Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Capitol, since a new version of this album is released practically every year and you still haven't gotten it right, how about doing this NEXT year? Restore the original 1963 album track order. Restore the original ambient echo effect that was on that LP (or just remaster the original'86 CD version). Scan and remaster the original '63 cover art (with Nat sitting by the fire) including the original "full dimensional stereo" banner. Then, commission Will Freidwald or another music historian to write a brief history of this album. You know, how it began as "The Magic Of Christmas" in 1960 and morphed into the "Christmas Song" version we all knew and loved for 30-some odd years before you began monkeying with it? Then, on the back of the booklet, scan and print the original "Magic Of Christmas" artwork with its corresponding stereo banner. Then, add "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Happy New Year" and the English outtake of "Adeste Fideles" as extras. Leave Natalie's duet, the Toys For Tots PSA and all the novelty x-mas tunes to another collection. THAT is how you do a re-release! For some reason, Capitol has been BUTCHERING its holiday releases by Nat, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys just to name a few. In the 80's and 90's holiday CD's by each could be found with only slightly modified versions of the original album art and sound matching that of the LP master tapes. But in the past ten years, the Capitol art department has decided to give each album a complete makeover(several of them in fact)... all for the worse! Also, someone has decided to shuffle the track order, add a bunch of extra crap and dub it the "Ultimate Christmas Collection" (Beach Boys). Please, originality is best when it comes to re-issues, especially these sacred Christmas albums. Save the abstract art and marketing concepts for your NEW artist releases.