Search - Ray Stevens :: Ray Stevens Christmas - Through a Different Window

Holiday madness...

Jerry McDaniel | 09/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you were looking for sentimental lore and up-lifting tales of how great everyone is at Christmas, then this CD isn't for you. This CD shows Christmas through a different window...one where absurdity, silliness, violence, and political incorrectness is put on full display..."Nightmare Before Christmas" tells the tale of how stupid political correctness is: Ray dreams that Santa's been arrested because of his "cruel" treatment to animals and his only hiring Elves, which is "discrimination", something that's pointed out by the shady lawyer. "Guilt for Christmas" has Ray pondering what to give people in these political correct times. he worries "don't give a boy an army toy he might grow up vicious..." until he stumbles on the gift that keeps on giving, which is "Guilt for Christmas". "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" tells the story of a man fed up with the holiday cheer and he bluntly exclaims that he won't be home for Christmas "so don't plan on stayin' with me"...another satire on warm and fuzzy holiday stereotypes is "Home for the Holidays"...this one tells the real story of a family gathering. "We're goin' home for the holidays...pack me lots of medication..."."The Little Drummer Boy Next Door" was the single from the album. In it, Ray tells of a boy who gets a drum for Christmas and the headache it causes having to hear him try and play it at all hours of the day. "Greatest Little Christmas Ever Wuz" is from the mid '80s. It was recorded for a various artist Christmas CD and for a long time, TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS, was the only place to find the song until this full-length holiday album from Ray came along. The recording on here is a re-recording, not the 1985 original. His third version of "Santa Claus is Watching You" is as good as the previous two versions {the 1985 take and the 1963 original}. "Redneck Christmas" and "Bad Little Boy" are only for the left-of-center...one that hits home is "Annual Office Christmas Party"...i've been to a few company parties where i work and they're full of upper-management egotists and braggarts all happy and nice although the other 364 days of the year they're cruel, back-breakers interested in the bottom line...although at my Christmas parties there hasn't been any wild lunacy that has taken place in this song...like going to the restroom on a potted plant!"Xerox Xmas Letter" tells the story of a family who gets a letter from another family bragging on their achievements the past year.Again, Ray Stevens is the only artist i can think of who could successfully satirize and spoof such time honored traditions of Christmas."

A comedic musical view of life during the holidays

kalkaryn | Sunny SoCal | 12/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Christmas Through a Different Window?" In the Word thesaurus, "different" has many synonyms including altered, opposite, contrary, and deviant. After listening to these songs, I can't figure out why they picked this title. The songs all sound like a bunch of very realistic songs about me and my kinfolk.This album is extremely funny with all original songs. And I can say this with a bit of authority. At last count, (11/01) I had over 140 Christmas CD's. Except for two songs I have enjoyed for years, "The Little Drummer Boy Next Door" and the CIA Santa song, "Santa Claus is Watching You," I had never heard any of these songs on any of the other CD's.If you like Dr. Demento, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Spike Jones and/or Jeff Foxworthy, this album is for you. I look forward to listening to this album many times over the years and sharing songs like "The Annual Christmas Party" with my fellow co-workers.When you buy this album, please think of my having a "Redneck Christmas" as I go "Home for the Holidays." (I think Ray must have been visiting with our family for inspiration for these songs!) And change "Bad Little Boy" to "Bad Little Girl," and the song is almost autobiographical. Just joking..... but not by much. On second thought, if you have small children, you may not want to buy this album. This song may inspire your little ones to new heights of childhood shenanigans!Seriously, if you like this album half as much as I do, I'm sure you will think it well worth the money. Happy Holidays!"

Absolutely Hilarious!

Michael Eshom | Cincinnati, Ohio | 11/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the showcase of Ray Stevens' Christmas tunes as only he could do them. It includes a new version of an old classic ("Santa Claus is Watching You") as well as hilarious new songs from one of the best comedians of all time. One of the best ones on the CD has got to be "Little Drummer Boy-Next Door" - a hilarious song about how the neighbor boy got a drum set - from the viewpoint of an aggrivated neighbor. Another one, "Bad Little Boy", is the story of how bad a little boy has been, from his own viewpoint, including his hatred for the neighbor's cat... If you like Ray Stevens, you'll love this CD."