Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Burl Ives | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000002QUV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,419 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #74 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Pop Vocal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's not unreasonable for any child to believe that Burl Ives might really be Santa Claus. After all, Big Daddy Burl narrates the animated Christmas classic about Rudolph and he did have that belly that shook like a bowlful of jelly. After listening to this 19-song treasure trove of Christmas music from the animated show, adults might even believe Burl is St. Nick. All the hits are on this generous collection, including "Silver and Gold," "We're a Couple of Misfits," "A Holly Jolly Christmas," "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," and "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." Why look any further for Ives's Christmas treasures when they're collected here on one disc? --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original Recordings From The Acclaimed TV Special, December 21, 2004

By 

James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley" (Sanatoga, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Audio CD)

Crediting this collection merely to Burl Ives has probably caused many to bypass it and assume it does not contain the original recordings from the Rankin-Bass tv special performed by all of the artists (not just Ives), when actually it does. These nine tracks are found at the beginning of the cd (the remaining ten are instrumental versions of the songs).

This is the only cd where you can get all of the Rudolph special's recordings. The holiday collection Rudolph, Frosty, and Friends comes close as it contains all but the instrumental overture and finale). You can also get five of the tracks from the Rudolph soundtrack spread out over Nick At Nite's A Classic Cartoon Christmas and A Classic Cartoon Christmas Too.

Whichever collection you purchase (I own them all), I guarantee they will make you feel like a kid again, no matter what your age is.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The soundtrack to the beloved 1964 Rankin/Bass holiday show, December 3, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Audio CD)

I have to admit I was surprised when I found out that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," the beloved 1964 Rankin/Bass animagic television show, is the longest running holiday special. I do not know why I thought it came after "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but it indeed was produced a year earlier. The story is based on the song that Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy, made the second most popular Christmas song of the first half of the 20th-century, and the song is sung this time around by the story's narrator, Burl Ives, as Sam the Snowman. Consequently, the grandfatherly Ives, who began his career as a folksinger before turning into a more than credible actor ("Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"), is probably the voice that most people today associate with the song. The explanation for that state of affairs is why this is the soundtrack for the longest running holiday special.

Because of Ives' popularity his name appears above the title on this soundtrack, but he only sings a few of the songs: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Silver and Gold." The other memorable songs are "Jingle Jingle Jingle," sung by Stan Francis as Santa; "We're a Couple of Misfits," sung by Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards) and Hermie (Paul Soles); and "There's Always Tomorrow," sung by Clarice (Janet Orenstein). The songs were written by Johnny Marks, who wrote both the original "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." When you check the playlist you will notice that there are 19 tracks, and the explanation for this largesse is that the "B" side of the original album consisted of instrumental versions of the songs played by the Decca Concert Orchestra. You have to give credit for filling up the album beyond the 15-minutes of singing from the special. However, for those who treasure this program, being able to sing along without having to wear out the videotape or DVD is a singular pleasure.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Christmas Album, December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Audio CD)

I am very happy to see the soundtrack of this much beloved Christmas TV Special released on CD. It is definitely a must-have. Besides the favorites like "Silver and Gold," "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas," and "We're a Couple of Misfits," you also get the instrumental versions heard throughout the special.

I recommend it highly.