What Child Is This? - Ray Charles, Dix, William Chatte
The Little Drummer Boy - Ray Charles, Davis, Katherine [2
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Ray Charles, Coots, J. Fred
This Time of the Year - Ray Charles, Hollis, Jesse
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Ray Charles, Marks, Johnny
That Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles, Davison, Parnell
All I Want for Christmas - Ray Charles, Henderson, William
Christmas in My Heart - Ray Charles, Fraser, Douglas
Winter Wonderland - Ray Charles, Bernard, Felix
Christmas Time - Ray Charles, Cole, Edward
Baby, It's Cold Outside [*] - Ray Charles, Loesser, Frank
The cover of this holiday classic pictures Ray Charles with a sleigh-full of gifts. That's an appropriate image, since he's so generous with the soulful sounds contained inside. Ray's gravelly growl may turn sweet on such ... more »merry romps as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," but he doesn't fully hit his groove until he delves into the set's more grown-up material. He gives "Winter Wonderland" a soul transfusion the likes of which you won't see on many televised Christmas specials, and really lights a fire under "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Now that's the spirit! --David Sprague« less
The cover of this holiday classic pictures Ray Charles with a sleigh-full of gifts. That's an appropriate image, since he's so generous with the soulful sounds contained inside. Ray's gravelly growl may turn sweet on such merry romps as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," but he doesn't fully hit his groove until he delves into the set's more grown-up material. He gives "Winter Wonderland" a soul transfusion the likes of which you won't see on many televised Christmas specials, and really lights a fire under "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Now that's the spirit! --David Sprague
thehamanns | Bel Air, MD United States | 11/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ray Charles is one of the greatest artists of any time and this cd should be in your collection if you truly want the best Christmas collection ever. While "Christmas Time" shows up on many compilation cd's, the best secret here is the song "That Spirit of Christmas" which can be heard in th movie Christmas Vacation. This one song alone is worth the price."
Bring Ray home for Christmas
James D. Isherwood | Randolph, NJ United States | 04/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I searched high and low for the song that accompanied Clark Griswold's watching of his old family movies during my favorite movie "Christmas Vacation"...Well...I found it on this album. Not only did I get the song I was looking for, but also a bunch of other songs that were equally as enjoyable. You can't go wrong with Ray charles, he is truly a master. And to have him over for Christmas is a true blessing! Don't miss this one! You won't be sorry! A true Chrismas Classic"
A great mix of Jazz and Ray Charles' style for the season
Curmema | 12/14/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some of the classic Christmas songs put to an upbeat Jazzy mix that only Ray Charles can do. This album is a little known secret that will be a great addition to your Christmas CD collection!"
The Genius of Christmas
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album by Ray Charles was recorded in 1985. It's odd that he hadn't recorded a Christmas album before then. The songs here are given jazzy arrangements, with most songs being four or five minutes long. Of course, Ray's singing is great, as it always is. The bonus track here, which is a terrific duet with jazz singer Betty Carter, was recorded over 20 years earlier than the rest of the CD. It's a shame that Ray is no longer with us, but at least we have albums like this to remember him by."
Buy this album
Curmema | 12/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Please make no mistake; this is one of the greatest Christmas sets ever compiled. If you like anything by Ray Charles, or if you even "kind of like" rhythm and blues or jazz, make this the one Christmas disc you buy this year. The album is noteworthy for many reasons - the excellent mix between standards and more obscure cuts, the originality of the arrangements (especially on the standard tracks), and the overall passion evident in the playing and the singing (by everyone). Ray Charles has a history of inspired performances, and this set is no exception. I found this disc in a cut-out bin in the late 1980s, and was very skeptical about it. I loved it on the first play and have loved it more with each additional listen. I have many, many Christmas CDs, and this is in the top five."