Elvis Presley Christmas Duets

Elvis Presley

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B001EPJTMK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,362 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Elvis' most cherished holiday classics reinterpreted by today's biggest female stars with Elvis Presley! The album features 'Blue Christmas' with Martina McBride, 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' with Carrie Underwood, 'Here Comes Santa Claus' with LeAnn Rimes, 'Santa Clause Is Back In Town' with Wynonna Judd 'Silent Night' with Sara Evans, 'White Christmas' with Amy Grant plus Gretchen Wilson, Karen Fairchild & Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John and three Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis just stopped in for the holidays., October 15, 2008

By	D. P. McClure "Disciple of Rock" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this. The first track I listened to was "If I Get Home on Christmas Day" because that is my favorite Elvis Christmas song. I love the way they updated the music without trying to make it sound trendy or phony. Next I listened to Winter Wonderland - they really made the rhythmic elements of this song shine while still allowing James Burton's guitar solos to stand out deservedly. After that, I listened to "The First Noel": This just flat-out brought tears to my eyes, that's how beautiful it is. I don't want to spoil it for you, but, on "The First Noel", they added a beautiful almost baroque-esque string arrangement that really tugs at the heart strings. Ahhh, right now I'm listening to "I'll Be Home for Christmas"...it's so amazingly and divinely beautiful. The illusion of "duets" created by adding these talented female singers to Elvis' already existing tracks is very effective. Yes folks, we get to have Elvis right here with us for one more Christmas - and thankfully we'll have this cd to listen to for lasting memories. 5 holly-jolly stars.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun overall, but lacks some chemistry., November 20, 2008

By	JeremyK "ludwigvan" (OK) - See all my reviews

"Christmas Duets" is not a waste of money, but it could be better.

Ever since the day that Celine Dion did a duet with Elvis on American Idol, there has been a new standard for such performances. I am not a huge Celine fan, but I will concede that her vocals managed to bring back some of the charming presence of Elvis.

Elvis Presley's "Christmas Duets" is another story. I believe all the stars on this album intended to do a wonderful job, and all things considered, they sang quite well. However, it is difficult to provide the sense of Elvis' presence when singing with old recordings. These Elvis recordings were originally solo works, which is one possible reason for the lack of chemistry. Another reason is that Elvis was unfortunately not here to reciprocate glances and to share the performance. Elvis would likely have presented these songs slightly different if he had originally sung them in a duet.

Overall, the chemistry on this CD is on or below par with Elvis. However, I did find some entertaining highlights within this CD. My favorite track is Olivia Newton-John's "O Come, All Ye Faithful". Olivia's musical experience brings her nearest to the lush sounds we would hear in a real duet with Elvis. Here are some interesting facts: I know that Elvis covered two of Olivia Newton-John's early songs ("Let Me Be There" and "If You Love Me Let Me Know") on "Moody Blue", his last album to be released in his lifetime. I also know that Olivia Newton-John has previous experience singing duets with posthumous musicians. Newton-John released a duets CD titled "2" that includes a very touching recording titled, "Tender-field Saddler". "Tender-field Saddler" was originally sung by the now deceased Australian songwriter and entertainer Peter Allen. Olivia's duet with Peter Allen has been described as a modern miracle in musical technology. She also sings "Tender-field Saddler" live on her new DVD, "Live In Sydney".

Another highlight is "I'll Be Home For Christmas", sung by Carrie Underwood. The clear and penetrating vocals of Carrie are very well placed, and not overpowering. Like others on this CD, Carrie is very respectful to Elvis, who probably seems like a mythical superhero musician that she grew up hearing but not seeing.

Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, and Wynonna Judd also sing quite well. I enjoyed Judd's sassy, playful voice in "Santa Claus Is Back In Town." Overall I can easily recommend purchasing this CD. "Christmas Duets" will be fun to come back to year after year.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old is Gold!, November 6, 2008

By	Loo "loo" (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

November 6, 2008 - the date I met up with 2 very old friends and what a suprise it is was. Firstly James Bond 007 - great show and Craig is smashing.

Secondly, I bought and listened to the "new" album from Elvis with duets with the biggest Country and Gospel female stars of today. What a cheerful start to Christmas. The new digitally mixed album with new orchestrations and vocal was like Elvis never left us. I love ONJ's duet, simply smashing... American Idol Underwood is super too.

Now this is one Christmas album that people will listen to for generations (just like the concept of the now classic Natalie Cole's Unforgetble). For me, it is also Elvis back to his roots of Country and Gospel. Amen for that !