klueger's Full Review: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
Well the holiday season is upon us and one thing I enjoy is listening to the Christmas music. I probably own as many Christmas CD’s as any others I own. A few years back my lovely wife bought me Have a Holly Jolly Christmas sung by the great folk singer Burl Ives. I like listening to a variety of the Christmas versions from Mozart to jazz to rock Christmas carols, but there is nothing like a traditional Christmas CD either.
Burl Ives has a very good voice for Christmas carols you can sit back and picture the songs being sung. He has a variety of the religious and secular songs for the season. Each is treated in a mellow and of course folksy manner. One of my favorite songs is Christmas is a birthday this song talks about the true meaning of Christmas for me. Every Christmas is a birthday celebrated for the babe. The manner in which Burl sings this is a very soft and melodic way in which you can really get in touch with your feelings and the spirit of the Christ babe. The lyrics and music where brilliantly composed by Gregory Paul Deutsch and Dick Manning. I have not heard this song played very much over the radio but it truly is a great Christmas song.
Another of my favorites not of the religious variety is Santa Claus is Comin’ to town this is sung with an orchestra directed by Owen Bradley. I am sure you have heard this song composed by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. Burl and the Orchestra handle this in the ordinary way that we hear many many many times throughout the season. I don’t know why but I never get tired of hearing it. (And reminding my son of the lyrics of the song.)
Another traditional song I love that is sung by Burl and the Orchestra is Silver Bells. They hold pretty close to the score written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans I do like this version but I must say when I heard a version sung by Andy Williams on T.V. last night it made my ears happier than this one. However, I do think Mr. Ives can sing this song well and have you tapping your toe and singing along with him.
One song that I never heard before listening to this CD is snow for Johnny it is a cute song about sending snow for little Johnny to play in. What little child who lives in an area where it snows doesn’t dream of the first snow fall to go out and sled ride and build their first snowman of the season. I am not the best at deciding what type of voice people have I am guessing Burl is a tenor and his voice is very well suited for this cute little song.
A listing of the songs on this CD are below:
1. A Holly Jolly Christmas (2:12)
2. Christmas Is A Birthday (2:40)
3. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (2:07)
4. Christmas Child (Loo, Loo, Loo) (2:47)
5. White Christmas 2:07)
6. Christmas Can’t Be Far Away (2:31)
7. The Little Drummer Boy ( 3:15)
8. Snow for Johnny (2:35)
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (2:07) could any Christmas CD by Burl Ives by complete without this one?
10. Winter Wonderland (2:14)
11. Silver Bells (2:11)
12. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (2:10)
I am sure you recognize many of these songs because they are the ones we are subjected to hearing over and over at the shopping plazas but I must say this is an enjoyable CD because Burl Ives tender and folksy treatment helps make one become happy and get into the holiday spirit. I certainly recommend this CD to all.
I wanted to start writing some of these type reviews earlier because I wanted to spread Christmas cheer and bring good will to some people on our site I know have had a rough year. I hope to send these reviews out as tribute to you. This one goes out to Eskimo101. I hope your back is healing and you will be able to enjoy the season without pain.
Thanks for reading and I hope you found this helpful in someway.
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