Customer Reviews

The Christmas Music of Johnny Mathis: A Personal Collection

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't buy too many Christmas albums, because you can listen to them only once a year, but I must say it doesn't feel like Christmas til you hear a youthful Mathis singing, "We Need a Little Christmas," "Its A Wonderful Time of the Year" or "Winter Wonderland." It's great music and it sets right mood for any Christmas gathering. I would also suggest the only other two CDs in my sparse Christmas collection: "Ella's FitzGerald's "Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas" and Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song." The remastered Cole CD contains three verisons of the Christmas Song, one of which is yet another techno-enginnered duet with daugther Natalie with a 100-piece orchestra; a version that we've all heard for decades on the radio; and the original version recorded in the late 40s by the Nat King Cole Trio. To be honest, the duet with Natalie I could do without.

If you really want your kids to jingle bell, buy this one and I assure you are not wasting your money. This album includes superb songs such as "It's Begining To Look A Lot Alike Christmas" and "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year".
So what are you waitng for? Just go ahead and order now!

Thanks to the magic of modern communications, I am able to share with you this E-mail I recently received from Santa Claus. I copied and pasted it below for your perusal.

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Deer Stephen:

I thank you for the kind letter and many compliments. To allay your fears: no, I do not suspect you of "kissing up" to me (as you so delicately phrased it).

I have looked over your Christmas Wish List and regret to inform you that we have never made those types of things up here at my workshop. You'll need to seek out another source. We're a little more "family" oriented, don't you know-ho-ho?

I can, however, happily fulfill your request for my most highy recommended Holiday music. I'll be brief beclaus - I mean, because - this is my busy time of year, what with overseeing the work at the elves toy factory and coal mine, and with the Missus constantly shoving food at me and insisting that I, "Eat! Eat!"

Mrs. Claus and I have always been partial to the JOHNNY MATHIS renditions of most Christmas standards. The Missus says they're, "Wonderful! Wonderful!" And though It's Not For Me To Say, Chances Are you'll enjoy them, too. Little Johnny's voice is a "gift" that originates from regions even higher than the North Pole!

THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC OF JOHNNY MATHIS: A PERSONAL COLLECTION is a readily available single-disc compilation of songs personally selected by Johnny from his previously released Christmas albums.

There are a few songs that were regrettably overlooked, most notably, his emotionally stirring, O HOLY NIGHT from his first release, 'MERRY CHRISTMAS.' Leaving that off nearly landed Johnny on my "Bad Boys" list! And there's no I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, nor THE CHRISTMAS SONG. That's ho-ho-horrible!

Missing from the album, 'FOR CHRISTMAS', is Johnny's spirited, JINGLE BELL ROCK. Also, GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN which, while too slow, concludes with two indescribably joyful notes!

I think we can both agree that JINGLE BELLS is overrated beclaus - I mean, because - it is too simplistic and has been played to death. But Stephen, did you ever hear Johnny's version from 'CHRISTMAS EVE WITH JOHNNY MATHIS'? It's even superior to the rendition that the Jingle Dogs barked out many moons ago! It has a marvelously updated arrangement that makes me want to stuff the Missus into the sleigh and go for a Winter ride. Alas, we can't BOTH fit into the thing side-by-side anymore. But then JINGLE BELLS isn't included on this disc either.

To really do Johnny's Christmas music justice, this should have been conceived as a two-disc set. Nevertheless, what IS included is truly classic Holiday music that's been widely celebrated and publicly played since you were nose-high to an elf. We deerly love it up here at "The Pole." Of course, the elves don't pay much attention to it; they're forever singing their nerve-racking elf songs, but my reindeer team just can't get enough of it - especially Rudolph: you should see his face light up every time the Missus puts it on! Why I even saw it bring a smile to grumpy ol' Blitzen once. (Or else he had gas, and that was only a grimace.) You really should own all of Johnny's Christmas music, but if you're inclined to buy just one Christmas music C.D., this disc is the way to go-ho-ho.

Well, I'd better close now beCAUSE we're way behind schedule as it is, and I've got trouble brewing over at the toy shop: two elves recently got caught sniffing snow; one elf ran off to become Denver's most diminutive dentist; another one has a ribbon fetish; and yet another is in therapy because she insists that she's a reindeer; and the whole lot of them are threatening to unionize! Yeah, ol' Santa's got his troubles, too.

I hope this letter has been some help to you.
Stephen, be a good boy between now and December 24th, and perhaps you won't be unwrapping another lump of coal this year.

- Saint Nicholas

P.S. - Please don't forget to leave some milk and cookies this time. A heavy man gets hungry flying around the world in one night, and Mrs. Claus says that I must, "Eat! Eat!"

With so many Johnny Mathis Christmas albums from which to choose, I chose this one because I knew I had to have at least one Johnny Mathis Christmas album in my collection. I was pleased with this from the start.
Though I wasn't born until 1977, listening to this album seems to conjure up in my mind the sort of ideal 1950s-era nuclear family-around-the-Christmas-tree image, or at least what I would have thought that image might have included. I suppose what one person might consider nostalgic another person would not, but the mood of this album suggests another time, an ideal time, perhaps that one might have in childhood. The swirling strings and Mathis' gorgeous voice seem to float around like snowflakes falling from the sky. All the songs are wonderful (though my least-favorites are the somewhat hokey "We Need A Little Christmas" and "Marshmallow World"). I do particularly like his version of "Silver Bells." All-in-all, a great album, and a must-have to your Christmas music collection!

While packing up a bunch of holiday albums I'd recently inherited, I came across this Johnny Mathis compilation (culled from four previous releases dating from 1958 to 1986). Thats a lot of years and serves as reminder of just how lengthy a career he has enjoyed. I mean holiday records by major pop stars have always been pretty much de rigueur, especially in the mid-twentieth century. But to have at least four under your belt? Well, that speaks to something.

According to the liner notes supplied by Mr. M. himself, he selected these particular tracks from the many holiday songs he's recorded because they were "a little extra personal, a little extra special." I don't doubt his sincerity, but it should be noted that there isn't a single surprise among the tunes included on this record. Probably, the most off-the-wall choice is "Marshmallow World," which, in any version, is basically a novelty number and a very slight one at that. Everything else is either a holiday standard or a classic carol--all very nice, but not what you'd call an inspired choice.

I recently praised another Mathis holiday compilation (CHRISTMAS IS...) for being a little more original. This record is the opposite of that, not a single "holiday surprise." Of course, fans will welcome hearing Johnny's take on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas," and "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Pleasant as they are of course, no one is likely to forget Judy, Bing or Andy after hearing the Johnny Mathis renditions of these well-roasted chestnuts. But then again, I'm always the first to say that no one singer "owns" a song and that there's always room for a new interpretation. Johnny Mathis is a unique voice in pop music, and his takes on these holiday classics are interesting and well worth hearing.

As they say in the trades, "a must for fans."

Those of us who like our Christmases old-fashioned and corny love Bing, Nat, Andy, Bennett, Ives and Como, but we must not forget Johnny Mathis! This collection has a surprisingly good sound quality for the price. Johnny M may be the corniest of the lot, but that's how I like my Christmases (I'm not postmodern at all). Can't decide between them all? I know the feeling. Go with this one and you won't be sorry.

This is a great Christmas CD. We were very pleased with the songs. It actually exceeded our expectations. It is a real classic.

This is the only Christmas Disc I own. The only one I haven't discarded after being disappointed. Johnny sings Christmas music like no other, and these are his personal favorites. It doesn't get better than this.

This is a wonderful collection of Christmas songs, including the hard to find, We Need a Little Christmas. Johnny Matthis does it up right. Loved this album!

During the Christmas/Holiday season, my family has enjoyed the Wonderful singing voice of Johnny Mathis for many, many years. This alblum contains some of the most beloved Christmas melodies, sung here by one of the classic true musical Greats!! The holiday season for our family just would'nt be the same without hearing Johnny Mathis. I highly recommend getting this music cd to enjoy in your own home, you won't be disappointed! Just Beautiful!!!