Reviews (page 4 of 17)
A true classic. Just ignore the murderer in the title.
All the hits in one place. Classic.
Simply the best
Absolute classic. Charming little Christmas album. Glad Phil is dead so I can just enjoy this without supporting him.
4 great Darlene Love songs plus 3 Ronettes-this is the best Christmas compilation album of all time.
A classic, top to bottom.
Phil is the worst. But damn if he didn’t put together a Christmas album that still stands up today.
This is probably the best Christmas album out there. It's perfect.
have left this to the wayside a bit so fairly sure this was assigned to me very close to christmas (not sure if that's done on purpose) so annoyed with myself that I didn't listen then I didn't realise all these songs were released like this we listened to Annie Lennox's christmas album instead and it sucked!! But yea all of these songs are classics and are amazing and that piece of shit Phil Spector can rot in hell for eternity!!! :)
Welp, separating the art from the artist once again. Quite possibly the best Christmas album of all-time and it has what I would consider to be the best or close to the best version of several Christmas songs. Fantastic album and a must-listen for anyone, even if you are kind of neutral on Christmas music like I am.
Always loed this album its helsp make Christmas Christmas
merry crimuth! love love love! happy holidays fwens
My fav christmas album produced by a sexual sadist and murderer that was released in the us on the day jfk was assassinated
Beautiful.
The only xmas album worth listening front to back besides the Low Xmas EP
awww i love it, old christmas music just hits different
Fantastisch, dit is top kerstmuziek, would buy!!
CHRISTMAS
Nice Christmas album. Very festive and short! Will definitely listen to this one again next year! 🌲🎅🤶🎅🌲🎅🤶🎅🌲🎅🤶🎅🌲
Christmas 2023 - While sad or hectic at times, weirdly one of the best holidays I’ve had in a while.
Odd that one of the best Christmas albums there is would be produced by a convicted murderer.
I simply adore Christmas music. No notes. A million stars.
Joululevy joulupäivänä, kuinka spesiaalia tai ehkäpä ei. On kyllä pelkkää timanttia alusta loppuun, yksi ehdottomasti parhaista joululevyistä jo näin ennen kuuntelua. Vaikea edes valita levyn parasta kappaletta. Tosin joku voisi sanoa, että kun kyseisellä levyllä on useampia artisteja, niin onko kyseessä kuitenkin kokoelma? Ei vähennä kuitenkaan levyn parhautta.
05/09/24 S Tier—————————5 Sleigh Ride Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Frosty The Snowman A Tier—————————4 Marshmallow World Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer B Tier—————————3 Winter Wonderland White Christmas Here Comes Santa Claus C Tier—————————2 Parade of The Wooden Soldiers The Bells of St. Mary D Tier—————————1 Silent Night
Loved this! This will be my new Christmas album moving forward.
It's Christmas. 5.
What a superb album. I had no idea all of these quintessential Christmas songs were from one compilation album from the 60s. What a phenomenal production job and collection of talented musicians and singers. Fantastic! Fav tracks: All
I was surprised to learn I had heard almost every one of these songs almost every year, and I love these versions, but I never listened to this full album. What a classic sound, beautiful arrangements, and perfect execution. This will be in rotation every Christmas going forward!
I knew some of the songs but had never listened to the album itself. The closing track with the spoken word stuff is the only one I'd be likely to skip on a second listen. The rest of the tracks are a lot of fun.
A pretty much perfect Christmas album, produced by one of the worst people in the world
Perfect for Christmas Day
Pretty much a perfect Christmas record. Listened to this on the way to my parents’ place for the holiday and it hit the spot. I almost got knocked down to 4 because of the weird Phil Spector spoken word thank you at the end, but ultimately this record is wholly redeemed.
A perfect christmas album. We love the ronnettes! We love the "wall of sound" mixing (which is also what makes all i want for christmas is you so legendary and fun)
I must listen for fans of Christmas
Granted, this may be biased due to my love of Christmas music and the fact that I listened to this on November First, but it’s just one of the most reliable Christmas albums, period. It’s consistently great and definitely nostalgic.
STFU ITS CHRISTMAS BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I fucking LOVE Christmas music. I know most musicians hate it (and probably for good reason) but there's just something about it that gets me every time. When I was younger, I was never really interested in the hits from this album when they'd come on the radio. It wasn't until I listened to this with headphones that I could tell the huge power behind the procuction. And any album that originates Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) has to be an easy 5 stars.
4.5
10/10
The perfect, classic Christmas album. I love this record and it’s in heavy rotation every year.
An all time great Christmas album full of bangers.
No notes, best Christmas album. Only Darlene Love/Spector can make me bop to Marshmallow World instead of skipping it.
Phil Spector's ultimate heat check, "Silent Night". I really have nothing intelligent to say about it, I just want to note my awe at it's inclusion on this album.
Great album for Christmas songs
Wow, so many of the Xmas tunes that come up on a holiday playlist came from this album. Gotta give it all the stars, despite its producer being a murderer.
Christmas, it's christmas, who doesn't love christmas, all of the songs are a chef's kiss, love christmas.
A pleasant surprise
Great album, every song is just so full.
FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!
amazing!!
This album is beautiful. while I am not a fan of the Bob B Soxx tracks here. Skip them and soak in the Ronettes and Darlene Love. Wall of sound is in full effect and amazing.
Classic
What a fantastic album. Spector’s wall of sound pairs perfectly with Christmas music. Great album from beginning to end!
Top 5 Christmas album.
An iconic Christmas album for sure, a lot of tracks which are very recognisable and a few that aren't. The only real issue is the fact that this album only has relevance for one month of the year, but that's okay because it's Christmas. Merry Christmas ya filthy animals. Favourite: Sleigh Ride
Parmi mes arrangements et interprétations de Noël préférés
I’m very surprised to find a Christmas album on the list of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, but here we are. It is there, and so it shall be reviewed! Songs I already knew: all except A Marshmallow World and Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers Favourites: Christmas (Baby Come Home), Santa Claus Is Coming To Town I sit here next to the Christmas Tree, with a pretend fireplace on the TV, waiting for Christmas dinner to cook. I say this to make it clear of how unapologetically biased I am when listening to this album. Perhaps if I listened to it in the middle of summer then I might not love it quite so much, but the fact of the matter is that I listened today, so I’ll review my thoughts for today. Each song on this album has likely been covered by dozens of other artists, and yet none have really come close to the versions we have here. Phil Spector utilised The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans to create an album of Christmas songs that was better than anything that came before and has yet to be topped. Clearly, I loved listen sing to this album today. It made me feel warm inside despite not having a drop of alcohol in me.
It feels so good to listen to Spector knowing he’s dead and isn’t profiting off of it. Evil man, musical genius; I love this album.
Great Christmas album
I generally hate christmas music, but this was awesome!
The iconic Christmas album. It's a 5/5 when it comes to Christmas music (The Low Christmas Album is the only one I've heard that betters it) but can I give a 5 to something I put on once a year at most? Seems wrong but I'll do it anyway.
An absolute Christmas cracker. The Phil Spector Wall of Sound is in full effect on this compilation of holiday standards and it’s testament to how extraordinary his arrangements were that he could elevate these tracks to the status of all time classics. My personal highlights were the Darlene Love tracks, but the entire gang of Spectorites contribute so much to make this record the masterpiece that it is. This is THE go-to Christmas album without a shadow of a doubt.
I was hesitant considering the whole Spector thing (being a murdering psycho that is), but this is actually a great holiday album! 5/5
Have to admit I didn't listen to this one this year, but know how good it us.
Lol ok so it's not random. The best Xmas album ever made by a distance, Christmas (baby please come home) is the best Xmas song ever made. All the Darlene Love and Ronettes ones are stone cold timeless bangers. Oh and The Crystals. Well, all of it. Merry Xmas everyone.
Phil Spector is a murderous monster. His contributions to music are hard to ignore. Being fair to the actual artists that are making the music, this is a fantastic Christmas album. Would I listen to this outside of the holidays? Hell no. Also, looking at the reviews, it seems as though the creator of the website purposely had this album come up around Christmas time? As a Christmas album: 5/5.
My only complaint is that this arrived at 3 on Christmas afternoon, so I finally listened to it around 10 that night. If it had arrived a week before it would have been in permanent rotation while I spent 3 days on the road. If anyone needs proof that Darlene Love is one of the greats, then this album is it. This is a most joyous, perfect piece of pop.
Maybe it's cause I'm still in the Christmas spirit. Maybe it's cause I've had to listen to a shit ton of really bad Christmas music the last month. Or maybe it cause Phil Spector is a genius. But damn this album deserves this score.
Great collection!
One of the best Christmas albums, and probably the best variety Christmas album. It's always in the family's music rotation for the holidays. What more can you say? It's near perfect at what it sets out to accomplish. An easy 5 stars.
A delightful Christmas album full of that wall of sound sound. The artists are uniformly excellent and the song choices are smart - adding a melancholic snowless LA monologue to White Christmas is a nice touch. This and the Motown Christmas album are the go to Christmas album in this household. Merry Christmas!
This is everything I want from a Christmas album, and I’m usually not a fan of Christmas music. I love the intensity of the vocals and the vibe of the band. Very enjoyable record.
I had no idea how many of these classic Christmas songs came from one album. It was a bit weird listening to this 3 days after Christmas but it still was great to hear these songs in context. I did some reason assumed that they were all one hit wonders like so many other Christmas songs
5 glasses of eggnog out of 5
Really put me in the Christmas Spirit and just had so many feel good songs
Banger of an album, quintessential Christmas record. So many definitive versions of their respective songs on here (anything featuring The Ronettes in particular). Great production. Shame about the murder! Five stars.
Great.
Damn near perfect. Can’t really imagine an xmas album ever topping it.
Easily the best Christmas album I've ever heard
Spector's Wall of Sounds plus The Crystals, The Ronnettes & Darlene Love make for a spectacular Christmas album - in my opinion, the best Christmas album. I'll be listening to this every year thanks to this challenge.
Best Christmas album ever. No notes.
wonderful, beautiful, the essence of christmas music
Definitely worthy of being on this list. Classic songs by great artists delivered with that signature Spector sound. Recommended.
Love! It’s my Christmas childhood in an album. Never gets old and keeps getting better with time.
A great jolly album!
Clasic
Perfect for Christmastime
Great Christmas songs?Weird Phil Spector thanks me at the end.I can’t think of anyway this could be better though so it’s a five.
Perfect album for the holiday season. Whether by chance or not, thank you developer.
Loved!
Awesome Christmas album
Somehow I think the randomizer was not so random today. I'll probably get this again next year near this day too. "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" is an album of Christmas songs treated to Phil Spector's wall of sound, produced by Spector and recorded by Spectors' regular artists (Darlene Love, The Ronnettes, The Crystals and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans). The album was originally named "A Christmas Gift for You by Philles Records." It was released on the day JFK was assassinated and initially did very poorly commercially. Since then, there have been multiple, multiple re-repressings and reissues. Interestingly, an original vinyl pressing can go upwards of $400-$500. Some of thee song versions are iconic and the versions we think of today. A number of these song versions have been covered by other artists. All these songs sounded great with the production. Darlene Love starts things off with "White Christmas." Her fantastic voice. It's got a groove. The strings. The backing vocals. The bells. The Crystals deliver along with the horns on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Continued great production on "Sleigh Ride" performed by The Ronnettes. Great vocals. Bells. Bass. The Groove. And horse sounds! The Ronnettes' vocals are outstanding on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Strings add to the song. OK, Darlene Love, you might just have sung the best version of "Winter Wonderland" I've heard. And she keeps it going with the fantastic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." Obviously, Bono was listening...I didn't need to say that. The album ends with "Silent Night" where Spector thanks everyone and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. Fading strings and backing vocals conclude the song. If you're not a holiday mood, this is the record to listen to. Far and away, the best Christmas collection of songs I've heard. And, it is an album with the production connecting the songs. I don't typically buy a lot of Christmas albums/music but this is one I'd buy right now. Maybe, Santa will bring me that $400 to $500???
My favourite Christmas album. Not even Spector's future behaviour can taint it.
Now that Phil Spector is safely locked away in the deepest pits of Hell, I feel comfortable giving this fantastic Christmas album 5 stars.
Abso-bloody-lutely brilliant
Listened
A stellar and fun Christmas album. A few of the songs are the best versions of the title, two are on the Christmas tape of 1984
Lieb, gute Stimmung
crima
All the hits.
Christ
Classic Christmas album
:)
One of my favorite Christmas albums.
I feel like these are the versions of these xmas songs I know and hold near and dear to my heart. Thanks for the great gift Phil!!
I love Christmas music
Best Christmas album of all time. One of best uses of wall of sound ever. Classics yet fresh. Probably should be minus five for Phil Spector.
Brilliantly conceived by one of rock’s greatest innovators, who died as a convicted murderer. I remember some of these tracks being played at xmas in the early 60’s. And there’s been a tv commercial running for at least the last month that uses a large chunk of The Ronettes doing Sleigh Ride. Much credit must go to arranger Jack Nitzsche. Darlene Love steals the show - she’s listed as performing 4 tracks but you can bet Spector used her on more than that. The way he thwarted her career is one of his earlier crimes. She’s terrific here, as usual. Ronnie Spector’s unique vocals also shine on the three Ronette’s tracks. I’ve had the vinyl for over 40 years and spin it every December, religiously. It used to make us all piss ourselves when we got to the last track to hear Phil’s whiney voice as he pretended to be normal. Now it’s just creepy.
And we're back to the question of how we measure the actions of the artist against the art... Phil Spector, was a misogynist, bully, and convicted murderer. And this album is clearly his brain child, and in many ways, the pinnacle of his producing career. As he mostly concentrated on singles, this is certainly the most greatest _album_ he ever produced. I own a couple of different pressings of this album, because you always need one on hand in December. And it sounds great. The full wall of sound, the best of his stable of talent (Darlene Love and Ronnie Spector are MVPs here), and the amazing orchestra. We listen to this album obsessively every Christmas season. It is the greatest Christmas album of all time, and a pivotal text of rock and roll. People still try to emulate that sound. But I never listen to the Christmas message from Phil. It's just too creepy. While I do not want to hear a message of goodwill from a misogynist, bully and convicted murderer, I won't let Phil's sins deprive me of the glory that is Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, and the wonderful group of singers who really lift this album. Without them, this album would not be the wonder that it is. My favourite moment is Ronnie Spector's broad New York accent when she sings the word "Frosty" in Frosty The Snowman. I love it every time I hear it.
Acknowledging the elephant in the room. Spector’s personal life was dubious to say the least. Abhorrent! Grotesque! All that and more. Putting aside the private man and the fact that the message at the end is infused with creepy overtones, he was undoubtedly a genius producer and these are superb songs. If you can’t appreciate a fabulous Christmas tune on Christmas Eve Eve, then you might as well go and clank chains with Jacob Marley.
это прелесть из 60х поднимает настроение, но будьте осторожны! возможно, вы в процессе прослушивания завесите квартиру гирляндами и елочными игрушками (по крайней мере, это произошло со мной… украшенная комната, несмотря на то, что уже 30)
I'm a sucker for Phil Spector and his "Wall of Sound". I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music, but this was great!
Timeless and classic.
The best Christmas album ever. And number 2 is not even close. Two words - Darlene Love.
I was hoping we’d get a Christmas album on this list! This is my favorite Christmas album and I’m very happy to see it here. I love the drummer on this album. On some of these songs, I wonder if anybody told him what song he was playing. He goes so hard. Listen to his drum fills on “Frosty the Snowman” — he’s so intense! I love that. Really ups the energy. Great selection of songs, all beautifully arranged and produced (many of them are over the top but just so good). A bunch of these are among the best versions of these songs. A+ all around. ❄️🎄⛄️💯
This is Gab and I's favorite Christmas album! I also think this is maybe the 3rd album on this list that is a contender for 10 favorite albums for me. (Others- Nirvana Unplugged, Bruce - Nebraska). Gab had a vinyl copy of this (that I think was from her grandmother) that had a wonderful warble to it on a few songs and we 100% hear those warbles when we listen to them out in the wild, like on the radio. We love it and have since gotten a new copy of the vinyl but definitely still love the warbly flaws. I always think about Phil Spector when I hear this album- how pivotal he was to pushing the limits of modern recording technology and how so much of current recording trends are because of him; but at the same time he's a murderer. Yikes. Regardless, this is a 5/5 for me.
THE Christmas album. From the time before Phil Spector was stomping all over The Beatles and also ended up in jail. This is perfect pop music and worth all of the control freakery in the studio. I dig this out every Christmas and give it a good few spins. There is nothing that I don't love about this album, even (not so) old Phil at the end wishing everyone a very Merry. Brilliant.
A classic. There is not a thing wrong to be found on this collection.
Nunca se me hubiera ocurrido que un álbum navideño estuviera en esta lista, pero este tiene mucho sentido. Creo que nunca había escuchado ninguna de estas canciones, pero tienen ese sonido particular (que identifico ahora que leí el artículo de Wikipedia) de Phil Spector. Me gustó mucho el twist que le dieron a estas canciones , una gran adición a la lista.
Frábær plata. Enough said.
Beautiful. Love that it's not the same recordings we hear all the time
I love this Christmas album!
Excellent, best christmas album ever
Christmas.
vocals, vocals, vocals. it's giving traditional christmas music. classics.
Nice XMas album, to add some variety to the classics.
Im Doing my and justuic dor all reviewe here Ok it gioes: LANDMINE Phil Spector more like fill sphincter, he is a convicted murderer which gives this album some comdeic elemenst makjing it a 5 :)
Excellent
classic
Loved it. Classic Christmas songs.
So great! Really representative of the producer and the era and the sound.
I wasn't expecting to like this but all of the songs were great
Ignoring the questionable personality of the man involved this is one of the greatest Chirstmas albums of all time.
Christmad classic. Fuck Phil Spector though.
Great musicians. Phil is a creep though, fuck that murder.
christmas... meh
This is one of the best albums that I've ever heard, despite the Christmas theme. Just about every song is recognizable and excellent. This has got to be the GOAT Christmas album. 10/10.
Chock full of holiday hits you hear on the radio
Well, clearly I made an error when I put this album off until after Christmas, since I sure as fuck don't want to listen to Christmas music in January. On the other hand, despite the fact that he is mentally unhinged murderer, Phil Spector could produce the hell out of an album. Even with slightly subpar recording quality, the strength of the music is undeniable. There's a reason why several songs off this album are among the most popular version 5/5
10/10 Christmas
Iconic holiday classic. Even moreso realizing this is the original Christmas (baby please come home).
The definitive Christmas album for me. I don't even like Christmas music but if I was going to listen to one this would be it. Just a huge wall of sound throughout.
En dan hebben we ineens een verzamelalbum? Een kerstalbum?! Overigens wel een van de betere verzamelaar met kerstliedes 🙂. *****
Top 5 Christmas Album
While I'd prefer a gift NOT involving Spector, this is good.
Phil Spector was not a nice guy. If we can't separate the music I allowed to create from his person we are denying a lot of the involved artists from their credits. This is just a smasher of an album and one everybody should listen to during the holidays instead of Wham and Mariah Carey.
Killer production 👍🏾
just not at the right time...
Some classic Christmas songs! Love that time period of soul mixed with the holidays.
The greatest albums require the least eulogising: Absolute pop masterpiece. Essential listening. Nuff said.
A Christmas album right on Christmas Day (missed it tho)! Would like this version of White Christmas if hadn't listened to Frank's/Bing's version. Neverless, no one can reject such an album of joy.
Classic Christmas Fare from the Spector Stable here and a classic all time for Christmas hits that have been re recorded since the sixties by numerous alumni! (My favourites Bruce and the E-Street bands "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and Dylans "Here Comes Santa Claus" but the Wall of Sound is a close second. Love this and it should be in anybody's vinyl collection imho.
A Christmas albums go, this is solid. Well worth the listen. Fun from start to finish. Added.
Perfect Christmas album
Nice
Rating: 10/10
Fun Christmas album with all the classics.
Best Christmas album on EARTH !!
Classics. Awful man, great pop music. Original "Christmas" song is one of the next on the album.
the greatest
Xmas must Xmas 🎄
this could possibly be the album ive heard the most times in my entire life and it will never get old (well except the phil spector speech at the end). darlene loves voice is so phenomenal i wish she was more well-known today. this is what christmas should sound like
I was so happy to get a holiday album today! That's what I was hoping for. This one made me really want to explore the artists on the album, particularly the Ronettes. That is the most iconic version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause." You can almost hear her wink. I was curious by the last track, with Phil Spector saying that he did something "different" with the songs, but didn't say what. Now I know what the "Wall of Sound" treatment is, thanks to this album!
I’m kind of a grinch but this music slaps I’m a sucker for this sorta old-school pop 9/10
A wonderful Christmas surprise.
Quintessential Holiday album. God bless.
About as good as Christmas albums get 9/10
Somehow I actually have this one on vinyl.
En av de beste juleplatene. Eneste som trekker ned er litt slitsom produksjon og den merkelige outroen til Phil Spector.
Not too big on Christmas music, but these are classics
9/10 Perfect Christmas album Definitely life changing, I will be puting this album from now on every Christmas
That albums made me wanna celebrate Christmas HM: I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus Rudolph the red nosed reindeer Top 4 White Christmas Sleigh ride Christmas ( baby please come home) Santa Claus is coming to Town
perfect
Compilation album full of old Christmas hits most of us have probably heard a thousand times. They're good, but I'm never really going crazy for Christmas music.
First time in years I enjoyed Christmas music after Christmas
Wonderfly Christmasy
A gem!
Some good ol' Christmas music, all in a single album!
It's xmaaaaas!
Xmas music that's not infuriating. If I have to hear festive music every year, then this will do fine.
Perfection. Aside from the creepy message from Phil at the end.
8/10 Defined a whole genre of Christmas
Classic
Wall of sound, angelic harmonies - this is exactly what I expected from a Phil Spector album. I’ll be adding it to my holiday rotation.
full of bangers
Interesting… * White Christmas - good start. Not sure about the spoken poem * Frosty - nice classic rendition * Bells - not the greatest of Xmas songs * Santa coming to town - great * Sleigh ride - quintessential version * Marshmallow??? * Kissing Santa - good version * Rudolph - good * Walking - quintessential * Wooden soldiers - good but unfamiliar * Please come home - quintessential * Here comes - good * Silent night - could have done without the soliloquy… Well, that was great. Was not really aware of this album. I would grab this on vinyl for a good price. Will have to keep an eye out.
Very on theme for today. A load of absolute classics. Fav song is ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’.
Not sure if it was a coincidence or on purpose but nice little Christmas album with some classics from the Ronettes.
Álbum con clásicos navideños pero de calidad jaja
It's a classic album but Darlene Love and The Ronettes seem to be more heavy lifting than Phil Spector. Also, less murdering?
What really struck me about this is how many of the songs I already know by heart. Like, all of them. And not just the songs but these specific recordings. I guess I've just absorbed them all from hearing them over shopping mall speakers and over the end credits of Christmas movies for my entire life. They've always kind of been cultural wallpaper, but it's clear now that this album is basically the boomer Christmas music ur-text. Any time a movie director needs to evoke a universally pleasant modern Christmas atmosphere, they'll pull something from this record. None of this I mean as a criticism. There's a reason that these recordings are so enduring. They are extremely well performed and produced, and I'm sure I'll be putting this back into rotation each Christmas when I need some comfortably familiar holiday music.
Actually my score this time is not because how good the record was, despite the quality of talent and the effort everyone put in this album, the songs have succeded and passed on from generation to generation over the years even in a lot of countries and lenguages, marking a historic album
Best Christmas album I've heard
Incredible Christmas album, and some true classics when in comes to the Christmas season. Can’t imagine the season without some of these hits. On the other hand, wish this album was not associated with Phil Spector…
I'm a little behind, so I'm listening to this on January 8th... That possibly impacts my enjoyment a little bit, but I gotta say it's pretty good! I'm not a big fan of Christmas music in general, I get sick of it pretty easily, but even I have to admit this is a pretty influential record. Phil Spector is doing awesome "wall of sound" stuff and the production is so clean for something so old. All of the artists featured are very good, and for its time this is quite the release. I'm trying my hardest to be objective, and put aside being sick of these songs, pretending I'm hearing all of this for the first time - and given that's the case it earns a 4.
Great Christmas Album
Felt like a compilation of Christmas scenes from Martin Scorsese movies
I'm not like, into Christmas music, but this was very enjoyable
I've never listened to this album (80).
Funny how snowflakes here talk it down, criticise the art not the person fools. Also lol at actual censoring regarding this album in big music apps. Just terrible this kind of behavior.
I will definitely listen to this again during the holidays! I can look past the major Phil Spector blemish.
I hesitate to give a Christmas album five stars just because it’s holiday music and I’m a curmudgeon. Also it’s Phil Spector. That being said, this album is Christmas classic after classic and it was very nice to listen to on a Christmas morning.
This was nice listening to on Xmas day. Specter was very good at making records and discovering talent.
4* but no one's listening to this at any other time of year.
175/1001 Various Artists - A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ I've heard some of the stuff from this and absolutely loved the tracks and obviously the production with the famous wall of sound that Spector pioneered is top notch and the classic Motown artists. Some of it aren't my favourite tracks and obviously you have to take into account Spector as well 😬
Phil Spector at his wall of sound best. This has such an old school Christmas vibe. The man my be a horrible human being but he did know his music
Not sure I need a gift from Phil, but so things told, this is a great album. Perfect for those nights you wanna be festive and celebrate with the family, but aren't so old fashioned as Bing and Bob.
Merry Christmas from a murderer!
Perfect timing! This arrives for review on Christmas Day 2025. Lovely. There are some great Christmas albums such as those by by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis Presley. This is a great Christmas album too. It has the full Phil Spector 'Wall Of Sound' and some of the arrangements and performances of songs on this album are now pretty much definitive. It's a fun, enjoyable album. Four stars. Side one 1 "White Christmas" - Darlene Love - (4/5) 2 "Frosty the Snowman" - The Ronettes - (5/5) 3 "The Bells of St. Mary's" - Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans - (4/5) 4 "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - The Crystals - (5/5) 5 "Sleigh Ride" - The Ronettes - (5/5) 6 "Marshmallow World" - Darlene Love - (4/5) Side two No. Title Artist 1 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - The Ronettes - (4/5) 2 "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - The Crystals - (5/5) 3 "Winter Wonderland" - Darlene Love - (5/5) 4 "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" - The Crystals - (4/5) 5 "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - Darlene Love - (5/5) 6 "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans - (4/5) 7 "Silent Night" - Phil Spector and Artists - (3/5) Total - 57 Average - 4.38 198/1001 110/198 albums reviewed were new to me.
Great memories and perfect for the season
Solid Christmas album, I don't miss the weird voiceovers at the tail end of records though. High 3
All classics, all Christmas.
Defining the sounds of Christmas since 1963
Perfect record for Christmas! Love the wall of sound!
damn, all of these legendary songs were released at once…
The best Christmas album ever. Phil Spector was a horrible person but a musical visionary. His wall of sound influenced everybody from Brian Wilson to Paul McCartney.
I'm kinda scared to ask how many other albums on The List Phil Spector has had his hands in. He is (was idk if he's dead or not) a legendary producer who just happened to kill his wife later in life. He's a known weirdo & I think I recall McCartney releasing Beatles' album without the Wall of Sound. This is a pretty standard Christmas album with some undeniable Christmas Staples. 4
7/10
Great Christmas album.
Definitely a top 2 Christmas Album, a lot of absolute classics here and just great for this time of year. I love Sleigh Ride
I love christmas so this was right up my alley. The sounds are great and cheerful. Will definitely make it into the christmas rotation. No all i wasn’t for Christmas is you though so… 4/5
christmas shoegaze
I probably would’ve appreciated it this more had I listened to it on Christmas, when the album was generated for me. But even then, I still think this is a great album, albeit from the terrible human being. Most if not all of these songs are so fundamental to and synonymous with the Christmas season now.
The best Christmas collection of all time, these renditions of classics are pretty great, still can't say those songs are all masterpieces
This gets a four because of all the classics. The Ronettes absolutely kill sleigh ride. Fantastic!
4.0 - Very Good
1960s girl groups are one of the casualties of a list that prioritises albums over singles, so I’m glad that’s there’s some Crystals/Ronettes representation. Also, Phil Spector’s maximalist approach works so well with Christmas songs.
I’m not a fan of Ronnie’s piercing voice. But I’ve listened to these songs so many times over my life they are all classics. It’s a pretty interesting story how Phil Spector put it all together, and his outro is a very unique thing.
Honestly a delightful Christmas album
7/10
Genuinely I think this is probably the greatest Christmas album of all time. There’s a lot of competition but nobody can compete with this compilation. It’s just such an impactful and important album that has had an astonishingly consistent relevancy in American culture. Like you can NOT avoid these songs, they are everywhere and while I can admit some have wore thin having heard them my entire life, they are the most palatable and beloved holidays songs ever. This album genuinely is a powerhouse to the point where it feels like “greatest hits” album. Which I think is sorta unfair but also super effective. Genuinely this album deserves a 5 everything about it is wonderful, the instrumentals are perfect, the vocals are flawless and wildly impressive the more you pay attention. Genuinely this album is the best Christmas album ever. Just kinda wish the album title ended after the word “You”.
ALL those Christmas bangers on one album??? Don’t mind if I do
perfect xmas morning album!
merry christmas !!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thoroughly heartfelt and enjoyable. I don't think any song is particularly my favorite version but you can tell that the artists are sincerely hoping everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Great Christmas album. Classic songs front to back.
Yea, it’s a good Christmas album. I played it on Christmas, I was drinking a boozy coffee and in a good mood. 4 stars
First off, I am assuming that lots of people got this today? Or did I just really luck out by getting it on Christmas day. Actually, a few of these appeared on my Christmas playlist. Obviously amazing music and production. But getting a gift from the murderer Phil Spector is just a bit chilling. Hard to separate the music from the man. But it is a great album.
Jedan od boljih božićnih albuma
The christmas album, honestly didn't realise how many of the songs I listen to every year were from the same album. Which ngl are now tinged a little by realising Phil Spector was the producer behind all of them
4.0 Stars Liked this one a lot. Not the biggest fan of Christmas music, it's fine. BUT if I were to put on Christmas music, this album would be one of the first I'd reach for. Great Motown artists on this one.
Phil Spector’s ego completely overshadows the incredible talent of the musicians
Solid Christmas album!
i mean like i christmas music! this album wasn't a fave but still charming and enjoyable 😊
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector Already became my favorite Christmas album. I’ve missed the opportunity to listen to it on Christmas Eve, but I’ll sure be playing the whole thing next Xmas! Beautiful selection of great vocalists and wonderful musicians at the time. No notes!
I vibe with this very much. A classic
Great Christmas album for sure
As far as Xmas albums go, this is very strong with many big hits that make you think “now this is Christmas music.
great christmas álbum, it has all the classics!! also perfect to get you into the christmas mood :) might’ve become my favourite christmas album ★★★★☆
As a non Christian who don’t celebrate Christmas this album feels just normal. The songs were good wish I felt the vibe fully 8/10
The great Christmas album.
Fun, classic, perfect selection of Christmas songs.
classic christmas! loved it <3
A holiday classic, one of the greatest xmas albums of all time. There's a lot to be said for an album you can listen to on repeat for one month out of the year, year after year. Near perfect, only drag is the closer, Silent Night.
love
Solid Christmas album. Classic voices, timeless hits. They did all start to sound the same towards the end though.
Winter Wonderland and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love are some of my favorite Christmas songs
holly jolly fun times
Fav track: frosty the snowman good memories w this album :) fuck Phil Spector tho
My kinda Christmas vibes
THEE christmas album !!! accept no substitutions !!!
Beautiful Christmas album :3 The ending made me emotional a lil Best = Christmas (baby please come home) Skip = None
all the hits are here! fun
Great Christmas album!
Producer aside, there are some legendary Christmas bangers on here.
iconic christmas music but you suck phil
Want expecting this, and certainly didn't understand the'wall of sound'. Please explain.
great christmas classic
i would give this a 5 but i fucking hate phil spector
Perfect Christmas album
A superior Christmas album. This and Nat King Cole is the sound of the season.
Okei, så dette er det EGENTLIGE julealbumet. Fantastisk sunget av et ensemble av afroamerikanske artister, med en produksjon som minner om en tett snøstorm. Dette er 60-tallspop kamuflert i et juleslør. Top 3: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Sleigh Ride, Frosty The Snowman
I would make this a 5 but it’s a seasonal specific album so knocked off 1 for playability
Can’t go wrong.
For a Christmas record, this is good for the most part. The Wall Of Sound production works really well for the majority of the songs (e.g. Frosty The Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Sleigh Ride), but for some songs (e.g. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers) it's just all a bit too much and some of the songs (e.g. Marshmallow World, Here Comes Santa Claus) are just plain forgettable. I really like the groups performing the songs (the Crystals and the Ronettes in particular) so that's also a plus. I personally prefer Christmas music that's more somber, but all in all I think this is alright. However, if you know literally anything about the producer of this album, Phil Spector, it's probably that he was an abuser in every sense of the word and a murderer. Knowing how horribly he abused Ronnie Spector (lead singer of the Ronettes) during their marriage makes it hard for me to enjoy the music on this one. I know being a bad person doesn't make you a bad musician and that Spector was genuinely a talented producer, but I feel any sort of assessment of his works and legacy isn't complete without at least acknowledging how awful a person he was and how this label of "genius" that was given to him early on enabled him to hurt so many. To summarise: The music's good, but fuck Phil Spector. 3.5/5, rounding this up to a 4 mostly because I love the Ronettes. RIP Ronnie Spector.
A timeless classic, definitive versions of memorable Christmas tunes. And yeah, Phil Spector’s name is on this and he has his little speech at the end, but rank this and give credit to the wrecking crew, Darlene, the Ronettes, et al., who performed on it.
Merry Christmas!
i’m rly glad they gave me a christmas album, i had been plannning on listening to nothing but christmas songs all day yesterday except for my random album, but that’s rly cool that they do that, prob the best christmas album, either that or the charlie brown christmas one
I mean this has GOT to be a hell yeah, no? Great classic christmas album, Darlene Love is singing the house down, it's christmas today, the stars have aligned - happy holidays gang!
Rating given strictly for the classic music, not Phil himself.
Working ina deli the past couple weeks I'm sick of Christmas music, but I still gotta admit this is a classic album
Such an amazing Christmas album, some absolute classics in here, velvet smooth flow and feel.
Played this xmas morning after getting it as my album of the day and its going to be a tradition going forward. Liked almost all of these versions.
the perfect christmas album
Truly a gift. I don’t really fuck with Christmas music too much unless it’s the blink-182 Christmas song but this is a great album. I didn’t like Phil Spector at the end little bit of a jump scare and didn’t expect him to sound like mj. Also first album listen with my new beats headphones I got for Christmas.
Lovely Christmas album, one I'm likely to revisit during the holidays. White Christmas ★★★★☆ Frosty the Snowman ★★★☆☆ The Bells of St. Mary ★★★☆☆ Santa Claus Is Coming to Town ★★★☆☆ Sleigh Ride ★★★★☆ Marshmallow World ★★★☆☆ I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus ★★★★☆ Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer ★★★☆☆ Winter Wonderland ★★★★☆ Parade of the Wooden Soldiers ★★★☆☆ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) ★★★★☆ Here Comes Santa Claus ★★★☆☆ Silent Night ★☆☆☆☆ Average Album Rating: 3.2/5.0 ★★★☆☆
it's chrimmy, sleigh
To me, these are the definitive versions of all these Christmas standards, and all felt very unified under Phil Spector's sound. Great listen.
Compilation album full of old Christmas hits most of us have probably heard a thousand times. They're good, but I'm never really going crazy for Christmas music.
Classic and understandable that it's queued up for the 25th
Got this on Christmas. Thought ‘OMG what are the odds’, posted it to reddit, felt dumb when everyone told me first year users all get a Christmas album. This could be a 5/5, but it’s a Christmas album, so it loses a star
This album has been part of my Christmas rotation for at least 20 years. Brought back fond memories. As far as I’m concerned Darlene Love is the star of the show. I added “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home )” to the playlist.
Great timing on the Christmas album! I don't know what it is about Wall of Sound production that just sounds so perfectly festive, it may very well be that this album has been so influential on Christmas culture that it has embedded its way into my psyche. So many classic Christmas songs come from this album, and even outside of the holiday season this is just a prime example of Brill Building brilliancy. Darlene Love absolutely steals the show with her songs, but by no means are the others' performances bad. It's just impossible not to feel at least a sliver of joy when the band kicks in on Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), which may very well be the greatest Christmas song ever recorded. I will say there are some songs that don't quite meet the standard, namely Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Bells of St. Mary which both lack interesting production and flair from the singers. Nevertheless this album is easily my pick for the most "Christmas-y" album of all time; no other album soundtracks the holidays quite like it. Merry Christmas! ^-^
Score - 3.6/5 Top Songs: Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Christmas (baby please)
A good album.
Couldn't be arsed with this one as its a compilation of different artists, thus has no business on the list. Had to give a rating so will give 4 as I'm sure it is probably pretty great.
Nice xmas album. Should have made Last Christmas before Wham so no 5 stars
Spector invented the Christmas song
All good ones. It is 29 December so unfortunately no additional capacity remains for listening to Christmas music. !RemindMe next Christmas.