1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #37. Phil Spector - A Christmas Gift For You (1963)

Phil Spector - A Christmas Gift For You (1963)
Label - Philles
Producer – Phil Spector
Art Direction - uncredited
Nationality - USA
Running Time – 35:11


Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. White Christmas - Darlene Love
2. Frosty The Snowman - Ronettes
3. The Bells of St. Mary's - Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Crystals
5. Sleigh Ride - Ronettes
6. Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Ronettes
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Crystals
9. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
10. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers - Crystals
11. Christmas - Baby Please Come Home - Darlene Love
12. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B Soxx & The Blue Jeans
13. Silent Night - Phil Spector & Artists

As fate would have it – I was able to listen to this Christmas record – the week before Christmas! Nice! Featuring Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" in its prime – it features his early stable of artists, the Ronettes, Crystals, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, they are all here.
In doing some reading about this record, it stands as arguably the greatest Christmas record ever to be made. Spector believed he could produce a record for the holidays that would capture not only the Christmas spirit, but at the same time be a pop masterpiece. He more or less succeeds with all the singers as they turned in some memorable performances – and as I mentioned – is considered the Christmas album by which all later holiday releases had to be judged.
On an interesting note – I read that Phil withdrew the album from release initially as it came out the week that John F. Kennedy was shot and he though it was in ‘poor taste’ to play this happy music while the country was in mourning. Kinda ironic that he may be an assassin himself now!!! The final track – Silent Night – features Spector's pleseant voice talking about love and harmony – actually pretty sad with hindsight.
Recommended for Christmas

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER 17:
Paul Rodgers is 59: Mike Mills from R.E.M. is 50;