Customer Reviews

Ultimate Christmas

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This "Ultimate Christmas" is indeed the one holiday CD to have if you can only have one. The definitive versions of "White Christmas," "Blue Christmas," and of course "The Christmas Song" are here. Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt (!!), and Aretha add sass and soul to the mix. Boyz to Men and Sarah McLachlan's contributions are pleasant surprises. Judy Garland's "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" is heart-breaking. The mix is excellent and the sound quality is first-rate.

Here at the University I'm surrounded by world-wise ultra-hip cynics, but even they soften up after listening to this CD. A wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit!

This CD is a must have for any christmas music enthusiast. It goes from upbeat and modern to the tradional carols with the older generation singers. It features a variety of singers, past and present, which give it a really good mix. Sarah MaClauglhin's Song For A Winter's night is one of the best songs on the cd. The song is very soothing and very beautifuly written. The Boyz II Men Silent Night intro is also very beautiful. Of course, the Judy Garland "have yourself.." is a beautiful way to the end the album All in all it deserves to be in everyone's christmas collection as a must have for any christmas function, wheter it be a party or just relaxing.

If you are only going to buy one Christmas music CD, this is the one to have. It has a great mix of both religious and popular songs, from O Holy Night to Frosty the Snowman. There is also a wide range of artists, from Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross. Some song renditions are the traditional versions you've heard all your life, such as the Bing Crosby White Christmas. Others, such as the Whitney Houston version of Joy to the World, are fresh and original. The Sarah McLachlan rendition of Song For a Winter's Night is heartbreakingly beautiful. I've bought other Christmas CDs in the past that were limited in scope and I no longer own them. Ultimate Christmas is a keeper.

Ultimate Christmas is an excellent CD of classic Christmastime music. We get so much to enjoy that I would recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys holiday time music.

Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" features Nat singing at his best with a lush musical arrangement. Nat delivers this with all his heart and soul; and the strings bolster the number. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is the superior studio version, not a recording of a radio performance Bing gave. Bing's performance of this melancholy number outshines them all! Moreover, listen for Johnny Mathis in "Sleigh Ride;" Johnny's excellent diction make his singing all the better.

The hits continue. Ella Fitzgerald sings a jazzy rendition of "Frosty The Snowman." Ella swings brightly and the backup vocalists harmonize quite well. Whitney Houston with The Georgia Mass Choir sings a gospel flavored "Joy To The World" and they never miss a note, either.

I really like Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby;" this classic was a huge hit for Eartha and when you hear it you'll instantly know why. The strings help the number move along well.

There are also a few more recent numbers to add a somewhat modern twist to the album. Listen for Boyz II Men doing "Silent Night;" and Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass really belt it out with their interpretation of "Jingle Bells."

The CD ends beautifully with Judy Garland's "Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas." I can't quite figure out why Amazon refers to this song as "tragic" although admittedly this is another melancholy number. Judy sounds beautiful and it's obvious why she was the Queen of the Hollywood musical!

I highly recommend this CD for people everywhere who enjoy Christmastime music.

I purchased this CD when it first came out in 1998. I was so exicted to see that it was still available in 2003. I have worn mine out. This is absolutely the best Christmas CD around. The songs range from classics to church hymns. No one can sing Santa Baby like Eartha Kitt. It's the best rendition of Frosty the Snowman I ever heard. I suggest you buy two in case yours gets scratched up like mine.

If you are only going to buy one Christmas music CD, this is the one to have. It has a great mix of both religious and popular songs, from O Holy Night to Frosty the Snowman. There is also a wide range of artists, from Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross. Some song renditions are the traditional versions you've heard all your life, such as the Bing Crosby White Christmas. Others, such as the Whitney Houston version of Joy to the World, are fresh and original. The Sarah McLachlan rendition of Song For a Winter's Night is heartbreakingly beautiful. I've bought other Christmas CDs in the past that were limited in scope and I no longer own them. Ultimate Christmas is a keeper.

Ever since I obtained this C.D. of upper echelon Christmas songs, I have been continually savoring this collection like none other during the holidays. Featuring traditional and modern music, the variety and quality of the selection is impeccable.

There isn't a bad song in the bunch, so highlights become somewhat of a misnomer. Nevertheless, classics like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Johnny Mathis's "Sleigh Ride," and Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" can't be beat and are marvelously presented in one collection. Besides standards like Elvis's "Blue Christmas" and Ella Fitzgerald's "Frosty the Snowman," the music features incredible songs like Carly Simon's "The Night Before Christmas" and Whitney Houston's soaring version of "Joy to the World". With the eclectic accomplishments of Luciano Pavarotti's "O Holy Night" and Herb Albert's lively instrumental of "Jingle Bells," how can one go wrong?

'Ultimate Christmas' is truly the best Christmas offering available. If you want to draw more from tradition, 'Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories' will be more your style. But, considering the popourri of styles and selections, 'Ultimate Christmas' is still the reigning champion in holiday music.

I enjoy Méhdi"Christmas Treasures",Charlie Brown Christmas ,Mannheim Steamroller etc.and this a magnificent production that I also enjoy just as much. While perhaps not living up to the lofty goals of its title, Ultimate Christmas is an excellent holiday sampler nevertheless, compiling classic performances from artists of all eras and musical backgrounds to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The many highlights include Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas," Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song," Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and Sarah McLachlan's "Song for a Winter's Night."

Imagine a CD with such songs as Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" or Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" or Elvis Presley taking on "Blue Christmas" or Dionne Warwick warbling "It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas" or Johnny Mathis' version of "Sleigh Ride."

Other performers? A potpourri! Nat King Cole, Boyz II Men, Ella Fitzgerald, Luciano Pavarotti, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Kenny G, Eartha Kitt, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, and Sarah McLachlan.

This is my family holiday gift to us all. So that on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we can listen to some classics!!

Fantastic Music from the best recording artists. This music puts anyone in the Christmas spirit. Great addition for the holidays.