A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector

by

Various Artists

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The legendary producer Phil Spector hit his artistic peak with this yuletide classic from 1963. The arrangements found here have been copied over and over again through the years by less creative performers, but no one comes close.

My favorite recordings on the album are those by the Ronettes, in particular "Sleigh Ride" which will have you going "ringalingalinga dingdongding" for days, no, make that YEARS. Ronnie's playful, almost childlike voice, lends itself better to nonsecular Christmas songs than anyone I have ever heard.

If Ronnie captures the playful, innocent side of Christmas, Darlene Love with her powerful alto captures the emotional side. The original recording "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" drives home the heartbreak of being alone at Christmas, while "White Christmas" nails the longing we all have for the Christmases of our youth.

The Crystals and Bob B. Soxx & his Bluejeans aren't quite as distinctive as Ronnie & Darlene (who is?). Nonetheless, their enclosed holiday recordings are all enjoyable, particularly "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (Crystals) and "Here Comes Santa Claus (Bob B. Soxx).

I've never cared much for the last track, which finds the high pitched Phil wishing everyone a Merry Christmas , while Silent Night plays in the background. But since it is the last track, it doesn't mar the excellence created by the rest of the album/CD. Just hit eject as Phil starts to talk and I guarantee you'll have a musically Merry Christmas!

I agree with "Hear it in Stereo" - this album is listenable ONLY in its STEREO form, in which all releases between 1973 through 1984 were issued. The current mushy mono version is like listening underwater! It is plainly BAD-SOUNDING! I know with the current technical state-of-the-art that the Rhino engineers could have gone back to the original 3-track master tape, and come-up with a smashing stereo release with sparkling trebles and clear sound. The fact they did not, speaks to me of "quick-and-dirty" marketing. What a disappointment. I will stick with my stereo original LP.