a masterpiece

I bought this CD before x'mas when I was really depressed with how things were going on in my life. Elvis voice really gave a whole new meaning to these classic xmas songs and really gave me a sense of xmas joy and love. I listen to this CD at any time of year when I feel blue.

A#1 set of Christmas tunes from the last master of the genre

Elvis Presley hit it big during an era when recording an album of Christmas songs was expected of all the biggest pop stars. And they didn't come any bigger than Elvis, but it was considered almost a mortal sin for "Elvis the Pelvis" to be recording Christmas carols as well as the standards firmly belonging to Bing Crosby. Elvis's first Christmas recordings were a first for mainstream rock & roll and they set such a high standard that few acts to follow dared even to attempt to record their own (the Beatles certainly never did).



The only person capable of matching Elvis was Elvis himself, and when his record company told him they were tired of re-issuing his same collection of songs from 1957 year after year, he recorded a new batch of instant holiday classics for release in 1971 that were almost as good. The main difference was that things were changing in Elvis's life; more mature in his 30's with a child of his own and a marriage that was more closely reaching its end every day, the later Christmas recordings have a far more serious and gloomy edge than the first set recorded during the early days of rock & roll when Elvis represented all that parents across the country feared most for their kids. The contrast is staggering.



Each Christmas album when released initially had additional tracks included as well, traditional hymns and gospel tunes not necessarily specific to the Christmas season. However, none of those tracks made their way onto this compilation CD of ALL (including alternate takes) the Christmas music the King recorded in his lifetime. Every song on this CD is pure Christmas and pure Elvis, which is to say absolutely fantastic.



It is 25 tracks, ranging from traditional Christmas carols to pop holiday standards to raunchy rhythym & blues. In some cases you have alternate recordings exceeding the initially released track (this is particularly the case with "I'll Be Home Christmas Day"), and in some cases you wonder if there's indeed any difference at all ("Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees"), but there is no more definitive collection of Christmas songs on one disc (and not likely more than one, either) that exceeds either the artist nor the range of material covered. If you're an Elvis fan that presently lacks any of the King's Christmas recordings, this is the one CD which will give you ALL of them. If you're a fan of rock & roll who needs something other than choir music to put you into the spirit of the season, who could possibly be better than Elvis to turn the trick? Merry Christmas, and enjoy this CD!

Don't buy this Cd..

If you want to buy a Elvis Christmas CD, don't buy this only... Don't get me wrong.. the songs an the Cd is GREAT.. but you should buy instead the Christmas Peace by Elvis.. it has all this songs and More for a few bucks more.. don't be cheap...

Elvis Sings With Christmas In His Heart

Christmas music is a genre that Elvis Presley sings with the same passion he brings to his gospel music and the Southern hymns that reflect his roots. During his career he recorded two complete albums of Christmas music. Many of these songs and others are brought together in this wonderfully cheery and inspirational CD.

Along with the title song, the heart-rending renditions of "If I Get Home on Christmas Day" as well as "It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You" are personal favorites of mine. But this album contains more than just the secular, jingle-bell tunes like "Here Comes Santa Claus" (sung as only Elvis can) and "White Christmas' (more over, Bing!) but Elvis' voice soars on the religious cuts like "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "The First Noel," and more.

If you need just one more Christmas CD to lift your spirits during the Holiday season, I highly recommend this one.

Elvis-If everyday was like christmas

Just wondered, is it me or do some of the songs sound like elvis is stoned. Like "I'll be home for christmas". I love anything Elvis and I'm not criticizing. I just want to know if anyone else hears it.

The Elvis XMAS album to own

This album contains a combination of Elvis's first and second christmas album plus some unreleased alternate versions. You get to hear both Elvis and his early 50's style signing (when he was more of a rocker) and what his style evolved into in the late 60's (more vocally oriented after his comeback). I am more of a fan of the post comeback Elvis music but I also own and love the first Elvis Christmas Album so this was a great find for me.