A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Christmas at the Wall of Sound

Aw! This is cute that we get this on Christmas! This album is an album of two halves. One is songs you’ve heard before, particularly the Ronettes. The other is songs you’ve NEVER HEARD BEFORE, and they’re not great? And then silent night starts with Phil being like HEY THANKS. It’s still a good classic.

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

a bunch of classics on this record. feels very sames-ey after a while, but overall it’s a good album.

Thanks for the gift. Nonetheless I will give it the same rating as every Christmas song collection. Downright unbearable.

I'm not really sure if this belongs on this list because it's a compilation, but getting this on Christmas day was a nice touch. Obviously I've heard most of these before, but I enjoy this type of Christmas song over the more more modern Mariah Carey ones. Sleigh Ride especially is a legitimately excellent song.

Would be amazing if it wasn't Christmas music. Christmas (baby please come home) goes unnecessarily hard for a Christmas song. Years ago I was surprised to find that it's nigh impossible to find an artist that hasn't done at least one Christmas song. $$$

Excepcional. Imprescindible. Es un álbum corto, buena costumbre de la época, pero se hace aun mas corto por la enorme facilidad para ser disfrutado. Mucho mejor que los sing-along de Mitch Miller (que casi arruina la carrera de Aretha Franklin y el rock en general rechazando, para fortuna de sus sellos competidores, contratar a Elvis, Buddy Holly o los Betales...) y otros discos insufribles de navidad. A pesar de todo, Miller marcó una época y tuvo una influencia capital en la música que precisamente tanto había despreciado. El álbum, no solo de navidad pero obviamente de navidad, en el que se inspiraron todos los artistas para hacer cosas similares. Sobre las Ronettes y las Crystals no hace falta hablar. Si no las conoces, dale al play de cualquier tema suyo, y con eso basta. De Darlene Love tampoco pero podemos citar que es una de las Blue Bells (además de las Blossoms) y la voz principal en He´s a rebel (de las Crystals, engañando Spector tanto a las propias Crystals como a Darlene y sus Blossoms y siendo el único número uno en la carrera de ambas además de dejar precisamente sin el primer puesto a su compositor Gene Pitney, que nunca lo lograría), los coros en Be my baby (y en cientos de temas que todos tarareamos a diario, al margen del Comeback de Elvis del 68). Es la voz de la navidad, al menos desde 1986. Lógicamente Darlene Love no podía estar en la portada en todas partes (The Crystals, por razones obvias no la querían ver ni en pintura a pesar de ser tan víctima de los enredos de Spector como ellas) así que no es una de las Blues Jeans que posan con Bobby Sheen (en realidad ninguna de ellas es una verdadera Blue Jean, de hecho una de ellas es una Honey Cone -las del hitazo Wants ads). Por cierto, este lío ocasionado por Spector sí tiene disculpa: había que grabar He´s a rebel antes que cualquier otro, así que usó a Love antes que a las verdaderas Crystals (Costa Oeste vs. Costa Este). El disco no tiene relleno, es una lista de gemas. Christmas (baby please come home) es un himno que brilla entre todas estas joyas, la única en la que participó como coautor el propio Spector (y se nota en el detallismo de su producción). Santa is coming to town otra maravilla que Bruce Springsteen no se ha cansado de cantar. U2 tampoco se han cansado de la versión de Darlene del Christmas. Brian Wilson lo cita como referencia, y eso que no Spector no le dejó participar. El elenco más allá de los cantantes y el manejo habitual de Spector, es espectacular: arreglos de Jack Nitzsche, guitarra de Nino Tempo (que ese mismo año lograría su único número uno con el clásico Deep Purple junto a su hermana April -el grupo de Rock duro se puso el nombre por esta canción-), percusión de Sony Bono, Leon Russel al piano, Hal Blaine a la batería... la Wrecking Crew en su esplendor. Este disco marca una época: la de los grupos de chicas. No tuvo gran éxito en su día, algo tan incomprensible como frecuente. Además, la anécdota es que se publicó el día del asesinato de JFK. El único pero: está enteramente incluido en Back to mono, así que ¿Porqué no tenerlo todo en vez de solo este álbum? Es la ola a la que se subieron unos noveles Beach Boys, The Beatles y tantos otros...

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

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

Always a listen during the Christmas times. Christmas Music may be cliché and overplayed and all that, but this album oozes atmosphere and good times, even if Phil Spector wasn't that good in delivering good times himself. The performances by the girls are amazing and the wall of sound works incredibly well for Christmas music, its like you're in a shopping mall in some feelgood Tim Allen Christmas Movie. The essential Christmas Album.

Santa's sleigh crashes into the Wall of Sound with mixed results. This is hard to rate because really you'd just listen to it one month out of the year (if that), so let's go right down the middle. Highlights: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (The Crystals), "Sleigh Ride" (The Ronettes), "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (Darlene Love)

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

Christmas. Liked the message at the end.

Not a bad Christmas album- glad for the festive music pic for the holiday.

Why is this one of Brian Wilson's favorite albums? Did they just have a lot less music back then?

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

I’m no Scrooge… this album on Christmas morning was an excellent start to the day!

Classic Christmas songs.

Having to listen to Christmas songs during Christmas is punishment enough. No thanks, I'll pass :-(

What a big and joyful sound that has soundtracked my life a ton since I was a kid. It’s hard to situate Christmas music among normal music, since so much is built into it, nostalgia, excitement, emotion. It’s so fun that they wrangled so many classics into a cohesive sound.

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

I'm more of a Kevin's Kristmas kinda guy.

Convenient that I got 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 album for Christmas! ── ࣪˖ ࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ── The album was alright — better than the usual crap they have at Macy's around the holidays, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy about it. If I were in charge of 1001Albums, I'd have included "The Beach Boys' Christmas Album" instead but to each their own. I don't think Beach Boys seem appropriate for the occasion anyways. Also, fuck Phil Spector.

Christmas ini

It´s just a nice christmas compilation. I wonder why it is on the list? 2,5

Older Christmas music is the only acceptable Christmas music.

Christmas

A typical Christmas album. Nothing extra to say

It’s Christmas music. Not much to get excited about here.

All the classics arranged by a beautiful psycho.

Didn’t really enjoy it

I enjoy this every Christmas 🎄☃️🎅

С новым годом. Приличный сборник, чтобы включить 31-ого и почувствовать праздник хотя бы чуточку. Лучшая песня - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

Christmas Songs

Good that they only play this album once a year

Das ist meiner Meinung nach, das schönste Weihnachtsalbum überhaupt. Hier ist einfach alles geboten: Glocken, Schellen,... schöne Stimmen und natürlich der sagenhafte "Wall of Sound". Mehr geht einfach nicht. Hier stimmt einfach jeder Ton, jedes Arrangement, perfekt zum Fest der Liebe.

Good Christmas album

Christmas for boomers.

Pretty solid, nothing exemplary.

Very Xmas-ey

Phil Spector produced some good music, but it's Phil Spector. Don't want to disparage the good artists on this Christmas album. It's good if you want some good American ballads for the holidays.

Feliz navidad

A nice Christmas album!

Maybe the random generator is biased towards christmas music for christmas, but it's a bunch of classics that set the mood well.

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

Best album ever named after a murderer? Merry Christmas!

Timeless set of Christmas jams. I’m choosing to rate the album for its banging tunes, not counting the future murderer who produced it.

I dig most of these individually, but the fill album to too much. It gets grating. Classic wall of sound and strong female vocals celebrate Christmas, from the little Jewish man.

These aren't all my favorite Christmas songs or versions of said songs, but it's hard to be cynical about them. Favorite track on this listen: "A Marshmallow World"

I mean...

Ok, ok, I see you. A Christmas album on Christmas. Very cute. But honestly, come on. This? I mean it's cool but it's missing a lot of the real classic recordings from this era. I know it's a compilation specifically produced by Phil Spector, so there weren't going to be any non-Spector tracks here. But still, for me no Christmas album is complete without some of the real classics (Brenda Lee, anyone?). But it serves its purpose as a Christmas album just fine. As an album overall? I dunno. It's cool I guess. Something to listen through, not to. I wouldn't ever put this on except as background music at a Christmas party, you know? Like I would never choose to sit down and listen to this intentionally in or out of the holiday season. So I don't really know how to rate this. So I guess it gets the benefit of the doubt and gets three stars. Meh. Standout Tracks: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

this album has proven to be a wonderful addition to the holiday musical milieu. All the Christmas records by popular artists since are chasing this collection and mostly falling short. Copy/paste for the whole article: https://tinyurl.com/ymwmyznu

Christmas classics on Christmas Day! Who woulda thunk it? I wonder if everyone got the same album, or are there other Christmas platters that made the list? I guess I’ll go another year and find out!

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

A nice little compilation.

Such classics, and on Christmas no less.

Fuck Phil Spector

R&B version of Christmas Classics. Enjoyable and surprising take on Christmas Classics.

Hard to remove the name Phil Spector from this, but this is a fantastic Christmas album.

Even though I’ve been listening to this for the last month, and at least for a full month for the last 20-50 years, it has never gotten old. This is perfect, but I think we knew that already.

2.5 it’s Christmas songs

As far as Christmas albums go, it certainly is one.

..

Well, it's a Christmas album

I do like Spector's wall of sound production style, I like some of the groups here, but I detest these Christmas songs.

Christmas compilation long time before Last Christmas.

Schöne Klassiker - "ganz zufällig" hier am 26.12 ausgewählt.

Some absolute classics here that I didn't realise were from Spector. Even though I think Christmas songs are overdone in the modern age.

3+ Stars (9/15)

Seasonal at best.

I didnt know these songs were that old. I dont really like newer versions but these are nice. Until at some point its too much.

Behind on this project so listening on December 29th, baby! Still great - so many compilation albums that are essentially just all these songs. Thanks Phil for doing it first

Didnt listen, can't handle xmas music

I hate Christmas albums

Solid Christmas Album Standout songs: Santa Claus is Coming to Town Sleigh Ride I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

What’s not to like? The Ronettes, the Crystals, the Wrecking Crew and the Wall of Sound. Merry Christmas! 🎄

It's a Christmas album

Not for me

No thank you.

No soy gringo así que no siento ningún apego hacia la mayoría de estas canciones, o a Phil Spector. As an outside looker, I feel like this should have been a Ronettes album since their songs are the ones that stand out the most. Sleigh Ride alone constitutes half of this album weight, and Frosty the Snowman is featured in one of my favorite scenes in Goodfellas, so those are the three stars. The rest are okay Christmas classics, but I really didn't like the renditions of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph. I don't know why, there is nothing wrong with them, they just didn't resonate with me. Or maybe is because I'm listening to a Christmas album on the 29th of March, Idk.

Got this on Christmas 👍 To be honest I've never felt the Christmas spirit less in my life, and I've tried anything, I even watched "Home alone" this year... still nothing

Se nota haber sido grabado con una calidad increíble pero son canciones de navidad. Realmente no me interesa.

I put off listening to this until the first day back at work in January. On principle really It’s actually a pretty decent Christmas album and it clearly helped define a set of classic Christmas songs. And it’s short and doesn’t include Mariah Carey. I’m obviously unlikely to listen that regularly, but I might break this out next December as a one off

The best Christmas album ever. The standout track for me is Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) bye Darlene Love. Yes, I know the horrible things that Phil Spector did but we must learn to separate the art from the artist.

Great Christmas album. Among the best I’ve heard.

You can't give this any less than 5, it literally makes Christmas what it is.

I'm not a big fan of Christmas music but I have to admit this does have all the classics

Classic

This was Christmas alright

So many classics on this album. That's undeniable. I like Christmas music, but only in small doses, and I like to choose which songs and when. I feel like some of the songs on this album have personally held me hostage. How do I hear them so many times for 6 weeks every year even if I'm actively trying to avoid them by being a hermit?

I’m not a fan generally of these sorts of things, but I find this bearable, despite my personal hatred of all things festive (bah humbug). This is objectively, quite possibly, the definitive gold standard Christmas album despite the nature of the man who produced it. And I would gladly listen to this on repeat, than be subjected to the Mariah Carey Christmas album ever again.

I'm not a fan of Christmas music. The crooners bleh. The modern rock stars no thank you. Contemporary adult no way. But Phil Spector he made something special here with the motown sound. Yeah this one is perfektenschlaug.

Perfection

Previously listened to, but always enjoyable to revisit. Phil Spector was a master. Festive albums don't get any better than this. Filled with his staple of saccharine girl groupers, Darlene Love really shines in this one.

It’s easily the best Christmas album ever but I’m not listening to an album at Christmas I’m listening to a best hits thing, it’s 2024. I appreciate what it does it’s very good music making. But not listenable now I don’t think

An absolute classic that I never tire of.

Classic Xmas songs, plenty you times you heard these versions growing up. Sound like they should with some motown swing.

Not gonna lie, I wasn’t expecting Phil Spector the Murderer to show up on here. Music, classic and iconic. Guy, terrible and evil. The fact that it’s here on December 25th? Silly and goofy.

0005 / 25.12.2024 It started off really sweet but it got very boring very quickly. I think I heard this exact version of Here Comes Santa Claus so that's cool I guess. I don't feel like listening to this ever again, so I finished it despite being bored by it so that I don't need to later because I'd have to at some point to hear all the 1001+ albums. Despite Phil Spector being a very shitty person, the ending was actually kinda cute Choruses - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Mixing - ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Lyrics - ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Vocals - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Instrumentation - ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Rating: 55 Highlights: Frosty the Snowman; Sleigh Ride; Here Comes Santa Claus Lowlights: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

All albums will be 1, 3 or 5 stars, with no further commentary or explanation given. Played via Spotify, first time listen.

Classic Christmas album. Worth listening to every Christmas.

fucking hate christmas music im sorry

I couldn’t care less about Christmas music. Fav: Sleigh Ride

Great stuff here. Classics

liked this selection

brimming with bangers! obligatory hate for phil spector

just christmas classics. i don’t have much to say, but i actually enjoy christmas music in moderation

Nah bro

soulful merry carols potser us sembla cutre... però a mi això de deixar una dedicatòria a l'última cançó em sembla bonic i rodó

mhm

Christmas

The gift is murder

Love Phil Spector - love Christmas

LOVE

Christmas

It’s good, but I probably don’t need to listen to THAT much Christmas music on my own accord. 3/5

It's okay

Whyyyyyy?

Its christmas music yeah

5/10

I am biased because I am not a big fan of Christmas music... but the tunes are familiar and pleasant. They've just been worn out over the years. A solid three stars from me.

im a grinch bc i hate christmas music

Solid Christmas album, loses a star for Phil Spector because I don’t like him

Wow. The music as a whole didn't really surprise me too much (besides frosty that one was just funny). It'd probably get a 2, but I'm feeling in the Christmas spirit so a 3 it is. Happy Holidays everyone! :]

My favorite Christmas album by a murderer. (Sorry, OJ!)

Fuck off

On the war on Christmas I am on the side of those who are against xmas.

Listening to this a week after Christmas because I'm playing album catch up at the moment... What a delight. This album is exactly how a Christmas album should sound. Every time the Ronettes or Darlene Love show up you know your'e gonna get something good! You gotta be a real Scrooge to not like this album.. Favorite track: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Wonderful

boooo it's better than regular Christmas music but that's a low bar

I'm not big on Christmas music, but this one is good. Darlene Love is great on White Christmas and absolutely fantastic on Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

Bro wieso ist das hier, Wallah ich will wieder gute musik Was soll ich mit dieser rotzigen musik Niemals ist n kosumeristisches Album in der 1001 wichtigsten

The cover artwork for "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector" captures a festive spirit that aligns well with the album's holiday themes. The design embraces a kitschy charm that is both nostalgic and visually appealing. However, while the vibrant colors and whimsical elements are engaging, the overall composition feels somewhat cluttered, which may distract from the album's classic status. Ultimately, it’s a fun representation of the season, but it lacks the elegance that could elevate it to iconic status. A solid three stars for its festive flair! Album artworks rated: 18/1001 Spector can rot in hell though.

Great artists. Hate Phil Spector

I hate this songs with a passion. Made it to the third track before I had to turn it off.

Killer Christmas music from the good ol’ days

Nice Christmas jams

It's Christmas music

I’ll never give Phil Spector anything more than I 1.

Fuck whoever put this here I am not listening to a christmas album, I’d rather cut both of my ears off.

Um I’m gonna mark this as listened bc I don’t want to listen to this album again. But I didn’t actually listen to it in the first place. Phil Spector - go kill someone else why don’t ya. And get your hair cut too

Przyjemny album świąteczny. Kilka evergreenów, wszystkie przyjemne, ale no to jest album świąteczny jednak. 8/10

Very good Christmad album.

It is ok. I don't really like christmas songs but I could at least appreciate how cheerful it is

I got this album on Christmas, I think that’s pretty neat.

Even though Phil is a creep, this album is a classic

Pretty nice Christmas album. Better than most modern Christmas hits.

Perfect Christmas album.

no <3

Simply the best Christmas album ever. Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals, Bob B Soxx and Phil Spector’s wall of sound production never sounding better.

Kindly GFY, I'm not listening to this. Respectfully.

Amazing Christmas album

Xmas music

Good if you like Christmas music, I don’t. Even listening to this on Christmas morning was a chore but the rest of the house liked it.

Christmas is perfect for the Wall of Sound

The songs are what they are (and Phil is who he is), but I do love that 'wall of sound' style, especially featured on classics from girl groups like The Ronettes and The Crystals. I'd take Nat King's Christmas album over this - I'm not all that into these jingly Holiday tunes - but this is worth a listen.

Man, the singers are great, but Phil Spector really Killed this one. Just absolutely Massacred the production. Murder. …Ok. What do you want me to say? It’s a really good Christmas album. That’s about it, I don’t have much to say, so I had to take a cheap shot. Just like Phil did with his ex wife!! HAH! ..Fuck that guy.

Christmas classics I actually enjoyed 1001 album worthy: Yes - 21/35

It felt incredibly weird listening to something so wholesome, especially with that final message, being orchestrated by someone so vile and despicable. I don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable while listening to music.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everybody! Although Phil is a terrible man, i appreciate his effort on putting the wall of sound on christmas music, and makes it richer than before. It's better than other albums he produced, like "let it be" or "death of a lady's man", but less good than "imagine". actually, christmas music is as cheesy as ever. We should play non-christmas music on christmas, like the soundtrack of "love actually". 3/5

Various Artists - A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector This album is a joy to listen, specially during a great day to spend with loved ones during one of the most celebrated holidays in the entire world. Most christmas music that were made feel lifeless, as a way to try to profit such a wholesome holiday that has the intent of connecting everybody. Rarely is christmas music ever something to play, specially when it isn't christmas. But there's something that this album has that no other holiday album ever had, it's this type of connection that makes you want to revisit this album over and over again, even after christmas and new years eve had passed. But when the 24th of december comes in, listening to this album feels warm, with it's great catchy tunes coming in, the dreamy drums and bells going in all into the formation of 13 songs, including the likes of the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Bob Soxx and his crew. It's a shame though, that this album has a huge involvement with someone like Phil Spector, who is just despicable as a person in every way. But musically speaking, this album is great! 1.- White Christmas = 10/10 2.- Frosty the Snowman = 10/10 3.- The Bells of St. Mary = 9/10 4.- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town = 8/10 5.- Sleigh Ride = 7/10 6.- Marshmallow World = 8/10 7.- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus = 10/10 8.- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer = 10/10 9.- Winter Wonderland = 8/10 10.- Parade of the Wooden Soldiers = 10/10 11.- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) = 10/10 12.- Here Comes Santa Claus = 9/10 13.- Silent Night = 7/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.9/10

A perfectly pleasant collection of warm and cozy Christmas tunes, courtesy of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. And boy does Spector make it clear that he was the one in charge, with a whole track dedicated to him thanking everyone for helping him create his vision. That was a literal laugh out loud moment for me. But as cringey as the ending was, it did leave an impression of an intimate night together with Phil and his girls. The Ronettes really shine, as usual. It’s a very nice listen, but nothing that made raised my hackles. 3.5/5

Pretty solid collection of classic Christmas songs!

Just another Christmas album, and nothing special. I do not understand what is it in the 1001 albums for...

Приятное

I mean...it's good? But its also Phil Spector...

All the Ronettes songs are the best. I sorta hate Christmas music but I can dig these vibes.

I'm not into Christmas music but this is about as good as a straight Christmas album can get. There are some really good versions of some traditional Christmas songs by some very talented artists here, and as deplorable a human as Spector was, this is a great example of his production prowess in shaping that presentation.

Music sounded good, but ultimately it was still Christmas music and only want it once and don't really pay attention to it.

Quite the “stable” Phil Spector had. Enjoyed all but Bobb B Soxx, sounded 10 years out of date compared to the other groups. I’m sure he stole horribly from all these artists but at Christmas, all is merry and bright. 4/5

3.5 rating 4

Best Christmas album ever

Still fresh in a rare strange way.

It's cute that I got this on Christmas. A perfectly fine collection of Christmas standards. I'm not particularly fond of Christmas music, but as far as holiday songs go, this was a nice representation.

A great gathering of music stars with the greatest Christmas classics ever known. It couldn't be more perfect! Phil Spector made the kind of album that could be played every Christmas. It's impossible to give this project a low rating.

Yep. Great album.

The greatest Christmas album ever? Could be. As Noddy said, "It's Christmaaaaaaaaas". It loses a point for Spector's self indulgent nonsense at the start of "Silent Night". Can't give it other than a festive 4/5.

This is one of my favorite Christmas albums; I have it on vinyl with the creepy Phil Spector dressed as Santa Claus picture on the front. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is probably a highlight, but this is in my top two Christmas albums (the other being Sharon Jones). This is a 5/5 for a Christmas album, one I don’t revisit except around the holiday season (so truly a 3/5).

Πραγματικα ενα πολυ καλο μιξ χριστουγεννιατικων χιτ. Ωραια vibes μονο.

Merry Christmas

Happy to separate art from artist here. A very solid Christmas album

Yep Christmas Day and this is the call. The music is great, obviously only really seasonal, and Spector spoils Silent night.

Fav song: Santa Clause Is Coming To Town I wish modern Christmas music still sounded like this! I love The Ronettes’ accent and how Santa Clause Is Comint To Town sounds lowkey quite threatening.

I got this one exactly on Christmas day? Wow. I don't like Christmas songs. Oh no. Darlene Love's singing is so beautiful despite all odds. I thought of giving it a 2-3 for that but hold on a second... Christmas songs...no please, torture me no more.

very good and amazingly produced christmas music. a bit inconsistent though

Bunch of classic Christmas songs by way of the many girl groups Phil Spector had a hand in producing. Most of them are simply pleasant interpretations but nothing I'd be listening to on the holidays really, especially as some like Sleigh Ride is basically a song that plays everywhere during this time of year so I mean, I don't wanna put myself though that more. I think my favorite performances were the ones by Darlene Love, she really gave it her all singing some of these, props to her

Hate Christmas albums but this one if perfektaschlaug

I've heard enough Christmas songs over the past month Pissing me off Merry Christmas fuckers

A fun take on some classic songs.

Can't go wrong with The Ronettes and Darlene Love.

7/10

Good compilation of Motown Christmas songs. Merry Christmas! 3/5

A classic Christmas album of its time, if you have to endure Christmas music you can do much much worse.

Wtf? I don’t care how great the singers are, the songs are trash and so is the producer.

As much fun as this one is, I don't really see myself listening to it outside the holiday season. So bumped down from 5 stars to 4.

Total classic - best ever Christmas album

Quizá sabía lo que hacía, pero se hundió en un momento de su azarosa y tormentosa vida de excesos.

There’s something about this album that feels like pure Christmas distilled into sound. I’m not sure how welcome it would be at other times of the year, but on Christmas Day, it worked wonderfully as part of the celebration. The sound is undeniably timeless, with Spector’s signature “Wall of Sound” production giving these holiday classics a warmth and grandeur that perfectly suits the season. Each track brims with nostalgia, making it feel like stepping into a vintage snow globe. Of course, the “Phil Spector” aspect casts a shadow, but purely as a piece of music, this album remains a beloved Christmas staple. Standout Song: The Ronettes’ version of Sleigh Ride—joyful, energetic, and impossible not to sing along to. Score: 4/5

Merry Christmas! Fav Songs: The songs with the ronettes

Christmas classic. I know it's the Xmas album it's cool to like but the performances are stellar. Darlene Love and The Ronettes are enough to take it to 5*. The Wrecking Crew are always the backbone to genius too. Embrace the Christmas cash in

I don’t mind Christmas songs per se but a whole album of them?! Nah

I hate Christmas music. I know I'm a grinch. 2/10

Some really classic christmas songs on this album. Several already on my christmas playlist. Not much more to say other than the songs fit the season really well.

Overall: 6/10 The production of these songs is quite honestly really impressive and shows off why Phil Spector was such a highly sought-after producer at the time. I'm personally not a big fan of christmas music but these songs are well done. Fav Song: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Least Fav Song: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Seems topical considering recent events

Giving me this album on Dec. 25th guaranteed a good rating. I love Christmas!

The name of this album is instant OOPH. The Xmas music itself is solid enough, it’s Xmas music so it’s fine.

Ok ok I listened to it and wasn't too bad.

Well it’s better than Lana Clarkson got.

Classic Christmas album. These are all great versions of these songs, and the classic Spector production is in full swing. Definitely in rotation every year.

It's a fine holiday album. Certainly captures the mood.

Full of Christmas classics

Lovely to get a Christmas album on Christmas day. One of the absolute best.

It's alright. I'm not a big fan of themed Xmas albums, but there's nothing wrong with this, and it's good to play it on Xmas day, as I did.

Should I be worried about the sort of gift Phil Spector would be bearing...?

Great Christmas album.

Enjoyed this

Phil produced the shit out of this, but the Wall of Sound is not really a sound I seek in my Christmas music. Count me among the many who wish the list's token Christmas album could've been the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown recording

Meh

nice

I love Christmas and I loved having an excuse to blast this entire album on Christmas Day. Phil Spector showing why he was the best in town during that era.

Got to be some of the most classic and greatest Christmas bangers of all time.

25/12/24 Just read other people's reviews and found out who Phil Spector was, what a melon. Shame, because I enjoyed the album.

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

What a pleasant surprise! I love how this generator isn't random for the first time you generate on Christmas! The album is filled with the greatest versions of our favorite Christmas songs. He KILLED it. The only reason it doesn't get the full five stars is because it was composed by a murderer. Favorite Song: "Winter Wonderland"

This is #day139 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... what are the odds of getting a Christmas album on Christmas Day? Magically, it's December 25th as I listen to this. And this is where the spell gets broken. Because what is it that a person is remembered by? Is it how they lived, or how they ended up? The contributions they made to history (music history in this case) or the mark they left on other people's lives? Is it either or, or both? What we have here is a "gift" from a psychopath, an abusive maniac who pulled a gun on women when they rejected him, eventually killing one (also known for waving guns at recording artists in anger or for fun). We all know what happened 40 years after this compilation was released. But here’s the thing: the 2003 murder of Lana Clarkson wasn’t the last straw. Let's talk about what he did to his then-wife, Ronnie (one of the members of The Ronettes, featured in the compilation). In her 1990 memoir, Ronnie alleged that after their marriage, Spector subjected her to years of psychological torment. He sabotaged her career by forbidding her from performing. She claimed he surrounded their house with barbed wire and guard dogs, confiscated her shoes to keep her from leaving, and when he did allow her out, she had to drive with a life-size dummy of him in the car. He had a gold coffin with a glass top installed in their basement, telling her he'd kill her and display her corpse if she ever left. In 1972, Ronnie finally managed to escape barefoot and without belongings, with her mother’s help. Yet this album still holds its place on the list. To the panel of critics who compiled this list (and who don't exclude albums like this when revising it), you must be nuts. Sincerely. It's a 1 out of 5. Looking forward to #day140.

This may be the ultimate Christmas album, only the albums by some of the vocal jazz greats even come close. Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production really suits this type of music well and the soulful vocals set a new standard of how to perform these songs. Mariah Carey certainly listened to this album. Key tracks: Frosty the Snowman Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Sleigh Ride Winter Wonderland Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Phil Spector I will shit on your rotting corpse

First listen. As an album it was ok. I have listened to quite a few of these songs before. Who hasn’t?

what a coincidence (they def programmed this in that's cute) strangely well produced and very cheery. might be peak Christmas music, very enjoyable

Good production can’t cover the fact that this is still a collection of fucking Christmas songs. Also, fuck Phil Spector. 1⭐️

Pues lo que es. Un disco navideño con algunos de mis grupos oldies favoritos. Las Crystals, Las Ronnettes, y un par más que descubrí gracias a este experimento de Phil Spector. Además trae la de Baby please come home, que siempre pega. Solo me gustaría que durara más, pero 4 estrellas sólidas.

I am thinking that the generator may not be entirely random on this occasion. In reality this is probably a low 3 rather thana high 2 on sound, but I would never willingly listen to any Christmas songs other than the Disney one we had as kids.

Just for xmas only

Phil Spector was a piece of shit by his Wall of Sound shines through and all the artists he produced were talented. Still on of the best rock n roll Christmas albums out there

I feel like rating this anything less than 4 stars is just hating Christmas. 5 stars is reserved for my absolute favorites but this was a fun time. Merry Christmas! 🎄

Shit

Hmmm... Feel like this was maybe not "random" but it did make me smile this morning. Solid album, many of these particular versions of the songs have become Christmas staples over the years, and it's always a delight to hear some Darlene Love. At the end of the day though, it's a Christmas album. And I'm not convinced it's the best Christmas album out there, but it's fine. It gets thrown on for one month of the year and then not thought of again for the other 11 months.

++: White Christmas, 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 +: Frosty the Snowman, Silent Night 9,7/10

Fav: Sleigh Ride Least Fav: Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers Got me in the Christmas spirit, and that’s all I can ask for

Really fun and classic despite who made it. Great instrumentation reinventing the tracks in a different style. Just what I needed. Highlights: Frosty The Snowman Sleigh Ride A Marshmallow World Winter Wonderland

It was a very much of the time concept. Its fine.

-MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🎄🔥 -this was very nice to listen to. a lot of great classics anyone can recognize -maybe it just hits hard because it’s actually Christmas and like i said most of the songs are iconic. Either way i enjoyed it -Favorites are White Christmas, Sleigh Ride, and Winter Wonderland

There are two kinds of people. Phil Spector and people he wants to lock in his basement.

V Phil Spectorish.

I was having a nice time listening to this until Phil Spector started speaking

9/10. From the ages of 9 to 14, I was in a choir, and from the ages of 4 or 5 to 12, I did dance classes. Every winter, my local symphony orchestra would do Yuletide Spectacular shows. Every year, the choir in which I was would perform there, while every few years, the second dance school in which I was would perform there. This album brought back the fond memories of hanging out with my friends, and performing onstage. It also brought back the bad memories of having to get to rehearsals through the snow, and wearing strapped leotards in the middle of the bloody winter in Canada. To the tunes of Christmas music, I've also performed The Nutcracker and The Snowman with the dance school in which I was. One of the funnest dances was performing as a Polichinelle. Being a Polichinelle in a Yuletide spectacular was very fun!!!!! :) Those days aren't too far beyond me, since I'm only 17 years old now. Anyway, the music is nice. I like the arrangements. It sounds like a lot of fun 1960's music. Also, fuck Phil Spector.

How cute that this album pops up on Christmas. Such a sweet idea. Lots of great Christmas songs on here and it was fun to listen to while hanging out at home relaxing.

This is a wonderful addition to the Christmas Playlist. So many hits, that most people recognize which make it a good choice for most cheerful Christmas parties or preparations

Merry Christmas.

Album généré pile le 25 décembre ! Bien visé, mais j'ai entendu assez de chants de noël pour cette année ... =>1/5

At first I thought it was cute to receive a Christmas album, but I must admit this truly belongs on the list. Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” production is legendary and makes even Pop Christmas music captivating. But none of that would be possible without Darlene Love’s amazing voice and the other musicians and vocalists that bring down the house. Even a deep cut (one of only few) like “A Marshmallow World” was a jam. I doubt you’d find an album this consistently strong in 1963. Merry Christmas!

# Album Name: A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector # Artist: Phil Spector # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: In the context of a Christmas album theme, this is an absolute banger. Tune after tune after tune. Absolutely brilliant. Wouldnt fancy listening to it in August but i got this on christmas day. I wouldnt put it up there with the best albums ever but its probably the best christmas album ive heard. hence 5/5. # Top Tunes: So many # Would I listen to it again? every christmas now.

Good album for the holidays, but from a killer. So I can't listen without thinking that he killed someone.

Setting it up so that people get this on Christmas... well played, sir. Spector is a real piece of trash and I've never been enamoured with his "wall of sound", but I will say that it didn't get in the way of the high-quality 60s pop arrangements. Great singing all around too.

A Christmas album on Christmas day? How convenient, isn't it, 1001albumsgenerator??? It almost seems like it was written to be like that... Well, I loved the gift, although it's never a pleasure to read Phil Spector's name, but I recognize that his work is very relevant and, let's face it, what could be wrong with a collaborative album with names like The Ronettes and The Crystals? I had never heard of Darlene Love and Bob B. Boxx, but I liked them a lot too! Well, 5 stars and Merry Christmas to everyone who's reading this!

Perfect album to have on whilst cooking Christmas dinner!

I suppose there are other albums on this list which are collections of songs about a solitary subject matter (for that matter, I didn’t rate Murder Ballads that highly either). However, I think it’s unfair to include a collection whose subject matter is season-specific for most listeners, and for others would alienate them completely. That being said, is this somehow an especially extraordinary Christmas song collection? Nope. Good performers, but I’d 100% prefer hearing them sing other material. There are a few very unusual song selections on here, but instead of arguing that these songs have been mistakenly left out of the canon, they highlight precisely why they have been.

I'm Jewish so I'm indifferent.

Well played 1001. Delivering Christmas magic on Christmas… thank you.

cant argue with a good christmas album on christmas

Filled with christmas bangers! 4/5

Wall of Sound!

Xmas music just doesn’t move the needle and all these songs are ones that I have heard a million times for the last 40 years. No thanks

Maso

just wanna quote Phil Spector's sportify bio "Spector re-emerged in the late '60s and was hired by The Beatles to do post-production on their controversial Let It Be album; critics and Paul McCartney himself found Spector's work faulty, although it must be pointed out that the material he was given to work with didn't rank among The Beatles' best." that's very funny that they put that there i think.

Darlene Love & The Ronettes carry this album/collection of Christmas songs. No disrespect to the others, but there's a reason why you the Love/Ronettes renditions all over the radio during Christmas time. The Ronette's version of "Sleigh Ride" might be the best out there, maybe only rivalling the original Leroy Anderson orchestral recording. Of course, Phil Spector's ever-present "Wall of Sound" is heard all throughout, putting his own touch on these Christmas classics. It's Dec 27th as I type this out and the snow might be all but gone where I'm at, but it was nice to get back into the Christmas spirit for about 30 minutes.

Ignoring the fact that this was produced by a FUCKING MURDERER, this is a great Christmas record with timeless songs that we still play in our household to this day. But knocking off a star because, again, he’s a FUCKING MURDERER.

Респект конечно разрабу за то, что дарит всем возможность послушать этот альбом именно на рождество )

F*ck Phil Spector but that is not the fault of the performers. I don't do much for christmas but I have been overdosing on cheesy christmas movies for more than a week now and this album fits perfectly with that. Fun and energetic versions of (american) standards.

I've already stated compilations should not be permitted on lists like this, and then it gets worse by tossing in Christmas music? What are we even doing here?

Don't love the 50s music

I like to think that with that weirdly threatening ending in the arrangement on Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Phil Spector was trying to tell us about his true nature.

bro killed someone, album had some christmas classics but christmas songs are cheesy anyway

Fun performances of classic Christmas songs. Not much else to say - if you like Christmas music you'll like this album, if you don't you won't.

THE Christmas Album.

A good Christmas album that has quite a few singles in constant rotation. Is it meant to be an album experience? Not at all (especially compared to a '5' like the Charlie Brown Xmas soundtrack). But good listen nonetheless and appreciate the staying power of some of these songs. 4/5

Ist doch irgendwie alles gleich arrangiert.

meh

Very much fits the mood, these are all classic Christmas songs but let's be honest here The Ronettes carry this album. Darlene Love is great too, everything else just misses the magic that those two artists had on these tracks

Delightful R&B/Soul renditions produced with his patented wall of sound.

I just happened to get this one on actual Christmas! How serendipitous! I wouldn’t have wanted to listen to it any other day.

All standard oldies station Christmas hits. Not my jam, but it is of the season.

meh

Christmas music… to DIE for Five stars.

Thank you! What a wonderful gift.

Absolutely brilliant. Phil Spector is the sound of Christmas. Loved it

I feel like if I hadn't been subjected to constant Christmas music against my will over the last 2 months, this probably would have been bearable. 1/5 for getting this on Christmas day, feels like 1 last fuck you after already having had to suffer through all these songs for 2 months. The world needs more sympathy for us retail workers around Christmas.

Day355 - thanks phil this was a good one for xmas morning

Festively soulful and it reminds you what time of year it is

Strange but I actually like this. Sounds like a nightclub theme I'd actually enjoy visiting.

My favorite kind of Christmas music. Only gets a 4 since I can't listen to it all year. 4/5

For a Christmas album, probably about as good as it gets.

Silent Night is too slow; I especially like Sleigh Ride

Christmasy

Christmas Day, Wall of Sound, secular rocky Christmas tunes - good stuff for Christmas Day, but, you know, it's Christmas music.

Perfect for the holidays

Christmas Day 2024 and I get this album. Should not come as a surprise I suppose but reading the reviews some of the other 1001’s got the album at all other times of the year. So I feel blessed that the 1001 Gods found it within themselves to actually give me this classic Christmas album on the big day itself. Leaving aside, difficult I know, Mr Spector’s indiscretion’s this album for me is a must have around this time of year. Not only gets you into the festive mood but musically it sounds great as you would expect given the PS treatment. All of the tracks are memorable Christmas tunes which I suspect will be still played down the future ages at Christmas time as much as any of the big Christmas songs you care to name. Merry Christmas everybody! 4/5 25/12/24

Better than most Christmas songs 3/5