Merry Christmas to You

Reba McEntire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000006L5N
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Pop Vocal
  • #8 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Noels
  • #31 in Music > Classical > Sacred & Religious

Editorial Reviews

Genre: Christmas Music Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Country Christmas at its Best, December 15, 1999

By 

Steven Fantina (Phillipsburg, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Merry Christmas to You (Audio CD)

I haven't heard Reba's new Christmas album yet, but comparing her recent work to the releases from her heydays, I'm leery of that effort.

However, this one is truly a keeper! Reba's powerful voice does justice to the Yuletide classics included here, and in this politically correct era that uses "holiday" rather than "Christmas," she nobly sings some of the most religious standards like "Away in the Manger," "O Holy Night," and "Silent Night."

It always nice to hear a new or at least little-known Christmas carol, and Reba choose a few gems from this category. "On this Day" and "Happy Birthday Jesus" are both moving songs that convey the appropriate respect and spirit. "A Christmas Letter" is a touching tale of a letter FROM Santa Clause that forces us to face some unhappy realities at this time of year. Reba's version is salutary, but I, personally, prefer the late Keith Whitley's interpretation. She also remakes Grandpa Jones' recitation "The Christmas Guest" and that uplifting story is always welcome.

Some have faulted her uptempo rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," but this non-threatening anomaly seems to be a felicitous performance on an overall strong collection.

Give it a listen, and have a Merry Christmas!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traditional country Christams - pure magic !!!!, August 18, 2002

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Merry Christmas to You (Audio CD)

I've never come across a Christmas album quite like this - before or since, so it makes this one particularly special. Traditional country singers have often recorded Christmas albums, but they invariably dress them up in some way to make them acceptable to a wider audience than their usual releases. This is understandable, because Christmas often brings together people with different musical tastes, and singers want to appeal to as many as possible.

Reba recorded this album during her 'traditional' phase in the mid eighties. Like the other albums she recorded around that time, there was plenty of steel and fiddles, but absolutely no compromises to pop crossover - that came later (including her second Christmas album, The secret of giving).

The first two tracks were recorded for possible inclusion in the brilliant Tennessee Christmas compilation (now available as a bargain priced CD). Away in a manger was selected, while On this day remained in the vaults until the rest of this album was recorded a year or two later.

In my school days, I used to think Away in a manger was really boring, but it seems to inspire country singers, none more so than Reba and her musicians. Despite stiff competition, Reba's version is my favorite cover of this song. How did I ever think it was boring? There are five other classics here, each very distinctive from any other versions. The other tracks are also brilliant, but the one that sticks in the mind the most is The Christmas guest, a narration co-written and first recorded by Grandpa Jones. For most of the song, it's a real weepie, though the ending is happy. It's very moving.

Throughout, the musicians are in superb form and help to make this album what it is - one of a kind, and likely to remain so.

Thank you, Reba.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, November 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Merry Christmas to You (Audio CD)

I love Reba so I would love this CD, but this is a great CD. It puts you in the holiday spirit and all the songs are great. She mixes songs that almost everyone knows and a few that haven't been song by as many people. I think this is a great CD. I would recommend it to anyone. Great Job Reba!!!