Customer Reviews

The Best of James Brown: The Christmas Collection (20th Century Masters)

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This is a straight reissue of an earlier James Christmas collection called "Funky Christmas," except lower priced. The lower price makes it a real bargain, because this is a very memorable collection of Christmas music.

These tunes are culled from three holiday albums JB released in '66, '68, and '70. There aren't many traditional favorites, but many of the originals are great. My favorite is "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto," which is aimed at the less fortunate children who often go without presents at the holidays. James was a the height of his social impact when he wrote and recorded this, and it transcends any race or class boundaries. It's about the spirit of giving, and James's key line is "Don't leave nothin' for me/I've had my chance, you see."

This is a funky, soulful collection, perfect if you're looking for something that captures the spirit of Christmas but does so in rousing manner. Another highlight, "Sweet Little Baby Boy," which I believe was a hit single- JB's vocal is searing and passionate.

I didn't even know James Brown did Christmas music til a friend turned me on to this collection. I love to buy 3-4 new Christmas CDs every year and I particularly like that this collection is mostly original stuff--not tired covers of the same old songs. There are 2-3 other James Brown CDs, but this one has it ALL and it's ALL worth listening to. Christmas is a time we need to enlarge our view and think of others. James Brown really tells what it's like to be poor and forgotten at Christmas.

Mostly original JB tracks that by certainly do not fall under the cheesy Christmas music category. Very enjoyable indeed.

As a JB fan since 1959, I had all these albums back when... The 1966 album has always been one of my favorite JB collections (especially in the original monaural release). "Let's Make This Christmas..." and "Please Come Home for Christmas" are my two favorites there, as they demonstrate James' informal blues shouting, and his unique phrasing on a moving ballad. Moving on, I can only say that this collection includes the finest examples from those albums. I could never understand why, at the time, reviewers and such seemed to dismiss these efforts as being rather odd, or out of character for JB (I guess)! "Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto," "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," "Soulful Christmas," "Let's Unite the Whole World..," "Hey America," and "Santa Claus is Definitely Here to Stay" are great, and the rest aren't far behind!
James Brown, at his best, was like a game prizefighter, against all odds never quitting, battling to the end. I think you will hear that wonderful spirit throughout this collection.

If you're looking for the not so average Christmas songs. This is the one, you're looking for. Music that you can listen to time after time, even if the Christmas season is over.......
More than one hour of unique and unforgettable songs.....
James Brown did it again.....real good!

this is my favorite James Brown cd, this cd make me wonder why christmas isn't everyday.