Customer Reviews

Ultimate Christmas Cocktails

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

 

 

Why did Capitol Records decide to release a new volume of Christmas Cocktails with the other two previous volumes as a box set?

I'm sure this new collection, for the most part, will only appeal to the collectors of the other 26 volumes in this series, who already have Part 1 and 2.

Why should I have to buy Part 1 and 2 again so I can get Part 3? Damnit!

And I also notice the new volume only has 15 tracks, a lot less than the previous volumes.

With marketing decisions like this, it's no wonder the record companies are in a slump. Shame on you, Capitol, for this blunder!!!

Though I do agree with one of the other reviewers that it is unfortunate the record company decided to make the third disc in this series only available in a set that is packaged with the first two discs, I must say this is a superb 3CD set, particularly if you haven't yet purchased the first two volumes. This is a great set for those of us that enjoy the holiday season but like our xmas songs on the lighter (read: less religious) side. This is a great, hip, swinging set of holiday music perfect for your holiday dinner party, I highly recommend this expertly selected group of songs. These holiday classics are presented with a flavors of jazz, swing, big-band, and rat pack era vocal stylings. Ultra-lounge indeed. It is truly one of the best light-hearted and hip xmas compilations ever. No embarassing tracks to skip here. Just pop the discs in and hit play. You won't be disappointed.

I share the sentiments of many other reviewers. I have parts one and two and they are perhaps my two favorite Holiday discs. I was ecstatic when I found out about a part three but floored when I found out that you had to buy all three discs together to get the last one. Shame on you Capitol! My hope is that somebody out there will buy this box set to sell CD-R copies of the third disc on e-bay. Not only would that be stickin' it to the man, it would be a Capitol Offense!

UPDATE: It seems that Capital finally released disc three by itself. Granted, the die-hards have already purchased the box set but Capital has been reluctantly redeemed. From the reviews, it seems to be the weakest of the trilogy, but let's applaud the company for listening and responding to what the people want. While I can't change my rating, I have updated the content of this review to encourage everybody to purchase this most wonderful collection of Holiday music in good conscience.

I couldn't agree more with the previous reviewers. This is a *great* collection of holiday cheer for swingin' hipsters everywhere, AND Capitol Records did the ultimate disservice to they're loyal customers by *only* releasing Vol. 3 as part of a box set. I have been a huge Ultra Lounge fan since day one, and so of course I already own Christmas Cocktails Vol. 1 and 2. So why would I purchase duplicate copies of the first two just to get the third? Good question. Answer: I won't! Sorry, Capitol.... you're the Grinch this year! (But if you don't already have the first two disks, buy the set. You won't be disappointed!)

Yes, I agree with the other reviewers wholeheartedly that this is a major marketing blunder by Capitol Records, so a big "bah humbug" to the Scrooges at Capitol who decided to release Volume Three as part of this set only.

With that having been said, we're really reviewing the music and artists represented here and they're all great. These are fun and festive recordings with a bit of swing and swagger that will enliven your holiday cocktail parties, dinners, whatever. Whenever we play them one of our guests inevitably asks what we are playing. Cuts by June Christy, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Les Brown, Nancy Wilson, Billy May, Julie London and many more are included here and all are performing at the peak of their talent.

If you're a fan of great music and some of the best artists of the '50's and '60's or of all time you will love this collection. I highly recommend it. When will Capitol get around to releasing June Christy's This Time of Year on CD? A second cut from this album is included on Volume Three.

Yes, I'm on board with the rest of the reviewers on this. As a proud owner of Volumes 1 & 2 for several years I can't believe Capitol is punishing me and others by offering Volume 3 only in the boxed set. If you do not own these and are a fan of 1950's and 1960's tinsel time music that is different (and better) than the ordinary, you will love this material...BUY A SET TODAY ! unless your afraid they'll come out with Vol 4 only available in a box set next year. Come on Capitol, cut your loyal customers and fans a break and release Volume 3 as a single CD.

If you check on the Amazon website, all three discs are available separately under the name "Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3" and at this writing (10/16/06) all three discs are for sale at $7.99 each or the box set (Ultimate Christmas Cocktails) for $20.99. Either way, it's a fantastic bargain for such an eclectic mix of 50s and 60s Christmas music staples.

Don't downgrade your review of this Box set based on erroneous information.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with the Ultralounge series. What I have always loved about the entire series is that amidst the numerous tracks of 50's-60's lounge, oddities and rarities packed onto a cd, you will always find some great standards along with some hidden gems. The Ultralounge series are also visually stunning, full of kitchy, campy vintage commercial art, drink recipes and well scribed liner notes about all the music included. On the other hand, you will also get a handful of absurdities that may make you wonder why anyone actually recorded them and, better yet, who actually listened to them? (Did 50's lounge lizards actually buy and listen to an entire album of whistling?) The Ultimate Christmas Cocktails Box is no exception. Since I'm a sucker for re-packaged box sets, and since I didn't own the first two volumes, Ultimate Christmas Cocktails was a good find. Captital Records probably had the lion's share of that era's top vocalists and many are represented here doing their Christmas swing thing. If you enjoy vintage 50's-60's kitch and camp, you will enjoy the other tracks as well. There is a notable difference between the first two volumes of Christmas Cocktails and the third volume. Volumes 1 & 2, from the original series, have full booklets and each cd contains over 20 tracks each. Volume 3, was obviously not created by the original Ultralounge Marketing Team. It contains far fewer tracks, no booklet, and subsequently, is far less "visually entertaining". (That team has moved on to produce the "Wonderland" series) Ironically, though, it is the best out of the three discs as far as conistant song/artist selection and listenability. No need skip over the odd ducks. It is notable too, in that it contains a previously unreleased treasure...Julie London's version of "'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". I am a big London fan and have been playing this one on repeat since the first time I heard it. Wow. Talk about turning a song around 180 degrees! Compared to Dean Martin's "snuggle at the ski lodge" version, Julie has a fireplace in her bedroom and it's burning! All in all, this box set is a fun addition to a holiday collection...if you like music from the Golden Age of Christmas Albums...top vocalists of the era, singing their 2-3 minute musical Christmas Cards, with some high camp thrown in for retro yuletide cheer.

I was born in 1950, so this style of music was probably what my parents were

listening to in their late twenties, early thirties, while they enjoyed the taste of their Martinis and Manhattens mixed with the flavor of their non filtered Camels and Chesterfields. Maybe it brought back memories of what I heard when I would sneak out of my bedroom and spy on their parties. My Dad is 88 and in a hospital in Florida, so I ordered a set for him and sent it to him for Christmas, as I knew that he would enjoy it as much as my wife and I do. It will be a holiday tradition from now on to jive to these great tunes from the past and conger up fond memories of Christmases gone by.

As an owner of disc one and two purchased from Amazon, I was really disappointed to find, as others have, that disc three is only available in this set. Is this a joke? We all need to write to Capital Records and complain. Why would part one and two be available and not part three? Maybe Amazon should allow those of us who bought parts 1 and 2 from them to exchange them for the 3 disc set. It would be good business practice IMHO. Hopefully Capital will hear our plea and offer disc 3 on its own.

Coming back to this review in 2006, one year after I wrote the 1st part of this review, Disc 3 is now available on its own, so I will now say that this set deserves 4 stars.