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Amazon.co.uk Review
It may seem weird to call a seasonal album "essential", but along with Phil Spector's Christmas Gift for You, this is arguably the finest rock & roll Christmas album of all time. Recorded in 1957 at the height of his artistry--when he truly could be called the King of Rock & Roll--this album demonstrates Presley having a lot of vocal fun with a variety of styles, whether it's a carol ("Silent Night") or pop standard (Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus"). He does one of the greatest versions of "White Christmas" ever recorded, basically using the Drifters' version as a blueprint--and then singing all the parts himself. His "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is definitive--but the best moments are the "new" tracks written specifically for this release, including the classic "Blue Christmas", Lieber & Stoller's "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" (one of the most sexually suggestive holiday tunes ever), and the wonderful, pop-based "Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me". All these tracks are available on the King of Rock 'n' Roll box set--but if you don't own that, this belongs under any Christmas tree--though Elvis fans have been known to listen to tracks from this in the middle of July! --Bill Holdship
CD Description
Both RCA and Colonel Parker were quick to exploit and capitalise on the success of Elvis Presley, issuing albums, EPs and singles at regular intervals to try and satisfy the almost constant demand for product. In December 1957 came the release of Elvis' Christmas Album, a collection of eight Christmas songs and four gospel numbers, the latter having already appeared on an EP issued in March that year. There was almost immediate controversy surrounding the album, with White Christmas the track that attracted the most attention. A perennial favourite thanks to Bing Crosby's version, Elvis' own version was styled after The Drifters' version, which had been an R&B hit in 1954 and 1955. The Drifters' version was only aired on black radio stations; Elvis' more mainstream popularity meant his version was aired across the country, although even composer Irving Berlin entered the fray and telephoned radio stations across the country asking them not to play what he viewed as a 'profane parody of his cherished yuletide standard.' Most stations ignored the request and played assorted tracks from the album, helping it top the US charts for four weeks on its way to registering nearly ten million sales over the next fifty years.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Elvis' Christmas Album" was originally released in 1957 as his fourth album and the first one that followed an obvious thematic concept. You need to keep in mind that this was originally a record album, because there were clearly two sides to Elvis this time around. On the "A" side of the album you Elvis doing rockers and blues numbers like "Santa Claus Is Back in Town," "Here Comes Santa Claus," and the most famous Elvis Christmas track, "Blue Christmas" for the first-half dozen songs. On the "B" side Elvis does gospel songs including "Silent Night," "I Believe," "Peace in the Valley" and "Take My Hand, Precious Lord." Keep in mind that Elvis had only exploded on the music scene the year before and listening to him sing "church" music suddenly made it really difficult to dismiss all the hip shaking. Yes, it is strange that the original Elvis backup group, the Jordanaires, pops up on track only on the "second" side of the album, but there is no doubting Elvis' sincerity in singing these songs. This first Elvis Christmas album is still the best and even those fans who voted for the Vegas Elvis stamp instead of the Young Elvis stamp would have to agree.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Elvis' only album of the '50s with no fast tempo rock and roll, and for good reason: it was his first Christmas, so the decibel level had to be lower. He does wail on the incredible blues-rock opener, "Santa Claus Is Back In Town". It's Elvis doin' his thing, driving home the double-entendres. It's been written that this album was banned, and the banners didn't have to go too far into the album to find something...too strong.
"Blue Christmas" is medium-tempo blues-rock, a gem of a tune, featuring a typically great vocal and some genuine Presley low-down blues licks. If there was room back in the day, this could gone into the Top 20.
"Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me" is a nicely syncopated rocker, a soft vocal over a hard beat. It works. The vocal approach is reminiscent of Conway Twitty's later work on "It's Only Make Believe".
And for the remainder - the reason I decline from giving the album/CD *five* stars. Although the material is excellent and well-arranged, we have a near-copy of the Drifters' "White Christmas" and Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus". They're fun to hear, but you wonder if Elvis and the boys could have come up with a more *original* sound. "I Believe" finds Elvis givin' it his all, but strangely, he seems to be struggling to stay on top of this inspirational power ballad.
The gospel sides are done with conviction, beautifully phrased by Presley, but the listener is a bit uncomfortable with the "oil and water" mix: his vocal mannerisms are "pop" and the lyrics are pure gospel.
On later gospel releases, Elvis seems to take a step back stylistically and showcase the quartets and instrumental back-up; the song itself. On several tracks from "His Hand In Mine" (1960) and "How Great Thou Art" (1967) maybe he should used more *voice*; on "He Touched Me" (1972) he found the balance.
"Blue Christmas" is medium-tempo blues-rock, a gem of a tune, featuring a typically great vocal and some genuine Presley low-down blues licks. If there was room back in the day, this could gone into the Top 20.
"Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me" is a nicely syncopated rocker, a soft vocal over a hard beat. It works. The vocal approach is reminiscent of Conway Twitty's later work on "It's Only Make Believe".
And for the remainder - the reason I decline from giving the album/CD *five* stars. Although the material is excellent and well-arranged, we have a near-copy of the Drifters' "White Christmas" and Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus". They're fun to hear, but you wonder if Elvis and the boys could have come up with a more *original* sound. "I Believe" finds Elvis givin' it his all, but strangely, he seems to be struggling to stay on top of this inspirational power ballad.
The gospel sides are done with conviction, beautifully phrased by Presley, but the listener is a bit uncomfortable with the "oil and water" mix: his vocal mannerisms are "pop" and the lyrics are pure gospel.
On later gospel releases, Elvis seems to take a step back stylistically and showcase the quartets and instrumental back-up; the song itself. On several tracks from "His Hand In Mine" (1960) and "How Great Thou Art" (1967) maybe he should used more *voice*; on "He Touched Me" (1972) he found the balance.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am not a huge Elvis fan but I do like a few of his songs while not his usual music it is fun especially in the Christmas Silly Season. This is a good one for fans of Elvis and Christmas fans, like me. I must admit I didn't buy this album rather I won it as a lossers prize in a radio compitition, I didn't mind losing as the prize was a Bottle of Whisky and I don't drink. And so I went out of my way to get the answers wrong but also funny.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Worth buying
I'm happy to have this as part of my Elvis collection. The recording quality is not the best but I like the fact that it represents his early sound. Read more
Published 19 months ago by E. Braben
elvis and bob ?
Eat you heart out BOB, Elvis's one stands up well after over 50 years....(but) comparisons are odious, and each is excellent..... Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2010 by T. N. Muir
great cover bad sound
I must say that as Elvis Christmas Albums go,the sound is very bad. Some of the tracks sound like they have been played around with. There are better Elvis CDs out there. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2009 by Mr. Stephen Brown
Great I'm really enjoying listening to it.
I had this album on LP many years ago. I remember all of the tracks and they are exactly the same on CD. Just right for Christmas.
Published on 23 Dec 1999
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