A Merry Christmas

Al Martino (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B00006LI14
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,603 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. You're All I Want For Christmas

2. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer

3. White Christmas

4. Medley

5. I'll Be Home For Christmas

6. The Little Drummer Boy

7. What Child Is This?

8. Silent Night

9. O Holy Night

10. O Come All Ye Faithful

11. Silver Bells

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Al's Merry Christmas can Melt a Secularist's Heart, December 23, 2004

By 

Sponiatowski "sponiatowski" (Des Plaines, Il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

Feeling nostalgic for the Christmas mood of my childhood, I bought up several CD's from the late 50's, 60's and early 70's here on Amazon. I almost passed on "Al Martino's Merry Christmas" because I already had purchased about 15 versions of 9 of the 10 songs listed, but the CD being a rarity (I knew no one else who had it) I added it to my shopping cart sure it would be a superfluous but nice addition to my Christmas Music collection. Boy was I wrong! I believe Al's versions of these Christmas Classics rank amongst the best versions of all time, and each and every one of them found their way right to the top of my favorites! The opening track, "You're All I Want for Christmas", is a song I know I've never heard before yet at the same time FEELS like I've heard it my entire life. A true find for those who want to bring back a Nostalgic Christmas when there WERE still Christmas songs we were hearing for the very first time. Next up are very good versions of "Rudolph" and "White Christmas", which, though very good, are the least memorable songs on this CD. But the four songs that follow are so spectacular in their execution that I found myself literally holding my breath as I listened to them. The Medley of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas/Silver Bells" has to be the DEFINITIVE version of "Silver Bells" ever released. Yup, here on Al Martino's album and not Frank Sinatra's, Bings, or any modern Christmas collection. THIS IS THE ONE THAT COUNTS! No other version will give you quite the same goosebumps or conjure the Christmas/Wintertime images. Then, lightening strikes again, and we're given the definitive version of "I'll be Home for Christmas". All other versions of this song have slipped from memory after one listening of Al's. He has the sort of voice which is both strong and smooth/mellow all at the same time and it has never been more effective than on this old war song about a soldier overseas missing his lover at Christmastime. Pure, unaffected schmaltz, but it's not hokey for a minute, it's all feels very real when Martino performs it. Al's version of "The Little Drummer Boy" is next and is among the finest ever with it's resounding drum and bass line. Only two contenders that come to mind for the top spot of this much loved tune are Anne Murray and Bing Crosby's version. The song next, "What Child is This", is once again, absolutely among the finest ever recorded, only Julie Andrew's is more mesmerizing, but Al's final chorus is actually more unique being both moving yet rousing at the same time, an odd but very brilliant and welcome contrast from the usual religiously sanctified versions. "Silent Night" "Oh Holy Night", and "Come All ye Faithful" close out the CD with seemingly "adequate" arrangements that can't quite live up to the excellence of the previous four songs but, it only seems that way. After comparing Al's versions of these songs to those of his competition: Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, or Mario Lanza, Al Martino does as excellent a job on these songs, his versions holding their own or surpassing Nat King Cole. But nothing can quite live up to those 4 songs, "Silver Bells" through "What Child is This" on any Chirstmas CD that I have. Now for the one sour note, this CD version closes with a rather tinny mix of the aforementioned "Silver Bells" minus "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" which does the song and performer an injustice. The sound quality lacks both depth and resonance. Something is wrong in the mix with the bass, and further releases should fix this version or leave it off the CD entirely. It ruins an otherwise superlative Christmas CD. So there it is, my choice for the best nostalgic Christmas Album of all time. Neither too fast nor too slow, neither too loud or too soft, not too schmaltzy or too indifferent and cold, Al Martino's Merry Christmas comes across as "just right" for that Silent Night in your Holiday Season and will be a welcome addition to any Christmas Music Collection. It'll move you with all the magic and wonder of your childhood, charging your emotions by tinkling the little bells that haven't wrung for you for a long while, bells that I had completely forgotten even existed and had ever rung at all. It was terrific to hear their sounds again! Truly, Al Martino's "Merry Christmas" is THAT MAGICAL and THAT GOOD for bringing back all that Christmas Magic with mile-a-minute memories and cheer. Please take my word for it, this is as essential to your Music Collection as Bing Crosby's White Christmas! May the smile that crosses your face while listening to it last you throughout the entire year.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MOST MARVELOUS MARTINO, December 19, 2002

By 

Alan W. Petrucelli (THE ENTERTAINMENT REPORT (ALAN W. PETRUCELLI)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

One of our favorite underrated vocalists only recorded a handful of albums, all out of print and all highly collectible. This Al Martino marvel was such a hit when released in 1964 that it soared to Billboard's Top 10 chart. One listen and you'll hear why: Italian charm, a caressing voice and phrasing that did --- and still does --- rival Frankie's.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The very best Christmas Album ever recorded"!, August 24, 2005

By 

J. F Kopeck "jkopeck9" (Parkville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Merry Christmas (Audio CD)

I was 10 years old in 1964 when my mother ordered a copy of this 33rpm LP from a lady that she worked with named Viola! Ever since the first time I heard this outstanding work I was hooked.I now own the original Album that my family owned for many years and have purchased several more copies that were in better shape then mine in Good Will Stores and Used Record Shops.Over the years I have taped this record several different times on cassette tapes and now after seeing this record on CD form I am going to buy it ASAP.
This work by Al Martino for Christmas is in my opinion the finest collection of Holiday music ever recorded. In my household it would not seem like Christmas if we didn't play these songs. Even my kids who are now grown and my grandchildren love hearing this special album. When the record starts with "Your all I want for Christmas",all you want to do is set back and begin to get in the yule-tide mood and begin to focus on the Great Celebration and birth of our Dear Lord and Savior (just wait until you hear "Oh come all ye Faithful").

Enough said,Get a copy of this CD and hear some of the best Christmas music this side of Heaven.For 40 years it has been a staple in my house!

"ENJOY" JFKopeck