The Ultimate Christmas Collection (1957-1971) (2010)

By JimmyCool
CD Info:  The ultimate Elvis' Christmas CD you'll ever need!

This is the best single-disc compilation of Elvis' Christmas songs that you can get, with the best sound ever heard.

The King of Rock & Roll recorded music for every occasion and has been packaged in every shape and size imaginable. This collection is a particularly generous overview (29 tracks!) of all his Christmas recordings and a some Gospel songs (including alternate takes). Guests include the Jordanaires and the Imperials Quartet.

This collection combines the 1957 version of "Elvis' Christmas Album" and his 1971 "Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas" album.
Elvis recorded 20 Christmas songs during his career. All of them are on this CD in chronological order (including a live version of "Blue Christmas" from the '68 Comeback Special,) in addition to 8 Gospel songs in reversed chronological order.

The songs recorded for the 1957 "Elvis' Christmas Album" are outstanding! Elvis is in top form for these songs and several of them have become Christmas classics still receiving radio play 50 years after they were recorded!

The rest of the songs from his 1971 "The Wonderful World of Christmas" album are good but not in the same class as the earlier recordings. Elvis' voice seems strained on a few songs and in general the material is not has strong as his earlier recordings. But still they are very good and certainly worthy of listening to during the Christmas season.

If you are looking for a collection of Elvis Christmas music and some of his mellow Gospel songs, this is the collection for you!

Digitally Remastered using DSD* technology.

Tracklist:

01. Blue Christmas (2:08) 1957
02. White Christmas (2:25) 1957
03. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) (1:55) 1957
04. Silent Night (2:25) 1957
05. O Little Town Of Bethlehem (2:37) 1957
06. Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me) (1:53) 1957
07. Santa Claus Is Back In Town (2:24) 1957
08. I'll Be Home For Christmas (1:54) 1957
09. If Every Day Was Like Christmas (2:54) 1966
10. Blue Christmas [Live Version] (2:45) 1968
11. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) (2:43) 1971
12. If I Get Home On Christmas Day (2:53) 1971
13. Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (2:15) 1971
14. Merry Christmas, Baby (5:45) 1971
15. Silver Bells (2:28) 1971
16. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day [Alternate Take 4] (3:49) 1971
17. On A Snowy Christmas Night (2:50) 1971
18. Winter Wonderland (2:19) 1971
19. O Come, All Ye Faithful (2:50) 1971
20. The First Noel (2:11) 1971
21. The Wonderful World Of Christmas (1:59) 1971
22. Amazing Grace [Alternate Take 2] (3:28) 1971
23. You'll Never Walk Alone [Alternate Take 2] (2:59) 1967
24. Where No One Stands Alone (2:42) 1966
25. Stand By Me (2:30) 1966
26. Crying In The Chapel (2:24) 1960
27. I Believe In The Man In The Sky [Alternate Take 1] (2:09) 1960
28. Take My Hand, Precious Lord (3:18) 1957
29. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (3:22) 1957

Total running time: 01:18:53

Tracks 1-8: First released on "Elvis' Christmas Album" RCA LOC 1035 (1957)
Track 9: First released on "If Every Day Was Like Christmas / How Would You Like To Be?" Single RCA 47-8950 (1966)
Track 10: First released on "ELVIS (The NBC-TV Special)" RCA LPM 4088 (1968)
Tracks 11-15 & 17-21: First released on "Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas" RCA LSP 4579 (1971)
Tracks 16 & 23: First released on "Platinum - A Life In Music" RCA 67469-2 (1997)
Track 22: First released on "Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Essential '70s Masters" RCA 66670-2 (1995)
Tracks 24 & 25: First released on "How Great Thou Art" RCA LSP/LPM 3758 (1967)
Track 26: First released on "Crying In The Chapel / I Believe In The Man In The Sky" Single RCA 447-0643 (1965)
Track 27: First released on "Such A Night - Essential Elvis, Vol. 6" RCA 67840-2 (2000)
Tracks 28 & 29: First released on "Peace In The Valley" Extended Play RCA EPA 4054 (1957)

*Direct-Stream Digital™

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• Lossless FLAC 8 file (405.91 MB)