Search - Johnny Mathis :: Johnny Mathis: A 50th Anniversary Christmas Celebration

Have A Holly Johnny Christmas

B. Meisner | 12/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy this cd and rest assured that your holiday music will be well rounded. No need to purchase anything else. The 50th Gold Anniversary Christmas Celebration cd is just that-it is a representation of his recording career of Christmas music with the exception of the 1969 Give Me Your Love For Christmas album.

This cd starts out with the original tunes released in 1958's Merry Christmas album, all arranged by Percy Faith. Johnny sounds clear as Silver Bell's ringing out on a quiet, snow-laided forest. Doesn't get much better than that!

Next up you'll find a song orignally recorded for Mercury in 1963-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Moving on to 1986-from the Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis album-you'll find two of his most popular Christmas recordings. One of these, It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, made the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers top 25 Christmas Songs list. Also included in this timeframe of recordings is his beautiful rendition of Toyland. I think we can all relate to the time in our lives when YES, VIRGINIA, THERE REALLY IS A SANTA CLAUS and the world was perfect and we were young.

The cd then travels on to the year 2001 when Johnny recorded with Mannheim Steamroller on their Christmas Extraordinaire album The song is O' Tannebaum. It was once again released on their Christmas Celebration album in 2004.

Two more recordings from 2002 and The Christmas Album follow that up. They are I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm and Have A Holly Jolly Christmas, and both are toe tapping tunes!

And last, but certainly not least, is the 2006 duet with Bette Midler from her currently released Cool Yule cd. I think they sound great together and the song leaves you wanting more. But, isn't that generally the way with all of Mr Mathis' songs? YES!

So there you have it. Your Christmas standards, religious tunes and upbeat songs to swing to. Wonderful song selections I'd say!

For those of you who say this cd is not representative of his 50 years, look again because it is.

So, haul out the holly, put up the tree, fill up the stocking, and deck the halls again now because WE NEED A LITTLE JOHNNY MATHIS CHRISTMAS MUSIC. Always and forever........"

Nostalgic and warm

Aunt Maggie | Belleville, IL | 11/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a boomer growing up listening to Johnny Mathis every Christmas, this album hits the spot. It conjurs up warm memories of colored Christmas lights, tinsel and going to Midnight Mass. I give it 4 stars just for the nostalgia factor. Johnny's voice is as deep and mellow as ever, and he sings the old standards one hopes he would. Who really wants to hear Johnny sing "Mary Did You Know?" anyway? Definitely a great addition to any Christmas collection."

A CLASSY CHRISTMAS CD

Ma Esther Zapata Garza | Monterrey, Mexico | 12/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's so interesting to listen Johnny Mathis voice from diferent times through these 50 years of his career. His choice, which is his privilege, has been a hit since he gives us a selected list of songs, so classy, not dropping in the usual Christmas songs of forever, but bringing us an elegant collection of beloved songs to make this Christmas a special one. A CD I enjoyed from beginning to end, with that final refreshing duet with Bette Midler, so perfect!!! WHAT A VOICE!!!"