Customer Reviews

Christmas Songs by Sinatra

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

 

 

Although not a slickly produced as his classic 1950s Capitol Christmas album, this still rates 5 Christmas Stars. Admittedly the sound quality on some of the tracks from the WWII V-Discs isn't perfect, but they nonetheless evoke Christmas from a simpler time. If you love Sinatra, this is a must-have.

These are the early Christmas efforts by Sinatra and they're wonderful. The sound quality is excellent on most, and as good to be expected on a few of the old radio broadcast selections. The previously unreleased selections are wonderful additions and are worth the price of the CD. Bing Crosby had some competition with Sinatra's version of White Christmas, excellent. If you want Sinatra to put you in the holiday spirit, then I highly recommend this set. I'm assuming that you already have the best Christmas album of all time...A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra...on Capitol Records. These two albums are musts....just skip the Reprise "Sinatra Family Christmas"....the songs with his kids on that one make you realize that the"Sinatra" name got them into showbusiness and nothing else...least of all singing talent.

Before he was the Chairman of the Board and made words like cool and swingin' synonymous with himself, Frank Sinatra was a skinny young singer working as a Columbia Records recording artist attempting to follow in the footsteps of his personal heroes like Bing Crosby. He was yet to have his fall from popularity, his return to prominence or attain his eternal hepcat status at the centerpiece of the Rat Pack. "Christmas Songs By Sinatra"-released once again for the holidays-collects all of the smooth holiday standards recorded by the young king of cool during his Columbia Records period.
Enjoy lovely classics like "White Christmas," and "Silent Night, Holy Night." Don't be shocked, or even mildly surprised by the fact that this album never decides to swing. This would be the wrong recording period for that kind of originality in Sinatra's Yuletide cheer. No, this set of tracks celebrates the great Christian Christmas standards, from "Jingle Bells" to "Joy To The World." If you love a traditional lilt to your Christmas music, this would be the collection for you.
The liner notes in the accompanying booklet are excellent, relating the history of the recordings and giving their appropriate release time stamp-a real treat for music aficionados. Placed alongside Rat Pack Christmas singles, this album allows the listener to chart the growth of a singer, and honestly enjoy some great music.

If you don't have any other Sinatra Christmas CD, this one might be the one for you. It includes alternate takes of songs done for other recordings plus a few rarities not previously published. Fine set of liner notes add some helpful background. As for the singing, this is earlier Sinatra and well worthwhile to listen to.

This is a collection of Christmas songs by Young Blue Eyes, by his first record label, Columbia. Sinatra certainly had a good voice, but he hadn't quite developed the great phrasing that he later became famous for. Also, the arrangements of the songs aren't really all that interesting. For some reason, a lot of the songs are alternate takes, instead of the master takes. There is also a "V-Disc" and three songs performed live on the radio. This is a decent enough collection, but Sinatra's later Christmas recordings are better.

Here's young Frank Sinatra ably proving why he was the defining voice of his generation. His marvelous vocals, yet to be diminished by decades of fame and excess, do lovely justice to such chestnuts as White Christmas, Silent Night, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

The arrangements are sweet and simple, with the exception of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and Let It Snow, the only concessions to big band swing. The military disc extra takes a step down in sound quality, but it's an interesting artifact and Frank's singing is still a pleasure to listen to.

This is a great cd, I bought it for my boyfriend who is a HUGE Frank fan and he loves the cd as well so it was a very good purchase.

Oh how I do cherish this cd, and every Christmas it's one of the most listened to. There is just something about the sound of Christmas music in the 40's that can make me nostalgic for it even though I was born in the 70's. The sound quality is magnificent, and it's a great tribute in that respect to the engineers of the day. Sinatra's voice is crystal clear, the young, crooning Sinatra of the "OH FRANKIE!!!" days. His delivery is so geniune, and so unassuming. This cd, like Johnny Mathis' "Merry Christmas" and Elvis Presley's "Elvis' Christmas Album", is a must have for any lover of this splendid holiday celebrating the birth of our Lord. It will make you want to have egg nog, bake cookies, and go sledding. And most importantly, it will bring you joy and peace at Christmas - the most wonderful time of the year.

It is a younger Frank who is hitting all the right notes. However, the songs are generally slower songs and it seems like the tempo of the songs is just a little off. It almost feels like there is a lack of energy. Even Jingle Bells is slower than other artists do it. There are two swinging tunes in the middle. There is also interesting introductions which are amusing. Overall, though, I was hoping for a more interesting CD.

Excellent compilation. Enjoyable classic christmas vocals. Use with my yamaha disklavier piano, which is fantastic.