A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Ik hou niet zo van kerstmuziek, vooral niet de oud klinkende

Album #3 - Phil Spector: 0/5 This album (for a Christmas album): 4/5 Today I learned: what "Wall of Sound" is. Neat! I'm not a big fan of most Christmas music, but this is a really awesome collection of classic Christmas songs! I'm looking forward to putting this album in my winter rotation BEFORE Christmas day next year. Probably worth skipping "Silent Night" with the creepy Phil Spector voice-over, though.

Fantastic, though just a little uneven. Darlene Love and Ronettes are amazing, Bob B. Soxx maybe a little less. Also, hard to argue with short and sweet.

Great recordings. Can really hear the “wall of sound” style on these tracks, because most of them are songs and arrangements we know so well. Great era for singers! It’s interesting how he mixes the drum kit. So many layers and only 4 tracks! A definitive record of the 60’s pop era before the kids really took over the industry.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα

Phil Spector is such a creep. The Darlene love songs are the best.

Not really into christmas music, but I have to say, the mixing and the voices are impeccable.

Satte på denne på en snøfylt togtur hjem fra juleferie, så burde være perfekte forhold. Men jeg takler ikke ekstremt lystig, sukkersøt, høytempo amerikansk julemusikk. Kjenner ikke igjen noe av det jeg liker med jula - gi meg heller noen andektige salmer eller nostalgisk melankoli så snakker vi. Produksjonen her er helt overveldende rik og sammensatt. Det gjør det hele litt interessant å høre på, men samtidig tar det en sjanger som vanligvis er ganske slitsom å høre på og gjør den til et tidvis uutholdelig angrep på ørene. Og så slutter det hele med en personlig, litt creepy hilsen fra produsenten, som jeg leser var en drapsmann og generelt ufyselig fyr? Nei takk!

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!! sorry if i sound like the grinch but i dont really like christmas songs i think sean ruined them for me completely freshman year between watching home alone every night and him playing christmas music whether it was september or april.... these queens knew what they were doin in 1963 so good on them. If I HAD to listen to a christmas album (like i am rn) this one isnt so bad and I find it fascinating how christmas music has barely changed in the last what? 70-80 years???

Lovely Christmas album. All songs have been done many times but I like the sound of the Ronettes, Darlene Love and the Crystals. Some songs have been murdered by my favourite choir so are winceable! This includes the original song on the record so that is where the rating comes from. Made me want to look up the originals - lots of country - and think about what it would be like to hear Christmas songs for the very first time.

Didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, but then I realized I recognized most of these Christmas classics and it made me so nostalgic for Christmas car rides with my parents as a child.

I love a good old Christmas album, they just have that warm cozy feeling that a Christmas album should have. The singers have so much soul and joy in their voices which is so nice. If I’m judging this album on its own, I can’t say it’s the best Christmas album I’ve ever heard nor can I say it’s particularly special. But the songs are classic and the singers and music are good. Fave Songs: Sleigh Ride, The Bells of St. Mary Least Fave Song: Frosty the Snowman Rating: 4/5

Favorite time of the year, and timeless music to boot.

Great Classic Christmas Songs

CHRISTMAS!!!

I can't figure out how to say "didn't listen" after the fact. I fucking hate christmas music, so it's getting a 1.

No Christmas album should make this list.

Listened to this while making a ham. This is a hard one to rate. Sure, it’s a five star Christmas album, but I’m not going to want to listen to this one in June. We’ll call it a 2.5 ⭐️ album, but round up to 3 because it’s Baby Jesus’ Birthday.

The best thing that this album has going for it, besides Phil Spector, is that the songs aren't religious. Never been a huge on Christmas music, but greatly prefer these types of songs over the praise baby Jesus songs.   Kind of wish it was all Darlene Love and The Ronettes...."Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is probably the best non-traditional Christmas song ever. Since it's Christmas tunes, it can't be a four....but it's definitely not a two. I liked quite a few renditions of the songs.

not listening to this one because Christmas is over and I hate murderers

Nostalgia, cunt, and wholesome. What else could I ask for for Christmas?

All the classics. Love the wall of sound per usual. I approve of his musical influences but not other acts…. 5/5 (for a Christmas album) rated by both James and Emma

What a snooze-fest! Ett!

I refuse to listen to a Christmas album.

абсолютный передоз рождественскими песнями но вайб задает однако первый минус в том что тут ни одной моей любимой песни а второй в том что Фил Спектор гребанный убийца)

хэппи нью э что ль

Christmas songs FTW!

Gold für Weihnachten

I love Christmas music this is a certified banger. It being the third of January won't stop me from enjoying this.

Meh

Christmas music isn't really my thing from a lyrical perspective. That being said, I do enjoy that classic 50s style pop that Christmas music usually provides.

Well, it's a Christmas album, which is a strike against it. But it's good as far as Christmas albums go--some now-standards, and some otherwise interesting takes on classics. The sound is of its time. 3 stars because it's hard to imagine how a Christmas album could be better, i.e., this is no "A Very Special Christmas with Perry Como" or "Holidays Together with Josh Grogan."

It's just a Christmas album. nothing special.

Un bon 3,5 pour cet album, même si je suis pas spécialement fan des chants de Noël à l'Américaine comme ça. La fin a quand même réussi à me faire sourire

pas mal pour un album de noël, c'est agréable d'avoir plusieurs interprètes !

I appreciate it was a classic collection of Christmas music, but wouldn't be my favorite one to listen to

Phil Spector is apparently responsible for some great versions of well known, and some not well known, holiday classics. I don’t usually listen to any particular Christmas albums but hearing all of them together I can see the through line in Phil’s sound. Very rich and full, vocals very front in the mix. As a producer you can’t deny his influence in music, even if he did kill someone later. That being said, it’s still just a compilation of Christmas songs and I can’t give a Christmas album a 5. The songs are only enjoyable because of Christmas, and if I was rating this any other time of the year I wouldn’t like it nearly as much. But since these are all at least original versions of the songs made for Phil Spector’s album, I’ll give it a 4.

Solid renditions of classic Christmas songs. I especially liked Sleigh Ride by the Ronettes, Here Comes Santa Claus by Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans. If you're in the mood for Christmas music, this will probably hit the spot.

Setting aside Spector's personal life, which would be a definite zero star. And separating the art from the artist, this is the definitive christmas album. All others are merely attempting to capture some of the essence of this album. Brian Wilson cites this album as one of the greatest of all time, and who am I to disagree. 5 stars.

Really enjoyed despite listening to this in mid-February…a strangely festive but wonderful experience.

There isn't many things in music world that would make me feel more irritated and uncomfortable than Xmas songs. I just can't handle those. Sixteens sound and style makes Xmas songs tolerable but only that. One star.

Classics

It was just christmas, I can't stand crissytunes, even the best ones are just barely tolerable, let alone listenable, so I'm not listening to this. I'll give it and extra star for the performers, that it's Spector production, that it's proper music and not low effort cash grab (I think).

This album has a few popular (on the radio) songs, and overall I’d rate it three stars. I am unfamiliar with Bob B Soxx. Seems like he was thrown in there just for variety.

Hooray! A Christmas Album...for me! (And everyone). I know a lot of these songs already, so of course I'm predisposed to like it more. Highlights: 'White Christmas', 'Frosty the Snowman', 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', 'Christmas' (mainly because it's on the SNL Christmas special every year), 'Winter Wonderland', 'Sleigh Ride' (hehe horse noises), 'Marshmallow World' (spelled wrong on the cover? I never heard this one before, but it's not even necessarily about Christmas, which I like) Fun Facts I told my parents and now I will put here: 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' was written for Montgomery Ward! 'Silent Night' is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site!! Phil Spector says "thank" with a voiced interdental!

Phil Spector's extreme creep factor and criminally murderous behavior aside, this was a great Christmas album. Full props to all of the talented performing artists.

As a retail worker, I’m considering this hateful I am receiving this album on Xmas day. Outside of the holiday I might be more forgiving, and give this a shot. I didn’t go through 2 months of cheerful, joyful noise pollution to have it intercept my one day of peace.

Fantastic! Classic!

Classic. We play this every year at our fam holiday get-togethers.

Ugh. It was fine. And I even enjoyed the Motown vibe but I don't understand how this is influencial... Maybe it spawned everyone making Christmas albums... If that's the case it might not be a "good" influence. Lol

Yea, it was a classic. Perfect album for yesterday. Would probably give this 5 stars but I can't help but think this album's success led to Mariah Carey doing her Christmas song that I hear nonstop and absolutely hate.

comfy

this album is killer

1.5. rounding down. i dont like chirstmas songs

Christmas

Had no idea Phil Spector was involved in all of these songs. Clearly a talented guy. There's obviously a time and place for this music- which is obviously December, before the family row and the endless washing up. The fact a few of these versions have stood the festive test of time says something... Either that they're classics or that people were too scared not to play them in case this maniacal birds nest of a man crawled out of the fireplace and blasted you in the face. 3 stars as a Christmas album. Some classics, some covers I'm not a big fan of.. and because of the fact it's now boxing day and I've eaten myself into having gout, I currently have a more apathetic view on this sort of music.

For it’s time, I think it has literally every christmas banger released on it. What a lovely christmas listen.

The wild haired murderer sure knew how to put a Christmas album together. Darlene Love went on to do my favourite Christmas song, All Alone On Christmas 🎄

I mean dit is zo bedoeld voor een specifieke periode van het jaar dat het haast absurd is om het nu te beoordelen maar toch wel aardig :)

Een klassiek kerstalbum van een veroordeelde moordenaar

Top-tier production, really works with these songs

"can you believe it guys christmas just a week away"

Here's a conundrum. If you extract a Christmas Album out of the season, is it still a good album? Or is the fact that I am listening to this album on Christmas Day irrevocably biasing my review? Yeah, it probably is. But I don't really care. It's still a decent album.

These were ok for christmas, fun for once. They are well performed but not all arrangements have aged as gracefully and it does not quite fit my european conceptions of christmas. My dad said it was a 3, and I agree.

Honestly, it feels like Phil 'Wall of Sound' Spector got together some of his musical groups and contractually obligated them to do a Christmas album. Some of the tracks are well known; the Ronettes versions of Frosty and Sleigh Ride are seemingly everywhere. But it's decently made Christmas music, made by a person who definitely wasn't decent, and doesn't even really bother to put much polish on it. You know, the actual thing you'd get Phil Spector for? Tangent: I wrote the first line of this review before seeing the cover art, and that's amusing because the stars REALLY seem to not want to be there. No Phil either, interestingly... Strong Bad Demerit Count: I don't care enough to bother.

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

Merry Christmas and stuff!

Fwiw Phil Spector was a visionary, and I think the Wall Of Sound treatment works well on these Christmas songs. But the real star is Darlene Love, who I don’t know anything about except for this album. Merry Christmas, Darlene, and Merry Christmas everyone but Phil.

Christmas!

Good comp

If this album came out in the 2020s it’d make a killing on streams.

Can we just cancel Phil Spector. The talent on this album deserves to have his name removed permanently.

Classic Christmas songs

This leaves me very conflicted, since I have a soft spot for 60s girl groups, but generally hate Christmas music. That said, this Christmas music is some of the most tolerable for me. Love that wall of sound. Fav tracks: White Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland

Phil Spector is a convicted murderer. Kinda wild this album is on here (but appropriately assigned on Christmas). I also know Phil Spector was an extremely influential producer and is known for developing the "Wall of Sound" production style. He also produced the Beatles album "Let It Be" including the song "The Long and Winding Road" which I love. That being said, I do enjoy how this album is a huge collaboration project between a ton of musicians. I didn't really like the songs that Bob B. Soxx worked on tho. However...I have trouble ranking a Christmas album much higher than a 3 and even at that, it's not my favorite Christmas album. The "Silent Night" last track was a pretty creative way to say "goodbye and thanks for listening" tho. I do like how these albums sound old which is fun.

It's a Christmas album. I can tell that a lot of the songs here have had major influence on later versions of the same songs, which is neat. 2

Han das Album recht schnell geskippt, will wiehnachtsmusig mine öhrli chli schmerzt. Ich gibe aber en zweite Stern vo Bethlehem für de überraschigseffekt!

Christmas songs bini - abgseh vo alte katholische klassiker - sehr abgneigt. Das ganze xmas getöse, meist na künstlich kapitalistische ufgsetzti ami songs lösed bi mir eher es pfui als juhui us. Darum hani au als ersts ui denkt, woni das album gseh han. Mitmen uiuiui hani in erst song ineglosst und mit em ne hui bini den au wieder direkt usm album usgstiege. & jetzt sitz ich im flugi zum lui uf singapur und lahne wiehnachte und das album hinder mir. Too mutch (muy) xmas für mich: immerhin für ein wiehnachtsbaum langeds dem album. Btw: es fühlt sich au cool ah e 1-stern bewertig hindere z klöpfe Ps: schöni ferie toggiboyz

weisch was phil spector? chasch grad wider hei gah wenn mit somene drecks gschenk uftauchsch, gar kei bock meh uf dich phil hesch sicher au scho 20 komischi sprüch gheie lah und mir sind nanig mal dur de apero dure - hey nei ich bin eifach sehr froh das mir ih de familie genau eimal wienachte fiired am 24. und denn hetts sichs gha und das isch GESTER GSI UND EZT LAH MICH IN RUHE!!! ein schlag id fressi vom phil, guet nacht

Legit got this album for Christmas and loved nearly every second of it

1-star any other time of year.

Christmas Oldies. Like.

Magical

Nice I’ll have to remember this album for next Cheistmas

what's not to like about this on Christmas day? Besides, its a break & getaway from the Buble!

I hate Christmas songs!

A stone cold classic. Great versions of all the songs plus the original version of one of the best holiday songs ever: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). An incredible roster of talent performing for this peerless Christmas compilation album.

Christmasy

A real solid Christmas album. But it is a Christmas album.

Great Christmas album, if you like Phil Spector’s early 60’s groups. Which I do.

Wonderful except for the Phil Spector monologue at the end, yikes.

Merry Christmas, ya filthy albums! Lot of fun to listen to, always love Christmas music. Stand outs were A Marshmallow World, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Best song: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Perfect festive tunes!

Skip

This was fine. A nice Christmas album. I’ll put it on this year in December.

A great xmas record. I already liked "Christmas (Baby please come home)" so it was great to hear it in context with the other tracks. This will be coming out next year amongst the other xmas nonsense.

Definitely not my cup of tea.

Had a lot of good classic carols. Would be a nice album for Christmas morning.

A 5 but the guys a murderer or whatever so

Pretty good takes. Listening to this with my New Year’s Day hangover is my punishment for falling behind

Fun Christmas album, Baby Please Come Home is an all-timer, can’t say that it is a 4 though because it’s just a Christmas album

Classic versions of classic songs. Not gonna punish it for my being late to review. Could’ve done without silent night at the end.

Fine. Christmas music.

Take your 5 ya merry bastard

Dobro ovo baš ne mogu ozbiljno shvatiti 😂 božićne pjesme, uvijek iste. Jedino mi je fora što su iz 60-ih i ima rockabilly melodije, to je uvijek dobrodošlo 🤗 2/5, 4/10

Božić je prošo, do ovog albuma nisam na vrijeme došo. Ostavit ću ovdje dvicu, dok gledam ravno na jaslicu.

de altíssimo nível papo reto FELIZ NATAL

simone_entao_e_natal.mp3 feliz natal porra! infelizmente o phil spector é um assassino, o que é a coisa menos natalina de todas, mas fazer o que. pedradaça. natal sessentista, só músicão bem feito. bom pra arrumar a casa no dia 25.

Gute Compilation, kannte "Mama kissed Santa" nur von dem SNL Song :D 4 Sterne

Schöne Weihnachtslieder, etwas kitschig.

Nette Songs, besser als einige moderne Weihnachtslieder. Dann lieber sowas.

It’s a Christmas album - filled with variations of songs with alternate versions which I prefer and (presumably) American tunes I have no desire to add to the repertoire of an already tired musical time of year.

Of all the Christmas albums I've ever listened to, this is definitely one of them. I spent far too many years working full-time in retail to ever really enjoy Christmas music, but I also don't hate it. This would be a great album to put on in the background while you open gifts on Xmas morning, but I can't imagine bopping to it mid-summer

I think given it's a Christmas album, I'll review it with context that it is always Christmas time when I listen to this. I think it's only fair. I mean... I guess it's a collection of songs I've heard a billion times. Very traditional sound, very traditional songs, great for Christmas morning with the family, but otherwise I'd pass. But also, what's with Phil Spector's monologue in Silent Night? So strange.

this album is already in our holiday rotation, but Phil Spector is trash

Oooook??? I truly believed this was random, so for this to land on Christmas Day, I can now confirm I’m being intentionally tortured by the powers that be, with Nick Cave and Aguilera within a 7 day span. While I ponder the cruelty of the choices made thus far, let’s give this a spin. Darlene Love kicks off this various artist fest. I’ve heard far better performances of this song. It’s fine. Classic song. Lacking a little bit of the warmth I seek in Christmas music. Alright. I should’ve known. Another mid performance of an admittedly mid Christmas jingle. This sounds like an SNL sketch. The heavy accent on “Frawsty” makes me feel like I’m in a Christmas episode of the Sopranos. Bob B. Soxx makes his much awaited debut. I wonder if he’s friends with Al E. Gator, or Al B. Tross? This isn’t a song I’ve heard. Can see why it doesn’t appear on the department store playlist loop. Lifeless. Jimmy? Listen bud. You need to hear about this Santa cat. Mail that letter or you’re getting JACK SHIT for Christmas. Anyway. The name “Jimmy” has genuinely entertained me more than this bleh rendition of another Christmas classic. Finally. A known version which is bright, fun, warm and everything you’d need for a Christmas song. The Ronettes redeem their foray into bad snowman music with a capable carol worthy of entry into the canon. This was always the worst Christmas song. Well. This and Little Drummer Boy. Too much rum pum pumming. This is too much sugar talk. Can’t all be winners. Another one. I never got this one and I’m literally the dumbest man alive. I thought it was a cheating song about the literal fictional character Santa Claus. But it just means dad in a Santa hat. Anyway. Never my favourite, and another bad version. Hooray. What is this noise rock version of Rudolph? Also, why are all Christmas characters German? I thought we won. Anyway. This version SUCKS. I have a confession. It is I who is the fabled “Parson Brown.” My promotion to Parson is still highly contentious in the Parsonage community and my rise to fame through the song, “Winter Wonderland,” has only exacerbated tensions. It is my dearest hope that through enough versions of this song, my name is cleared and I am free to return to my duties as a Parson, whatever the hell those may be. I’m shocked this wartime horn jaunt hasn’t entered the Christmas canon (I’m not) (it’s terrible). I never liked this one either! Wow. I’m pretty picky about this whole Christmas thing. Bad. Bob B. Soxx is the all time worst Christmas vocalist. Obvious friend of Phil OR a terrible pseudonym. Rancid. NOOOOO. Phil. Don’t speak. I have some feelings about the album “to which I just listened.” Are we really doing a credits sequence over the instrumental of Silent Night? Two thumbs down. Considering what I’ve just found out about Phil, this is horrifying. Don’t shoot me ya psycho. Do you know how much good Christmas music there is? There’s a god damn treasure trove of it. The 40’s and 50’s were a golden age for it. Do any of these classic performances appear on Phil Spector’s supposed “Gift for You?” Not really. If the gift is to introduce you to worse versions of excellent songs, then Merry Fucking Christmas, send Phil a post mortem thank you card. Maybe some of these ARE the originals, to which I say, they were HEAVILY improved upon. I didn’t even know who Phil was, but it seems like he got to a variety show late and had to pick all the acts that weren’t picked by others. Makes me want to exclusively say “happy non-denominational holiday season,” just to stick it to the boomers. Also. Would probably rather be visited by the horrifying spectres that haunted Scrooge, than the Spector that appeared in my stocking this year. Bah, Humbug. 1-1.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Sleigh Ride

As a Christmas album, it was great. I'm glad this was recommended this week =)

Probably best Christmas album out, with a legendary performance by Darlene Love and The Ronettes

Have a very goodfellas christmas

Better than Mariah, that’s for sure

It’s a Christmas album

Dead

I generally enjoy having Christmas music around for December, and Christmas music of all stripes - sacred, secular, traditional, classic, modern, weird, reverent, irreverent, whatever. I liked A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector by Various Artists well enough. Plenty of well-known songs from the general Christmas radio rotation. These mostly aren't my personal favorite recordings of these songs - "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was done better by The Jackson 5, I like Autry's original "Here Comes Santa Claus" best, and so on - but there's something to be said for having an album with a bunch of classics handled in a fairly consistent style. Makes for a nice listening experience. Wish it didn't have the outro narration by Phil though.

Wish I looked at this on Christmas instead of listening to shitty Christmas playlists on Spotify

Well it's a great performance by the musicians, but not my favorite.

I'm not a fan of Christmas music or Christmas albums. There are some classics on here, so it moves itself up from the 1 star I would normally give most Christmas albums. 3 stars.

One of the all time great Christmas albums. Second only to Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics.

Like Christmas music, only better. It’s almost like these songs were written for drum and bass driven 3-part harmonies, it’s just that they were stuck in the organ and 33-part chorus world or in the keyboard and 23-elementary student concert world or the orchestra and 23-biggest pop stars in the world for all Time before and after this album. My only regret is not listening tomorrows before this Christmas season, ‘cause as good as it is, it’s only gone two weeks of the year.

Great Christmas album. Just started listening to this a couple of years ago and is on holiday rotation now in the Darwish house. Any Christmas album that can cut through the treacle is refreshing.

Not so good if you listen to it a week after Christmas

Just because it's Xmas and I need to be generous with grades..

Thank fuck this was only 30 minutes. I fucking hate Christmas. Though this wasn't too bad, I've definitely heard worse Christmas music. Still, I hate Christmas music regardless of how good or bad it is. I hope this is the only Christmas album on this list or I am going to be a very unhappy boy in a years time.

Frankly I don't think I would want to get a gift from Phil Spector given his track record

I hate Christmas music with a passion that would make the Grinch look like the mayor of whoville.

6/10 Fav tracks - Frosty the snowman, sleigh ride, Winter Wonderland

It’s the most tolerable Christmas album I’ve ever heard. Great version of frosty the snowman. Listenable 1/365 days of the year.

This album is incredible. Sure it's Christmas music and that can turn off a lot of people but it's all at such a high eatery

Merry Christmas, Phil. Would have preferred Christopher Lee’s Christmas singles but eh.

Phil Spector presiding over an album celebrating joy and family feels....wrong. Darlene Love is the best part of the album and if Phil laid a finger on her I'll piss on his grave

Apparently Brian Wilson’s favorite album. I’m a bit of a grinch, but this sounds as good as any Christmas music I’ve heard.

Phil Spector murdered women. That's not very Christmassy.

In a holiday mood, this album is one of the greats. Didnt know Spector did this. Loved hearing the closing monologue in Silent Night.

First of all, no way in hell am I listening to Beastie Boys in the holiday season, let’s just get that out of the way. I knew that the generator forced a Christmas album today, so did want to see what it was. KILLER songs Phil. Nice that this followed our dive into Pet Sounds, felt like I had a little more context on the spectre of Spector and his wall of sound. I like a little holiday spirit and cheese, even more so now in my old, old age. This hits, especially the Darlene Love tracks. See you next year Phil.

A nice change from the standard versions of these songs. Sonically good as well.

I liked this. Fun Christmas songs. I'll need to spend some more time with it in the future.

Felt weird to listen to in January but is obv amazing

phil spector murdered someone insane how much staying power these songs have. hope the artists who performed them got the royalties (I unfortunately doubt it very much prob all went to the murderer) but I’m giving them their flowers this is quintessential stuff here. But also I’m jewish so 3/5

Never heard the album before. The title of the album is a bit cringey, although the production by Phil Spector is clearly a major part of this album There are some great versions here. The wall of sound production generally matches well with the Christmas songs, and gives an updated shot in the arm compared to the original versions of a lot of these songs. I'm not sure if it's due to the version I listened to on YouTube Music but many of the songs sounded very muddy, which is unfortunate. It's still a great Christmas album.

It's OK but not really great.

Great album for any retail store from Nov. 1 until Dec. 24th. I don't like Christmas music though, even on Christmas.

Fine for christmas music, but won't be listening to this album again for a year.

Excellent Christmas album despite the creepy Phil Spector vibe.

great christmas music!!!! more like a solid playlist than an album in listening but great nonetheless

Awesome, Phil Spector is a genius except for in his personal life

Very good holiday record!

I don’t like this kind of Christmas music. It’s kinda creepy.

I don't know. Xmas (Baby Please come home) is an undeniable classic and some of the other classic tracks work with the WOS treatment (Sleight Ride) but does Frosty the Snowman really need this maximalist reinterpretation. This was made in a moment where pop culture was shifting and so much of the American experience was reimagined - this is perhaps best understood as a counterpoint to Burl Ives. In the end - the album does work on getting into some holiday spirit. There are some clunkers but you can help but get caught up.

i like christmas music :)

Didn’t review this until Jan so didn’t put it on. The songs are good so I’ll give it a prospective 6/10

Uncomfortable, felt like christmas at gunpoint.

Crazy to hear the Phil Spector story!

Classic christmas album. Enjoyed it

I mean... It's absolutely perfect for what it is. It's a wire-guided missile of talent and content designed to deliver a perfectly crafted payload. I absolutely put this on my christmas playlist and am glad to have learned of it. Oof, I wrote that without having listened to the last track. I'm downgrading it from a 5 to a 4 just for the Phil Spector voice over

I work retail, so I’m not interested in anymore Christmas music. That said it is a little better than the Christmas music I hear in the mall all winter, so 2 stars I guess.

Wow, that's a murders row of excellent singers. Christmas music is only good for 2 days of the year, but these are classics.

Fuck Phil Spector. Unfortunately this album is actually pretty good.

I can't help but think this album would've been better to listen to around Christmas time, but here we are. I've always said there are only a dozen Christmas songs ever, just redone a million times, and here they all are. These are great versions, especially The Ronettes songs. It's a pleasant listen, even in January, and one of the better all around Holiday albums ever recorded. I'll give it a 3, because bah humbug!

By the 2000s, many producers are getting just as much attention (or more) than the recording artists. Before then, there were just a handful of producers that were known by industry outsiders; Phil Spector was on the short list of known producers at the time. Indeed, this album has his name in the title, and the artists are listed in the notes but are forever canonized as Various Artists. Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" is up front and center here, and it seems even more appropriate somehow in the context of Christmas music, both existing on the borderline of sacredness and commercialism. The expression of the youthful voices forever captured on this album reflect the holiday spirit of joy, whimsy, and optimism. Well-timed, 1001albumsgenerator.com! However, such timing may inflate one's rating; in the broader context, a Christmas album feels only appropriate maybe 2 1/2 months out of the year. Though the production and performances are top-notch, this album sits unplayed for most of the year.

I have long loved this album. It's got some of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, capturing the brightness and festivity of the season. It's a shame Phil Spector was such a horrible person despite his genius at producing--I can't help but think of that when I see this album, but I try to focus instead on all of the brilliant performances by the artists.

What a great album. Every song is done well. You can hear the amount of thought process.put I to the arrangements of these songs. My favorites are Frosty the Snowman and Marshmallow World. Awesome vocals.

Darlene Love's voice! Minus 1 star for the convicted murderer's production role, and the Silent Night signoff.

Not really my shit, but you have to respect it.

Never heard the album before. The title of the album is a bit cringey, although the production by Phil Spector is clearly a major part of this album There are some great versions here. The wall of sound production generally matches well with the Christmas songs, and gives an updated shot in the arm compared to the original versions of a lot of these songs. I'm not sure if it's due to the version I listened to on YouTube Music but many of the songs sounded very muddy, which is unfortunate. It's still a great Christmas album.

Can't say for sure but this feels like the definitive versions of many of these songs. Not sure if it was a new idea but having soul artists do christmas is great. These sound wonderful and these are easily the best christmas songs. With my favorite (Darlene's "Christmas"). Can't knock it. This is revolutionary

The timing of this album must be intentional lol.

Christmas music blows goats, and Phil wants to be blown by a goat

Fuck Phil Spector but love to everyone else who worked on this album!

Yes please!

undeniably good

Standard Christmas album

8/10. All great Christmas Songs. Darlene kills it every time.

Just no. All Christmas music is negative 10 trillion stars.

This may be one of the best Christmas albums in existence. Unfortunately, it’s still a Christmas album

Wall to wall Christmas classics. Thanks Phil! Gotta love that wall of sound.

Hard to judge a Christmas album objectively... but these are hits and its solid from beginning to end.

Everything you could wish for in a 1960’s Christmas album.

A festive treat that the whole family enjoyed on Christmas Day. Not quite Slade and Wizzard standard but did the job.

Well, as Xmas albums go, it’s full of bangers. Makes a nice change to the usual rotation.

Phil Spector was a weird piece of shit, but you can't argue that he knew music.

If o have to listen to Christmas music that’s not being performed by James Brown or Booker T, then this is it. I do love the girl groups of the sixties despite Phil Spector’s hand in their success.

Fun to hear some Christmas classics that I've listened to for as long as I could remember.

A solid showing of motown holiday cheese.

For as crazy and largely evil as he was, I love Phil Spector. I wish I'd listened to this closer to Christmas, cause hot damn its good. The Ronnettes version of Frosty was already a favorite, and this whole album was just as good. I love Christmas music and I love the Phil Spector sound/catalog, so this combo was a delight from start to finish. Album cover: (A) This is so very of its time and I love it. More album covers should be the artists standing in people sized boxes.

I have to rate this album for what it is, which is an absolutely fucking banging Christmas album. No, it's not as good as Dark Side of the Moon, but it's not meant to be. I love Christmas. My favorite songs were "Sleigh Ride", "A Marshmallow World", and "Here Comes Santa Claus". 10/10 10/10

Thank you 1001 Songs for giving me this Christmas gift. First, let’s address the controversy: Phil Spector was murderer. Now it’s out there we can enjoy the music. The Ronnette’s version of Frosty the Snowman and Mommy Kissing Santa Claus have been a part of my life for as long as I remember. Throughout this month, I’ve already heard Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and Rudolph by the Crystals numerous times. And how can you go wrong with anything that Darlene Love does. True, I’m a sucker for classic R&B. But this album is fantastic and evidence of the production talent that crazy shameless murderer had. Hell, on 2024, he’s be considered a viable Presidential candidate! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, joyous Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, y’all!🌲🎅👍

I've had this album on my Christmas playlist for a few years now. It's 60's Motown girl group fantastic and is a great listen to celebrate the holiday season. However, I didn't remember good ol' Phil making an appearance on Silent Night. Kind of weird to hear that ol' creep here sounding so sweet and nice. Skip Phil Spector on Silent Night and play the rest! Merry Christmas.

Solid Christmas album

Exceptional singing from legends. Obviously seasonal. Makes me wonder why we don’t have a collection of awesome Independence Day jamz! Curious about this Phil Spector. Gonna do some additional research about his life and career.

I am not particularly a Christmas music enjoyer, but these were certainly not the worst christmas musics

Fun and timely but unfortunately just heard the majority of these songs leading into Christmas

Darlene Love’s White Christmas deserves more airplay

Probably one of the best Christmas albums for a certain style of music, non stop bangers

It's the reason for the season

Would I listen to it outside the month of December? Prrrooobably not? But this is a perfect Christmas listen. Classic after classic. Fuck you Phil Spector.

This came through on December 26th.. so close! What a fun coincidence. For a sec I thought the 1001AG creator was being clever and wedging this one into every participant's list, but was then flooded with reasons of just how buck wild that would be haha. The timing was fun, even though I'm a little sick of Christmas music at this point, compared to what's out there, this one's a shining star on the highest bough. Now to continue muddling through somehow...

I FUCKING LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Thank you 1001 Albums Generator site for the killer Christmas gift

I am rating this as a Christmas album - and it is the best I have ever heard. Drives me crazy when my wife tunes in to the Christmas channel on XM on Dec 1st. If all the songs were like the ones on this album I would actually enjoy it.

So this is why I have to endure every artist’s own crappy Christmas album these days. But I’ll set that aside—this is the OG, it has a spot in the holiday rotation.

This is in my 5 essential Christmas records.

A wonderful touch by this website by generating this one on the actual day. Merry Christmas :,)

Justo un 26 de diciembre me viene a aparecer la re puta madre.

Whomever is playing drums for the Ronettes on Frosty is really going to town. Come to think of it listening to the drums alone on this whole album it's hard to believe it's a Christmas album. The whole band really brings it to the table. This is a Christmas Album that has some refreshing approaches overall. There's some deep cuts in here too to cut the banality of Xmas playlists such as "The Bells of St. Mary" & "Marshmallow World" which is nice. Weird choice for this 1001 list but alright.. whatever.

Some Christmas Classics, especially the Ronettes tunes.

I don’t know man, maybe I’m just in the right mood to be receptive, but this is the fourth five star in a row. Totally different genres and vibes. I liked this a lot. It is a collection of old standards, so it isn’t breaking new ground that way, but most of these are still the definitive version you hear on the radio all these decades later.

Het warme geluid van Spector's productieteam, de zoete stemmen van de early 60s meidenpopgroepen, en een bult aan kerstklassiekers die eigenlijk allemaal op hun best klinken. Oké het is vooral het moment, vermoed ik, maar dit is gewoon steengoed. Nu een 8,5, volgende week brak na oud & nieuw een 4,5.

Leuk om zo eens goed naar de Wall of Sound van Phil Spector te luisteren. En ook al is deze gemaakt om in de jaren 60 toch een beetje geluid uit crappy radiotjes te toveren (en dus niet voor Bluetooth AirPods), is het een plezier om naar te luisteren. De studio als instrument. Het blijft natuurlijk wel kerstmuziek en eigenlijk moet ik daar gewoon niks van hebben. 6,5/10

Wall of sound meets Christmas.

Merry Christmas- brought to you by a convicted murderer 🤷‍♀️

Nu når der er et decideret jule album på, så acceptere jeg at listen ikke er helt tilfældig. Den er kort og fin, men sætter den nok ikke på næste jul.

Phil Spector skal tage sin Wall of Sound og fucke af. Overproduceret lort

This is a tricky one to rate because on the one hand every song on the album has gone on to become synonymous with Christmas music. I'd heard just about every song from the album before on the radio, in movies, and/or casually around town during the holidays. It manages to capture the fun of Christmas music without being cloying or too cheesy. On the other hand, my personal guideline for this project is to save albums to my music account if I rate them a 4 or 5, but I don't want to save this album because... I don't want Christmas music to randomly pop up on shuffle.

Obviously this is an amazing album. Very specific, and really only something that one is likely to play around Christmas, but the idea that Phil Spector actually put it out at all is pretty great. I might call this a must have album (or must play) if you are even just somewhat into Christmas. Nevertheless, it is again, very specific, and it is not even arguably quite seasonal. This doesn't hurt the quality, but it limits its playability for all but the most hardcore Christmas affectionadoes.

I mean, I don't like Phil Spector, but it's a really good christmas album.

Such a great exhibit of Christmas music, part classic part fresh take

Awesome Christmas album

Lovely versions, but why is this on here?

So, this is a nice little Christmas Compilation Album. It appeared just in time for Christmas (on Christmas day, so I assume it was rigged) and had quite a lot of popular songs. Overall, I had a pretty good experience with this album, which just had songs by different artists.

Greatest Christmas album ever

Is this album proof that a murderer with bad hair can't be all that bad? Was Jack the Ripper a sixty foot sea serpent from Scotland? Did I take this job for a quick buck? We may never know the answer to these questions. That being said, this is the definition of a masterpiece, my favorite Christmas music, hands down, and Darlene Love is an angel. 5

I’m Jewish and Phil Spector is a murderer. So one star.

Dare I say, I don’t like classic Christmas songs? Outdated. I also don’t like murderers.

Problematic for many ways, but musically it's simple. An easy five stars.

Cute little Christmas album, but it’s no Michael Bublé. Easy to throw on during the holiday season and impress the old folks that would recognize all these oldies, but it’s just aight.

Christmas album so hard to rate. Includes a lot of good songs, as well as multiple songs that are the “best” version of that song. 3 stars!

Definitely conflicted with rating this album. It’s such a situational album that you can really only listen to for about a month out of the year. But, it also has a handful of tracks that I’ve heard around Christmas time pretty much every year that I’ve been alive with classics that have stood the test of time for the past sixty years. I love the Motown sound, and I think it would be higher if it wasn’t exclusively a Christmas album.

Darlene Love is doing some heavy lifting on this album! I thought this album would be a bunch of Christmas songs sung by people I don't know. I didn't realize that Darlene Love, and The Ronettes sing my preferred versions of a bunch of Christmas songs. Some major big hitters on here and the other songs are perfectly fine. Well done on the album generator for giving this out on Christmas day.

THE christmas album! Most of these versions are the definite ones. Merry christmas!

Christmas in March for me. A solid collection of timeless renditions of classic Christmas songs. I’ll flag this one for next season for sure.

Recognizing many of the songs from other holiday playlists over the years, I enjoyed hearing them all together. Still…it’s hard to rate this a 5 when you have the Elvis Christmas album lurking nearby.

Among the top 2-3 Christmas albums for me and I’m sure many others. Probably what he’s best known for too!

A solid Christmas album. Not sure how I feel about a theme album but can’t dispute there are some classics. Funny I read it didn’t do well on initial release but become popular in the 70s on a reissue.

Arguably the best Christmas album of all time. And the definitive Christmas album produced by a murderer. It’s great, but I can’t go 5* for a Christmas album. 4/5

This is a weird one to rate. I love Christmas music in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas but not the other 11 months of the year. This was a solid mix of many classics but I’m not adding any to my albums faves playlist because I don’t need Rudolph in June.

Fine but it’s no Sia…

It’s a good Christmas album, but it’s still just a Christmas album

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).

Ok, let’s address the festive elephant in the room. We all know that the producer of this record is very much on the naughty list but on the plus side his nuts are now definitely roasting on an open fire somewhere hot. Anyhoo, this album pretty much defined the canon of Christmas pop songs in the 60s. The highlights for me are the classic songs from the adorable Darlene Love who is still with us and will be getting royalties from this. Merry Christmas all!

It's not really my cup of tea, to say the least; I tend to despise Christmas songs. The artists are good nonetheless, so at least there is that.

I can't believe I'm giving anything with Phil Spector four stars, but I also know I'll listen to this album again next year.

Great Christmas album, could have done without the monologue during “Silent Night” though

Great Christmas album and vocals are wonderful.

Didn’t expect it to be this good but solid Christmas songs were on it

Solid Christmas album. A bunch of classics really nice listen on Christmas. Even at other times of the year would probably be nice but obviously best at Christmas.

this was a welcome listen on Christmas Day. lots of (what are now) standard Christmas classics on here. could have done w/o Phil Spector's weird/creepy voice over at end of Silent Night.

I’ll admit I got choked up at the end… then I remembered Phil is a lunatic. All your Christmas favorites are here. Can’t go wrong.

Pretty good Christmas album

Really great selection of all time christmas classics with their 1960s modern spin. I don't care if Phil Spector killed someone or raped or whatever. Its music, not a confession. Stop bringing shit into this 1001 albums that doesn't need to be brought in. A few misses but Darlene Love's version of Christmas and The Crystals version of Santa Claus is coming to town is beyond iconic.

Beautiful Christmas songs

This is what every Christmas album aspires to be. I listened to this on a cold, snowy day and it transported me into feeling the holiday spirit. Best Songs: Frosty the Snowman, Sleigh Ride, A Marshmallow World, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Christmas Worst Songs: Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers

Album art: 1

I was shocked at how many songs I recognized from this album.

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

Very dated - incredibly cheesy - not my cup of tea but YMMV

Despite listening to it in April when I’m not in the Christmas spirit, I still think this is somewhat overrated. The standouts are classics you hear year after year for a reason, sure, but there’s a lot of chaff on this. Of the “four” artists, I’d really say only The Ronettes pull through consistently; Darlene Love is good but not great aside from “Frosty the Snowman,” The Crystals are pretty consistently mediocre considering how much space they take up here, and Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans are easily the weak link here and I thank god they only have 2 songs on this album. And that’s not even discussing Spector’s closer. Like, sure, the production is great, but couldn’t Spector’s Wall of Sound have been exemplified by a non-Christmas album like Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes, which would also do a better job showcasing doo-wop and girl group aesthetics? For that matter, where are the other essential Christmas albums: Charlie Brown Christmas, Mariah’s Merry Christmas, or Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, even if it’s from before the era when the book starts? Sometimes it’s hard to sympathize with a listen at face value when you know its inclusion means the exclusion of other albums with a similar purpose that are as good or even better than what I just listened to, and I think when only half the album works compared to other doo-wop and/or Christmas albums, it’s a fair complaint. Still, it’s mostly good, just overhyped in my opinion. At the very least, you’ll 1000% hear most of this before you die, because they play it every year, and what they don’t play from this album is better left unheard anyway.

Lifted my mood

Amazing album. Need to remember it for the holidays

Thanks Phil, is this gift returnable? These are the classic Christmas songs we grew up with and now sound dated. A compilation of Christmas songs from artists that were popular at the time seems like a cheap way to get on the 1001 list so I guess we’ll go with “the wall of sound “. L = (2.75*s) J = (2.4*s)

Might be my new go-to Christmas album. There's some great acts on here. The Ronnettes and The Crystals really shine here. The Wall of Sound reigns supreme. On a side note, I did some research on Phil Spector and he was quite the character... He had some major contributions to modern producing and mixing regardless of all the bad stuff that he did.

Have this one on Vinyl. I think its pretty overrated and nothing special about it at all. I like chucking it on once or twice a year in the lead up to Christmas (obviously) but I don't think it is a significant recording by any means.

Greatest Christmas album of all time.

i saved this one until xmas. it was ok as far as xmas albums go.

Loaded with Christmas classics. Phil Spector was a violent psychopath, but the man knew how to make a great record!

Good christmas old time songs

Especially nice when you get that album at the beginning of january

Tja t is kerst muziek

I would not recommend listening to this in March, as I did, but the Xmas songs are decent versions of classics. Not sure I needed to listen to this before dying though

dnf

white christmas... This is 2024, we don't have these anymore

great Christmas album but all a bit creepy having Spector talking at the end knowing what a Grade A ars*hole he was to everyone.

I dislike Christmas music

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is an absolute masterpiece! The gorgeous production, highly influential in its time, has left an enduring mark on music. Even after 60 years, the timeless charm of this Christmas classic persists. It's unfortunate that Spector's legacy is tarnished by his cruel and evil behaviour, but this album remains a testament to his musical genius. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 7 STAND OUT TRACK - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

It's probably one of the best Christmas albums you'll hear. But you wouldn't be playing it any other time of the year.

Fajne całkiem, 4/5. Taki świąteczny klimat

A new Christmas favorite!!

white christmas - man I hate spoken word lmao; overall okay song, good arrangement, but fuck spoken word frosty the snowman - I don't like her voice; too nasaly - arrangement is nice, good background vocals the bells of st. Mary - the audio quality on this one is voodoo - also makes sense why no one plays this Santa Claus is coming to town - please no more spoken word okay I skipped around for the rest of the album; I'm so glad none of these renditions are considered Christmas classics anymore

Well, its a holiday LP

It's a Christmas album alright. Better than most. 4 stars I guess?

first listen

3 etoiles

I love Christmas music and this is in my Christmas playlist. So I skipped it. Both because I've recently listened, and because I get sad hearing Christmas music outside of the holiday season.

Weihnachten

Classic Christmas

A few bangers in there, not great recording quality

Nice listening on Christmas day :)

this album was most likely suggested to be played on the big day, which i guess we're a little behind one. anyways... it's fine. it's vintage christmas music, typical campy pop from that era. the vocal performances are actually pretty alright! there's just only so much i can say about a woman beltin frosty the snowman.

It wouldn't be Christmas without Phil Spector's 'wall of sound'. A bit kitschy, but who cares! Contains some of the classic Christmas sounds, including "Frosty the Snowman" and "Sleigh Ride" by The Ronettes, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by The Crystals, plus "Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love.

Llegamos al post-navidad, un momento que conjuga resaca de comida sumamente calórica mezclada con litros del alcohol. El disco tocaba ayer pero se pasó para hoy: no había energías en el día siguiente a la Nochebuena para analizar música. Música alegre, extraña para éstas tierras: pese a que los villancicos nunca logran adecuarse a nuestra región, las canciones son pegadizas.

-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

Oh. Uh. Phil. You.. you shouldn't have. (after reading up on the man) Jesus fucking Christ, you REALLY shouldn't have, Phil.