Disco de Linda Ronstadt: “A Merry Little Christmas”

This is a lovely Christmas album with beautiful singing throughout. Be prepared for the fact that its a rather schizoid album, though, with different styles throughout (much like Ronstadt's career, as a matter of fact!)

The first four songs are arranged much like Linda's Nelson Riddle albums and shine beautifully - the duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" especially glows. Only "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas" jarred a bit, with Ronstadt turning up the volume and belting a bit too strenuously on a tune that doesn't really need it that much.

Joni Mitchell's "River" is included - its got a Christmas-time background, but isn't really a Christmas song. I'm glad its included, though, both because I've always loved it, and because Ronstadt does such a fine, assured job with it. First-class!

The real reason to buy the cd in my opinion is the concluding section, though. Ronstadt does a version of "I Wonder As I Wander" that sent shivers up my spine, and they stayed there for the rest of the cd, as one exquisite example of choral singing followed another. Linda sort of retreats into the background and blends in with the chorus, but the sheer beauty of the singing will leave you stunned. I was a bit disappointed with one thing: an early pre-release listing of the songs I saw included "In the Bleak Midwinter", one of my very favorite Christmas carols, and its unfortunately nowhere to be found. I'd looked forward to it, but its a small disappointment with what would be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of holiday music. Great job, Linda!

The first song, "The Christmas Song" starts out with an orchestral sound, switches to a light jazzy lounge sound with a breathy Linda Ronstadt singing. It switches back to an orchestral ending. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are orchestral and Linda still sounds a little breathy. The third song is the duet with Rosemary Clooney. Quite a bit of it is sung by backup vocalists, but this song is really worthwhile. "River" is a beautiful song. The music is mostly simpler, with mainly strings and piano. I liked this selection quite well.

Now for something completely different! This must be the beginning of the work of the second producer. It's as if I changed the CD. "O Come O Come Emmanuel", "Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming", "Welsh Carol", Past Three O'Clock", "O Magnum Mysterium", and "Silent Night" are a cappella choral music. Linda's voice blends in completely with the choir. These are nice songs, done in a traditional choral way. The seventh song "Xicochi, Xichoci" is a lovely lullaby that translates: "Go to sleep, little baby, Surely the angels will carry you on your path, little green one." You can clearly hear Linda's breathy voice on "I Wonder As I Wander". The background is cello, harp, bass, and backup vocals. I liked "Away In A Manager" with Cookie Rankin singing beautifully.

I've read the reviews here and tried to sort out what's happening. I think that if you like a Christmas CD to create a mood or "hang together" somehow, then you may not like this CD. If you're still listening to Linda's classic "Blue Bayou", this CD could be a disappointment. I've been disappointed by other Christmas CD's and then gone on to love them. However, I wonder if the breathy singing style that Linda has adopted on several songs really works for her. I can't personally recommend this CD, but a lot of other people loved it. Some stores will let you listen to a CD before you buy it and that may be the way to go.

Some details: The liner notes are contained in a 12 page booklet that is quite good and contains the words to the songs (except for "I'll Be Home For Christmas"). The CD is 45 minutes long.

Let me begin by saying that this is now one of my favorite Christmas CDs. I actually bought it a couple of years ago and must say that it was not what I expected. Well, that's not quite true. The first four songs were EXACTLY what I expected.

Ms. Ronstadt gives both The Christmas Song and I'll Be Home for Christmas very cozy treatments. She may as well be standing in your living room next to the fireplace and singing right to you and yours. White Christmas is a lovely addition due to the fact that Linda sings it with Rosemary Clooney (who better?). Linda embellishes Rosie's lovely burnished vocals and the end result is one of my favorite renditions of the venerable standard.

The gears begin to shift with Joni Mitchell's River. I've heard this lovely song before but not in a Christmas setting (Holly Cole and Dianne Reeves both have strong versions). The lyrics only make a passing reference to Christmas but it works well here. Christmas albums don't often include songs dealing with the meloncholy aspect of the Holidays. This song gives this collection that chance. After River, a touching selection dealing with lost love, the album slides into sacred mode.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel has Linda prominently featured along with a Tuscon choir. Xicochi, Xiochi is actually arranged by Linda and has Kris Karge providing a lovely harmony vocal.

The next two songs, I Wonder As I Wander and Away in a Manger, are credited to "The Choir from Los Angeles" and do not feature Ms. Ronstadt -- at least according to the liner notes. I Wonder As I Wander does not appear on Christmas collections enough so I really appreciate its inclusion here. Away in a Manger has a Richard White adaptation and arrangement that is different than the two versions I am familiar with. I enjoy it quite a bit.

The next five songs are credited to "Linda and the Choir from Tuscon". She sings along with the choir and her voice is not easily distinguishable from the rest of the choir. These final five songs are: Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming (also not heard enough on holiday recordings -- at least in my book), Welsh Carol, Past Three O'clock, O Magnum Mysterium, and Silent Night. All are incredibly lovely and very well done.

My only critisism of the album is that Linda's voice is not prominently featured on most of the sacred selections. She is the reason I bought the CD after all. Never the less, this has grown into one of my favorite collections of holiday songs. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoy this CD. I quite simply cannot get enough of "River." It's true, there is a huge difference in styles between, say, "River" and "Xicochi, Xicochi." However, I like the dichotomy between the reverence of the more traditional songs and the "breathy" holiday standards. It contains gorgeous renditions of two of my favorite religious songs ("O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "I Wonder as I Wander") and great versions of the more secular standards (such as her wonderful duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas"). I think it showcases the different moods of Christmas beautifully. Because I like both sides of Christmas, this CD appeals to all my tastes. If your tastes are not as ecclectic, if you need a Christmas CD to be more uniform, this might not be your cup of tea. However, I love Linda Ronstadt and this ecclectic collection, and I have not been disappointed since I received it last Christmas.

"Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy birth." ~ Silent Night ~ Franz Xaver Gruber

Linda Ronstadt's "A Merry Little Christmas" is an absolutely beautiful collection of some of the best-loved Christmas songs of all-time. How can you not include this with your collection of Christmas music? There are so many reasons why this CD should be in your Christmas collection.

Firstly, Linda Ronstadt's vocal artistry is impeccable.

Secondly, the choice of material is great - it's a combination of some of the most popular traditional Christmas carols and some of the least recorded songs yet remarkably meaningful.

Thirdly, Rosemary Clooney, a great singer herself graced this album on a duet with Linda Ronstadt as they sing Irving Berlin's "White Christmas."

Another good reason to love this CD is Ms. Ronstadt's interpretations. She sings so effortlessly and with such gracefulness and dedication to each song.

One more justifiable reason is the musical arrangements - they're sublimely done. She's surrounded by a long list of talented musicians headed by Peter Matz and Jeffrey Haskell who have their respective line-up of musicians, and not to mention the backing of the Choirs from Tucson and Los Angeles.

In addition, some of my favorite Christmas carols are included here - "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," not to mention the great versions of "River," a Joni Mitchell composition, and "I Wonder As I Wander" featuring The Choir from Los Angeles. I love the beautiful performances on traditional songs such as "Away In A Manger," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming."

Lastly, this is one beautiful Christmas CD that I will strongly recommend for your Holiday's listening pleasure.