The Gift
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 October, 2002)
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Reviews (17)

Kenny tells the Jesus story
For this album, Kenny collected together a selection of original and lesser-known Christmas songs about Jesus. He also recorded a medley of famous carols, woven together as The chosen one montage.

The set opens with Mary did you know, a song that began life as obscure song recorded by a specialist Christian music singer. It was covered by Kathy Mattea for her Good News album and has since been covered by many more singers including Reba McEntire and may yet rise to the status of standard. Here, Kenny is joined by Wynonna (Judd) for a magnificent duet version

Other guests apart from Wynonna include the Katinas, a five-piece family group that joins Kenny on Pretty little baby child, and GLAD, a group that joins Kenny on a re-recording of a song that Kenny had recorded for his first Christmas album, Sweet little Jesus boy.

The chosen one montage includes some new lyrics but mostly includes amedley of Away in a manger, O holy night, Silent night, First Noel, We three kings and Joy to the world. Some of these songs have appeared separately on other Christmas albums by Kenny.

The set closes with Till the season comes round again, which (like Mary did you know) also appears on Reba's second Christmas album, Secret of giving. I wonder if Reba recorded these two songs after hearing this album. Whatever, Kenny and Reba both do great versions of them.

This album is for those interested in the religious aspect of Christmas and is something of a rarity for a mainstream artist these days - a Christmas album without any songs about Santa, snow and reindeer. Kenny has recorded some of those songs on his other Christmas album. Enjoy this for what it is - a great collection of Christmas songs about Jesus.

Did you Know this cd is HDCD,WOW
Talk about beautiful music with HDCD decoding my soul is lifted to heaven.Mary did you know is a masterpiece and makes this cd priceless.This cd is also mastered in HDCD for the audiophiles like me with my state of the art stereo system...i love it.

Great Christmas CD!
I would have to say that this is the best Christmas album Kenny has ever recorded!Every Christmas I play this CD to death!All the songs are sung beautifully!One of the highlights of this album is the duet with Wynonna, "Mary, Did You Know?".I just love this song!And another hightlight is the "Chosen One" montage.This is just great!I can't describe the feeling I get when I hear this!This CD should be in the homes of every person at Christmas time! ... Read more

Asin: B00006JOCN
Sales Rank: 23852
Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Christmas    3. Christmas / Chanukkah    4. Country-Pop    5. Pop   

Country Christmas
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 September, 1991)
list price: $5.98 -- our price: $5.98
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Editorial Review

Through good times and bad, Johnny Cash has remained true to his roots--roots that have never sounded better-tended than on this pure country collection of holiday standards (and a few surprises). Split evenly between solo material and songs recorded with wife June Carter and the Carter family, Country Christmas runs the gamut from reverent ("What Child Is This?") to downright knee-slappin' (the grin inducing "Piggy Puddin'"). About the only thing the 15-song set doesn't have is a veneer of slickness to rope in the stuffed shirts. And who needs them at a Christmas party, anyway? --David Sprague ... Read more

Reviews (7)

About time
Johnny Cash croaks his way through Weather-Channel arrangements of such little-known Christmas songs as "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."It's about time somebody recorded these numbers.Seriously, Cash's singing voice--while barely there--is pleasant as ever, and the arrangements are well-done in an instantly-forgettable sense.Your ears probably won't even notice that they've been there.A few tracks provide a little novelty, including the schmaltzy Johnny Bond-Tex Ritter narrative, "Here Was a Man," which Cash puts across in his usual convincing manner.Only Cash could make such kitsch sound dignified.And there's "Figgy Pudding," which sounds like an outtake from a Doctor Demento Christmas CD--fun, though the silliness would work better for me were it not so obviously planned.Note how the recording was cut right where the cutting-up begins.Slick, pleasant, and seamless, this collection is a worthy addition to any collection of unnecessary CDs.

Cash muddied by overproduction
Cash's post-sun, pre-american recordings career has truckloads of great cuts, but too often, especially with 80s-early 90s recordings his voice is stuck into what feels like a casio keyboard preset.This is my problem with this Christmas CD.Cash's voice is cluttered up by hokey background music and there's way too much female chorus on every song.It's like putting Marlon Brando in the middle of a Kathy Lee christmas special skit.Johnny always gets 5 stars.Rest of the CD: one or none.I wish sun would have let him kick out a Christmas LP with just the Tennessee two playing a sparse background.

Cash on Christmas
I'd like to know what the one reviewer thought he was going to hear when he got this CD.Not "classic Cash"?I think it's very much classic Cash... just doing Christmas songs.The words "Johnny Cash Country Christmas" on the cover should be a clue to this.

For the most part they perform the songs in a 'traditional' style.The only exception is "Figgy Pudding", which I actually find to be rather annoying as a screeching woman continues to ask for her snack.On a couple of the songs Cash performs very little or not at all, letting the womens' group take control.Not that that's a bad thing, though.

If you love Cash's bass and want a nice, simple Christmas CD this would probably be a good buy for you. ... Read more

Asin: B000001VOK
Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Holiday    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country   

Christmas Card
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $10.98
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Reviews (11)

Christmas Card
I cannot remember the year I first received this album but it was a eight track (which I still have).Then about 20 years ago my chidlren gave me tne new invention call cassette and I have purchase 3 of them since. Now my daughter has the CD.It would not be Christmas in our home without this album.

Childhood Memories
My parents used to play the record of this album every year at Christmas.When my husband asked me to name some of my favorite Christmas songs, of course the Statler Brothers come to mind.When I found this album here and listened to the samples, I got teary eyed.I hope that this music can have the same affect on my children that it has on me.My mother is a huge Stater Brothers fan, and after years of listening to them, and being a lover of music, I can appreciate their harmony, and absolutely love their music, especially the Christmas albums.Plus I am exceptionally emotional during the Holidays, so a little trip down memory lane is wonderful.

Statler Brothers Christmas Card
We had this on casssette years ago and completely wore it out. My Mom will be so surprised I found this on CD for her. We absolutely love it!! ... Read more

Asin: B000001F91
Sales Rank: 79514
Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Country-Pop    4. Holiday    5. Pop   

Xmas With Buck
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 August, 1990)
list price: $7.98 -- our price: $7.98
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Editorial Review

The pride of Bakersfield has always done things his own way, which helps explain why you won't find too many shopworn carols on this swinging holiday set. Instead, Buck and the boys do their best to deliver the spirit of a good old-fashioned dust-bowl Christmas, complete with Western gear ("Santa's Gonna Come in a Stage Coach") and working-class sentiment ("Santa Looked a Lot like Daddy (Daddy Looked a Lot like Him)"). There's a good deal of melancholy running through songs like "Blue Christmas Tree" and "Christmas Ain't Christmas"--after a few listens, you get the idea that Buck's holiday "dinner" will be a few beers drunk alone at the honky-tonk down the road. It might not be the most cheerful album of the season, but Christmas with Buck Owens may just be the one most likely to stay lodged in your heart. --David Sprague ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Some of the best original Christmas songs EVER!
Whenever I get sick and tired of hearing the same Christmas tunes over and over, this is the album that is a refreshing joy to put on. The first time I heard it, Buck Owens & his Buckeroos just blew me away with the strength of the material!

Most Christmas albums might feature at most just a couple of original songs which, more often than not, are rather weak and forgettable efforts that seem like the "filler" of the album. Well not so here. In this case, with the exception of a great little chuggin' instrumental version of "Jingle Bells", all the other 11 tracks are not just original songs, but very strong and enjoyable original songs at that.

But you've got to be a fan of Country music to enjoy it. And I'm not talking any rock-influenced, revisionist "New Country" here either, but rather good ol' old-school Country in all its honky-tonkin', heart-achin' glory.

The mood here runs the gamut from the fun and playful "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" and "Santa's Gonna Come In A Stagecoach" to the jolly "Because It's Christmas Time", to the blue "It's Christmas Time For Everyone But Me" and "Blue Christmas Tree".

My favourite song is the great "Blue Christmas Lights" with its spoken introduction, "Excuse me Miss, but do you have any...(music starts) blue Christmas lights, for my Christmas tree?" -- Absolutely brilliant. Totally Classic Country!

Well, I just can't say enough good things about this album. Definitely one of the best in my Christmas music collection. If you like real Country music, you can't go wrong with this one.

So Happy Holidays y'all~!

Christmas Blast From The Past
My Mom recently bought me, my sister, and herself a copy of this CD. (Sorry to say she paid ALOT more through a mail order catalog)

My favorite Christmas memories are of listening to Buck Owens while my family put the Christmas Tree!

I think the reason this album stands the test of time is because nearly every song was original. Which is very rare in a Christmas album!

I love EVERY song on this album, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be a toss up between "Santa's Gonna Come In A Stagecoach" and "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy"

THANK YOU Buck Owens for all the wonderful memories!

One Of The Best Christmas Album
This is one of the best Christmas recordings ever,Boy,I was excited to find this on cd..From "Santa looked alot like daddy"..To the sad "Christmas time for everyone,but me...This recording is a classic... ... Read more

Asin: B000000CVC
Subjects:  1. Christmas / Chanukkah    2. Pop   

Let It Be Christmas
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 November, 2002)
list price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

Unlike 1993's classic Honky Tonk Christmas, which was almost entirely original tunes, 10 of these 11 tracks are well-known holiday favorites. But one of the highlights of that 1993 release was Jackson's cover of Burl Ives's very familiar "Holly Jolly Christmas," which he subsequently made his own. Jackson's warm, soothing voice also works wonders here, with the arrangements doing their part to transform this into yet another yuletide classic. In fact, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is one of the most touching versions ever recorded. Be it a semi-jazzy "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," the honky-tonk piano on a rousing "Jingle Bells," a gorgeous acoustic-based "Silent Night," or "The Christmas Song" delivered with a pleasant twang, these tracks deserve perennial play. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Let it be...
Let there be more!This is a great CD.As for those who have never been exposed to country music...buy this CD and introduce yourself to Alan Jackson.You won't be dissapointed.

My favorite modern Christmas CD.......by far
First off, I'm not a big fan of country music. I happened to be on the treadmill, flipping channels, on a cold November day, and I noticed the Alan Jackson Christmas special (which I think aired originally in 2002) on CMT. I was going to continue flipping, but I love the Christmas season, so I figured I'd watch. Turns out that I really enjoyed the special. It was very traditional and family oriented, and the songs were also traditional Christmas favorites. After a couple of days, I just couldn't get the excellently arranged songs out of my head, so I went out and bought the cd. I've listened to it dozens of times over the last month, and its the best musical purchase I've made in a long while. I know this cd will now be among my few continuously played Christmas favorites, every holiday season, no question about it. The cd features a great mixture of slow and fast Christmas classics, along with one original song - the cd's title track, "Let It Be Christmas." I'm generally not a fan of original Christmas songs, but this song is worth the entire price of the disc. The music, the lyrics, and everything else about this song is just perfect, and it will bring forth peaceful feelings and fond memories in all but the most scroogish of listeners. I can't do this album justice with words, all I can do is recommend it with my highest praise.

A Non Country Fan Has Been Won Over ....
Well I got tostart by saying I have never been a country music fan of any kind . (Bon Jovi Bein My Band of choice ) , but christmas music I usally favor almost all things even if not in my musical taste . Everything that is but country . Well after hearing my good freinds rave about Mr Jackson I indeed was curious and bought this cd . I will tell you I was not dissapointed . This was probally one of the best christmas cds Ive ever purchased (I own about 2000 ) and well the arangments are terrific . Alan Jackson gives a very peaceful downhome feel tohis recordings and this shines here . "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas " indeed makes you definally feel you will , The only other persons recording Ive cared for of this song isJudy Gardlands but indeed was a pleasant listen . Other songs like "O Come O ye Faithful " orAlans version of The Nat King Cole classic " The Christmas Song " make you want tograb a cup of hot chocolate and sit by the fire with freinds , or goon one nice long sleighride . If you love Alans music and are a country fan ull buy this cd . But if you not a fan of country and want a good old fashioned"new" classic get this cd its not a let downdown . ... Read more

Asin: B00006JO4R
Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Contemporary Country    4. New Traditionalist    5. Pop   

A Christmas Present
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 August, 1990)
list price: $7.98
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Editorial Review

Christmas wasn't always the easiest time of year when Merle Haggard was growing up in Oklahoma. Money was tight and the elements were harsh, but faith helped the family get through. That's exactly the sense the country legend puts across on this holiday collection. Hard times are chronicled on songs like "Daddy Won't Be Home for Christmas" and "If We Make it Through December," but joy is found when the smallest of pleasures ("Grandma's Homemade Christmas Card") saves the day. --David Sprague ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The better of the two Merle Christmas CDs
This CD gets released over and over with different names and the songs in different orders. I consider it a must because it's got the best version of "Silver Bells". I collect Christmas CDs and make Christmas CDs for family, and so I've got a dozen versions and Merle's version has the best pacing and arrangement, a classic. (The other Merle holiday CD available through Amazon does not contain "Silver Bells".) Then, of course, it's got the other classic "If We Make It Through December".

A Christmas Present
Amazon was the only place I could find this CD by Merle Haggard. The music on this CD brings back fond memories of Christmas past. My mom would play this album all through the holidays and we knew every word to every song. I am so happy to have it again so that now I can play it for mydaughter. Merle Haggard is very talented and this album contains some ofhis best. Take my advice, if you love country music, buy this album! You'llbe glad you did. ... Read more

Asin: B000000CVI
Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Holiday    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country   

Xmas Album
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 1997)
list price: $5.98 -- our price: $5.98
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Reviews (6)

Christmas Party Music
I hosted our company's Christmas party at my house. I picked up a few extra Christmas CD's and this was one of them. It literally brought a smile to my face when it started playing (and this was after an evening of fighting crowds and traffic.) I'm usually a Christmas jazz or Chistmas soul listener. This was my main music during the party and EVERYONE asked whose CD it was.When I said it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, I was AMAZED at how many people said they'd seen them in concert. It just gets a party going. Great CD.

Dirt Band Christmas
The nitty gritty dirt band performs many christmas classics such as "we three kings" and "silent night". They provide their own country rendition to these classics especially "Jingle Bells". There are also a few new songs such as "Christmas Dinner" and "one Christmas tree".

Each song is played in the dirt bands own unique style. They bring a freshness to such xmas standards as "We three kings" and "Jingle Bells". 3 1/2 stars.

One of the more traditional country Christmas albums
Given the band's pedigree, you might expect a rocking Christmas album, but this is more of an easy listening traditional country album. There are no steel guitars and only a couple of tracks feature a fiddle, so this should appeal to a wider audience than just country fans.

There is a good mix of familiar and new songs, but the standout track is One Christmas tree, about a couple who have separated or divorced. Their children have to split Christmas between them, but their wish is that everybody could get together again under one Christmas tree. It is a very sad song, but a reflection of the times in which we live.

Colorado Christmas (written by Steve Goodman) is a song they originally recorded in 1983 for a various artists compilation titled A Christmas tradition, but they re-recorded it for this album.

The other original songs (Christmas dinner, This Christmas morning and Love has brought him here) are brilliant. Of the old standards included here, I like We three kings and It came upon the midnight clear best, but that might be because the others have been covered much more frequently. Jingle bells is done as an instrumental.

Overall, this is an excellent Christmas album - one of the best of it's kind. ... Read more

Asin: B000002PJB
Sales Rank: 13249
Subjects:  1. Christmas / Chanukkah    2. Pop   

Ray Stevens Christmas - Through a Different Window
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 September, 1997)
list price: $10.98
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Reviews (6)

Holiday madness...
If you were looking for sentimental lore and up-lifting tales of how great everyone is at Christmas, then this CD isn't for you. This CD shows Christmas through a different window...one where absurdity, silliness, violence, and political incorrectness is put on full display..."Nightmare Before Christmas" tells the tale of how stupid political correctness is: Ray dreams that Santa's been arrested because of his "cruel" treatment to animals and his only hiring Elves, which is "discrimination", something that's pointed out by the shady lawyer. "Guilt for Christmas" has Ray pondering what to give people in these political correct times. he worries "don't give a boy an army toy he might grow up vicious..." until he stumbles on the gift that keeps on giving, which is "Guilt for Christmas". "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" tells the story of a man fed up with the holiday cheer and he bluntly exclaims that he won't be home for Christmas "so don't plan on stayin' with me"...another satire on warm and fuzzy holiday stereotypes is "Home for the Holidays"...this one tells the real story of a family gathering. "We're goin' home for the holidays...pack me lots of medication..."."The Little Drummer Boy Next Door" was the single from the album. In it, Ray tells of a boy who gets a drum for Christmas and the headache it causes having to hear him try and play it at all hours of the day. "Greatest Little Christmas Ever Wuz" is from the mid '80s. It was recorded for a various artist Christmas CD...the version on this CD is the original from the mid '80s...the way i can tell is i taped the song off a radio show long before this CD came out in 1997...His third version of "Santa Claus is Watching You" is as good as the previous two versions {the 1985 take and the 1963 original}. "Redneck Christmas" and "Bad Little Boy" are only for the left-of-center...one that hits home is "Annual Office Christmas Party"...i've been to a few company parties where i work and they're full of upper-management egotists and braggarts all happy and nice although the other 364 days of the year they're cruel, back-breakers interested in the bottom line...although at my Christmas parties there hasn't been any wild lunacy that has taken place in this song...like going to the restroom on a potted plant!"Xerox Xmas Letter" tells the story of a family who gets a letter from another family bragging on their achievements the past year.Again, Ray Stevens is the only artist i can think of who could successfully satirize and spoof such time honored traditions of Christmas. Years ago Stan Freberg released "Green Christmas", a satire on Madison Avenue and the commercialization of the holiday and Stan was blasted and called sacrilegious by the critics...the critics back then must've thought cashing in on Christmas was something sacred and anyone who satirized it must be sacrilegious...today however, Ray Stevens can come up with a brilliant politically incorrect Christmas CD and find an audience for it despite the crys of political correct idiots. I'm all for people being kind or treating your fellow person right...but i'm not for all this BS that a person has to bite their lip or they might offend someone...this is when this political correctness gets screwy and down-right insane. if i see something or someone being stupid, i'm gonna rip them apart for being stupid...regardless if they happen to be a minority or an immigrant or whatever...stupid is stupid no matter what race, religion, or ethnicity one might be.

Absolutely Hilarious!
This is the showcase of Ray Stevens' Christmas tunes as only he could do them. It includes a new version of an old classic ("Santa Claus is Watching You") as well as hilarious new songs from one of the best comedians of all time. One of the best ones on the CD has got to be "Little Drummer Boy-Next Door" - a hilarious song about how the neighbor boy got a drum set - from the viewpoint of an aggrivated neighbor. Another one, "Bad Little Boy", is the story of how bad a little boy has been, from his own viewpoint, including his hatred for the neighbor's cat... If you like Ray Stevens, you'll love this CD.

Amusing look at Christmas - classic Ray Stevens
With one exception, these songs take a comic look at Christmas. Nobody but Ray Stevens could have recorded a Christmas album like this - and that's exactly why I bought it.

The album begins with Ray telling you that he's giving guilt for Christmas, as he can't work out what to buy in this world of political correctness. Xerox Christmas letter is about people who want to brag about their achievements over the past year, although nobody who receives the letter is interested. The little drummer boy next door is about a boy who receives drums for Christmas and makes a lot of noise upsetting the neighbours. The other comic songs are all great, although everybody will have their own favorites.

The one non-comic song (perhaps my favorite track here) is Greatest little Christmas ever wuz. This song first appeared on Tennessee Christmas, a brilliant various artists country Christmas LP released in the mid-eighties, now available on CD. The song is about a woman who has left Ray, yet if only she would come back in time for Christmas, they'd have a lot of fun. The upbeat music and the song title hide the sadness of the song.

This is a great Christmas album, which provides a wonderful contrast to more conventional Christmas music. ... Read more

Asin: B000002Q3O
Sales Rank: 86774
Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Christmas    3. Christmas / Chanukkah    4. Country Comedy    5. Country-Pop    6. Holiday    7. Novelty    8. Pop   

Merry Christmas to All
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 October, 2002)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Reviews (1)

Down-home Ho Ho Ho
Charlie Daniels is sure-enuff the genuine article, an artist unfraid of taking a high-minded stance and doing things his way.That said, what you'd expect from CDB's Christmas CD is delivered.And that's just fine by me.

Charlie is down-home, but don't classify him too tightly.Remember, he played on The Beatles White Album and has a list of accomplishments stretching through the decades.Nobody can pull that off without tons o' talent.

Charlie and Co. blend holiday standards and newer stuff, all with his trademark sound.

I love Christmas music and have hundreds of releases, so I'm pretty critical about half-baked efforts.This is one of my very favorite Christmas CDs from 2002.It'll be an annual joy to slide this in the CD changer and get into the holiday mood every year. ... Read more

Asin: B00006IK35
Sales Rank: 117765
Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Country Gospel    4. Country-Rock    5. Pop    6. Southern Rock    7. Traditional Country    8. Urban Cowboy