Search - Various Artists :: 1940's Christmas

Joe C. (joeker) from NORWAY, ME
Reviewed on 12/14/2010...

Just a fantastic CD -- Really brings you back to a simpler time! A lot of listening fun!

Suzanne B. (SuzyB) from NORTHPORT, NY
Reviewed on 12/23/2006...

Takes you back to a time when radio and swing were all the rage, especially at Christmas. My fave track is "Baby, It's Cold Outside," by Petula Clark and Rod McKuen -- very romantic.

Big band, Bing, and... Rod McKuen?

Lee Hartsfeld | Central Ohio, United States | 11/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Produced by Rod McKuen, this CD offers as its fifth track (speak of the Devil!) Rod McKuen dueting with Petula Clark. This is a weird collection, but, fortunately, in the best sense. There are excellent big-band renditions of standards and non-standards, a crisp and mostly hiss-free reissue of Judy Garland singing "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" from the 1944 "Meet me in St. Louis" soundtrack, and a host of other pop singers, including a murky-sounding Bing Crosby. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra sounds murky, as well, but the band's rendition of "Santa Claus is coming to town" is fabulous enough to make up for this. One would think the tune had been written expressly as a swing number. Not as successful in this regard, but still superior fare, is Benny Goodman's "Jingle bells." "Little Jack Frost get lost" should never have; it is a sprightly, fun novelty that could have joined the novelty ranks of "Rudolph" and "Frosty." McKuen has shown such uncommonly good judgement in this compilation that I'll even recommend the Rod/Petula duet. 'Tis the season for charitable reviews."

ONE STAR DUD

Craig C. Chapman | Mesa, AZ United States | 11/24/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of 40's-50's Christmas music I was looking forward to listening to this CD....very disappointed when I did. The orchestra
cuts were of the poorest sound quality I have lately (or ever) heard--what's the point? The Rod McKuen and Petula Clark (by the way where was Petula on this cut?--I didn't hear her) of 'Baby It's Cold Outside' (in my opinon) is the WORSE recording of this song ever made.
The one redeeming cut was the last of Lena Horne, 'What Are you doing New Years Eve' but this can be heard on a number
of other CD's. Save your $$$$$/ this CD is
bad."