Customer Reviews

All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is Kenny Chesney's first attempt at a Christmas album, and the end result is a unique blend of influences from the islands, as well as Kenny's memories of spending Christmas in East Tennessee.

The title track is a really fun song. It's light-hearted and really fits the overall theme of the CD. As hard as it is to imagine spending the holidays in the island, Chesney can take you there wih his voice and with the lyrics..."Instead of turkey we'll have mahi mahi grillin' and pina coladas in the blender chillen..."

The same can be said about "Angel At the Top of My Tree". I'm sure if it was released to radio it would be an instant holiday hit. It's energetic and upbeat...and very Kenny.

In my opinion, the standout song on the album is definitely "Just a Kid", c0-written by Skip Ewing and Kent Blazy. (For those unfamiliar, these are two of the top songwriters in Nashville) Chesney brings a lot of emotion to the song, although it is not overpowering. Rather, it flows with the lyrics, which tell the story of the birth of Jesus through a very unique perspective.

Kenny also does a great job with more the more traditional cuts such as "Silent Night" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
I also have to mention that I loved Alabama's version of "Christmas in Dixie" but Kenny's is even better. At the end of the song Chesney deviates from the lyrics to include, "And from Fort Payne, Alabama...and Knoxville, Tennesse...Merry Christmas tonight."

Overall, this is a great CD. I didn't think Kenny could tackle a Christmas album, but he proved me wrong. I've had this one in the CD player since I purchased it.

This is a fun album, and a relief for those of us who are tired of people (like other reviewers here) calling our locations "non-Christmas," or saying that "it's hard to imagine people celebrating Christmas on an island..." News, everyone: PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON ISLANDS DO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, AND IT FEELS NORMAL TO US. Yes, I know I am shouting, but I am sick of this Christmas snow stereotype. Did it snow on the first CHristmas in Bethlehem?

Back to the album, it's light and fun and pleasant and gets me in a cheery holiday mood that's well suited to the nice weather we islanders enjoy at this time of year. "All I want for Christmas a real good tan" is just lots of fun. Most of us who celebrate Christmas in warm weather are pretty darn tired of all the Christmas songs that make it sound like snow is a necessity for keeping the holiday spirit alive. It isn't. Bravo, Kenny.

I was pleasantly surprised how good this Christmas CD is by Kenny. His voice comes out in these songs as the professional singer and performer he is, and I love the collaborations. I wish I had bought it sooner.

Kenny did a great job with his first CD. I love all the songs on this CD, my favorites are "All I want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan" and "Thank God for Kids". I live in COLD Michigan and I love the upbeat sunny Christmas feeling Kenny presents in the title song. I am a preschool teacher and enjoy being around children, so when I saw Kenny recorded and included "Thank God for Kids" on its CD I definely wanted it. He does an awesome job with that song. I think he does a terrific job with all the traditional Christmas songs and it was wonderful that his Aunt and Mom join in on the song "Silent Night". Keep up the great work Kenny and keep the songs coming :)

THE ALBUM TITLE SONG IS GREAT-UPBEAT, CARRIBEAN STYLE. THE OTHER TITLES ARE SUNG JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CHRISTMAS CAROL. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED MORE OF A CARRIBEAN STYLE TWIST TO TYPICAL CHRISTMAS SONGS OR EVEN BACKGROUND STEEL DRUMS. I WOULD RETURN THIS.

First I must say I am a KENNY CHESNEY fan! But I really believe anybody would enjoy this CD. I've never bought a CHRISTMAS ALBUM from any artist before. It's just not something I would listen to very much, and also the reason why 5 years after this release I am just now buying it. Had I heard it before I would have purchased it sooner. Came across Kenny singing Silent Night on the internet and that started my search for this album. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him singing Silent Night and "Just A Kid" (Could listen to them all day over and over, such a great voice). Pretty Paper with Willie Nelson also wonderful just so many great songs on this album. Even though it's a Christams CD I can honestly say I will listen to it year around!! YOU GOTTA HAVE IT!! Find a sample and listen before you buy it, if you must (Like I did) and you'll see why I recommend it! :-)

I THINK THIS CHRISTMAS CD IS AWESOME! I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THE TROPICAL STYLE THAT KENNY ADDS TO THIS CD. IT MAKES IT TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM MOST OF THE OTHER CHRISTMAS CD'S! SO, DURING THESE COLD DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SIT BACK, RELAX & ENJOY CHRISTMAS...ISLAND STYLE; WISHING I WAS THERE!!!! IF YOU LOVE WARM WEATHER, SAND, THE OCEAN & PALMS TREES...THEN GO OUT AND BUY THIS CD!

Since I'm not a big country music fan, I am probably not the best person to be critiquing this recording. I suppose a country music star sitting on an island Jimmy Buffet style is original, if nothing else. In the past we had Christmas specials such as Andy Williams or Perry Como's Christmas from Hawaii or some other exotic non-Christmas location, so I suppose the concept of this collection this is not all that far fetched. As far as wanting a good tan, well, Christmas has become too commercial, at least we all bemoan the commercialism of Christmas as we do our shopping, but I digress.

I must admit that the country style rendition of some of the songs did not suit my style, but I did like Chesney's voice. He seems to be having fun with the recording, and if a Christmas album does not entertain, what good is it anyway? The "Pretty Paper" duet with Willie Nelson is enjoyable and his renditions of some of the traditional carols are well done. Chesney's "All I want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan" is rather cheesy (sorry, I could not help it).

Is this the best Christmas collection available? No. Is it the worst? No, and considering some of what is available, that is saying something. I mean let's face, do any of us who actually admit owning the Wendy and Carnie Wilson Christmas CD HEY SANTA say that we're proud to own it and actually listen to it?

As Christmas music and cueball head Kenny Chesney seem like a natural pairing, Chesney's less than festive All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan must rank as one of this holiday's biggest musical letdowns. The title track and a steel-drummed "Jingle Bells" get the CD off to an overtly slow pace, while modern standards like "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and an overly electronic "Silver Bells" receive bland interpretations. Alabama's Randy Owen then stops by to dominate the thin-voiced Chesney on a duet of "Christmas In Dixie." When he tackles a few new songs towards the end of the CD (the sacred ballad "Just A Kid" and the toe-tapper "Angel At The Top Of My Tree"), Chesney finally demonstrates the charisma that has made him one of country's top stars. Unfortunately, we return to snoozeland for the closers, with uninspired takes on the hymns "Silent Night" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem." If he ever records another Christmas cd, I hope he spends more time in the studio and less time working on his tan.

If you are a Kenny Chesney fan, you will ABSOLUTELY LOVE this CD! Througout the title song, you find yourself feeling like you are on your way to the island with Kenny and that he is singing to you only! Randy Owen (of Alabama) and Willie Nelson lend their wonderful talents to this CD as well, with Christmas in Dixie and Pretty Paper respectively. And for those of you who perhaps are not Kenny fans, this CD will make you a believer ... in him and his gifted talents!