The Christmas Album Vol.1

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Editorial reviews

From Amazon.com
Neil Diamond has always fancied himself a man of many styles, which probably helps explain why he tries to flaunt each and every one of them on this diverse, sometimes dizzying Christmas disc. He plays it relatively straight on "Silent Night" and "The Christmas Song," but really lets loose on a version of "White Christmas" that recalls the doo-wop of his teen years in the 1950s. Diamond even expands his palette to include a choir-accompanied take on John Lennon's pacifist classic "Happy Christmas (War is Over)." It's the kind of intermingling that makes his fans go wild, but casual admirers should watch out for those stylistic U-turns. --David Sprague

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Customer reviews

review by: Jonesy date: 2007-11-07 rating:
From Sweet Carolines to Beautiful Carols
For years I had been searching for the perfect Xmas CD to have playing in the background whilst the family are busy enjoying the day.............whether it be helping preparing the lunch, dressing the tree, entertaining friends and family with drinks and nibbles or simply sitting in front of an open fire on Xmas Eve watching the flickering flames in the dim of the evening.

I didn't want a stodgy old production from years ago; neither did I necessarily want an upbeat collection of dance floor fillers like Slade etc. No, I wanted a combination of traditional with a mix of heart-warming songs that reflect both my childhood and current musical tastes (I'm 50).

I had no advance notice that this was coming out at the time and only discovered it in the HMV rack in my local store whilst looking through Neil Diamond's CDs. As an avid fan it was something that I habitually did. However, having seen how his music had deteriorated in quality over the years, I was both excited and concerned when I came across this CD.

The song listing looked superb and the thought of Neil Diamond singing them sounded too good to be true but.................ah! that but that had been the start of many of my criticisms of his output for a while. Would I be disappointed?

Well 15 years later I can tell you that this still my main source of Xmas music during the festive season. It is wonderful.............from a personal point of view, it is tailor made for what I want.

The key carols such as Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy and my favourite Holy Night, he plays straight and produces superb renditions that capture the magic that is Xmas. But, equally as good, he throws in wonderful versions of Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Fun and toe tapping), Happy Xmas War is Over and Jingle Bell Rock.

I love this album, traditional, moving, fun and enhancing all in one. He could have overblown it but kept everything exactly the right side of sincere. Whenever it is on it fills the house with great songs and great memories. People present can't help but sing along which is really what you are trying to capture at this time of year. A gathering of friends and family, relaxed and enjoying each other's company with a perfect soundtrack for the occasion washing over you

This Xmas will be no exception; I will play it for the period leading up to the big day and well into Boxing Day. I will then file it away once again for another 12 months and be happy to repeat the process until the day I become myself a ghost of Xmas past.

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review by: date: 2003-12-16 rating:
A must have Christmas Album
I recently bought Neil Diamond's Christmas Alum, having searched for it for some time now. And may I say, it was well worth it. I love all but 1 of the tracks. Normally, the first time you hear a CD it never really impresses you, and you are left wandering why ever did I buy this, and then it grows on you. But not with this one, it engages you immediately. The entire song selection is excellent, with Neil Diamonds unique voice and flare shining through. It really puts you in a christmas spirit. You can tell that Neil Diamond genuinely loves christmas, as perhaps most of us do. However, if you are one for fast pase christmas music, this is perhaps not the album for you, although it does have it up tempo songs (by no means I'm I saying that this album is slow). I'll close by saying that I'm happy with my purchase, and would suggest that you also get volume II of this album - I would rate it 5 stars. Don't know how I had one without the other.


review by: eskasimba date: 2003-11-24 rating:
neil diamond christmas album
I have been searching for this album for more than a year now.I had a copy of the album in Botswana,Africa and you won't believe how many people loved to hear this album.As for my children,they have never stopped talking about the songs on the album like 'jingle bell rock'.Now that christmas is around the corner,i would love to surprise the children with this album.
Well done Neil and Merry Christmas.

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