Search - Jackson 5 :: Ultimate Christmas Collection

An awesome collection of Christmas music from their hearts t

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 10/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Jackson 5 sang and danced their way into your hearts; and their music was incomparable. I really like this album; it has a lot of fine tracks with Michael's singing often being highlighted--I miss him. This group never turned out anything less than perfect holiday music and just one listen proves it. The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is great.



"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" features The Jackson 5 doing great justice to this classic number. I really like this version; they play with the tempo and the keys to put their own stamp on this song and it works. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" features Michael Jackson's voice coming through nice and clear; Michael could really sing and he never lets go of a superfluous note! The backup he gets from the rest of The Jackson 5 is perfect, too. "The Christmas Song" charms me with its natural beauty; these pros do this beautifully and I always enjoy this song when they perform it. "Frosty The Snowman" also has Michael doing his part flawlessly; and the entire group never sounded better.



"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" uses the percussion to great advantage; and listen also for "Christmas Won't Be the Same This Year." It's a melancholy tune but the Jackson 5 makes it shine bright anyway. That's quite a feat! "Give Love At Christmas Day" and ""Someday At Christmas" are probably my two favorite numbers on this CD; The Jackson 5 perform these songs with panache and both songs move me greatly. Michael sounds awesome on "Someday at Christmas." In addition, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" has little Michael Jackson squarely in the spotlight--and he does this very skillfully! What a genius talent he had.



"Little Christmas Tree" is quite touching and poignant; this is a strong highlight of the album. The stripped mix of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" sounds just great; and I also like the stripped mix of "Someday at Christmas" that showcases Michael singing with a skill and polish that we normally hear only from the most seasoned of performers--incredible!



There are also "season's greetings" messages from Michael, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine--cool! The album ends strong with The Jackson 5 doing a "J5 Christmas Medley." It's a good way to end the CD.



This is, of course, a wonderful holiday album for any fan of The Jackson 5. Michael Jackson's fans will want this, too; and really anyone who wants a truly special Christmas album should add this to their music collection.

"

The original album, with alternate and bonus tracks

Michael Ceciliani | New York City | 01/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this CD is mainly Motown's effort to cash in on Michael Jackson's untimely passing, it is a masterfully done job. There are 21 tracks, 17 of them musical, the other four are greetings from the individual J5 members, Michael, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito (guess they couldn't find one by Marlon, and Randy wasn't part of the J5). The first 11 tracks make up the original album, or CD if you prefer. We finally get to hear Michael's rare solo effort, "Little Christmas Tree" which came out a couple of years after the album. Until now, you had to get the "Motown Christmas" CD (with the purple cover) to hear that song. The alternate takes of Up on the Housetop, Rudolph and Someday at Christmas are still good to listen to. The a capella version of Give Love on Christmas Day shows what a powerful voice Michael had, even at a very young age. The Christmas Medley is basically songs snipped together, in their original forms. The songs that make up the medley are:



Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Up on the Housetop

Frosty the Snowman

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

We Wish You a Merry Christmas*



* The last song is the final part of their rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Overall a great CD for any Michael Jackson fan to have, reminding us of what great talent he had."