Christmas Album (Spkg) [Original recording remastered]

Herb Alpert | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000BC8T6O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,181 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > Orchestral Pop
  • #75 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Opera & Vocal
  • #86 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

One of the most loved holiday albums of all time, Christmas Album hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Albums chart three years in a row, 1968–70. And the album’s combination of holiday standards and the TJB’s special brand of south-of-the-border cheer is as much fun today as it was 35 years ago.

Each album in the Herb Alpert Signature Series features meticulously remastered sound, deluxe packaging, detailed liner notes, and an intro by Herb Alpert containing personal recollections and anecdotes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herb Alpert's Christmas Album is Back and I Couldn't be Happier!, December 10, 2005

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas Album (Spkg) (Audio CD)

I trace my eclectic Christmas music tastes to my childhood. My parents had some Christmas albums they'd pull out every year. As a result, these albums, by artists I haven't heard of anywhere else, are so ingrained in me that the first few notes immediately make me think of Christmas past. This is one of those albums.

Originally released in 1968, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass's holiday offering was a hit, reaching the #1 spot three Christmases in a row. It's been out of print for many years except for a brief issue on CD until this year, when it was released as part of the Herb Alpert Signature Series. It's been fully restored and includes a booklet talking about the release.

So what about the music? This is a mostly instrumental recording featuring Herb on the trumpet and the drums, guitars, and maracas of the band as well. This makes for unique arrangements of the classic songs. I guarantee you have nothing like this in your collection.

I say mostly instrumental because a choir is involved. Mostly, they hum the melody for a few measures and then let the band take over, sometimes coming in later to highlight the melody again. In addition, Herb sings on two songs. His version of "The Christmas Song" isn't going to top anyone lists of favorite versions, but is good. I've only heard "The Bell that Couldn't Jingle" here, but this time Herb's vocals are better suited to the song. It's a fun little number about Santa and Jack Frost helping a Bell find his jingle again.

And fun best describes the arrangements on this disc. The choir opens with a few a cappella measures of "Winter Wonderland," then the band takes over with a samba arrangement that will be sure to have you dancing. The samba rhythm applies to "Jingle Bells" as well. "My Favorite Things" is probably the most original song here (and also a huge hit at the time of original release). It features several breaks and changes in tempo. You have to listen closely sometimes to follow the melody of all of these songs, but the music is so much fun to listen to, you'll be tapping your toes or dancing along before you know it.

The samba rhythm is still going strong for "Sleigh Ride," but they slow things down and switch to more jazz inspired arrangements for the final three songs. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is especially unique because the choir hums the melody throughout to the accompaniment of the band.

This CD is not for everyone, but if you like something different to break up the monotony that can set in come December 20th, this is a CD to check out. I am so glad it is back in print so I can once again enjoy it for many Christmases to come.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reissue of a Holiday Classic, October 22, 2005

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas Album (Spkg) (Audio CD)

A major component of my music library (6,000 titles and growing), is my ever expanding holiday music collection. It includes everything from John Fahey to the Chieftains to NRBQ to Vince Guaraldi and, of course, the holiday stylings of everyone's favorite mariachi band--Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass.

While at times the Ray Connif-esque voices overpower the music, this is a welcome reissue of a classic Christmas album. Especially enjoyable are such songs as the Rodgers and Hammerstein gem "My Favorite Things," along with "Las Mananitas" and "Jingle Bell Rock." And while it won't make you forget Nat King Cole's version, there is a certain charm to Alpert's vocal on "The Christmas Song."

This is a straight reissue of the 1968 album with no bonus tracks (so it clocks in at just under 32 minutes). But if you grew up in the Sixties listening to Herb Alpert, this is an album guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. RECOMMENDED

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true Christmas classic, newly remastered., November 7, 2005

By 

David Kenner (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Christmas Album (Spkg) (Audio CD)

After many years of being out-of-print, the Tijuana Brass Christmas Album comes back as an entry in Shout Factory's Herb Alpert Signature Series.
The original cover is restored and the music is mastered much better than previously available on A&M's CD.
This is such a beautiful collection of Christmas tunes with dynamic arrangements by Herb Alpert and beautiful choral and string arrangements by Shorty Rogers. The accompanying 20 page booklet includes thoughtful liner notes, an introduction by Herb Alpert himself and many great photos of the Brass throughout their career.
From Rodgers and Hammerstein to Leroy Anderson to Bach, Alpert tackles a wide variety of seasonal favorites with joyous verve and traditional respect.
Among the highlights are the sprightly opening take on "Winter Wonderland" where Shorty Long's chorus intermingles with Herb's trumpet to create pastoral scenes without using any actual lyrics; the unique stop and start arrangement of "My Favorite Things" which was a chart hit for the Brass; the Mariachi flavored "Las Mananitas" which was orginally only available as a b-side to the "Whipped Cream" single; and Herb's sentimental vocal treatment of Robert Wells and Mel Torme's "Christmas Song".
The only fault I can find with this album is that the playing time seems to be over all too soon.
So I just let it play again.