Kenny Rogers Album: “Once upon a Christmas”

Folks, before wasting your money thinking you are buying the CD version of this album hoping to retire your worn out vinyl copy, then think again. Although the cover of the CD is the same as the record, it actually has little else in common. First, what's happened to Kenny's solo songs? Where are they? And furthermore, why did they put Dolly's "Hard Candy Christmas" on here when it wasn't even part of the original release? I don't understand this concept of "remaking" old albums and re-issuing them on CD. I feel this is deliberate deception on the part of RCA/BMG to make you think you are getting the CD version, when in fact what you are really getting is a watered down and butchered copy of the ORIGINAL "Once Upon A Christmas" that was released in 1984 and went on to become one of the biggest holiday albums of the 80's. So what's going on then? This is precisely the reason I've still got my old vinyl copy of this album, as tired and wore out as it may be! Sorry RCA, but you didn't pull the wool over my eyes. Folks, here is the original track listing for this album, as released in 1984:

1. I Believe In Santa Claus (Kenny & Dolly)

Now, also ask yourselves why this special was never released on home video, inspite of it being one of the highest rated Christmas specials in the history of CBS? Maybe I'm just complaining here, but I'm sick and tired of deceptive and sly business practices on the part of the music industry, and until such time as it cleans up its act, I'll continue to treasure my old LP records and cassettes.

My family owned the original vinal LP and it became an integral part of our Christmas celebration. Then, after years of listening and our change to CD's we were left to create newer Christmas traditions. I'm over joyed to finally have this album has re-issied on CD so I can now add it my own Christmas festivities! I am baffled however (as other reviewers are), over the changed track listing. I love the added song "Hard Candy Christmas" sung by Dolly and am glad it was added, but why did it have to displace Kenny Rodgers' beautiful "Silent Night" and "The Christmas Song"?

Who knows if we'll ever get to hear the full album on CD, so don't let this mistep cheat you out of the warmest and cheeriest Christmas CD ever! Dollys and Kennys voices meld together sublimly especially on "Christmas Without You". Dolly's "Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride" is near perfection and is so popular that it can be heard on many other compiliations. From the romantisism of "The Greatest Gift of All", to the holy "Once Upon A Christmas" and the hoe-down feel of "I Believe in Santa Claus", this CD covers all the bases and does it with warmth, heart and spirit. A real treasure.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's, "Once Upon a Christmas", is truely, as the title of one song suggests, The Greatest Gift of All. This CD has brought joy to me and my family for several years now. Rogers and Parton uplift your spirit drawing your attention to every word and emotion in each song. With some traditional songs such as Silent Night and White Christmas to more recent titles like Christmas Without You and Once Upon a Christmas, this CD is sure to suit everyone's craving for holiday joy. Clearly the best Christmas CD available and a must buy. Buy it and you'll have, as yet another song suggests, A Christmas To Remember.

I was so excited to find "Once Upon a Christmas" as a CD because somehow I let the my cassette version get away from me. One of my favorite tracks on the album is the solo of Kenny Rogers singing "Silent Night", which is one of the tracks listed on the CD online, for a total of ten tracks. When I got the album though, there are only nine tracks and "Silent Night" is not one of them. And I don't remember track #7, "Hard Candy Christmas" at all. Regardless, there should be a picture of Kenny and Dolly in the dictionary next to the word "duet". They blend PERFECTLY together! It's not exactly like my original cassette, but it's definately a keeper!

This is the absolutely most beautiful Christmas music I've ever heard. Dolly and Kenny's "Once Upon A Christmas" song is not just a song, it is an experience!