Elton John Album: “Elton John's Christmas Party”

Description :

Recording information: 1958 - 2005. <p>ELTON JOHN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY does indeed feel like a party. Fortunately for music fans, the guest list at this party includes the Flaming Lips, the Beach Boys, Otis Redding, Chuck Berry, and a bevy of other superstars. In fact, John only shows up to greet and say goodbye by bookending the album with the compositions "Step into Christmas" and "Calling It Christmas." The inclusion of U2's "New Year's Day" and the Pretenders "2000 Miles" underscore the fact that this is as much a collection of fine songs and performances as it is a holiday release, but the Christmas theme is still strong on this fresh, celebratory, and totally enjoyable release.

If you like Christmas music, you should undoubtedly get plenty of enjoyable plays from this fifteen track disc. Was actually quite impressed by cuts provdided by artists like the Beach Boys, Flaming Lips, Chuck Berry, U2, The Pretenders and The Band. Only tunes here that I, personally didn't care for were the songs by El Vez and Jimmy Buffet. Musically speaking, Sir Elton can most certainly assemble a good holiday trail mix.

Love the song "Step Into Christmas" and that is why I bought this. However, it is mainly hard rock - not traditional Christmas songs - and I got it initially because of the song by Elton John and it was one of Starbucks. However, not what I would normally by. Gave it to someone who loves Hard Rock and was happily received.

This is something I purchased for myself before Christmas. I had been looking for an CD that had the Eagles Group singing their Christmas Song. It is on this CD. I love it with all the other great artist too! A must have for the music lover that likes to celebrate Christmas.

I was tempted to buy this CD last year when it was available from Starbucks directly, but having owned other - and better - versions of the songs listed, I decided not to. Once more I am making the same decision this year, skipping it even though I've recently heard Rufus Wainwright sing some memorable original - and both traditional and contemporary - Christmas songs at a holiday concert with his sister Martha, other members of their family and friends at Carnegie Hall (I will say that Rufus and Martha know how to have a great holiday concert!). The only good reason to buy this holiday mix of songs - which I presume were selected personally by Sir Elton John himself - is for the purpose of donating at least some of the CD's purchase price towards the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which is a most notable, laudable goal. Last, but not least, the final song on this CD, "Calling It Christmas", is a new, original song from Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin; if I'm not mistaken, it was recorded with Elton and the entire band playing at one of his favorite Atlanta, Georgia studios.

This album has some good songs on it, but it has some weird choices for a Christmas album and doesn't seem to be very well thought out. I would prefer to have something else. Seems like someone took Sir Elton's name slapped it onto a package and put together whatever songs were easiest to get the rights to use.