Christmas probably sounded a lot like this in Hoboken, circa the late 1930s: A skinny kid with a huge voice leading friends through favorite carols like "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Greensleeves." Fast forward and that sk... more »inny kid is no longer just another voice in the crowd. All ears are turned his way as he croons through a whole new set of Christmas standards, from "The Christmas Waltz" to "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas." Sinatra is in fine voice on this 13-song set, which boasts some of the better arrangements you'll hear on a seasonal album. --David Sprague« less
Christmas probably sounded a lot like this in Hoboken, circa the late 1930s: A skinny kid with a huge voice leading friends through favorite carols like "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Greensleeves." Fast forward and that skinny kid is no longer just another voice in the crowd. All ears are turned his way as he croons through a whole new set of Christmas standards, from "The Christmas Waltz" to "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas." Sinatra is in fine voice on this 13-song set, which boasts some of the better arrangements you'll hear on a seasonal album. --David Sprague
Bob P. (relax) from EL CAJON, CA Reviewed on 7/27/2006...
yawn
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CD Reviews
Sintara album so so
stephanie | PEI,Canada | 12/08/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"the Sinatra Christmas album recorded in the 60's and in the 70's is a so-so effort. The quality is excellant as the album has been digitally remasterd. Tracks 1 through 6 are Frank at his finest but after that the album takes an unfortunate turn. Isolating tracks 1 thru 6 we get Sinatra doing a wonderful job on Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Old Fashioned Christmas and an absolute one-of-a-kind job on I heard the Bells on Christmas Day....as far as I am concerned there have been no other versions of this song that even come close to matching it (although Bing's version is very close). Speaking of Bing Crosby, Frank and he are incredible on Go Tell it on the Mountain, and we Wish You the merriest Christmas. It is obvious they are having fun and it comes through in their two numbers.After track 6 the album is all over the place, is takes an unfortunate turn for the worse, a personal touch on the 12 days of Christmas just doesn't make the grade. Sinatra fans should get this album for the first 6 tracks, they are quite comparable to his other two Christmas album offering, but somewhere after track 6, the album loses it's direction. If you are chosing just one Frank album make it the jolly christmas from Frank it's the best of all his X-mas recordings."
Sinatra Christmas Album tops all other Sinatra Holiday Cds.
Lon S. Roberts | Atlanta, GA | 11/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This release is worth five stars without a doubt. I have all of Sinatra's Christmas releases but this one is the best. This compilation contains Christmas standards and "newer" tunes (for their time). Although I normally don't review each song, this album is worth the effort1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - This is a warm, Christmas classic done in a traditional fashion as only Sinatra can do.2. Old Fashioned Christmas - This song makes you long for Christmas in less complicated times. Beautiful song!3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Another Christmas standard done as only Sinatra can do them.4. Little Drummer Boy - This song is a pure delight. This song is perhaps the most reverant Sinatra ever sounded.5. Go Tell It On The Mountain - Sintra and Bing Crosby do an excellent version of this gospel / Christmas classic. This is pure fun, and the listener can tell that Sintra and Bing are having a ball with this one.6. We Wish You The Merriest - Another Sinatra and Bing delight. This one really gets the listener in the Christmas mood.7. Whatever Happened To Christmas - This is one of my all-time favorite Sinatra songs. Although it is somewhat out of place following such a festive song as "We wish you the merriest," this is a very well crafted and well delievered song. It reminds me of the "Let Me Try Again" album. 8. Twelve Days Of Christmas - This is a family sing-along of a classic song with re-written lyrics. With its 1960s feel it's fun and gets the listener in the Christmas spirit.9. Bells Of Christmas (Greensleeves)- Any song set to Greensleeves is a great song in my book. This is another Sinatra family sing-along, with Frank Jr. doing a wonderful job sounding very much like his father. A very beautiful and haunting Christmas classic.10. I Wouldn't Trade Christmas - More 1960s era fun with the Sinatra family.11. Christmas Waltz - A remake of the Sinatra classic. This version is every bit as good as the original, if not better. 12. Baby Just Like You - A very reflective song which lets you peek behind the image and see the man himself. I love this song with it's honesty and openness. Not a Christmas standard or classic, but a very worthy addition to this compilation.13. Christmas Memories - Another reflective song that the forces the listener to reflect. Wonderful delivery. A very nice well to conclude this album.This is a wonderful album to build Christmas memories around. This is my second all-around Christmas album, second only to Elvis' Wonderful World of Christmas."
Skip the capitol xmas album, get this one instead
F. Beck | new jersey | 12/06/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge sinatra fan and expected the capitol sinatra album
to be a swingin' affair. I've grown to appreciate it over the
years but it doesn't come close to the Reprise Sinatra Christmas
Album. Album covers a period from the early 60's through the
mid 70's. What I like about this collection:
1. It's in chronological order
2. Great arrangements (sorely lacking on the capitol album)
3. Great choice of songs with a nice mix of the secular and
sacred.
4. Hard to find stuff like Christmas memories and a baby just
like you.
Skip tracks 8-10 and you've got a perfect sinatra christmas collection."
Fills a Spot (partially)
Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 12/23/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This collection of seasonal songs by Sinatra brings together miscellaneous material from the Reprise years, 1962-1975. It's a nice complement to, but no substitute for, his earlier holiday offerings on Columbia and Capitol ("A Jolly Christmas" is not only Old Blue's best but possibly as good a Christmas album as anyone has ever recorded). If there's any dissatisfaction with "The Sinatra Christmas Album," it's that no one has seen fit to reissue in CD format the original Reprise LP from which several of the songs were collected: "12 Songs of Christmas Sung Together by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians." Perhaps the title is too long, or the music is deemed excessively sentimental by today's standards. A pity, because the album is not only of a whole but a rich and moving experience."
Oy!
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/13/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Frank Sinatra never recorded an entire Christmas album for Reprise Records, but this CD compiles all the Christmas songs he recorded for that record label. Songs are taken from an album he recorded with Bing Crosby and Fred Waring, an album he recorded with his three kids, and a handful of singles. Most of the material is good, but there are a few weak songs here, especially among the ones he recorded with his children. Still, it's very complete, and well worth getting if you're a Sinatra fan."