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Five volumes in 14 years would probably qualify these all-star benefit albums (Special Olympics) as a holiday tradition by now, even if all five have been hit-and-miss affairs. Still, the 2001 edition has a few more highlights than a quick glance at its offerings might indicate. Jon Bon Jovi tries to imitate Elvis on "Blue Christmas," and Darlene Love--surely as important a voice in the genre as Bing Crosby--falls short in her attempt to recreate her superior 1963 Phil Spector version of "White Christmas." Genuinely cool, though, are Macy Gray's jazzy "This Christmas," Eve 6's pop-metallic "Noel! Noel!," City High's hip-hop Christmas hybrid, and SR71's goofy take on Billy Squier's already goofy "Time to Say I Love You." Things get downright steamy--and Santa-sized--when John Popper meets up with B.B. King for the bluesy "Back Door Santa." --Bill Holdship
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Reviews:
Good, but several "live" cuts
I got this CD when it first came out in 2001. While I like the overall music and such, they should have called this "A Very Special Christmas Live 2" since several, if not most of the cuts are live. In most cases, the result is good to fantastic. My favorite songs are:
This Christmas - Macy Gray
Blue Christmas - Jon Bon Jovi
Run Rudolph Run - Sheryl Crow
Back Door Santa - John Popper & B.B. King
Little Red Rooster - Tom Petty
Silent Night - Stevie Nicks
White Christmas - Darlene Love
Stevie's live version of Silent Night is quite good. I don't know why people are knocking Darlene Love's White Christmas, which is a studio cut. Of course she's not going to sound the same as she did in 1963 - nobody is. But she can still belt it out, as she proves every year on David Letterman's show. Bottom line, a CD with variety, studio and live cuts, mostly holiday tunes and a couple not holiday related. Plus the proceeds go to Special Olympics, so you do a good deed if you get this.
excellant
I ordered this at the last minute for a Christmas gift and it came in plenty of time and in great shape! thanks so much!
A very Special Christmas -Vol.5
Stevie Nicks singing Silent Night is the best I have every hurd the arrangement was beautiful. Thank you
BOB JOVI ROCKS!
Although the entire cd is very enjoyable, Bon Jovi does a great interpretation of Elvis with "Blue Christmas". Very enjoyable cd for all.
intelligent 30 something
No this isn't the greatest CD ever made, but there are many really excellent tracks performed by some of my favorite artists. If you are a fan of Natalie Merchant than this CD is a must have. That track alone is worth buying the whole disc. The rock version of the Chipmunk Song is also very cool. The rest of the CD is fun and enjoyable. I guess you must be young enough to enjoy the newer artists. I have the classic christmas artists versions as well, so it is nice to mix it up a bit. Put all my Christmas CD's in my 200 disc changer on random!
