White Christmas [IMPORT]

Elvis Presley

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: RCA Victor Europe
• ASIN: B00004Y9YM
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #131,454 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
RCA has repackaged and reshuffled Elvis Presley's Christmas canon yet again, coming up with the 25-track, chronologically sequenced collection pulled from 1957's stunning Elvis' Christmas Album and 1971's lesser Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas. Just like the U.S. postage stamps chronicling the svelte and the bloated Elvis, this set segments the singer's career into two parts. As a result, it has something for everyone, except perhaps Irving Berlin, who attempted to get Elvis's '57 recording of "White Christmas" banned from radio play, deeming it "vulgar and disrespectful." It was, which is part of why the drastically rearranged tune is so memorable, as the then-young singer masticated the contemporary classic, adding his idiosyncratic dynamics and vocal trills; he turned a white Christmas into white trash with splendid results. Equally irreverent and just as riveting is the King's gritty take on Leiber and Stoller's "Santa Claus Is Back in Town." Also tucked under the tree is his rollicking "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" with the Jordanaires, and the wistful "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which cemented his reputation as pop's top dreamboat. And who can forget the song that changed the hue of Yuletide, "Blue Christmas"? --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let Elvis Ring In The Holiday, October 16, 2000

By	Kevin L. Morin (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This new holiday release by RCA/BMG is a perfect match for a guy like me - someone who loves Elvis, Christmas time, and crystal-clear digital sound restoration.

European Elvis buffs Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon offer Elvis's complete Christmas repertoire, plus several spiritual ballad tracks, in this well-packaged, attractive compilation of 25 Elvis jewels.

I see this collection appealing most to two groups of fans: the first group, to which I belong, are the die-hard Elvis CD collectors. Despite the fact that we have all of these songs on seven or eight separate CDs, we buy to support Elvis, add to our ever-expanding collection of his musical legacy, and bask in the digial remastering that brings every nuance of Elvis's legendary voice into our own homes. I gobbled up this new release knowing full well it had no new material to offer, and within seconds of playing the first track, I knew I would not be disappointed.

The second group that will enjoy this CD are the many fans who may have some scattered Elvis vinyls or CDs and may occasionally hear Elvis Christmas during the holidays. These fans will find this CD a perfect opportunity to have all of Elvis Christmas in one definitive package. As the liner notes indicate, EP's Christmas recordings are an oft overlooked aspect of his recording career - and this collection makes it absolutely clear that this ranks among the most charming Elvis music created.

The musical expanse that is found on this CD largely mirrors the diversity of Elvis's larger musical treasure chest. The tracks range in tone from the gentle 1957 gospel serenade "It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)" to the blues-laden, almost whimsical jam of the 1971 "Merry Christmas Baby," and back to Elvis's instantly recognizable rocker style in "Santa Claus Is Back In Town." This collection is a multi-faceted embrace of the holiday season: a raucous 50's style dancing celebration; a quiet, reflective religious holiday; and a time to share appreciation for life and love, and remember holidays past.

Nearly every element that makes Elvis so irresistable is found on this album. The music is catchy, well-paced, and interpreted with the charm and perfection that only Elvis can produce. When you are perusing the music store to pick out this year's Christmas dinner music, keep "White Christmas" at the top of your list. It sounds just as fresh today as it did decades ago.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both of Elvis orginal Christmas albums are here, December 28, 2005

By	A Fan (VA) - See all my reviews

This CD has all the songs that were released on Elvis' Christmas albums. Elvis recorded and released 20 Christmas songs during his career. All 20 Christmas songs are included here, plus 5 non-Christmas songs that were originally included on one of his Christmas albums.

Eight Christmas songs were included in his original 1957 Christmas album along with the 4 Gospel songs from the "Peace In The Valley" EP. His orginal Christmas album was repackaged and re-released in 1970 with the 4 Gospel songs being replaced by "If Every Day was Like Christmas" and the non-Christmas song "Mama Liked The Roses." In 1971 his final Christmas album was released "The Wonderful World of Christmas" which included 11 Christmas songs.

Elvis' performance on the songs from both versions of his Christmas album are excellent! Several of these recordings have become Christmas classics, still receiving significant radio airplay nearly 50 years after they were recorded! The songs and performances from "The Wonderful World of Christmas" are just not as strong. Elvis' voice seems to be straining on some of the songs and the material is just not as strong as the earlier recordings.

If you are looking for every song that was included on an Elvis Christmas album (including non-Christmas songs), this is the collection for you. However, if you are just wanting a comprehensive collection of Elvis Christmas music, you would do better to buy the "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" CD. It contains all 20 Christmas songs found here in addition to 4 alternate takes not available anywhere else.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, December 25, 2004

By	adkchemist (Warwick,NY) - See all my reviews

I purchased this CD a few weeks ago. I didn't play it much at first. I had other Christmas CD's that I enjoy to listen to each year. However, the last few days I couldn't get enough of listening to the Elvis' White Christmas CD. I will probably listen to it for a few weeks after Christmas, since I enjoy it so much.

One song that seems to strike a cord with me is "If I get Home on Christmas Day". The one line in the song about being half a world away reminds me of our troops abroad. I am surprised that this song has not gotten much, if any, air play due to this. I would have expected the radio stations to do some kind of mix of the song with holiday messages from their loved ones from abroad, as they have done with other songs over the past couple of years.

Bottom line, this CD is a must buy.