Customer Reviews

My Kind of Holiday

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second Christmas album from the American Idol Season 5 graduate, the track listing being as follows:

1. This Christmas
2. Warm Me Up
3. Jingle Bells
4. A Very Merry Christmas
5. Little Drummer Boy
6. Back Door Santa
7. The Christmas Song
8. Merry Christmas, Baby
9. Let's Be Naughty (And Save Santa the Trip)
10. Christmas Without Carol

Mathematically speaking,
My Kind of Holiday = Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection + Back Door Santa + Christmas Without Carol

In other words, if you already have the Christmas album he released last October (2007), you already have eight of the tracks on this album. The new tracks are "Christmas Without Carol", which he co-wrote, and the suggestive "Back Door Santa", written by Clarence Carter back in the 60's.

I'm not too sure that the latter belongs on the same album as "Jingle Bells" and "Little Drummer Boy", and I just don't get the warm and fuzzy Christmas feeling when I hear:
"I make all the little girls happy, while the boys are out to play
I ain't like the old Saint Nick, he don't come but once a year"

Anyway, if you don't have the previous album, and you're a fan of funky, R&B Christmas music, this may be a good album for your collection. Yamin is obviously comfortable with bluesy rhythms, and he has the voice to carry it off. Of the non-traditional tracks, "Warm Me Up" is the pick of the album.


Nine good tracks for the season, and recommended for AI fans who don't yet have the previous album.



Amanda Richards, October 13, 2008

Is it possible for a holiday CD to be sexy? Love Elliott's whole "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" approach on this one. It's cozy and warm -- HOT at times. Very bluesy and soulful for the most part. "This Christmas," "Back Door Santa," "Christmas Without Carol," and "Merry Christmas Baby" showcase his raw vocals at their best. My least favorite tracks are probably "Little Drummer Boy" and "A Very Merry Christmas" -- not bad, they just don't do anything for me. And then there's "Warm Me Up," which stands out stylistically as more contemporary. While it's more "produced" than the others, this one has "radio hit" written all over it, and I hope I'm right. It's delicious!!

When I heard that Elliott Yamin was putting out a new Christmas CD, I knew I needed to get it for my Christmas collection. I am a great fan of his music and this Christmas CD did not disappoint me. Although I like traditional Christmas music, I also like contemporary Christmas music. Elliott Yamin gives us his own soulful, funky, upbeat sound that I found exciting and fun. I especially enjoyed Warm Me Up and Christmas Without Carol but every song is a hit with me.

Funky 70s vibe to Xmas. My favorites: Merry Christmas Baby and Back Door Santa. I like this album alot.

For the first time, I understand what Simon Cowell means when he says, "Sounds like something heard in an empty bar after midnight." The sameness of the songs, the identical vocals, the lack of variety, the similar arrangements - together they add up to a boring experience. I'm not asking for the genius of a Tierney Sutton or the magic of Claudia Acuna but I would like something a little more "musical". If you're going to do something like this you need the intonation and musicality of a Frank Sinatra whose arrangements were always top notch.

Perhaps it's the fact that the cookie-cutter arrangements (ubiquitous drums, dull beat, boring jazz section) are virtually interchangeable. I like Yamin's voice and performances but this sounds suspiciously like a last-minute rush job. Worst 0 "Little Drummer Boy" & "Christmas Song". Best (quote unquote): "This Christmas" "Let's Be Naughty" - the best on the CD. Skip this one.

My Kind Of Holiday has outstanding music by American Idol contestant and finalist Elliott Yamin. Elliott has lots of talent; I only recently "discovered" him myself when browsing the Internet. This is one CD of Christmas tunes you can't afford to skip if you like modern versions of traditional songs mixed with some relatively new holiday songs. Christmastime music is certainly some of the best music we ever hear; you can tell it's true when you listen to people like Elliott performing. One reviewer astutely notes that a number of songs here were on Elliott's previous Christmas CD; but the two extra songs we get here are still a nice update to the previous Christmas album which is sadly out of print.

"This Christmas" starts the album off with Elliott singing his very best; I can't believe how good this guy sounds! Elliott is clearly very talented. The music that plays complements his vocals very well; and Elliott never skips a beat either! "Warm Me Up" has a great R&B flavor to it that works wonders for this ballad; Elliott performs this with panache and I'm very impressed. Elliott throws himself into whatever he sings to give blood and make his songs truly special. I love it!

"Jingle Bells" is very nicely done; and listen for "A Very Merry Christmas." "A Very Merry Christmas" has Elliott in his natural element; this electrified tune has Elliott squarely front and center--right where he belongs! "A Very Merry Christmas" also sports that funky R&B arrangement which works wonders for this ballad. "A Very Merry Christmas" is a highlight of this fine album.

"Little Drummer Boy" is Elliott's modern take on a more traditional ballad; Elliott puts his own stamp on this ballad with his music and his impeccable sense of timing. Elliott's excellent diction also enhances his performance and that's grand. "Little Drummer Boy" is bound to have you humming along to the music. In addition, Elliott really does a great job with "Back Door Santa;" this song appeals to a mature audience although it never becomes patently crude--it's all meant in good fun. The music is very well done on "Back Door Santa," too.

"The Christmas Song" gets quite a fine treatment from Elliott Yamin; he delivers this with a great deal of feeling and it charms me with its beauty. Great! "The Christmas Song" uses percussion and keyboard work to make it shine; and there's another gem when Elliott Yamin does "Merry Christmas, Baby." "Merry Christmas, Baby" certainly does have a wonderful R&B feel to it and it works well for this song. "Let's Be Naughty (And Save Santa the Trip)" is another romantic song that never becomes crude; again this is all in good fun and it's really quite good. The CD ends strong with Elliott Yamin performing "Christmas Without Carol." "Christmas Without Carol" is quite a memorable tune. The lyrics aren't exactly the happiest but the music and the tempo belie the seriousness of the lyrics and this all holds its own very well.

Overall, My Kind Of Holiday showcases Elliott Yamin's talent very nicely. He delivers these ten songs very well; there's not a dud in the bunch. I heartily recommend this CD for Elliott's fans; and people who like modern takes on Christmastime music would do well to purchase this album. You won't be disappointed!

I am happy to report that Elliott Yamin's Holiday CD is the best. Some of the songs are familiar ones but a lot of them are new songs. He sounds incredible and it was my favorite holiday cd. I even bought one for my mom.
Glenda Timmerman

I'll admit it, I'm an unabashed Elliott Yamin fan. I have an all Elliott Yamin playlist. Not all of his music makes my list, just my favorites. Most of these tunes have managed to stay on my playlist year round since they were first released on Elliott's Sounds of the Season cd sold last year at Target. Whether your mood is naughty (Let's Be Naughty, Back Door Santa), nice (This Christmas, Warm Me Up), traditional (Little Drummer Boy, The Christmas Song), or fun (Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas Baby), there's a Christmas song for you on this album. It's a great purchase if you're looking for some holiday party music, since most of the tunes are lively and funky. This music just makes me smile!

I like every song. The "Lets be naughty" song is really cute. He has such a beautiful voice. I really enjoy this CD.

I am very pleased with this company and it's product. The arrival time was perfect just in time for christmas although it was scheduled to arrive the first week of January. Will definately use this company again.