Customer Reviews

Elvis Presley Christmas Duets

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

"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.

After reading all of the reviews for this album, I felt I had to add my opinion.

The reviews here seem to be divided into two camps. The positive reviews seem to come from those who enjoy hearing "new" versions of the King's classic recordings. The negative reviews seem to come from fans who feel that albums like this are somehow disrespectful to Elvis' legacy.

I have to put myself in the first group. I am also a big fan of Elvis. I wish he were alive today and still recording great new music. Unfortunately that's not the case. There won't be any new "hidden" recordings brought to light in the future. Even most of the "alternate" studio takes have also already been released.

So, if we want to hear "new" Elvis music, we can wait for new remixes, or when technology progresses further, even cleaner digital remasters.

Or we can enjoy albums like this.

No, it's not likely to replace the original versions in most fans' collections, but many will consider it a nice addition. In fact, if you could find someone who had never heard the originals and played them back to back with these duet versions, they might like some of the duet version even more than the originals (the duet with Amy Grant on "White Christmas" is a strong candidate, as is the saucy versions of "Merry Christmas Baby" with Gretchen Wilson and "Santa Claus is Back in Town" with Wynonna Judd).

I think this album was done as well as it could have been done. The female artists recorded in the same studio in which Elvis recorded the original versions. The instrumentation sounds as clean as I've ever heard it. Those reviewers who suggest that the females simply recorded "over" Elvis's vocals must not be listening very well. The three remixed, Elvis only songs that close the album are a nice bonus.

And the female artists represent a nice range of talent, including two performers Elvis knew and admired (Olivia Newton-John and Anne Murray), established artists like Wynonna Judd, Martina McBride, and Sara Evans, and relative newcomers like Carrie Underwood.

Some "purists" have stated that Elvis would not have liked this, and would never have consented to a duets album. Who knows? If you had told me in 1977 that Rod Stewart would be recording standards later in life, I would have laughed at you (Rod would have, too).

So I suggest folks just enjoy this for what it is - an addition to, not a replacement of the past. No one is suggesting that only the duet version of "Blue Christmas" will be aired from now on.

And if it gets some new or younger fans interested in Elvis, what's the harm?

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 !

I grew up listening to Elvis, & we always had his Christmas albums playing all through the season. I had many of them that we had when I was a child, but they were lost in a fire, so now I am working on replacing all of them with CD's. This duet CD is wonderful, it has all of my favorites, & the duets with the singers of today is nothing short of awesome. Blue Christmas has always been my favorite, & you would swear he is right there with Martina McBride singing it on this CD. How ever they put other artists in singing with him is just amazing.
Any Elvis fan, or even those that aren't, but enjoy Christmas music, will love this CD. It is worth every penny paid for it.

Sandi M.

My grandparents had the original Elvis Christmas record, which I loved. This one has the same spirit, and the added accompanying singers don't take away from the classic feel of the original. I really enjoy it!

This is such a beautiful sounding cd. The blending of the original tracks to the new artists tracks is amazing...flawless, actually. The songs still retain there original feel with just a hint of newness to them. In this Duets, the artists all remained true to Elvis' version without any drastic change to the songs at all. The pitches are superb...masterfully created. Undescribable.

I have read all of the reviews here and unfortunately, the man is not here anymore, but his legacy lives on. So those who are purists do have a bias and are asking why spoil or alter a good thing?

All of the artists that Presella Presley selected were chosen on their merits and their love for music. Yes, it is sometimes hard to get the synergy recorded on the disk when one is not present, but these recordings further resonate the legacy and the appreciation of Elvis as a driving force in music.

So since I am not catholic and have two dozen or more Christams albums on CD-ROMS, this new album only adds more thrills and chills to my collection. Carie Underwood and Martina McBride are not flashes in the pan. They have sold millions of singles and albums and have won numerous Country Music Awards!

I think the Presley Estate did Elvis proud and in all fairness, the recordings are memorable and have a lot of family and holiday value. Come on, stop bitching and celebrate the holiday spirit. There's enough turmoil in the world!

Dennis Goldensohn

this is a great cd with current and great female singers like Amy Grant, Wynonna, and Carrie Underwood. We all really enjoyed it!!!

I do not understand why this CD has not been promoted during the Christmas season. I have seen many Christmas CD's promoted during the season, but not this one. It's great. What an idea. I only found out about this on Youtube. It was not in any local stores. Thanks Amazon for carrying it.