Search - Spike Jones :: Let's Sing a Song of Christmas

Not What You Might Expect From Spike & The Gang

Grandma D. | 08/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who knows the zany music and antics of Spike Jones and His City Slickers might look at the cover of this album and the contents and say to him/herself "this ought to be interesting, if not a little irreverent." But then you need only read the paragraph on the reverse to know that this is not your typical offering from the clown king of bands.



It says: "Nobody took Spike Jones seriously. With his City Slickers (never instrumentally challenged, their orchestrated chaos took rare musicianship), he had best-selling records in the Forties. But he couldn't sell his "pretty, legitimate music." So in the Fifties Jones turned to Christmas, producing the profane "Jingle Bells", in pig Latin - but also recording the sacred "Silent Night", done a capella with close harmony by a legendary vocal arranger - conductor Judd Conlon. With true, serious Christmas fare, this package presents Jones's two-sided (at least) musical nature. Liner notes by Richard Carpenter of the pop duo The Carpenters."



The fold-out insert covering this original 1956 Verve vinyl album contains a listing of the contents showing the accompanying artists on each track, along with two pages of notes written in 1998 by Richard Carpenter telling us, among other things, how he and his father discovered the original album in 1956. There is also a brief paragraph on the history of the Verve label, and several more photos of Spike, including one with wife Helen and Spike, Jr.



This is just a wonderful collection of Christmas music which alternates between the happy and fun (Jingle Bells medley, My Birthday Comes On Christmas, Two Front Teeth, etc.) to the classic (Silent Night, and the various carols).



Get this and it will be among your favourite Christmas CDs for years to come."

THIS IS SO FANTASTIC I LOVE IT TAKES ME WAY BACK

Nanette Lund | Huntington Beach,Ca | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I HAVE THE RECORD ALBUM FROM MY PARENTS. THE ORIGINAL,FROM 1956. WE ALL LISTENED TO THIS GROWING UP.I JUST LOVE IT. IT IS VERY VINTAGE AND A GREAT CD TO ADD TO ALL THE OTHER TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC.EVERYONE SHOULD GET THIS."

Gift for Grandson

Grandma D. | Maryland | 12/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD for my 6-year-old grandson because he just lost his two front teeth. I thought it would be fun for him to hear this song, and I My grandson loved it! He had never heard of the song before, and had to play it for his mom. He also likes "I'm Getting Nuttin" for Christmas." We all keep telling him to be good or Santa will not bring him anything. His eyes popped when he heard this song, and he laughed at all the bad things the child did in the song. Again, I think the Spike Jones versions are the best. They are full of fun, noisy sound effects and things that appeal to kids. It's a great recording, and I'm glad I found it at a reasonable price."