Customer Reviews

Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters

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4 star:		(3)
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This compilation combines songs on the two Christmas albums Smokey and the Miracles released in 1963 and 1970, respectively. Tracks 1 to 6 are from 1963. Tracks 7 to 15 are from 1970 and sound better. They're not as "tinny" as the 1963 tracks. My favorite tracks are:

Let it Snow
Noel
O Holy Night
Deck the Halls/Bring a Torch
Jingle Bells
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Away in a Manger/Coventry Carol

Smokey wrote some of the songs, like I Can Tell When Xmas is Near, I Believe in Christmas Eve, It's Christmas Time and Peace on Earth. The last song, track 16, is a previously unreleased song. I don't recall it being on either of the previous albums. The only complaint I have about this CD is that it doesn't include God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen from the 1970 album. Other than that, this is a good CD that Motown and Smokey Robinson fans will love to hear during the holidays.

Since there a huge number of Christmas cds from a wealth of talented musicians, I only buy those Christmas cds that are in some way unique and also feature a voice or voices that I believe are among the most beautiful voices in popular music. Smoky Robinson and the Miracles' The Christmas Collection is certainly among these very best Christmas cds that feature beautiful voices. The Christmas Collection is also unique because it is a soul-inspired Christmas cd sung by some of the few very best soul singers of all-time. This is not the original Miracles that are found on The Christmas Collection. One member of the all-male original Miracles has been replaced with a woman who has a beautiful voice. This single change in the Miracles' personnel does not effect the overall beauty of their music. Smoky Robinson and the Miracles have aged though, and with age has come a slight loss of luster in their voices. Their voices are not quite so brilliant, or quite so competent to hit the highest of notes, as when they were younger. That being said, I am still thrilled to own, and be able to listen to, The Christmas Collection. It is a joyous soul-filled celebration of Christmas. I recommend The Christmas Collection to you.

John

A holiday joy to the ear, from legendary artists - indeed what more could you ask? Highly Recommended!

Very good as you like the good old christmas sound with swing and rythm