Garth Brooks Album: “Magic of Christmas: Songs From Call Me Claus”

Having been disappointed at Garth for delving into this whole "Chris Gaines" schtick, it came as a great relief to see this CD released for the holiday season. These days it seems like anyone with a heartbeat is releasing a Christmas CD, and the result is an overcrowded field of marginal holiday music. Garth's, however, is a welcome addition. His versions of (mostly) traditional Christmas songs are immaculately done. For the most part, Garth manages to avoid the "twang" in his vocals, and he is backed up wonderfully by a string section, choral group, and some very nice guitar work. However, where most artists compile similar backup musicians, Garth's is not overblown or overemoted. My favorite track right now is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", which I think is one of the finer versions of that song that have ever been done. Heady words, I know, but it is very nice. If you buy only one Christmas CD this season, make it this one; you will truly enjoy it. For the Garth Brooks fans, it's a great effort, and certainly a better addition to his catalog than the last couple CD's he has released.

This cd is super good. I may be an avid Garth fan, but when it comes to Christmas cds I am a lot more skeptical with my selections. Garth does a great job with his latest release, filling the cd with staple songs. This is a very good album and I would highly recommend it.

Garth Brooks' The Magic Of Christmas was actually released in 1999, but marketing master Brooks has re-released it with three new recordings from the tv-movie Call Me Claus. They register two hits and a miss. The noisy opener, "Call Me Claus" is all swagger and no substance, but "Zat You Santa Claus?" strongly reprises the jazzy Louis Armstrong chestnut (on the latter, an animated Brooks is delightfully unrecognizable). Faring best is the nativity tale "Mary Had A Little Lamb" which offers some welcome relief from Brooks' frequent histrionics. The remainder of the album is made up mostly of faithful renditions of familiar, modern Christmas classics ("Let It Snow, "Winter Wonderland," etc.). A note for those who bought the original The Magic Of Christmas: a CD single is also available of just the three new recordings.

I love Garth Brooks and he never disappoints me. I love the three new tracs on the CD. Call Me Claus is a rocking Santa song, Mary Had a Little Lamb is my favorite. Garth singing with Trisha harmonies make it a joy to hear. Great song to add to my Christmas favorite list. Zat you, Santa Claus! What can I say Garth knows how to have fun with a song. Just love this CD.

In a word, WHAT A CROCK!

First of all, if Garth felt it necessary to release another Christmas CD he could at least have taken the time to record all new tracks. But no, you can find many of these songs on "Beyond the Season" (his first Christmas CD).

And how much fun he must have had throwing together this pile of junk (it sounds like most of the new recordings were just quick-mixed in a one day, practice-then-record studio session) and knowing that it would sell on name alone? I'm not a pure country music fan, but I've always found Garth to be a one-of-a-kind performer that was born to sing heart-renching ballads. Here he serves us a dose of fluff that epitomizes the capitalist materialistic side of the holidays. In contrast to "The Gift" off his first Christmas CD--which brings tears to the most jaded listener's eyes--this album has less heart than the Grinch! I guess it shows where Garth's heart really is these days . . .

Bottom line, if you want Garth singing Christmas (which he CAN do well) find a copy of "Beyond the Season"; you'll be much happier.