J. B TOMAI | Las Vegas, Nevada United States | 08/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I was kid in NY in the early 60s, my dad brought home a Christmas album (we played records then)called CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK. It featured conductor Arthur Fiedler, a wonderful opera singer whose name I cannot recall,and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. If I'm not mistaken Steve & Eydie had 3 songs on the record, my favorite being HURRY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. To me, Steve & Eydie's rendition of this cheerful holiday song represented to me (a kid at the time)the "modern", swinging Christmas music that was becoming prevalent in the late 50s/early 60s.I played that song every Christmas but eventually misplaced the album but never gave up searching for it throughout the years. To have found it again and on this sensational cd with so many other great Christmas songs and great swingin' arrangements by 2 of the best singers in the business has been a joy. My wife and I play it constantly. If you like the Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee take on holiday music, this is the cd for you. It's the best!"
Retro rules!
Booksvixen | San Frantastic, CA United States | 12/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I, too, grew up listening to this album in the '70's. I had forgotten how great it was. In fact, I had sort of forgotten Steve and Eydie altogether, until a co-worker received another one of their CD's for a joke birthday gift. To make a long story short, I was reminded of this holiday collection (which, incidentally, you can get for $20 at www.steveandeydie.com), which I promptly purchased and am enjoying very much while I write this review.
Steve and Eydie rock! Their martini-lounge arrangements are truly timeless, and just the antidote to what ails us in 2004. Every song is a delight and a pleasure. And the CD even has two bonus tracks! Buy it, play it, love it, and share it. I personally don't see how I ever spent so many Christmases without it. Ho-ho-ho!!!"
The Joy Of Christmas
Dakota_t | PA | 11/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up in the 70's this album was my favorite holiday album. its fun, a little dated, but Great. Eydie sings in voice that ranges from giggling teenager to mature songsmith. Steve remains firm and enjoyable. This is not only a "Must Have" but is a replacement for that lost album of yesteryear."
One of the Great Holiday Albums
Joseph Grienenberger | San Diego, CA | 11/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up in the 60s and 70s, this was my family's favorite Christmas album. Even with the durable vinyl that Columbia Records used, I believe we went through three or possibly four copies.
With the advent of CDs in the early 80s, I gave up my turntable and sold off most of my LPs -- and of course soon missed this recording, since it wasn't to be found on CD. After dozens and dozens and dozens of listenings over the years, I could "hear" this album in my head, but of course it wasn't the same.
So I was overjoyed to find this recording finally remastered onto CD last year. Having become a musician in the intervening years, when I played the CD I experienced not only nostalgia from my childhood but also found that my now-trained musical ear immediately recognized these instrumental arrangements as being top-notch. Steve and Eydie were of course in exceptional vocal form when they made this recording [and the digital transfer is terrific], but since they are noted for being dedicated to having the right orchestral sound, they certainly chose an excellent crew [headed by the great Don Costa] when they made this recording. The musicians and the orchestrations are a perfect match for the vocalists.
The "big band" sound on some of the tracks is terrific, but the softer selections feature some really shimmering and subtle orchestral work. I won't do a track-by-track review, but here's a prime example: Anyone doing "White Christmas" always has Bing Crosby in their memory, since that song-and-artist are one of the classic partnerships. There have been a LOT of covers over the years, but they've all been lame attempts at being cheery and warm. However, the arrangement here for Eydie Gorme takes a decidedly different tack, starting with a decidedly bittersweet intro and going on to include some rapturous yet very subdued backing vocals. And Miss Gorme's vocals are passionate and full-bodied. The result is a version that is so unique and beautifully artistic that it more than holds its own if anyone insists on comparing it with Crosby's. No easy task, that.
Mr. Lawrence is of course terrific as well. His creamy baritone fits his solos very well -- a smooth sound, and a knack for lyric interpretation. Well, the same can be said for Miss Gorme, for both these artists have a true talent for really dedicating themselves to the song at hand [as opposed to the multitude of performers whose prime concern has been to make the song merely a tool to show off their voices]. On the numerous duets, they both make the fun palpable and engaging.
Given the plethora of pop music Christmas albums that have been produced over the decades, this really is one of the few that really feels like a holiday album. Other artists think merely warbling their way through holiday songs is sufficient, but Lawrence and Gorme are never anything less than a joy -- their infectious fun and heartfelt singing make this sound like a live performance rather than a studio recording. Even the use of sleighbells on one number, usually a very hackneyed, trite, and pedantic orchestral trick, actually contributes to the fun and doesn't sound remotely corny.
So if you like singers with exquisite taste and solid vocal technique, if you like Christmas albums that aren't hokey and workmanlike, and if you appreciate truly artistic and vibrant orchestrations, you will quickly come to love this fine recording.
Forget Amazon's limit of five stars for ratings -- this one gets ten stars from me."
That Holiday Feeling
Mack | North Carolina | 12/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have enjoyed this for over 30 years. Up until now I had to listen to the vinyl version. It's great they finally made this available on CD and give you 2 bonus tracks too. This is Christmas Music at it's best. I just hope the radio stations add this to their playlist."