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Track Listings
| 1. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) [1961 Version] |
| 2. Deck the Hall |
| 3. O Come All Ye Faithful |
| 4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| 5. O Tannenbaum |
| 6. O Little Town of Bethlehem |
| 7. I Saw Three Ships |
| 8. O Holy Night |
| 9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| 10. A Cradle in Bethlehem |
| 11. Away in a Manger |
| 12. Joy to the World |
| 13. The First Noel |
| 14. Caroling, Caroling |
| 15. Silent Night |
| 16. Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You) [*] |
| 17. All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) [*] |
| 18. The Happiest Christmas Tree [*] |
| 19. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) [*] |
Editorial Reviews
2009 Holiday release. Digitally remastered, expanded and repackaged edition of the classic Nat King Cole Christmas album featuring bonus tracks and new cover art. Of all the songs played during the holiday season, 'The Christmas Song' is the most popular. And out of the numerous versions of the song recorded over the years, none come close to Nat King Cole's flawless recording. This album contains that holiday chestnut plus other classic Christmas tunes sung like only Nat could sing them. Features 20 magical Christmas songs for all to enjoy!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Capitol, since a new version of this album is released practically every year and you still haven't gotten it right, how about doing this NEXT year? Restore the original 1963 album track order. Restore the original ambient echo effect that was on that LP (or just remaster the original'86 CD version). Scan and remaster the original '63 cover art (with Nat sitting by the fire) including the original "full dimensional stereo" banner. Then, commission Will Freidwald or another music historian to write a brief history of this album. You know, how it began as "The Magic Of Christmas" in 1960 and morphed into the "Christmas Song" version we all knew and loved for 30-some odd years before you began monkeying with it? Then, on the back of the booklet, scan and print the original "Magic Of Christmas" artwork with its corresponding stereo banner. Then, add "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Happy New Year" and the English outtake of "Adeste Fideles" as extras. Leave Natalie's duet, the Toys For Tots PSA and all the novelty x-mas tunes to another collection. THAT is how you do a re-release!
For some reason, Capitol has been BUTCHERING its holiday releases by Nat, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys just to name a few. In the 80's and 90's holiday CD's by each could be found with only slightly modified versions of the original album art and sound matching that of the LP master tapes. But in the past ten years, the Capitol art department has decided to give each album a complete makeover(several of them in fact)... all for the worse! Also, someone has decided to shuffle the track order, add a bunch of extra crap and dub it the "Ultimate Christmas Collection" (Beach Boys). Please, originality is best when it comes to re-issues, especially these sacred Christmas albums. Save the abstract art and marketing concepts for your NEW artist releases.
For some reason, Capitol has been BUTCHERING its holiday releases by Nat, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys just to name a few. In the 80's and 90's holiday CD's by each could be found with only slightly modified versions of the original album art and sound matching that of the LP master tapes. But in the past ten years, the Capitol art department has decided to give each album a complete makeover(several of them in fact)... all for the worse! Also, someone has decided to shuffle the track order, add a bunch of extra crap and dub it the "Ultimate Christmas Collection" (Beach Boys). Please, originality is best when it comes to re-issues, especially these sacred Christmas albums. Save the abstract art and marketing concepts for your NEW artist releases.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Christmas Song is indeed an expanded, remastered and repackaged version of Nat's CD entitled The Christmas Song from 1990, 2005 and more! If you have one or all of these albums already from the great Mr. Cole, your only true reason to buy this would be for the upgrade in sound quality although the improved remastering doesn't make a huge "night and day" difference when I hear it. If, however, you are a casual fan or a relative newcomer to Nat "King" Cole who has not yet purchased past releases of The Christmas Song CD, then go ahead and get this--although, for example, you will miss out tracks from the 2005 edition of this album including a version of "The Christmas Song" from 1946 by The King Cole Trio as well as tracks entitled "Toys for Tots" and "Happy New Year."
Of course, anyway you slice it Nat still sounds great on this album. There are religious holiday standards including "O Tannenbaum;" "O Little Town of Bethlehem;" "O Holy Night;" "The First Noel" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Nat performs these with panache and the lush musical arrangements greatly enhance the songs. They use a background choir on a few of these numbers but it's all done in good taste and the background singers never try to steal the spotlight for Nat "King" Cole.
Other terrific songs include more secular tunes such as "Caroling, Caroling;" "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)" by The King Cole Trio and the endlessly charming "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" which is done both in its 1961 glory and as a duet with Nat's daughter Natalie.
Overall, get this if you're a casual fan without previous editions of this CD--or a newcomer just discovering Nat's artistry who wants some fine holiday music by Nat "King" Cole. Diehard fans should opt for a previous edition of this album which includes other tracks not found here. They should be here; and that's a disappointment. You'll find great music on this CD; but it's not as comprehensive as it could have been and so I can only give it 3 ˝ stars. What a shame Capitol Records didn't do more justice to Nat!
Of course, anyway you slice it Nat still sounds great on this album. There are religious holiday standards including "O Tannenbaum;" "O Little Town of Bethlehem;" "O Holy Night;" "The First Noel" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Nat performs these with panache and the lush musical arrangements greatly enhance the songs. They use a background choir on a few of these numbers but it's all done in good taste and the background singers never try to steal the spotlight for Nat "King" Cole.
Other terrific songs include more secular tunes such as "Caroling, Caroling;" "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)" by The King Cole Trio and the endlessly charming "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" which is done both in its 1961 glory and as a duet with Nat's daughter Natalie.
Overall, get this if you're a casual fan without previous editions of this CD--or a newcomer just discovering Nat's artistry who wants some fine holiday music by Nat "King" Cole. Diehard fans should opt for a previous edition of this album which includes other tracks not found here. They should be here; and that's a disappointment. You'll find great music on this CD; but it's not as comprehensive as it could have been and so I can only give it 3 ˝ stars. What a shame Capitol Records didn't do more justice to Nat!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Was looking for a CD that had traditional music on it and this is it. Nat King Cole's Christmas Song is the one song you must have in your Christmas song list. Great Album.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
LOVE NAT
I JUST LOVE NAT. THIS PLAYS EXCELLENT, ON MY BOSE PLAYER. SOUND IS TERRIFIC. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC ALL YEAR ROUND. BUY IT YOU WON;T BE SORRY. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Dolores M. Selner
Nat King Cole-Christmas Song
Nat King Cole is my favorite singer when it comes to Christmas songs! If you like him as much as I do, you won't be disappointed with this CD.
Published 2 months ago by Jack Tenerelli
Superbly Merry Christmas
If I could only have 1 CD to listen to at Christmas time, I'd have to pick this one out of so many other great possibilities. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. R. Sparrowhawk
Christmas with Nat King Cole, great!
I grew up with Nat King Cole singing all kinds of music but I remember him most at Christmas time. All the favorites are on this CD. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tyrone E. Farrington
Perfect for the holidays!
Had my mom over who was more than happy to listen to this CD over and over again. Definitely set the mood for the holidays.
Published 3 months ago by JJ from the Block!
The Great Nat King Cole
Can't believe that I'm just now getting this one. What a voice he had! I love every song on this CD. Great singer, Great songs!
Published 4 months ago by Brown Sugar
Christmas classic
This is one of the best Christmas CD's ever made!! It is by far my favorite CD to put on during the Christmas season.
Published 4 months ago by momof3boys
Christmas CD by Nat King Cole
I enjoyed this Christmas CD so much that I had to purchase another one to replace the first copy I owned. This particular CD has a few more songs than the original one. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gigi
The Quintessential Nat King Cole
If you're looking for classic and timeless, then this is indeed the Christmas album for you. Love Nat King Cole - AND love his music!
Published 4 months ago by L. Newton
A Holiday Classic
This album is great! I grew up listening to it each year around the holidays and I was excited to be able to purchase it for a great price and that I was able to enjoy the classics... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kate56
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