Disco de Anne Murray: “Anne Murray's Christmas”

I love this CD, and I've loved it since it was first released on CD and LP in 1988. HOWEVER, I do believe I should correct some misunderstandings represented in three of the four other reviews currently present on Amazon's product listing page for this album (a problem Amazon needs to correct, as these reviews appear in multiple locations):

1. CHRISTMAS was not released in 1970. It was released in 1988.

2. This was NOT Anne Murray's first Christmas album.

3. The 12-song track listing Amazon has in place for CHRISTMAS is correct.

4. All 12 tracks were original, new recordings.

5. This is not a compilation of previous material combined with 5 new tracks. That is a different CD, entitled ANNE MURRAY'S CHRISTMAS ALBUM, released in 2008.

The confusion is understandable, given Amazon's publishing of reviews bleeding from one title into another and given the presence of 'Christmas' in so many Anne Murray holiday titles, but the only 2 albums of just-recorded material released by Anne Murray during the long peak of her career were released in 1981 ("CHRISTMAS WISHES") and 1988 (this one, "CHRISTMAS"). I too wish that she had taken the time to put some Christmas music down on wax back when she was possessed of her "Snowbird"-era voice, but not enough to pretend that she actually did so.

If you're looking for a traditional Christmas album of old favorites, then look no further.

Canadian country legend Anne Murray delivers fifteen warm and fuzzy songs for the yuletide season, ten of them from previous albums and five previously unreleased tracks.

The new tracks are:

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Jingle Bell Rock

Blue Christmas

Baby it's Cold Outside (with Michael Buble)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (with Diana Krall)

Murray puts a country spin on the songs, but the difference is more in the instruments than in the vocals. Simple, subtle and stunning intros and bridges complement that famously timeless voice, making for the perfect album for opening gifts on Christmas morning (providing you were nice, of course - naughty children won't need this album this year)

Anne Murray has six other Christmas albums, and her latest doesn't disappoint. If you're looking for a new album of traditional material, then this is the album to put you in the mood for eggnog and mistletoe.

Amanda Richards, October 23, 2008

Anne Murray's most recent Christmas Album "Anne Murray's Christmas Album" delights her fans with additonal seasonal favorites not found on her previous Christmas releases. I personally bought this newest recording for the track with Anne and Michael Buble's duet on "Baby It's Cold Outside." Their voices compliment one another so beautifully on that standard Christmas classic...the whole album is worth buying for just that one selection alone. Others I love include Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas...and anything Anne sings will soon be a favorite in your book. I appreciate so much Amazon's price and quick delivery on their merschandise...especially when it's "cold outside" and I can sit at home with my hot chocolate and wait in comfort for the delivery man to bring it to my door. Wonderful Songs, wonderful service...wonderful savings...thanks again Amazon for my jolly holiday with Anne!

This is not a reissue of Anne's 1981 Christmas album, as stated by another reviewer, but a new compilation from her entire catalog of Christmas recordings (4 albums) and 4 new recordings - Jingle Bell Rock, Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas, and Baby It's Cold Outside (with Michael Buble) plus the unreleased Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (with Diana Krall).

Her previous Christmas albums are CHRISTMAS WISHES (1981), CHRISTMAS (1988) - both on Capitol; THE SEASON WILL NEVER GROW OLD (1994 - Hallmark), and WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS (2001 - EMI - new recordings and older Hallmark recordings on 2 CD's). There's also a nice compilation BEST OF THE SEASON (1994 - Capitol) which has every track from her 1981 and 1988 albums plus the song The Season Will Never Grow Old.