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Editorial Reviews
2009 two CD holiday collection that features classic Motown renditions of seasonal favorites, from just about every great Motown artist, from Smokey Robinson to Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 to The Supremes, Marvin Gaye to Johnny Gill, the Temptations to Boyz II Men. Includes more than a dozen rare 'Season's Greetings' messages from Michael Jackson, Smokey, the Temptations, Jr. Walker, The Commodores, and others. Bonus tracks are two beautifully rendered 'stripped' mixes of 'Silent Night' and 'A Child Is Waiting'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This holiday two CD set is jam packed with wonderful songs and short rarities of "season's greetings" tracks from some of the most talented artists that ever recorded at Motown. Motown fans can rejoice that this is readily available or they can download just the tracks that they want to enjoy right NOW! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is really nicely done.
The Jackson 5 start things off with their famous "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town;" Michael is nicely in the spotlight and he never misses a note. I miss him but it's comforting to hear him sing. Stevie Wonder's "What Christmas Means to Me" has a fine beat and the percussion couldn't have been better! The drums and brass sound great and Stevie sings this upbeat tune with all his heart and soul. I love it! The Temptations also do a great job on "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer;" and other gems would have to include Stevie Wonder's gorgeous "Ave Maria" and "Joy to the World" as performed by The Supremes. The Funk Brothers do "Winter Wonderland;" and they don't exactly sound too shabby either!
"Someday at Christmas" never fails to move me with its beauty and grace; it's very poignant and absolutely beautiful. It's easily one of my very favorite holiday tunes. The Supremes sing "White Christmas" very well and that added piano arrangement is very pretty. The percussion adds to the musical arrangement but The Supremes were going to make "White Christmas" their hit no matter what the musicians played! Johnny Gill's "Give Love on Christmas Day" is another major highlight; Johnny's sophisticated phrasing impresses me and that's grand. The first CD ends well with The Temptations doing a superb job on "Silent Night."
The second CD continues the excellent holiday music. Smokey Robinson & The Temptations outdo even themselves on "The Christmas Song;" their rendition really sparkles and I think you'll like it especially if Motown is what you crave. Michael Jackson and the rest of The J5 do great on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus;" Michael's brothers give him fine backup and that music fits perfectly with their vocals. Diana Ross' "This Christmas" charms me; Diana's voice is as clear as a bell and the music is easy on the ear without drowning her out--terrific! Boyz II Men do their "Let It Snow" with lots of style; and Marvin Gaye's "Purple Snowflakes" is a pretty good number, too. Kim Weston's "Wish You a Merry Christmas" is very well done; and The Twistin' Kings sound just great on "Xmas Twist." "Xmas Twist" has that early rock and roll twistin' flavor that I love so much--it makes me want to jump up and dance practically wherever I am! "A Child Is Waiting" makes a lovely ending for the second CD.
If you like Motown artists as much as I do, you would do well to add this to your music collection. In addition, this two CD set is full of music from the 1960s and 1970s; people who like holiday music from that era should consider getting this, too.
The Jackson 5 start things off with their famous "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town;" Michael is nicely in the spotlight and he never misses a note. I miss him but it's comforting to hear him sing. Stevie Wonder's "What Christmas Means to Me" has a fine beat and the percussion couldn't have been better! The drums and brass sound great and Stevie sings this upbeat tune with all his heart and soul. I love it! The Temptations also do a great job on "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer;" and other gems would have to include Stevie Wonder's gorgeous "Ave Maria" and "Joy to the World" as performed by The Supremes. The Funk Brothers do "Winter Wonderland;" and they don't exactly sound too shabby either!
"Someday at Christmas" never fails to move me with its beauty and grace; it's very poignant and absolutely beautiful. It's easily one of my very favorite holiday tunes. The Supremes sing "White Christmas" very well and that added piano arrangement is very pretty. The percussion adds to the musical arrangement but The Supremes were going to make "White Christmas" their hit no matter what the musicians played! Johnny Gill's "Give Love on Christmas Day" is another major highlight; Johnny's sophisticated phrasing impresses me and that's grand. The first CD ends well with The Temptations doing a superb job on "Silent Night."
The second CD continues the excellent holiday music. Smokey Robinson & The Temptations outdo even themselves on "The Christmas Song;" their rendition really sparkles and I think you'll like it especially if Motown is what you crave. Michael Jackson and the rest of The J5 do great on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus;" Michael's brothers give him fine backup and that music fits perfectly with their vocals. Diana Ross' "This Christmas" charms me; Diana's voice is as clear as a bell and the music is easy on the ear without drowning her out--terrific! Boyz II Men do their "Let It Snow" with lots of style; and Marvin Gaye's "Purple Snowflakes" is a pretty good number, too. Kim Weston's "Wish You a Merry Christmas" is very well done; and The Twistin' Kings sound just great on "Xmas Twist." "Xmas Twist" has that early rock and roll twistin' flavor that I love so much--it makes me want to jump up and dance practically wherever I am! "A Child Is Waiting" makes a lovely ending for the second CD.
If you like Motown artists as much as I do, you would do well to add this to your music collection. In addition, this two CD set is full of music from the 1960s and 1970s; people who like holiday music from that era should consider getting this, too.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
THE ULTIMATE MOTOWN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is essentially a reissue of 1973's double (vinyl) album A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS with key cuts from 2001's A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS, VOL. 2, and the out-of-print collections CHRISTMAS CHEERS FROM MOTOWN (1989), and CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY (1993)thrown in for good measure.
The best part about this collection of course, is discovering such rare Motown nuggets as "Xmas Twist" by The Twistin' Kings (a/k/a The Funk Brothers), Kim Weston's soulful "Wish You A Merry Christmas", and "Winter Wonderland" by the Funk Brothers. It's always nice to hear classic Motown from the non-superstar acts.
However, some weak cuts rear their ugly head here and there just like any collection. Diana Ross' tame version of "This Christmas" won't make you forget about Donny Hathaway, while "Christmas Cheer" by 80s Motown boy band The Boys is just a little too cutesy for its own good. The Stevie Wonder cuts feature marvelous singing over soggy orchestral dreck except for "Someday At Christmas" and "What Christmas Means To Me" (Imagine if Stevie recorded a Christmas album during his 70s peak. Now THAT would have been a Christmas album to end all Christmas albums).
The season's greetings radio bits by various classic Motown artists sprinkled through the collection are entertaining and historical, especially Jr. Walker and that sizzling sax solo.
THE ULTIMATE MOTOWN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is a perfect album for an old school Christmas party.
The best part about this collection of course, is discovering such rare Motown nuggets as "Xmas Twist" by The Twistin' Kings (a/k/a The Funk Brothers), Kim Weston's soulful "Wish You A Merry Christmas", and "Winter Wonderland" by the Funk Brothers. It's always nice to hear classic Motown from the non-superstar acts.
However, some weak cuts rear their ugly head here and there just like any collection. Diana Ross' tame version of "This Christmas" won't make you forget about Donny Hathaway, while "Christmas Cheer" by 80s Motown boy band The Boys is just a little too cutesy for its own good. The Stevie Wonder cuts feature marvelous singing over soggy orchestral dreck except for "Someday At Christmas" and "What Christmas Means To Me" (Imagine if Stevie recorded a Christmas album during his 70s peak. Now THAT would have been a Christmas album to end all Christmas albums).
The season's greetings radio bits by various classic Motown artists sprinkled through the collection are entertaining and historical, especially Jr. Walker and that sizzling sax solo.
THE ULTIMATE MOTOWN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is a perfect album for an old school Christmas party.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have a love/hate relationship with XMAS songs, they are some of the most well crafted pop songs, but they are also some of the most overplayed tracks, and eventually induce migraines and fits of insanity. Then along comes the MOTOWN stable, home to thoroughbreds and champions like Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin, Diana Ross...I could go on and on...who apply the classic, irreplaceable Motown sound to the greatest holiday songbook - can you really go wrong here??!! Toss in some obscurities like the Elgins and The Twisting Kings and you have everything you need to make Christmas love conquer hate...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Motown enough said!!!
Very good, arrived on time, great assortment of songs, package undamaged, it is music from my generation and I love it...
Published 3 months ago by Ellis L. Kinzer
5.0 out of 5 stars
very cool CD
I got this CD the day before Xmas. I love it, will really enjoy next Xmas for sure and many more.
Published 4 months ago by Wilhemina Hooper
4.0 out of 5 stars
Last minute Christmas purchase
Icing on the cake to an awesome Christmas season. I would strongly recommend this album to anyone, it's a great holiday mood setter.
Published 4 months ago by Jamil Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sout
This album is mostly for my high school grandkids, they adored it. I had to play it continuously for a couple of days.
Published 4 months ago by leelee
2.0 out of 5 stars
no so good
I didn't like it because it wasn't the christmas song i like the names of the peoples was ok but the reviews of some of them wasn't my cup of tea and my family didn't like it... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marietta Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Christmas Collection
All the songs I have been looking for to make a complete album. I advise anyone to try this cd.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Wick
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sound quality
I expect a certain level of sound quality from CD's. This disc did not deliver. Did someone use a bunch of old 45's instead of master tapes?
Published 6 months ago by Joan Husmann
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Christmas Collection
I really like this 2 disc CD. It has some of my favorites on it. I prefer disc 1 over disc 2. I wish it did not have those "filler" tracks where they have voice recordings from the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas with Motown
What's Christmas without Motown in the house. My wife and I listen to this all day at a very loud volumn during the entire holiday season. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Tyrone E. Farrington
5.0 out of 5 stars
Motown's Christmas and Rariites
What I've enjoyed from this two disc collection, were the "rare recordings" that is not found in so many of their other compliations. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ronnie Audio Passion
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