Customer Reviews

Christmas With the California Raisins

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Christmas with the California Raisins was given to me shortly after its release in 1988. Since that time I have recently lost my copy. Hands down this is the best Christmas album I have heard in years. There is just something about it that puts you in the holiday spirit even if you are feeling like a "Scrooge". If you can find a copy of this on cd or cassette, please do yourself a favor and get it. You will not be disapointed.

I am 27 and every year I look forward to hearing this CD. I listened to it growing up and now my children will grow up to it. It's fun to dance to and puts you in a good mood. It's a little dorky but it's still a classic.

Back in the 1980's when the California Raisin Growers' Association commissioned the folks at Claymation to come up with an animated commercial for use on television, little did they know it would blossom into a commercial hit.

In short order Ross Vannelli, brother of Gino and also producer for Earth, Wind & Fire and Howard Hewett, brought a studio group together consisting of drummer and lead vocalist Buddy Miles and vocalists Alfie Silas and Niki Haris, and in early 1988 their rendition of I Heard It Through The Grapevine had cracked into the Billboard Pop Hot 100, finishing at # 84 on Priority 9719, an L.A. label formed in 1985 by Bryan Turner, Mark Cerami and Steve Drath, all formerly with K-Tel.

Although that would be their only charted single, Priority then released the album Christmas With The California Raisins later that year on Priority 7923, and it scored at # 27 on album charts, offering up some standard Christmas tunes along with two, It's Christmas Time Again and Happy Christmas, that you don't get to hear too often.

It's my understanding that Priority still functions as part of EMI, dealing mainly with Hip-Hop, so it would be nice to see this re-released this year to not only bring the delights of The California Raisins to a whole new generation, but also to bring those used prices down to earth!

I'm 19 yrs. old and I still love this album, my parents got the cassette of this back in the early 90's, and we have listened to it ever since, too bad you cannot buy the CD anymore. I currently own a copy of the CD, I had to download all the songs, but at least I have the album, so if you ever get a chance to buy this, please do, it will not dissapoint!!!

Christmas with the California Raisins is one of the most entertaining and refreshing music cd's we've owned. We own the original cassette from 1988, and have nearly worn it out. If you need to get into the spirit of Christmas, like it a bit jazzed, this one's for you!! Kids love it! Don't be surprised if you'll end up loving it too.

The California Raisins capture the spirit of Christmas with their lively and exciting music, expertly sung and played. If there is one Christmas recording every lover of the holidays should not be without, it is this one. You have my personal guarantee you will not be disappointed....rather, it will be far more than you expect!

We have had the tape for 10 years! It has become one of our very favorites. Don't let who sings it throw you. You will be truly amazed! Make sure to check out "Silent Night" and "Happy Christmas". 5 stars! Now we are waiting for the C.D.

I love this CD like i love the California Raisins! It's been a long time sense I have it on cassette! You can not find this CD at any ordinary record store! You might be even lucky to see it in one of the oldest record stores across the country! But this is the best Christmas CD ever! Thanks Amazon!

De'Vear Small
AKA Dee Smalls
Decatur, GA

I bought this CD in 1996 because a friend of mine who is a photographer set up a Santa Shop. The Decorations were great with a Path thru aprox. 30 trees over a small bridge leading to Santa's Sleigh. My friends Christmas music was real depressing sounding and when I found this CD, I did not expect much until I first played this in his Santa's shop I fell in love with it. It is really that good. I should know because I write and perform music. My friend had me playing this in his Santa Photo Shop all the time because it seemed to make everyone who walked in the door in the best Christmas mood compared to the other Christmas Cd's he was using. The Atmosphere was like night and Day when this Christmas CD was playing. I know he made more business playing this in his Santa Shop. I love this CD and it is one of the best of all time.

i love it so so so much it rocks it is one of my fav christmas albums in the world