Customer Reviews

A John Waters Christmas

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This album, while not meant for easy listening or general Christmas cheer, is a true gem amongst the zillions of schmaltzy holiday albums foisted upon us every year.

It ranges from saracstic pop (I Wish You A Merry Christmas), to diabetes-inducing child showcases (Happy Birthday Jesus; Sleigh Bells, Reindeer And Snow), to bah-humbug sentiments (Here Comes Fatty Claus), to simply jaw-dropping urban black power sentiments (Santa Claus Is A Black Man), to spine-tingling theremin tunes (First Snowfall).

But I promise you, you'll love every minute, and count your holiday blessings that John Waters took the time to put together this eclectic and genius compilation.

Note: NOT work-safe, for sure. Happy Holidays!

Yes, I know it: it's politically incorrect, rude and silly--but you know what? This CD is AWESOME! As a baby boomer I love the 60s beat of the first track, "Fat Daddy." Great parody of Santa! I had to laugh! GRIN Actually, a lot of this CD has a 60s feel to it. Also funny and very entertaining is the next song "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" sung here by Tiny Tim! And WHO could ever forget the ultimate rendition of "Sleigh Ride" as only Alvin and The Chipmunks could belt out?

This CD is something like what would happen if MadTV or In Living Color from the 90s ever produced a Christmas album! It's funny, well written and it moves at just the right pace. As other reviewers have noted, I am pretty sure that some of these songs would be pretty hard to find elsewhere. That being said--go on out and get this CD for a Christmas time this year embellished with a John Waters twist! Even if it weren't Christmas time it would STILL be a fun CD to have in any collection. GRIN

This is one cool spin, it's like the anti-christmas cd really. I just love it, i've been playing it all week. Perfect antidote to the usual syrupy christmas releases. We should all be in John Waters debt for digging these up, let's all send him a turd or something!

This CD is full of impossible to find gems - for the real collector freak! You cannot miss, Brilliant , brilliant idea!

If one wants to hear the wackiest Christmas collection, look no further. Take a listen to A JOHN WATERS' CHRISTMAS. It is, indeed, a big snowball full of wacky, tacky and horrific songs. However, this may not be the Christmas collection for every family member, hence the parental advisory warning due to the tune, "Here Comes Fatty Claus."

Waters' collection goes beyond the old tunes that we all know so well. However, he adds a few familiar favorites with a little spin and dementedness - Tiny Tim's version of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and The Chipmunks' "Sleigh Ride." Speaking of demented, the songs on the CD bear similar reminders to late night listeners of the Dr. Demento Show or the hall of fame of Christmas tackiness, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." With that in mind, there are a few gems in the collection, such as the country western feel of "Christmas Time Is Coming (A Street Carol)" by Stormy Weather and the Motown-ish sounding "I Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva of "The Locomotion" fame, which will get you in the Christmas groove. Where will you hear the touching "Little Mary Christmas" by Roger Christian? With all its 1950s or early 1960s storytelling about the ill fated, this is the poignant tale of Mary the orphan who wishes for a family for Christmas; the Nashville-like tones are a delight to hear. By far, the highlight of the CD is the opening track, "Fat Daddy" by Fat Daddy himself who tells us who the real Santa Claus is, and the doll-like vocals of Little Cindy and her "Happy Birthday Jesus (A Child's Prayer)".

The only unfortunate aspect of the CD is the lack of extended liner notes that make reference to the release date of each song. However, Waters' own notes are quite hilarious to read. A JOHN WATERS' CHRISTMAS is as Christmassy as one can get. If you're looking for a little laugh from all the shopping and the Merry Christmas debates, Waters' CD provides an alternative to the different versions of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" or "Jingle Bells". So, get the Yule log burning, put your dancing shoes on, indulge in a little eggnog, and enjoy.

This is the feel good CD of this year's holiday season. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a fellow eccentric from Baltimore! John Waters' musical selections will make you laugh, cry and cringe - sometimes all at once! Everyone in the office is already singing "Here Comes Fatty Claus", "Little Mary Christmas" is resplendent in its awfulness and "Fat Daddy" could only come from...well... Fat Daddy. Buy a copy for yourself. Then buy one for someone you like. Heck, buy it for someone you don't like. Just buy it, already. And Mr. Waters...have a merry, rotten, scary, sexy, biracial, ludicrous, happy little Christmas yourself! Will you be decorating the electric chair this year?????

John Waters, the legendary 'prince of puke' director of "Pink Flamingos" and "Hairspray" has compiled a perfectly enjoyable collection of strange Christmas music. Among the tracks are Tiny Tim singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," Alvin and the Chipmunks' "Sleigh Ride," the hilariously profane "Here Comes Fatty Claus," and a strange Kwanza Carol "Santa Claus is a Black Man." While repeated listening might get tiresome (there are only so many times I can stand to hear "I Wish You A Merry Christmas"), the CD is a funny and interesting collection of Chistmas music that is not too often played on the radio. Liner notes by Waters are also included.

Folks, are YOU tired of hearing the same old bland mass produced stuff for the Holidays?

Are YOU tired of hearing the same bland treatments from the same bland folks that populate Branson attack YOUR ears?

Ah, fear not, for John Waters has come to YOUR Rescue! Take this to work and crank it up. The look on their faces is priceless!

First off, I have to disagree with the review who said this album is not work safe. With the exception of Here Comes Fatty Clause, this is a fine album to listen to at work. In fact, I did so today and my co-workers thought it was hilarious! And mind you, this is in an office.

John Waters could never, EVER, disappoint with a Christmas album. Look at the devotion he gave to the holiday in the opening of Female Trouble. Regretably, the quirky song "have a merry, merry, merry, merry christmas" featured in the film was omitted on this collection. However, do not fear. This album should not disappoint any John Waters fan. It showcases his bizarre sense of humor (Tiny Tim, The Chipmunks, Little Cindy), his offensive behavior (Here Comes Fatty Clause) his love of soul music (Fat Daddy, Lil Eva) and his penchant for finding off beat rare singles (Sleighbells, Reindeer and Snow.) The closing track, Santa Clause is a Black Man, is the best holiday song you have NEVER heard! It is a suprisingly non-offensive, adorable novelty song about a young black girl who is astounded to see Santa Clause one night and coincidentally he looks a lot like her daddy ;)

The cd will not go over well at Christmas Eve with the family but for any Christmas bash, this is a must have.

Only John Waters could collect such a strange and horrific collection of Christmas songs. This is more than a novelty. These are very rare recordings from the early sixties Baltimore area. There are some pleasant numbers, such as, "First Snowfall" which includes a singing saw (!) and "Christmas Time Is Coming (A Street Carol)". However, Waters would be cheating his fans without songs like, "Santa Claus Is A Black Man" sung by a young girl whose voice is as annoying as any spoiled brat who craves attention. "Happy Birthday Jesus" by Little Cindy is by far the scariest piece of Christmas crap ever made. It's a horrific oratory from a female toddler that will only remind you of the little girl from "The Bad Seed!" If all else fails, `Alvin & The Chipmunks' are here to remind you of a period you only thought was fun. The album cover is worth the price alone!