Search - Beach Boys :: Christmas With the Beach Boys

This is a rip off, but a glorious rip off.

J. Hinchcliffe | Atlantic City NJ | 11/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the person who previously left a comment has said, this is exactly the same as the other Beach Boys release "The Ultimate Christmas" with one song missing. However, i personally haven't ever seen that release sold anywhere, and i only have a copy that my friend made me. So even though that release already exists, it's still cool that they decided to re-release it for this years holiday season, since it's a top notch Christmas album with wonderful Christmas songs that i listen to every holiday season ever since i discovered it.



The first half is better than the other half, since it's essentially the original Beach Boys Christmas album that was officially released in 1964. They were in their prime then, and their voices are gorgeous as usual. Perfect for these songs, including the cute little pop tunes that Brian wrote himself, like the big Christmas season hit "Little Saint Nick". Out of the seasonal covers, "Blue Christmas" is my favorite. We won't hear Brian singing this beautifully solo until around the Pet Sounds album.



The second half is also very enjoyable, but not as good since this is the late 70s now, and needless to say the Beach Boys aren't as good as they used to be. That's really nit-picking though since it's really nice to have more Beach Boys Christmas songs besides just the original 1964 album. My favorites include the flopped obscure 1974 single "Child Of Winter", the absolutely gorgeous and romantic "Morning Christmas" by Dennis Wilson, and Brian's "Winter Symphony". The rest are quite good as well, only complaint here is that some of the songs are actually tunes from the 1978 album MIU turned into Christmas songs. That's not the group's fault though because these Christmas songs came first before they were rejected by the record company.



So if you don't already have these Christmas songs, definitely buy! It's one of the best Christmas albums out there it'll be a perfect addition to your Christmas music collection. If you already have the Ultimate Christmas release, then don't bother. Nothing new on here, and it's just a re-release to take advantage of the holiday season. Needless to say, i hope that more people buy it and discover either the Beach Boys's music as a whole, or at least appreciate them through Christmas songs. I personally can't wait to hear this album again, as i've been saving it for the holiday season."

Summer sounds adapted to Christmas

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 01/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Beach boys (as their name suggests) made their reputation singing about summer so it might seem that they would be an unlikely group to record a Christmas album. That they not only did so but made a great job of it, demonstrates their versatility. This album was recorded in 1964, well before they started to experiment with different musical styles so it is recorded in the style of their early albums. It has been re-issued in various packages, sometimes (as here) with extra tracks added but it is the original twelve tracks that really matter.



As originally released, there were twelve songs, made up of five originals followed by seven covers. With one exception (We three kings) the album focuses on the festive side of Christmas, leaving the spiritual side to others, although you might also count Auld lang syne (the closing track) as a spiritual song.



The standout track is Little Saint Nick, an affectionate tribute to Santa, one of four Santa songs, the others being The man with all the toys, Santa's beard and Santa Claus is coming to town. As these titles suggest, this is a generally upbeat album, though Blue Christmas and I'll be home for Christmas provide a contrast to all the fun.



If you enjoy the early music of the Beach boys, when they had fun fun fun riding their little deuce coupe and surfing USA with California girls, you'll love this album."