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Editorial Reviews
2010 holiday release from the Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. 11 tracks including two self-penned yuletide songs plus classics like 'White Christmas', 'Silver Bells', 'Silent Night' and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am grateful to Shelby for this CD. I grudgingly started collecting Christmas CDs a few years ago because it means so much to my Mom to listen to Christmas songs at Christmastime. I'd rather listen to good music. We can both be happy with this CD in the lineup. Shelby continues the use of older equipment to create her songs and the result is warm and inviting. As with her last few CDs, there is an intimacy to these holiday recordings that leaves you feeling Shelby is actually in the room with you performing the songs. One of the things I like best about this collection is most of the songs are covers, so we get another opportunity to hear Shelby interpret. She's almost peerless when it comes to interpreting songs (her Dusty Springfield covers are stunning). The two original songs fit right in with the covers and are fantastic contributions to the Christmas song canon. I particularly enjoyed the bluesy Xmas. Once again, another stellar effort by Shelby.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Prime Cuts: Xmas, Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas, Silver Bells
Anyone can cut a Christmas album. And In this day and age almost every established act, irrespective of genre, has had recorded a yuletide tribute. Thus, in the deluge of holiday sets that are been marketed at us each year, the ones that are really worthy getting a hold of are those that are not recorded karaoke style. Rather, they are those that re-tell these carols with such nuances that these classics take on a life of their own. Lynne, known for her gorgeous throaty contralto, has indeed made these 8 classics and 2 newly self-composed tracks hers. She has deconstructed most of these well known carols and re-dressed them with her unadorned patented style utilizing elements of coffee-house jazz, deep bluesy country and stripped down acoustic strumming. Without the pressure from a major label (as "Merry Christmas" is self-released) Lynne has never sounded more relaxed and confident. As a result this is more a Shelby Lynne album then one of those yuletide soundtracks made to function as elevator music in crowded malls.
The best cuts are the pair of originals, both of which are written by Lynne. And both of them are like polar opposites: "Xmas" is chilling piece that is almost lifted out of Lynne's pain-ridden childhood. The opening line "Christmas makes me sad/And Daddy's being bad..." hints at the melancholic direction this brooding jazzy ballad is heading. On the other hand, the rollicking acoustic sounding "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" almost strikes one to think of Lynne as bipolar. While "Xmas" paints a sad picture of the family at Christmas, "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" gives all the reasons for a family joy at the holidays from singing carols to drinking egg nog together.... Read more ›
Anyone can cut a Christmas album. And In this day and age almost every established act, irrespective of genre, has had recorded a yuletide tribute. Thus, in the deluge of holiday sets that are been marketed at us each year, the ones that are really worthy getting a hold of are those that are not recorded karaoke style. Rather, they are those that re-tell these carols with such nuances that these classics take on a life of their own. Lynne, known for her gorgeous throaty contralto, has indeed made these 8 classics and 2 newly self-composed tracks hers. She has deconstructed most of these well known carols and re-dressed them with her unadorned patented style utilizing elements of coffee-house jazz, deep bluesy country and stripped down acoustic strumming. Without the pressure from a major label (as "Merry Christmas" is self-released) Lynne has never sounded more relaxed and confident. As a result this is more a Shelby Lynne album then one of those yuletide soundtracks made to function as elevator music in crowded malls.
The best cuts are the pair of originals, both of which are written by Lynne. And both of them are like polar opposites: "Xmas" is chilling piece that is almost lifted out of Lynne's pain-ridden childhood. The opening line "Christmas makes me sad/And Daddy's being bad..." hints at the melancholic direction this brooding jazzy ballad is heading. On the other hand, the rollicking acoustic sounding "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" almost strikes one to think of Lynne as bipolar. While "Xmas" paints a sad picture of the family at Christmas, "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" gives all the reasons for a family joy at the holidays from singing carols to drinking egg nog together.... Read more ›
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By HagFan
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a little prejudiced because Shelby Lynne happens to be my favorite all-around female singer of our time. One thing she hadn't done that she always wanted to do was a Christmas album. Now, with the freedom of having her own label, she finally kept a dream of her own. And, now it's our dream. Our dream Christmas album.
Most of the standards are here: Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, O Holy Night, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, and White Christmas. What true Christmas would be without those songs. But, this time they are done probably more beautifully than you'd ever expect. One of the all-time Country Christmas songs, Christmastime's A-Coming is done as well as I've ever heard it. Shelby also penned two new songs of her own. Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas is the perfect song to get an old scrooge to jumpin' if he or she isn't already. Shelby's second self-penned song, Xmas is what I think can be taken as a very sad song or a song that lifts you up being sung by a young lady who has been through so much in her life, but is strong enough to keep goin' on. It's just the perfect Christmas album! Thank, Shelby!
Most of the standards are here: Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, O Holy Night, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, and White Christmas. What true Christmas would be without those songs. But, this time they are done probably more beautifully than you'd ever expect. One of the all-time Country Christmas songs, Christmastime's A-Coming is done as well as I've ever heard it. Shelby also penned two new songs of her own. Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas is the perfect song to get an old scrooge to jumpin' if he or she isn't already. Shelby's second self-penned song, Xmas is what I think can be taken as a very sad song or a song that lifts you up being sung by a young lady who has been through so much in her life, but is strong enough to keep goin' on. It's just the perfect Christmas album! Thank, Shelby!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Every year there is the release of numerous, often indistinguishable Christmas music CDs that seem to be thoughtlessly created, full of forced holiday cheer. Artists encouraged by the people at their record label, dutifully, sometimes it appears, mindlessly, churn out their lack-luster take on traditional carols, but this CD is different.
Lynne, in beautiful voice and with a unique approach, adds depth to the standard carols and includes two seriously good original compositions, Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas and Xmas. She has created a simply exceptional CD not limited by the genre. Fully present on the disc, she effortlessly glides through multiple styles including jazz, blues, country, etc. She's brought genuine artistry to the project and produced a sophisticated CD of substance.
Her interpretation of songs I've heard a thousand times is a revelation. From the first song, the listener is engulfed. This CD is a keeper. If you love Christmas music this is a must have, and even if you don't, this CD may convert you.
Lynne, in beautiful voice and with a unique approach, adds depth to the standard carols and includes two seriously good original compositions, Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas and Xmas. She has created a simply exceptional CD not limited by the genre. Fully present on the disc, she effortlessly glides through multiple styles including jazz, blues, country, etc. She's brought genuine artistry to the project and produced a sophisticated CD of substance.
Her interpretation of songs I've heard a thousand times is a revelation. From the first song, the listener is engulfed. This CD is a keeper. If you love Christmas music this is a must have, and even if you don't, this CD may convert you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Shelby Lynne fans will love her newly released album of holiday music entitled "Merry Christmas." Shelby performs at her usual very best throughout this CD although of course many people will have their own favorite tracks. Indeed, the album contains so much good music that there's truly something for just about everyone. This music is all THAT good! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.
The album starts with Shelby Lynne singing her heart out on a medley of "Sleigh Ride" and "Winter Wonderland." The music fits in perfectly with her vocals and that's quite all right by me! "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" gives us upbeat music written by Shelby who never lets go of a single superfluous note; and the melody is instantly memorable. "Christmas Time Is Here" comes from an old Peanuts Christmas TV special; Shelby puts her won stamp on this ballad with a thoughtful interpretation that haunts me--in a positive way; it's just that beautiful.
"Silver Bells" is definitely a highlight of the CD; it's a golden nugget in Shelby Lynne's capable hands and the creative use of those musical instruments impresses me quite a bit. "Christmas Time Is Coming" is very well done; that country flavor makes the ballad strong and I think you're going to like this song a lot. "O Holy Night" also features Shelby as an interpreter and she does this well; listen for yet another gem in Shelby's wonderful rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Shelby sings this to perfection and beyond--and that music couldn't be better.
"Xmas," another song written by Shelby herself, has Shelby singing with all her heart and soul on this bluesy, jazzy song.... Read more ›
The album starts with Shelby Lynne singing her heart out on a medley of "Sleigh Ride" and "Winter Wonderland." The music fits in perfectly with her vocals and that's quite all right by me! "Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas" gives us upbeat music written by Shelby who never lets go of a single superfluous note; and the melody is instantly memorable. "Christmas Time Is Here" comes from an old Peanuts Christmas TV special; Shelby puts her won stamp on this ballad with a thoughtful interpretation that haunts me--in a positive way; it's just that beautiful.
"Silver Bells" is definitely a highlight of the CD; it's a golden nugget in Shelby Lynne's capable hands and the creative use of those musical instruments impresses me quite a bit. "Christmas Time Is Coming" is very well done; that country flavor makes the ballad strong and I think you're going to like this song a lot. "O Holy Night" also features Shelby as an interpreter and she does this well; listen for yet another gem in Shelby's wonderful rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Shelby sings this to perfection and beyond--and that music couldn't be better.
"Xmas," another song written by Shelby herself, has Shelby singing with all her heart and soul on this bluesy, jazzy song.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
A huge Shelby Lynne fan, I admit, she can do no wrong in my book! I have followed Ms. Lynne from her debut country CDs, her jazzy stage, and now her "funky" singing style and I... Read more
Published on January 8, 2011 by Linda H. Grantham
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good prodcution by the artist.
Since she's not not too country, not too poppy I wondered if Shelby could do seasonal songs and keep her own sound- but she hits the bull-eye here. Read more
Published on December 22, 2010 by P. Shelling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swinging, jazzy take on tradtional Christmas songs
Shelby Lynne's new CD, "Merry Christmas," offers a swinging, jazzy take on traditional Christmas songs. Read more
Published on December 11, 2010 by doctormanny
