Disco de Mariah Carey: “Merry Christmas”

I own some classic Christmas albums like Nat King Cole for example, and now, Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas. It has the catchy Christmas standards like "Joy to the World" and "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" and there are great original tracks like "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Miss You Most (On Christmas Time)"----this album covers all the basic ingredients that takes to become a standard classic. Her flawless and incredibly touching vocal performance on "Oh Holly Night" sends chills down your spine and the Mariah-penned "Jesus Born On This Day" is a beautiful hymn that uses a boys' choir, an incredible production. Although I do feel that her attempt at singing gospel is not very convincing, I still find the collection of songs irresistible. When you're by the fire and contemplating your Christmas tree with a loved one, put MC's Merry Christmas on your CD player and cuddle, it doesn't get better than that.

This cd is one of Mariah's best cd, her voice is on top condition, and one of the best xmas collection ever. The songs are:

1. Silent Night (9.5/10) - Mariah does a calm vesion, and it's very good.

2. All I Want For Christmas Is You (9.5/10)The classic mariah holyday song, everyone likes this one.

3. O Holy Night (10/10)- Amazing Vocals, Best Version of this song ever.

4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (8.5/10) - Great Arrangement

5. Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) (9/10) - Tradicional MAriah Romantic Ballad but is Xmas Related. The Great thing here is the simple but amazing arrangement and her awesome voice, again.

6. Joy To The World (7.5/10) - unfortunately Mariah put a beat that doesn't fill here, but in the end ít becomes good.

7. Jesus Born On This Day (8.5/10) - touching song, children singing, calm, great.

8. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (9.5/10) - another classic song that mariah made the best version ever.

9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)(9/10)- great vocals of Mariah and all the background singers.

10. Jesus What A Wonderful Child (9.5/10)- great gospel side of Mariah.

Overall, amazing. As someone here wrote, Mariah sings gospel very well, and should have more gospel influences on her regular records.

Received this today, from Amazon.com from my friend Chellie, for Christmas, from my wishlist. I'm so happy to have it because of the 2 bonus tracks and the wonderful, magical videos on the DVD side. I never realized the CD was re-released in DualDisc format until 1 month ago. I've already got the original 1994 release, which has been played so many times, it's glowing. Every year, Mariah Carey puts me into the spirit with her many styles of Christmas songs. Whether it's a gospel delight, a love ballad or a traditional Christmas song, this album brings nothing but holiday cheer to my life.

CD AUDIO SIDE:

01- Silent Night

02- All I want for Christmas Is You

03- O Holy Night

04- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

05- Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)

06- Joy To The World

07- Jesus Born on This Day

08- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

09- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria In Excelcis Deo

10- Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child

Bonus Tracks

11- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

12- Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (Anniversary Mix)

DVD SIDE:

Features: All 12 Songs in Enhanced PCM Stereo + 8 Music Videos

01- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town <> (Animated Video)

01- All I Want For Christmas Is You

02- Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)

03- All I Want For Christmas Is You (J.D. Remix ANIMATED)

04- Joy To The World (Celebration Mix Video)

05- O Holy Night (Live)

06- All I Want For Christmas Is You (Black & White Video Version)

07- Joy to the World (Live at St-John The Divine)

The Booklet features the same photos as in the original 1994 release + additional info at the back for the DualDisc version. The Jewel case packaging for this item is slightly smaller than the original version, making it a nice collector's item.

Customer Notes:

- The Audio side of this disc does not conform to CD specs, therefore will not play on SOME CD and DVD players!

- FBI Anti-Piracy Warning: Unauthorized copying is punishable under federal law

- DVD Video

- NTSC Format (USA and Canada + Others)

- There is only 1 Disc in this package!!!

- When you insert the Disc with the green side up, it is for playing the DVD

- When you insert the Disc with the red side up, it is for playing the CD

- Due to the disc being double sided, it's fragile and highly sensitive to fingerprints & dirt/grease

The sound quality is clear & crisp and makes the CD a joy to listen to, even after 12 years. The CD should play in a SONY discman...given it's a newer model of discman. Some portable CD players may not be able to play it because the technology wasn't the same as now.

Upon viewing the videos, I realized just how much love & devotion Mariah puts into her singing and her onstage performances. And the home video footage in the videos is really special because we see Mariah behind the scenes, rather than all glitzy and in front of the press. Anyone who buys this item will like it more, even if they were disappointed because of some small things like songs not being included, or the CD not being expanded enough.

It still makes a lovely Christmas gift and it will continue to brighten up your Christmas holiday each time you listen.

Mariah Carey's original 1994 album "Merry Christmas" has well stood the test of time, being a favorite among the casual listener to the die-hard fan. I fit in there somewhere in between the two - more than the casual listener but not quite the die-hard type. Still, this album's one of my favorites, as well.

In this particular edition, Sony BMG Music and Columbia Records have reissued the album with a bunch of new material - including two newly recorded songs "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town" (Anniversary Mix). Additionally, on a reverse side is a brand new DVD featuring eight Christmas music videos, including the fantastic "All I Want for Christmas is You" animated video (with clips from the classic claymated movie with Santa Claus) and the chilling "O Holy Night" performance.

The way Amazon.com has the track list set up isn't exactly clear. So I'll explain it a little bit better down here.

CD Side:

01. Silent Night

02. All I Want for Christmas is You

03. O Holy Night - (by far the best version of this song)

04. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

05. Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)

06. Joy to the World

07. Jesus Born On this Day

08. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

09. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria In Excelsis Dea

10. Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child

11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlement - Bonus Track

12. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - (Anniversary Mix( Bonus Track

DVD Side:

- The Full Album in Advanced Sound

- The Bonus Tracks in Advanced Sound

- 8 Music Videos:

a. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - Anniversary Mix (Claymation Video)

b. All I Want for Christmas is You

c. Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)

d. All I Want for Christmas is You - JD Remix

e. Joy to the World - Celebration Mix

f. O Holy Night

g. All I Want for Christmas is You - Black and White Version

h. Joy to the World - Live Version

The Album Itself -

From the first notes of the piano and Mariah's voice during the beginning of "Silent Night", a clear, soulful impression is left on the listener. Chilling are the notes she hits in the opening number, but it's certainly not the album's peak. "All I Want for Christmas is You" is the radio smash heard all over the world, and it's slowly on its way to becoming a Christmas standard. Mariah wrote an amazing melody that will stay with you all day after listening to this track.

The third song "O Holy Night" is my personal favorite. The arragement in the all time ultimate in my opinion - no one can sing those high notes like Ms. Carey. The song has a oh-so-classy 1940s setting with modern twists and it's definately one you *won't* be skipping over. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" brings the listener up to party-mode again and is one that certainly delivers.

By song five, you may begin to see a certain pattern appear: a slow song followed by a more upbeat, followed by a slow, followed by an upbeat, etc. Yes, this pattern is throughout the entire album, but instead of annoying the listener, it actually cushions the album. "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" is a sweet original number that many will enjoy. "Joy to the World", honestly, is the only song on the album in my opinion not to fit the standard of greatness. I just don't feel the soul in it. Others may, but I just don't feel the spark on the track.

"Jesus Born on this Day" is a GREAT vocal track, and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" certainly has a great spin. Mariah's voice is definitive on this song. It's anthem like - and that adds a great touch to a sheer classic. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria" and "Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child" close out an absolutely incredible CD, leaving the listener in the TRUE Christmas spirit.

But wait! There's more! Thanks to this reissue, the new song "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" showcases Mariah's ability to sing with a very simple arrangement and I'm surprised she never released this song before! And the new "Anniversary Mix" of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" doesn't miss a beat. Picking right up off the 1994 version, Mariah brings the song into the 21st century with ANTHEM vocals. A little bit short maybe, but certainly not one to miss.

For the DVD Side, there's eight music videos that shine each in their own way. The highlights in my opinion are "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (Anniversary Mix), "O Holy Night", and "All I Want for Christmas is You".

The "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" Anniversary Mix video is an animated claymation video, tying in with the story line of the movie with the same name. You see a new Mariah Carey claymation character in scenes of the original movie and brand new scenes fitting with her, as well. It's very cute, and definately enjoyable. The video for "O Holy Night" is not the same audio as on the album. It's a similar arragement, but changed vocally - adding excitement for the listener. And the "All I Want for Christmas is You" video is basically Mariah running around in the snow having fun with Santa Claus and a puppy dog. It's highly amusing and very adorable.

Over all, this album is certainly one not to miss. Don't buy the earlier version, because this remastered, reissued one is now available! Trust me, this is one holiday collection totally worth the purchase.

This is the GREATEST x-mas album ever made! I buy x-mas albums, but this one is perfect, every song, every arrangement! THE MOST POWERFULL performance by Mariah! Nobody can do a x-mas song better that the soulfull singer!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU alone is a classic! I cannot believe this album was released 11 years ago - it sounds so fresh even now iwht this stunning re-release! - puts you in the x-mas mood right away!

My favorites:

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU (written by Mariah)

Holy Night

Miss you (most at christmas time) (written by Mariah)

Joy to the World

Santa Claus is coming to town

Hark the Herald Angels sing **AWESOME**

Please come home for x-mas

THE BEST X-mas CD EVER RECORDED!

DVD - is an early x-mas gift!