A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

the cheeriest album ever made by a convicted murderer

Legendary producer PHIL SPECTOR turns to his talents to Christmas music on this record. I played it at my company Christmas party this year and it KILLED. SOMEONE even it said it was the best Christmas record they’d ever heard.

I mean... considering some of the, uh, "presents" Phil Spector gave to folks, I'm happy with this. Seriously though this is a great record, in heavy rotation in our house during the holidays.

Spector killed it with this one.

Good production can’t cover the fact that this is still a collection of fucking Christmas songs. Also, fuck Phil Spector.

A nice little compilation. Shame Phil Spector sullied his careers works by being a murderer. Musically 5/5. Morally 0/5.

I'm hoping everyone is getting this for Christmas Day (it makes all the sense in the world if that's the case - I mean, how could anyone properly review this on say August 15th?). Just ignore the Phil Spector factor (although just because he became a convicted murderer doesn't make him less of a musical genius, although I'm still not sure what he was trying to do to the Beatles with "Let It Be"). Focus on all the joy and wonder that is the living national treasure known as one Darlene Love. One of the greatest things David Letterman did was to have Love sing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on his late night show every Christmas for something like 26 consecutive years. It's reportedly the only Christmas song Dave likes, so he'd have Darlene come out and belt her classic holiday tune with Paul Schaefer and company every year. What a gift for Darlene Love. And what a gift she is to us. Just listen to her start this album off by making a Bing Crosby classic all her own. Love's version of "White Christmas" is the only one I want to hear. Besides this album, the only other holiday album I enjoy is the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. This album is a big reason damn near every artist at least tries to record a Christmas song at some point in their career. Hell, I might have even choked up a bit during Spector's spoken word message over "Silent Night". In 100 years, the world will have moved on from Mariah Carey's Christmas song, but people will still be listening to Spector's Wall Of Sound, and Darlene Love will wear the crown as the true Queen Of Christmas.

This is where being a week or so behind on this list really bites you in the ass. Because I don't really want to listen to Christmas music on January 6th. Though, it's a good way to boost the mood on a day when we get to remember the Capitol Insurrection. Fuck those MAGA assholes. I'm rating this record (which I've never heard) in comparison to other Christmas records. As a result, I'm giving it a 5 and I'm going to try remembering it exists for the next 50 weeks, so I can listen to it at an appropriate time of year. One more thing: Phil Spector is a creep and a murderer.

I unabashedly like Christmas music and always have. This is a bona fide classic in heavy rotation around the holidays in my house which is beloved by all ages. It's in my top 3 Christmas albums of all time, along with The Vince Guaraldi Trio's "Charlie Brown Christmas," and Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song." I love Phil Spector's big sound and densely layered arrangements. I do not love his personal message at the end of the album however, and I usually scramble to try to skip the track when I hear his creepy little voice come on. Hands down the best Christmas album ever produced by someone who would go on to become a convicted murderer.

Phil Spector sucks, but this slaps

IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! I didn’t expect this! Came into this a huge fan so really happy to have this join the 1001 list. This is THE classic Christmas album. Phil Spector at his wall of sound best and Darlene Love getting full credit as a single artist… really defined what modern Christmas music would sound like. Phil Spector talks of bringing “something new” to Christmas in his address at the end of the album. Must have been amazing to hear this when it first came out… I was under the impression that the 1001 Albums list didn’t include “Various Artists” so I wouldn’t have expected this but here it is. Love all the songs on this. Thanks for the Christmas present!

I just wanna take this time to say Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope you all have a great day

actually just fuck off

It's Christmas music. Literally not even on Christmas day do I WANT to hear Christmas music. It's not even *interesting* Christmas music. Just covers of the exact songs you hate hearing blaring over retail and fast food overhead speakers. I'd give this a 0 if I could. I'd give it a -30 of possible, and even that seems charitable. Call it the spirit of the holidays that even one song on this album got listened to.

This is delightful! So many of these songs have become the standard arrangement of these Christmas classics. And there's no doubt that Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" would not exist without the influence of this collection. The stand-out track is the one original song, Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". The whole album is full of joy and iconic performances from the pop queens of the 1960s.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is with a wall of sound for all to hear. A collection of popular Christmas songs, all performed and recorded in a consistent fun, joyful, upbeat, style. A lot of these have become the go-to versions, and the one original composition on the album, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)) by Darlene Love, is an underrated Christmas classic. Thanks for generating this on Christmas Eve (surely not a coincidence at odds of approx. 1 in 260?). This will become essential Christmas listening and couldn't fail to put even the bah-humbuggiest of Scrooges in the festive mood. 4/5

fuck phil spector

Absolutely fucking brutal listening to this the week after Christmas

I dislike Christmas music

I cannot handle this

fuck off, just no

I know this album will mean a lot to some people, but when someone is a serial abuser who should have been stopped long before he ended up committing murder, I think we should write them out of musical history. There are plenty of other Christmas albums to listen to instead. Should not be on this list.

Oh, today is the day I learned the generator is not completely random! No way I get this album on December 25th just out of the blue. That said, I'm sad I only got to this at 10pm on Christmas, because I would have loved to listen to this album all day long or over the past week. It's a pretty perfect Christmas album, as good as it gets. This album is what all artists aspire to when they make a Christmas album, whether they know it or not. The rich, sonorous arrangements, the warm and engaging vocals, and infectious melodies you want to keep singing. This is it. I mean, what's not to love about Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans? I've heard most of these songs individually over the years, but as a collection you appreciate them so much more. Phil Spector had an ear for what makes beautiful music, and an ability to find really talented artists to present his musical vision. First and foremost, these are great pop songs, that also happen to be great Christmas songs. That is what makes a Christmas song a classic that never grows old, it has to be an excellent pop song first, and Spector understood this better than anyone. These songs are beautifully made and so much fun to listen to. They are standards for the most part that many artists had performed before Spector got a hold of them (the exception being the brilliant Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” but these versions are the ones that really have endured over time. Thanks for the gift 1001 Albums Generator, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, White Christmas, The Bells of St. Mary, Frosty the Snowman, A Marshmallow World, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Claus, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Silent Night

Haha! Well I'll be listening to this later as I do every year! If you don't love these Christmas classics given the wall of sound treatment, you are a soulless mister and definitely on the naughty list! I realise the artists were horribly exploited, and that Phil Spector is an awful human being. But this album is a precious diamond regardless.

Nothing to hate here. It's full of great reditions of classic songs. Hard to hate. Nothing truly outstanding but I wouldn't expect there to be from an album put together by Spector.

A great collection of different takes on some holiday classics, I was able to tolerate listening to this one which speaks highly to its quality. An aside on Christmas music: When will someone create a new holiday staple? The current Christmas song canon has been unmodified since Mariah Carey cursed the world back in the early 2000s. Perhaps I'm just a 20-something cynic but I'm tired of hearing the exact same recording every single year.

The performances are so cheerful and festive you'd swear Spector was holding everone at gunpoint in order to get the perfect take.

So many classics I have heard here and there over all the years, and I never knew they all came from this one album! Though it's not really a surprise, since they all share the same Wall of Sound production. This was a wonderful Christmas surprise.

The best collection of Christmas songs of all time. Darlene Love steals the show though. Every year its the same fucking boring debate about what the greatest Christmas song ever is. At least 6 tracks on this album are streets ahead of anything shat out of Mariah Carey or even Wham.

Baby Boomer Santa, thank you for everything in the world.

Ah yes, an album featuring women (&1 man) of colour, but it's curated and produced by a white man who's an abuser and a convicted murderer. Phil Spector’s involvement made me want to immediately 1-star the album, but I decided to listen to it as saying no to the album because of him would also be saying no to these women, which I really didn't want to do. my 4 star rating is for The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans.

Getting this on Dec. 26 made me feel like I got Rickrolled, except this was real and for some reason this album is actually in the 1001 albums book, which seems completely bizarre--why is a compliation here? WTF? Also, the title really hasn't aged well... sounds like a threat.

These songs give me the creeps. It could be because they play these on repeat over shitty loud speakers in every business across the country for a month and a half every year. Phil Spector talking over silent night at the end has to be the creepiest christmas message of all time, I could have gone my whole life without ever hearing that!

This Christmas, give your special someone the gift of Femicide.

Did not know that so many great classics come from a single album.

🎄Merry Christmas 2024. This is in the top 5 Xmas albums you must hear before you die. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love is probably my favorite Christmas song.

I've heard all of these songs a million times during the holidays. Until this moment I had no idea they all came from a single album. Hit after hit. And obvious nostalgia points on this one. Excellent album (minus what Phil Spector became/did).

Perfect christmas album. Why is Christmas a distinctly 50s/60s holiday? This album.

It is the sound of Christmas - sugary, of course, but rammed with sleighbells and tambourines and extra pianos and a second choir

I've had this on vinyl for decades and it gets brought up from the basement with the tree stand every year. The legendary Wall of Sound makes this head and shoulders above other Christmas albums from the era.  I unfortunately don't have the very rare and valuable original pressing and would take the money in a heartbeat if I did. It's unfortunate that Phil was such a whack job. He sure did make good music.

Merry Christmas! It was a Christmas album with some good versions of some traditional songs. How fortunate to have the 1001 gods put it on our plates on Christmas Day. Even so, it was nice for a listen, but not anything overly exciting for me. I imagine that the “Phil Spector” label in the name of the album may be off-putting for some, as it was a bit for me…

I know we should give this project a pass on Christmas Day for whatever pops up, but this is pretty painful, and not just because Phil Spector was a creep and creepy guy and doesn't deserve any sort of accolades (especially given how dated his "wall of sound" seems these days). Moreover, I've really appreciated how strongly this collection has avoided "various artists"/"best of"/compilation albums, and this clearly violates that rule. I get it that it was a popular album back in the day, and I'm sure it was an interesting take on various Christmas songs, but it doesn't mean we have to like it. :)

-oh dear lord its a christmas album -i’m sorry but i don’t like christmas music -i don’t feel like i need themed music for a holiday personally -also i don’t like this version of white christmas -cause bing crosby’s is the best version. of course -im sorry i skimmed through the songs i do not have the want to listen to christmas music -i really love christmas as a holiday i love the smell of pine and pretty lights and ornaments and red ribbon -i just find christmas music ANNOYING

#80. Was it a coincidence or a conspiracy that the algorithm tried to force me to listen to a Christmas album on Christmas day? You know what? I'm not going to anyway. I fucking hate Christmas music. Also Phil Spector is an absolute diarrhea person. Fuck that guy. 1/5: Fuck your Christmas music and your Christ, and fuck Phil Spector the most.

Santay as hell. Happy to get this one on Christmas day. It's easily a contender for best Christmas album of all time. Phil Spector shines through on these classics, and forces the question, were they even classics before this? Who cares, just enjoy the egg nog, put another log on the fire and kick back.

ah right. my project is a day behind. lol. its okay tho!! im still in my Pleasantly Sleepy Christmas Mood, and despite the general motown upbeatness this is basically the perfect compliment to that lol...obviously spector one of the genuine worst people in the music canon (albeit refreshingly, one of the only ones who actually faced consequences for his actions!), and hearing him on VOCALS on that last track is a huge jumpscare, but his production always fits in very snuggly with my own musical priorities. and for as influential as he was, this particular brill building sound, often Enhanced by the fact that recording tech of the day is often overwhelmed by the ambition to somewhat rough and tinny effect, rly is its own wholly unique little space and nothing else quite scratches the itch...feels like the details are stuck in your subconscious, and u cant quite claw them back to ur active mind but u still feel their effects even as u cant quite discern their presence. in that sense it is the perfect for a holiday as complicatedly loaded as christmas!!! i like christmas a lot tbh i have maintained a good relationship with both it and its surrounding music for my whole life, so my appreciation is more straightforward than i prob just implied lol but yea great record either way! darlene love save me!

Aahh nice touch 1001 - I'm not normally a fan of Christmas albums but obviously hits different on Christmas day. This album is simply iconic and timeless

Cover albums are a tough sell for this list (looking at you, Willie Nelson), but a cover album full of Christmas songs gets an easy pass. Especially if it's given on Christmas! This feels like Christmas morning in music form. Everything’s big and bright, but not overdone. It’s got the timeless charm of something you’d hear on an old record player, but with more bounce. Think Nat King Cole meets a sock hop. This is pure holiday magic, like a Christmas party from a vintage postcard.

[Scene: Philles Records Studio, 1963. Exec 1 is leaning back in his chair, about to spin an early copy of A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector on the turntable. Exec 2 stands by the window, arms crossed, looking sceptical.] Exec 1: [grinning, nudging the needle to start the next track] “Did you hear that crazy motherfucker Spector wants to release a Christmas album now?” Exec 2: [raising an eyebrow] “A Christmas album? From him? You’re kidding, right? The guy who can’t walk through a room without talking about shooting stuff—now he’s doing Christmas music? That doesn’t sound like it’ll work.” Exec 1: [laughing, shaking head] “I know, it sounds nuts, but here’s the deal—Phil’s not doing this the usual way. He’s taking classic tunes, like ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ and slapping that Wall of Sound on them. You have to hear the Ronettes on ‘Sleigh Ride,’ buddy. He had ‘em overdubbed to hell, every note crystal clear, layering the vocals ‘til it felt like a choir of angels on speed.” Exec 2: [still unsure, arms crossed] “Okay, but Christmas music’s all about that cosy, peaceful vibe, right? Can Phil really turn that into something more... explosive?” Exec 1: [grinning, gesturing to the turntable as Darlene Love’s voice fills the room] “Exactly. This isn’t background noise while you roast chestnuts. It demands attention. The production is huge—it’s rock, soul, pop, and Christmas all rolled into one. And it doesn’t just sound like a holiday album; it feels like an event. This isn’t music for the celebration—it is the celebration.” Exec 2: [nodding slowly] “Alright, alright. I can hear that urgency in Darlene’s voice. But what’s Spector’s angle here? The guy’s a perfectionist. He must’ve made them record the same track fifty times before he was happy.” Exec 1: [laughing, nodding] “You’re spot on. He’d push them to the limit, but somehow they always delivered. He had the session musicians play the same part over and over and over and over... each take tighter and more explosive. He didn’t stop until it had that perfect punch. And that’s why this album sounds massive—it’s layers upon layers of bells, horns, strings, and vocals.” Exec 2: [cautiously intrigued] “Okay, I’m starting to get it. But with all the Christmas albums out there, what makes this one different?” Exec 1: [leaning forward, eyes gleaming] “It’s gonna redefine holiday music. People won’t just play this because it’s Christmas time; they’ll want to hear it every year. It’s not just another album—it’s an experience. People are gonna feel it, and they won’t forget it.” Exec 2: [Still sceptical but warming up] “Alright. If this thing bombs, though, it’s on Phil. His freak show reputation will be the first thing people talk about.” Exec 1: [grinning confidently] “Yeah, we’re taking a small gamble, but it’s gonna pay off. This is the Christmas album people will spin year after year. And when the records start flying off the shelves, Phil’s gonna be the genius who turned a holiday classic into a massive hit.” Exec 2: [grinning, shaking head] “Alright, alright. I’ll take your word for it. Just... keep him away from any guns next time he’s in the studio.” Exec 1: [laughing, leaning back in his chair] “We’ll release it at the end of November, just before the Christmas rush. It’ll sell like hotcakes. No major historical event will happen on that day to overshadow it, trust me.” Exec 2: [raising an eyebrow, amused] “Well, I don’t know about that last part, but alright. Let’s see how this whole crazy ride plays out.” Exec 1: [smirking] “Heck, I bet even JFK will dance to this in Christmas 1963.” [They both smile as the album continues, the unmistakable sound of Spector’s Wall of Sound filling the room.]

Greatest Christmas album of all time.

The greatest Christmas album of all time? It's possible. Every song is a banger, the production is impeccable (obviously) and the voices are note perfect. Those drums, reverbed vocals, all of it. Nothing gets me into a Christmas mood more. I'd listen to this in July, I love it that much.

Lyrics: The lyrics of "A Christmas Gift for You" are quintessentially festive, capturing the joy and warmth associated with the holiday season. The songs explore themes of love, celebration, and togetherness, providing a mix of traditional Christmas tunes and original compositions. Standout tracks include Darlene Love's emotive rendition of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and The Ronettes' lively performance of "Frosty the Snowman." The lyrics, although not groundbreaking, effectively convey the festive spirit and contribute to the overall charm of the album. Music: The musical arrangements on this album are a testament to Phil Spector's signature "Wall of Sound" production technique. The use of lush orchestration, vibrant horns, and infectious rhythms creates a grandiose and immersive sonic experience. The artists' vocal performances are spirited and soulful, adding a layer of depth to the music. From the jingling bells in "Sleigh Ride" to the upbeat tempo of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," the album showcases a diverse range of musical styles, making it accessible to a wide audience. Production: Phil Spector's production on "A Christmas Gift for You" is both the album's greatest strength and, arguably, its primary flaw. The "Wall of Sound" technique, characterized by densely layered arrangements, contributes to the album's lush and cinematic quality. However, in some instances, the production may feel overwhelming, with the instrumentation occasionally overshadowing the vocals. Despite this, the production style has become synonymous with the album's iconic sound and has influenced countless artists in the decades that followed. Themes: The overarching theme of "A Christmas Gift for You" is the celebration of the holiday season. The album successfully captures the magic and excitement of Christmas, creating a festive atmosphere that resonates with listeners of all ages. While the themes are not particularly profound, the emotional resonance of the performances elevates the material, turning familiar tunes into enduring classics. The album's thematic consistency is one of its strengths, providing a cohesive and enjoyable listening experience from start to finish. Influence: The influence of "A Christmas Gift for You" extends far beyond its initial release. Phil Spector's production techniques, showcased prominently on this album, have left an indelible mark on the music industry. The "Wall of Sound" approach influenced future producers and artists, shaping the sound of popular music in the 1960s and beyond. Additionally, the album's enduring popularity has inspired numerous covers and reinterpretations, cementing its status as a holiday staple. The influence of this album is not limited to the Christmas genre; its impact on production aesthetics has reverberated throughout the broader musical landscape. Pros: Timeless Sound: The album's production and musical arrangements have a timeless quality, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal across generations. Iconic Performances: The standout performances by artists like Darlene Love and The Ronettes contribute to the album's lasting impact. Diverse Song Selection: The inclusion of both traditional and original compositions adds variety to the album, catering to a broad audience. Influence on Production: Phil Spector's innovative production techniques have had a profound and lasting influence on the music industry. Cons: Overwhelming Production: At times, the "Wall of Sound" production can be overwhelming, potentially detracting from the clarity of the vocals. Limited Diversity in Themes: While the album effectively captures the joy of Christmas, the thematic scope is somewhat limited, focusing primarily on celebratory aspects. In conclusion, "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" remains a holiday classic that has stood the test of time. Its iconic production, stellar performances, and enduring influence on the music industry make it a must-listen during the festive season. While the album is not without its minor flaws, its overall impact and contribution to the Christmas music canon are undeniable. As a result, it continues to be a cherished and essential part of holiday music collections worldwide.

p62. 1963. 5 stars. Ah c'mon, you know every track on this. Listening to this is like catching up with a favourite family member or friend each year. And it's brilliantly done, the sound of a pre-Beatles, pre-JFK assassination American Christmas captured in one perfect moment. There isn't a weak track on this. As for this being randomly generated... this turned up on my list on 23rd Dec. Co-incidence? I think not :)

The greatest Christmas album of all time. Only tarnished by Spector’s later crimes, the songs on here feature that incredible, signature Wall of Sound, only where on non-Christmas Spector productions, it conveyed the excitement of young love/lust, here it provides the sound of wholesome festive cheer.

The 2nd best Christmas album of all time and one I listen every year. To me this is the best example of Phil Spector's influential wall of sound production. I definitely see how it influenced Brian Wilson and how It's considered a classic to this day. This album contains the definitive versions of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Christmas". Holiday classic. 9/10

Weirdly, it's been ages since I actually enjoyed a good Christmas album. Especially one I haven't heard before. Sure, some of the tracks are cheesy, but in an enjoyable way. I have to give this album props for hitting the nostalgia for me, which is a real accomplishment for an album I don't think I ever heard as a kid. Fave track: Silent night

It’s a Christmas album

one of, if not the best Christmas albums love it !

Phil Spector: A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector The result is a nostalgic, high-fidelity experience that feels as lush and sturdy as a cathedral. While the production is massive—layering percussion, brass, and the powerhouse vocals of The Ronettes and Darlene Love—it never loses that essential "chill" factor that makes holiday music inviting. Tracks like "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" provide a soaring emotional anchor, while the rest of the LP maintains a consistent, shimmering warmth. It is a masterclass in atmospheric pop that remains a perfect 4/5—a nostalgic treasure that feels both grand in scale and intimate in spirit.

Certainly a gem. Primarily because half of these songs (especially those sung by the Ronettes and Darlene Love, and even the Crystals) are still in regular rotation on most Christmas playlists, and for good reason. These are sonically uplifting and joyous explosions of music. They throw you into the Christmas spirit and bring back that nostalgia year after year. 4

Genuinely wonderful Christmas music--an asset to humankind that will be appreciated for centuries. It is genuinely difficult to detangle the joyousness of this music from the darkness of the whole second half of Phil's life. My huge crush on Ronnie Spector masks enough that I still deeply love this album.

Cozy Christmas vibes all over the whole record! Also it is incredible to think about how young Spector was when he revolutionized music production.

I love Christmas and I love music, so I am very fond of Christmas music.

Felt like an absolute psycho listening to this in September, but damn is it good. When it’s operating in peak form, the combination of Spector’s legendary production and the artists chosen for a given song create all-timer versions of these tunes. Not every song works, but it’s never bad, even when convicted murderer Phil Spector is talking directly to the listener on the final track. If I see a used copy of this on vinyl somewhere I’m definitely copping.

The pure nostalgic joy washes over you as your transported to a northern winter wonderland replete with backing foley of bells and clopping horses, sure very seasonal but it is a must listen every christmas season. Favourite tracks are the classics The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride and Darlene Love - Christmas.

Solid Christmas album that influenced every other Christmas album. Quintessential Spector production & arrangement. Sounds played out in the 21st century, but this was the pioneer of modern pop production. Translates well to Christmas music. Fun vocals and high energy throughout 3.75/5

As great as a Christmas album can get. There are so many classics here that I had no idea came from the same album/producer. While Phil Spector is definitely not someone to idolize (that's an understatement), it is hard to deny the impact he had on music production which is just as evident here as it is anywhere else. The joy, warmth, and fun of Christmas is felt throughout this entire record, and many of these songs are THE definitive versions of these holiday classics. There is also an original song (Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)) that has gone on to become a staple in itself and is the strongest song on the whole album IMO. I am thankful that they assigned this one to me during the holiday season, but I think I would have enjoyed this at any point in the year. This is a difficult one to rank due to it being a compilation of artists and specific to a certain season, but I would definitely throw this one again next Christmas. 4/5.

It's easy to be cynical about Christmas music. Some music fans, with a wave of the hand, may claim it is pumped down our ears every year by retailers to sell products, or mined by the film and TV industry as a lazy shortcut to elicit emotion. It's also a well-known truth that Michael Buble is leading a fascist regime to placate the masses and brainwash us all with his colourless, dishwater festivities. But this album? For me, it's THE essential Christmas record, the one I'll happily make a tradition out of every December. All the vocalists here are at their peak and deliver exceptional renditions, but Darlene Love is the star at the top of the tree. Hearing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" in its home setting, a lone original in a sea of reworked standards, is electrifying: E even amongst some of the most famous pre-1960 Christmas standards of all time, it still shines as a powerhouse number. Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans have perhaps the least to offer of all the artists featured, but the production and festivities help to tie it all together and the roster of artists participating keep it fresh. Spector's wall-of-sound arrangements are undeniably world-class. Every detail is immaculately constructed and presented. Some highlights: the Ronettes doing a "Be My Baby" on "Frosty the Snowman"; the irresistible backing vocals in "Sleigh Ride; chimes and bells EVERYWHERE; the glockenspiel in "Marshmallow World"... so much more besides. We're left with an album that, in little over half an hour, seems to perfectly capture the spirit and excitement of Christmas- even the clear commercial and corporate appeal shouldn't sully the huge talent on show. As delightfully jolly as it all is, I'm going to round down from a 4.5 to a 4. Why? Because it's not appropriate for at least 50 weeks of the year and it's also the brainchild of a murdering maniac. But damn... arrangements from a killer's head never sounded so... Christmassy.

Like many people, I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas music and how you can't escape it in the holiday season. With that said, this album was a pleasant surprise. I feel like I must have heard most of these versions in supermarkets or retailers, but it all sounded like brand new versions of songs I was familiar with and they were all produced very well. The amount of character and the "wall of sound" style really lends well here. Darlene Love in particular was a standout, she killed it on each of her tracks. Would definitely make this my definitive Christmas album.

How awesome to get this album on Christmas, I can't imagine giving a different review in August, but you need a certain environment to listen to this album. A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector by Various Artists is on heavy rotation in my house during the holidays and it's easy to separate the genius from the malcontent. Spector was a handful always, but he nailed the recipe with the wall of sound and his eye for talent in Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector and the rest make everything he touched perfect. 4.5/5

Absolute classics for Christmas Day, better than all the modern crap

Its dated badly, but court records suggest Phil was pretty bad at dating as well. It is however a Christmas album at Christmas time = you've got a piece of coal for a heart to rate any lower than 3 stars

Last time Phil Spector gave me a Christmas gift I woke up a changed man Phil Spector sure did kill it here Truly an album to die for It's almost as if this dude can do nothing wrong You know I would love to listen to this on Santa's slay Sometimes I feel like I'm in Heaven hearing this This joke is kinda dying out ngl I think I'm just gonna kill it off Merry Christmas 2025 <3

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is less a festive album and more an endurance test wrapped in sleigh bells. It takes songs that are already aggressively familiar and smothers them under the Wall of Sound until they become claustrophobic, exhausting, and borderline unlistenable. Every track is cranked to the same emotional and sonic maximum, leaving no space, no dynamics, and no relief. Instead of warmth or celebration, it delivers a relentless blare that feels more like being shouted at than welcomed in. The biggest problem is the production, which is so overbearing it flattens everything into the same deafening mush. Strings, horns, backing vocals, percussion, all piled on top of each other with no sense of balance or restraint. Individual performances barely matter because they are swallowed whole by the arrangement, turning what should be joyful songs into a dense, airless roar. The cheer feels forced, manic, and strangely joyless, as if volume alone could manufacture Christmas spirit through brute force. What makes this album truly unbearable is how smug and self-satisfied it feels about its own excess. There is no contrast, no pacing, no moment of calm to reset the ears or the mood. By the halfway point, irritation sets in, and by the end, fatigue overwhelms any lingering goodwill. This is Christmas music stripped of intimacy and humanity, replaced with bombast and repetition. One out of five feels generous, if only to acknowledge that silence, once again, would have been a far better gift.

Oh no, can it get any worse? Minus five stars for Phil Spector and his "Christmas Company"

Not for me. I'm not into Christmas Kitsch.

25/12/2025 (merry christmas!) *1. white christmas - darlene love!!!! love the wall of sound <3 the spoken section is so nice..... this is my favourite version of this song.... beautiful 2. frosty the snowman - the ronettes!!!!! phil spector may be in the deepest recesses of hell, but he could make a great pop song. *3. the bells of st mary - the bells! omg i love this one. the backing vocals add so much..... his voice is soo nice. really sweet song. *4. santa claus is coming to town - the crystals!!!!! i love all of the new york accents.... i love when it gets all loud. the drums! saxaphone! aaahhh!!!! the bells........ the vocals...... iconic....... 5. sleigh ride - i love how much this is.... why is there a horse neighing...... *6. a marshmallow world - never heard any versions of this song before. saxaphone!!! her vocals are soooooo gooooood...... losing my mind. wish i had listened to this album earlier in the day, very much in the christmas spirit not even an hour before it's over lol. 7. i saw mommy kissing santa claus - on the christmas cd i had as a kid, i couldn't stand this song and have refused to listen to any version of it. but the ronettes might redeem it for me. liking the violins. immediately redeemed!!!! all of the instruments together are heavenly..... ronnie spector you will live forever....... gorgeous!!!! bring back pop music that sounds like this!!! 8. rudolph the red-nosed reindeer - i love this album so much..... so warm..... it's cheesy without feeling overbearingly cheesy, great :) 9. winter wonderland - somehow you can hear the bass more in this album than in the metal album i listened to a few days ago. in the christmas spirit right now!!!!!! these versions of the songs are now my favourites of all time! the instrumental bits are so nice......... *10. parade of the wooden soldiers - trumpets??? the vocals started i'm going to die...... incredible... *11. christmas (baby please come home) - the build up to the vocals..... love how dramatic this is....... oh my god the ending is sosooso gooooood. 12. here comes santa claus - wish it was acceptable to listen to christmas songs year-round because this album would be on constant rotation 13. silent night - oh my god why is phil spector speaking. not aged well. at all..... reallly nice after he shuts up though. some of these are classics that everyone knows, but even the lesser-played ones were really great :) will be playing this constantly next christmas <3

Oh how I hate Christmas music. Hate might be too strong, but I tire easily of constant Christmas songs. (I say just drop Christmas music every 3rd or 5th song on your regular playlist. Binging on nothing but carols is pure torture. Just no!) Okay, Christmas hate rant over. This album is brilliant. The arrangements, the vocalists (I'm partial to Darlene Love), THE WRECKING CREW! Everything about this disc is great. I would definitely drop any one of these tracks into my playlist. No earlier than December 15th.

The best gift I could get from a convicted murderer

Love the album. Phil Spector, not so much. Felt appropriate to listen to this while taking down Christmas decorations.

Random that the generator gave this to me... On Christmas Day! What can I say? It's wonderful! Darlene Love is enough for the high rating.

Okay, look. I hate Christmas music, but this is actually a decent album. Clearly Phil Spector sucks at being a human, but he is undeniably a musical genius, and he managed to make even me appreciate holiday tracks.

The only thing I knew of Phil Spector was his wild fluffy hair from his murder trial, so the title of 'A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector' is wild to think about in that context. Am I going to get shot? Is he going to do some crazy synthesizer stuff? Not at all apparently as this album was done 40 years before his murder. This is a collection of some of the best classic Christmas songs from the pop and R&B artists of the early 60s. I can't imagine these songs all coming at once and not just being a greatest hits collection. There are some recordings that aren't the definitive version of the holiday song, but I think the whole album can just Sleigh Ride into my Xmas playlist if the songs aren't in there already. Favorite track "A Marshmallow World" 5/5* * for a Christmas album

Love Phil Spector. That man could do no wrong.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

aye fuckin magic, phil spector gotta be my favourite murderer

It's Christmas. It's a Christmas album. It's one of the best Christmas albums. The wall of sound is in full effect here and it works so well. An excellent album and the perfect day for it. Almost like that was planned...

This is s perennial favourite of mine, the Cd comes out every Christmas and gets played a good few times. I'm always disappointed when I hear Phil Spector speak on the Silent Night cos I know the album is almost over. Wish it had been a double album! There's no duffers on here, every song is a cracker (pun intended, sorry) that you will hear on the radio during the festive season.

Perfect

It’s a bunch of classic christmas songs from bands that Phil Specter produced. Classic stuff, lots of songs that are still played every year

So first of all, fuck Phil Spector, he's dead anyways, but still, I hope he's having a real hot time right now. That out of the way, I don't have that nostalgia or strong feelings towards these songs, since I'm not American or British or anything anywhere near the English-speaking folks. I know the songs from American media, but that's about it. I've never listened to them to feel the Christmas spirit. I just get the 90's American TV Christmas spirit. It makes me feel like I'm in one of those movies. That's why I feel I can give a more unbiased opinion. It's not a perfect album, but it's really fun, actually deserving of being on this list. It's incredibly influential, it makes a whole holiday (alongside newer songs, but that's besides the point). It's really good, but I still wanna keep my rating system. Would I actively listen to these songs? Not really. Not even on Christmas. Are they bangers? Absolutely! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! And Phil, once again, rot in whatever hell you believed in, in all of them actually, since I don't believe in any.

A lovely collection of lush Christmas songs. Because of the artists involved and the overall sound, this feels like a very 1960s album. But it also feels timeless. There's a nice variety of Christmas classics and lesser-known songs, which makes the album sound fresh and not just like a collection of covers (even though it kind of is). The production is great and the effects, like sleigh bells and horse clopping sounds, add a lot. And the one original song, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is the best Christmas song of them all, with a killer performance from Darlene Love. It doesn't stand up to albums with more depth that sound good year round, but it's definitely worth breaking out once a year to enjoy.

Never read the reviews. It's always the way to find out that an artist involved was a racist, murderer or did something highly controversial. Never read the reviews. Merry Christmas everyone. Bloody murderers. 4 stars.

Part of me feels like the Ronettes' album would have been a better choice, but right now I'm filled with Christmas cheer and glad for the others that they get to be included. Some of the intros here are a bit syrupy, but if there's a time for being overly sentimental, it's now of course. The main thing holding this back, of course, is when there's a man. Bob B. Soxx is a perfectly serviceable singer, but he's certainly no Ronnie Spector or Darlene Love, or even a LaLa Brooks. Even worse is Phil Spector's rendition of Silent Night, which is just too much. It's even worse knowing what we know now, that *this* man is doing the song about sleeping in heavenly peace.

“Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made a Great Point“

Makes me feel like I'm watching Goodfellas

What else is there to say about it, it's such a lovely timeless album that nonetheless still sounds fresh and intriguing to this day. I'm thankful Brian Wilson has translated this album into non-Christmas contexts, but this will always hit the spot for the season. Could do without the convicted murderer responsible for it telling me to have happy holidays in the end though.

Taking classic Christmas songs and making them "cool" with his "wall of sound" at the time must have sounded like the worst idea ever. I'm still shocked at how well it worked. Only one song-- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)-- really worked, and this was also the only original song for the album. It doesn't all work, but the concept and much of the execution really works. We know because some 60 years later we are still listening. 4/5

MY CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS REACHING NEAR-MAXIMUM LEVELS!!!

What can go wrong. Seriously, what can go wrong with a Christmas album? Nothing. Furthermore, a whole lot can go right, and that’s what happens here. Everyone knows every song, which you can’t say for many other albums (or, in this case, compilations). It’s a whole lot of fun and the closest you can probably get to conveying the ‘Christmas spirit’ in popular song.