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Although not indicated on the artwork or track listing, the version of Silent Night on this CD is the 1982 mix with the "Christmas Message From Elvis" intro instead of the original piano intro. All the other tracks are the original masters.
However, if you are just wanting a comprehensive collection of Elvis Christmas music, you would do better to buy the "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" CD. Elvis' voice seems to be straining on some of the songs and the material is just not as strong as the earlier recordings.
Elvis recorded and released 20 Christmas songs during his career. All 20 Christmas songs are included here, plus 5 non-Christmas songs that were originally included on one of his Christmas albums.Eight Christmas songs were included in his original 1957 Christmas album along with the 4 Gospel songs from the "Peace In The Valley" EP.
This CD has all the songs that were released on Elvis' Christmas albums. The songs and performances from "The Wonderful World of Christmas" are just not as strong.
His orginal Christmas album was repackaged and re-released in 1970 with the 4 Gospel songs being replaced by "If Every Day was Like Christmas" and the non-Christmas song "Mama Liked The Roses." In 1971 his final Christmas album was released "The Wonderful World of Christmas" which included 11 Christmas songs.Elvis' performance on the songs from both versions of his Christmas album are excellent. Several of these recordings have become Christmas classics, still receiving significant radio airplay nearly 50 years after they were recorded.
If you are looking for every song that was included on an Elvis Christmas album (including non-Christmas songs), this is the collection for you. It contains all 20 Christmas songs found here in addition to 4 alternate takes not available anywhere else.
I will probably listen to it for a few weeks after Christmas, since I enjoy it so much.One song that seems to strike a cord with me is "If I get Home on Christmas Day". I didn't play it much at first. I purchased this CD a few weeks ago. The one line in the song about being half a world away reminds me of our troops abroad. I had other Christmas CD's that I enjoy to listen to each year. However, the last few days I couldn't get enough of listening to the Elvis' White Christmas CD. I am surprised that this song has not gotten much, if any, air play due to this. I would have expected the radio stations to do some kind of mix of the song with holiday messages from their loved ones from abroad, as they have done with other songs over the past couple of years.Bottom line, this CD is a must buy.
It does contain 4 of his '57 gospel songs and his '69 "Mama Liked The roses", which are non-Christmas, but I don't see the problem. I've seen several people complain about this disc and I have to say, I don't understand it. This disc has all great songs, great sound, what more do you want. They fit in well with the Christmas songs and all of his great Christmas songs are here. I highly recommend this disc.
I've read the reviews for this cd and disagree w/them. Its fun, Elvis has a great voice, and it has some great songs. I bought this 2 years ago, and love to listen to it every Christmas. Not sure whats NOT TO LIKE. Please give it a try. Buy it used if you like, but this is a wonderful cd.
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