a microphone to a cheap radio with bad reception. Dreadful, absolutely waste of money even though it is cheap. (I'd give it ``minus'' stars if I could.)

Yes, Yes, Yes! Fresh sounding Christmas tracks from the King!, 20 Nov 2008
I LOVE this album, so if you only read a few lines of this review I say go ahead and buy this FABULOUS album! However, for those interested here's my quick track-by-track guide:

Blue Christmas was always one of my faves and it sounds great here with a nice extra reprieve of the last 8 bars. Their vocals aren't exactly synchronised at all times but it doesn't detract from things.

I'll Be Home is again nicely done and at 3:36 a lot longer than the original with a really nice instrumental added.

I think Elvis's voice is slightly swamped on Here Comes Santa Claus but not bad.

Santa Claus Is Back In Town is a great song and Wynonna does seem to add something which seems to make it sound even more exciting!

Silent Night for me is a little messy as Sara does do some odd alternate tune stuff but it still sounds good.

White Christmas to me sounds fab with some really nice harmonies & a rather amusing sort of ad-libbed "Come on now big boy" towards the end!

I love Merry Christmas Baby and again Gretchen's ad-libs are great. What's even better is that it now lasts 8:06! It now has an even better-sounding backing to me.

Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem is a very pretty version with a much more contemporary backing track with a punchy bass (not just the organ as before). Karen and Kimberley add some lovely harmonies between them and it now has much more light and shade which I have to say I prefer to Elvis's original!

Silver Bells now sounds good to me! I always found Elvis's vocal on the original annoying; laboured, slightly slurry and he sounded completely uninterested in the song. They have done some very good work on this and seem to have very subtly changed the vocal track and allowed Anne to sing parts where his voice was particularly weak or shaky; the result is he now sounds pleased to be singing it and it sounds brilliant!

Next is the Olivia NJ duet version of O Come All Ye Faithful. They've added a few extra beats here and there and it now flows much better. I appreciate the crescendo at the end which I love as it now sounds more like an Elvis song ending!

The First Noel now has a tasteful string quartet and piano which sounds much better than what was previously just an organ plodding on in a rather pedestrian fashion! Again it is amazing what they have managed to do with Elvis's vocal on this track as they turned what I felt was a lack-lustre warbly effort into a great performance!!

If I Get Home On Christmas Day on the face of it sounds very similar until you play them both at the same time and flip between the two versions. Again I don't know exactly what they've done but the vocal is now greatly improved! I challenge anyone to listen to the original and then play this "remastered" version and not be blown away! Listen closely in particular where his vocal comes in at the 12 second point until about the 35 second point and then play the "remastered" version straight away; it really is amazing what can now be done with a dodgy vocal and it makes the original sound like it's been slowed down! The whole song is now a lot fuller and richer - Great job!

Winter Wonderland now sounds incredible with the organ and backing vocals subtly added but some of the original's clarity has been lost; however, when you play it after the "remastered" version is does sound very bare!

I have been an Elvis fan for more than thirty years, and yes I have all the remastered Sony/BMG albums/boxsets & the FTDs, but I am extremely pleased with what they have done here; we finally have some new fresh sounding Elvis material and I think it bodes very well for the future!

Buy with confidence!

No,No,No, 19 Nov 2008
no a million times no
leave the king alone why do we need a christmas duets album most of the country singers on this i have never heard of
dont buy!

Elvis the King!, 14 Nov 2008
I was dubious about this cd before listening to it but have been immediately won over by the excellence and taste with which this recording has been achieved.
Wonderful! I think it enhances already great Christmas tunes.
Being an Elvis junkie for ......... a-hmm years, I am totally biased but
I was emotionally moved.boo hoo boo hoo!

Wow!, 06 Nov 2008
This is a great sounding album. The main reason I wanted it was two of my favourite Elvis tracks:

MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY
This is an incredible version. It actually is longer than the original so had Elvis singing some licks I had never heard before. The new music track is amazing although I did miss a ripping guitar solo in the break. But the female singer dueting here with Elvis has an incredible voice. Elvis sings the whole song and she adds sizzling blues runs behind him. The whole effect is one of the best blues tracks I have heard. Seriously, buy this album just for this track.

SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN
This is a rockin blues from 1957. This version stands up against the original. It is amazing. The whole effect evokes Christmas in a brothel (not that I have ever spent Christams in a brothel). It's that stripper beat. This track is an Elvis classic and should be in everyones collection. You will not stop playing it.

The rest of the tracks are just great Christmas tracks and if you like that sort of thing you will not go wrong with this album. If you don't like that sort of thing then just buy it for the two tracks above.

Best Xmas album ever, 07 Oct 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Erratum, 19 Jul 2005
I might well write my previous review of this album anonymously - the theme-tune for the TV coverage of the London Olympics is NOT the Bacchanale from Glazunov's 'The Four Seasons', but the music which the late Ron Goodwin wrote for the film 'The Trap'. The two tunes share an exhilarating,wintry feel, but that is no excuse. Apologies to Ron, and to any readers misled by my error!

a surprise buy, 27 Dec 2004
Ive had this cd for sometime. I must have bought in its first incarnation. This was also a surprise buy because I was looking hard for a good xmas cd at the time. I saw it. Heard it in the cd booth, & bought it!! Its one of the best xmas cds around. Go buy you will not be disappointed!!

Simply Wonderful Listening, 21 Dec 2001
I have tried to buy this again for two years and I am thrilled it has been re-released. The CD is filled with many classical tunes that featured as THE Christmas TV tunes in my childhood and teens e.g. the Timex advert. Great tunes combined with good artists and best of all, not what you hear playing in all the supermarkets! A truely "Classey" classic that I would recommend to anyone who likes good music.

Not "Truly the best" yes alternative, 18 Nov 2008
Reading the previous two reviews, I was won over and decided to purchase this cd, its starts off well with The Pogues (in my opinion) there are one or two mediocre tunes in the middle of the cd. To be truthful I stopped at track 11 "Xmas in February" which is about Vietnam, it looks like the cd ends on a strong note with Otis Redding's White Christmas & Booker T's Winter Wonderland.



Truly the best alternative Christmas album, 09 Dec 2007
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

Forget the rest, this truly is the best....., 25 Jan 2004
I've owned this album for nearly 8 years and every Christmas it gives me immense pleasure to listen to it. Creating more and more memories as time passes. There are no tacky 'wedding disco' type tracks only unusual, if not classic yuletide tunes. Everyone who hears me playing this, begs to know more. Amazon are diamonds in coming up with the goods at last. A real gem of a CD, previously very hard to get hold of.

Thank you!

Christmas was cancelled, 05 Jun 2008
When this album hit the shops Pres.Kennedy had just been assasinated.As no one felt like celebrating-so they say-the album was a total flop and warehouses all over the country had 1000s of returned copies.
Understandably Spector was annoyed after all that work!
Probably the fact that the Singing Nun represented that years Christmas hit!
In 1964 the British Invasion which gave a boost to his career as the Ronettes toured the U K and the man came here to nob with the Stones and his British answer Andrew Loog Oldham who would prove beneficial.
as for the Beatles they would be his Saviour and by the early 70s both Harrison and Lennon had increased his bank balance considerably as well as his ego.Plus the fact that Apple had reissued the Christmas album.
Meanwhile it had become very collectable on the Philles label but couldn't be found anywhere.So as usually happens people were paying silly money like they still do for the withdrawn Ike & Tina album River deep-an album which still has to be found on U K import!But thats another story.
By the mid 70s a few warehouses were opened up and copies of the Philles album were sent around the World-devaluing an item people had paid daft money for.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As near to Christmas pefection as you can get this far south of the North Pole!!, 29 Nov 2007
Brilliant, this is the soundtrack to everyones Christmas! From beginning to end this CD will have something for everyone. I only play 2 "oldie" Christmas albums, this and Elvis' "Christmas Peace", of the them Mr Spector wins hands down!!

The Best Christmas Album Ever, 15 Jun 2006
Not only will you know all the songs, you will know all these versions. After 43 years, these recordings still get played by most radio stations in December. Apparantly, this album was not a hit when originally released in November 1963, as Phil Spector withdrew it from release as a mark of respect when JFK was assassinated. Since then it has become a classic, loved by children of all ages. My favorite is Darlene Love's 'Christmas Baby Please Come Come'. What a voice, what a song. This album is guarenteed to get any Christmas party going. Buy it now so you are ready!

Phil Spector does a "Wall of Sound" Christmas album, 25 Dec 2005
I was never enamored with the results when Phil Spector tried the "Wall of Sound" approach with the Beatles on "Let It Be," but that failure was the exception that proves the rule. In 1963 Spector actually decided to use his approach to produce one of the great Christmas albums of all time. The goal was to have a holiday album that would stack up against both other Christmas albums and the pop albums produced by his quartet of artists: Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans. The artists split up the first dozen tracks on "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector," with everybody joining together for "Silent Night" as the album's grand finale.

Darlene Love was never really a success as a solo artist, although she did the lead vocals on "She's a Rebel." But she gets to make or break this album by singing the opening track, "White Christmas," and making it clear the song can work if not being crooned by Der Bingle. "Marshmallow World" is fun but a trifle, while her "Winter Wonderland" may be the best track on the album, with "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" a soulful plea not to be separated for the holidays. No wonder Love got the most tracks on the album. The Ronettes were sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley rock a bit more than usual with their version of "Frosty the Snowman" and keep the spirit going with "Sleigh Ride" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

The change of pace offering on the album would definitely be Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans doing "The Bells of St. Mary," although "Here Comes Santa Claus" is certainly more in keeping with the rest of the record. This was Spector's studio group and compared to the rest of the album you can understand why they only got two tracks. The best effort by the Crystals is obviously "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which surely was the model for the better known rocking version by the Boss. Their version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not work nearly as well (it is one of those songs where you would swear it is r