Search - The Pretenders, John Cougar Mellencamp :: A Very Special Christmas

Kimberly A. from EVERETT, MA
Reviewed on 6/4/2007...

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A CASSETTE TAPE!

0 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

Have yourself a rockin' little Christmas!

Wendy C. Rigney | Troy, NY USA | 10/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I owned this in cassette form when it was released in 1987 (!), and then later upgraded to CD about three years later. And what a treat it was - and still is. Sure, some of the songs sound a bit dated now from the '80s, like "Christmas in Hollis" and the synthesized version of the Eurhythmics' "Winter Wonderland", but even so, it was a treat to hear many artists - some in their prime then - get into the spirit.



Classics for me are U2's "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home", Whitney Houston belting out "Do You Hear What I Hear?", and Bruce Springsteen's gravelly-voiced take on "Merry Christmas, Baby".



I do have one minor quibble with this release: Yes, Bon Jovi did have a song on the original cassette *and* first press of the CD...but it is *not* the track listed on this version.



Maybe because Bon Jovi had mellowed, maybe because cooler heads prevailed and did not want overtly suggestive songs on a holiday CD, but the ORIGINAL CD had "Back Door Santa", a rocking, raunchy tune about "Santa" making the "little girls happy". I have noticed over the past five years or so that that song has become ultra rare and, in its place, is the mellower "I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas". Nice song, yes. But not the original recording the band contributed - and much more "friendly". I am fortunate enough to still have the original CD. Maybe the one "lost" track will make it valuable someday! But it is curious how it was switched and not mentioned anywhere.



That aside, if you're tired of the schmaltzy stuff or just the chestnut Christmas songs, this is sure to liven up any holiday party!



It is my favorite volume of all the "Very Special Christmas" CDs."