Search - Various Artists :: Most Fabulous Christmas Album Ever

Very Good, but...

10/18/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm glad this album came out, I've worn out the tape I had with 2 hard to find songs that are on this collection-Sleigh Ride by Merv Griffin backed by the Freddy Martin Orchestra, and Silver Bells by the Fontane Sisters. The album is enjoyable, with the exceptions of Baby, It's Cold Outside by Ann Margret & Al Hirt-too light & fluffy for my taste, the version done by Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting is the best(in my opinion anyway), The Christmas Song by Carmen McRae-Nat King Cole's version is the greatest, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Hilton Ruiz-the original version by Gene Autry is the most popular. Otherwise, a fun holiday collection to get you in the mood for shopping, gift wrapping, decorating, etc. etc."

A really good 40's big band era Christmas!

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 12/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third nostalgia type Christmas collection I've reviewed this year, the others being "The Spirit Of Christmas Past" and "Have A Nostalgic Merry Christmas", both from Living Era. This one centers solely on the big bands and vocalists of the '40's and as such, is highly enjoyable. Another reviewer pointed out that there are better versions of some of the songs here, and I agree. The true classics in this collection include: Kate Smith singing Meredith Wilson's "It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas"; Claude Thornhill's "Snowfall"; Spike Jones' "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"; Larry Clinton's "Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers"; Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad"; and, of course, Guy Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne". However, it's great to hear the big bands like Glenn Miller, Freddie Martin, Tommy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, Benny Goodmon, and Charles Spivak with their versions of mostly familiar Christmas songs. Likewise with the vocalists such as Vaugn Monroe, The Fontane Sisters, Perry Como, Ann-Margaret, Carmen McRae, and Dinah Shore. And I quite enjoyed Hilton Ruiz' piano on a jazzy, boogie woogie type rendition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", even if Gene Autry (who actually saved Rudolph from extinction after all the pop singers including Bing turned the song down) sang the definitive version.Well, the upshot is if you enjoy big band music and '40's era vocalists, you'll like this."

Best compilation so far!

Mary (Christmas) in Oregon | Redmond, OR United States | 12/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love Christmas music and own several albums, cassettes and, yes, even CD's. This is my favorite compilation to date. It's upbeat, fun and happy. It really puts me in the spirit of the holidays and I love singing along in the car (okay, I rock out a little, too, but don't tell the other drivers). I highly recommend this CD!"