Search - Aaron Tippin :: December to Remember

Nice Mix of New and Familiar Holiday Songs

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 11/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aaron Tippin's A December To Remember effectively combines modern favorites tailor-made for his blue collar twang like " Jingle Bell Rock" and "Run Rudolph Run," traditional hymns such as "Away In A Manger" and "Silent Night" that showcase the lower regions of his burly baritone, plus seven great new songs, most of which are co-written by Tippin and wife Thea. The new tunes cover a wide range of holiday-related topics, from the romp "It's A Good Thing Santa Ain't Single" (a humorous take on Santa as a gift-giving stud muffin) to the poignant "He Said That He Was Jesus" (detailing the true story of a homeless man who claimed that he was Christ). Overall, it's a well-balanced, nicely executed collection."

A Christmas with Aaron Tippin!

DanD | 11/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah, Aaron Tippin's a man's man. But he can also woo the ladies (or so I've heard) and with this CD, he can get down and celebrate a holiday...country style!Now, this CD isn't going to be for everyone. For starters, there's the obvious fact over half this CD is new material, written by Tippin. And some of the others are "modern" classics. If you're wanting a traditional Christmas, you just might want to go somewhere else.Not all of the new tracks are all that great, either. "It's Way Too Close To Christmas..." and the title cut are a bit...well, not pleasant. "Christmas is the Warmest Time of the Year" is a bit more listenable. "It's a Good Thing Santa Ain't Single" is a bit tacky, but I still enjoyed it. "The Year That Santa Never Came" is downright enjoyable, while "He Said That He Was Jesus" is a powerful, inspiring ballad. And "Mamma's Gettin' Ready for Christmas" is a good ol' rockin' redneck tune. Thank God I'm not in THAT family!Tippin's covers of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Blue Christmas" aren't as good as the originals, but they're okay. "Away In a Manger" (a duet with his wife, though I honestly think the song would be better of without her) is still a Christmas classic. Tippin's version of "Run Rudolph Run" is the best--and funniest--I've heard yet. And "Silent Night" stunned the heck out of me...my favorite Christmas song, done with my favorite country baritone. Perfect!So. Christmas. Aaron Tippin. You might not have previously put the two together--but now you can! "A December to Remember" isn't the best Christmas album to come out, that's true. Still, it's a pretty good album, and it'll certainly get you in the holiday mood. From baby Jesus to an electric eight-foot Santa, this CD has got it all!"

Brilliant traditional country Christmas album

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 11/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aaron has a baritone voice that at times sounds a bit like Charley Pride, but Aaron's voice is gritty whereas Charley's is smooth. On this set, Aaron combines a well-chosen selection of standards with new songs of his own. The new songs were co-written with his wife Thea, who also sings on some of the tracks.I've not heard her sing except on this album but she has a lovely voice, which is particularly effective on Away in a manger. This is sung as a duet in which both Aaron and Thea sing some lines solo, while singing together on other lines. When you've heard as many renditions of this song as I have, it's great to hear something a little different like this.Aside from Away in a manger, the other standards here are Jingle bell rock, Run Rudolph run, Blue Christmas and Silent night. The first three are particularly well suited to Aaron's style, while Silent night provides another chance for Thea, this time singing harmony to Aaron's lead vocals.The original songs cover a range of themes. He said that he was Jesus is about a homeless person. It's a good thing Santa ain't single is an amusing song about a man reassuring himself that Santa won't tempt his partner a way. Christmas is the warmest time of the year is an uplifting song of love. The year that Santa never came is another amusing song about a time when a substitute had to be found to ride the sleigh. Things get sadder with It's way too close to Christmas to be this far from home, but not for long. My favorite original song here, Mama's getting ready for Christmas, takes an amusing look at putting up the decorations. The final original song, A December to remember, is another masterpiece and it provides another opportunity for you to hear Thea singing with Aaron.A combination of well-chosen covers and brilliant original songs ensured that this album far exceeded my expectations. If you enjoy traditional country music with a slight bluesy flavor, this is just what you are looking for."