Customer Reviews

The Alligator Records Christmas Collection

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This compendium of holiday tunes performed by various artists in the Alligator Records stable has become one of my favorite Christmas albums. Featuring performers like the fabulous Koko Taylor, Elvin Bishop, and Saffire, it provides a get-down alternative to the saccharine fare being offered up by so many labels. Without exception, the cuts are distillations of each artist's style - complete with humorous double entendres and top-notch production. Get it -- if only to save yourself from one more wimpy rendition of The Little Drummer Boy!

I love Christmas and one of the most exciting parts is while we decorate the tree (first weekend in Dec) we always have some bubbly and break out the CD's ....this is ALWAYS the first! If you love the blues...you will love this CD. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Listening to it right now in fact!

These songs are not throw-aways but a great collection of electric originals that really make the season bright. Good variety and mix of tempos. If you like blues I would be surprised if you are disappointed with this collection.

I have so many Christmas CDs that I often can't get to them all during the season. But no matter how short of time, I always make sure to play this CD!

One of the reasons I like it so much is that it is not your typical Christmas collection. Of the 14 tracks, only two are mostly traditional and religious ("The Little Drummer Boy" by Elvin Bishop on guitar and "Silent Night" by Charles Musselwhite on harmonica) but they are instrumentals. One more is a traditional carol but played in a nontraditional style ("Deck the Halls With Boogie Woogie" by Katie Webster). The remaining 11 are not like anything on the rest of my Christmas albums. Despite being the blues, all but 2 of those are really upbeat.

This would be a good CD (or MP3) to play at a holiday party, either for background music or (with many of the tracks) dancing. One of my friends who does not celebrate Christmas heard it in my car and wanted to get it for herself. I like playing it in my car and when I want a little pick-me-up around the house during the holidays.

This is a very enjoyable collection of songs. Something to keep you in the Christmas mood without all the old standards getting "old". Good quality recordings also you can sit down and do some serious listening with.

This is great because, if you are like me, you are tired of the traditional Christmas music. It is a raucous romp of a Christmas album, bluesy and soul stirring! GET IT!

Kate Webster's 'Deck the Halls w/ Boogie Woogie' is our family's first Christmas song of the season right after Thanksgiving dinner every yesr.Add to that Koko Taylor's Merry Christmas & you can't go wrong. Whether you are just atarting your alternative Christmas music collection or rounding it out you have to add this one!

This collection will completely surprise the casual listener or Christmas music fan. Hey, even hardcore blues fans will appreciate music that wasn't "forced" to sound like Christmas music and at the same time not lose that seasonal flare. Yeah, the melody of "Jingle Bells" was used a few times as a "riff" in some songs, but it was done well and with great variety of style and choice of instruments.
Overall, this is a very cool CD to have and listen to.... even at Christmas time.........

I love this album and look forward to breaking it out each year around the holiday season. This is not your typical Christmas album with a rehash of the same old tried classics. These songs are fun, original, and get you in the mood for the holidays. If you enjoy the blues and are looking for something new in your collection I highly recommend. As one other reviewer noted: buy it, share it, give it - couldn't agree more.

So many talented artists & songs to pick from, so why doesn't this, Alligator's major Christmas showcase, blow me away? I don't like over produced tunes, but much of this is way under produced. If you're looking for a CD that you'll grow more fond of through each passing season, as I was, look elsewhere. Mind you, some of it might grow on you, as it has on me, and granted mine is just one opinion, but I sure don't hear any future classics on here... even though I should be able to, and from a mile away!