Search - James Brown :: Merry Christmas Album

Latter-day Godfather wheezes through the holidays

randysrodeo.com | Austin, Texas | 11/26/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This music gets an A for effort but a C- for delivery. JB gets high marks for cowriting 10 new songs, but the backing tracks are warmed-over new jack swing and the Hardest Working Man In Show Business is showing his age - to put it kindly. As a big fan, I found the album fascinating (if not enjoyable), but every one else is advised to seek out James' stellar late 60's Christmas recordings. See James Brown's Funky Christmas (B000001EFD) or Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters (B0000C23DH)."

Another fine James Brown christmas effort.

plsilverman | USA | 11/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"JB's fourth Christmas album, and first in almost 30 years, continues the remarkable trend: some of his best music was made for the season, and here is the '99 entry - a decidedly "economical"-sounding electronic approach nonetheless yields a consistently warm and engaging sound built upon an upfront vocal with little or no echo with a strongly insistent chorus. "Christmas Is For Everyone" is excellent in this approach, as is "Not Just Another Holiday", and the album opener, "Sleigh Ride", a very entertaining laid-back cut. "Clean For Christmas" and "Reindeer On The Rooftop" are happy sounds, the latter more extemporaneous. The best song, a definite James Brown *Classic*, is the thoughtful slow-tempo "Mom & Dad", something to be played over and over again at home - and on-the-air! Radio Station programmers listen up!!!"