A Vintage Christmas Cracker

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: November 11, 2003
• Type: Collection (various artists), Christmas
• Genre: Holiday

Review

This two-disc, 47-track collection of vintage Christmas songs recorded between 1915 and 1949 is a true treasure, featuring more undisputed seasonal classics than you can shake a wreath at, all drawn from the original mono 78s. Included are such timeless gems as Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" (Frank Sinatra's version of the song is also here), Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song," Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus," and Spike Jones' "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," as well as rarer delights like Fats Waller's "Swingin' Them Jingle Bells," Bessie Smith's "At the Christmas Ball," and the Andrews Sisters' "Christmas Island." It all adds up to a wonderful set that puts most contemporary Christmas collections to shame. Since it is drawn from 78s, some of the selections are on the time-worn and scratchy side, but that's not really a large drawback, since it only adds to the sweeping sense of holiday history this anthology imparts. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi

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