[.ca] Christmas with the Chipmunks

fine Christmas tunes from David Seville and The Chipmunks:
Ross Bagdasarian, a.k.a. David Seville, created the great sound of The Chipmunks (Alvin, Simon and Theodore) essentially by taking the sound of a few people singing and speeding it up to sound like small animals singing. This technique works well still today; their Christmas album is a delight for the kids and inevitably nostalgic for us adults. Just one listen proves it! The CD starts with "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)." The Chipmunks perform a charming and somewhat amusing rendition of this classic Christmastime ballad. The percussion and flute add to the natural beauty of this number; and the harmonizing leaves nothing to be desired! The cute banter between Alvin the chipmunk and David Seville makes the number even cuter. Great! Next we get the remarkably famous "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)." This you've undoubtedly heard on the radio; and the sound on the CD is excellent. They harmonize well and the banter between The Chipmunks and David Seville near the end of the song resembles that of a parent and children having "a special moment." "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" also works well. The musical arrangement reflects good judgment and I predict that the children--and you--will like this number very, very much. "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" begins with a great harp solo even if the solo is brief; and this number shines like gold! "Frosty The Snowman" features The Chipmunks singing this children's Christmas song rather well; and the percussion sounds great on "Frosty The Snowman," too. You're bound to like "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town;" and "Christmas Time (Greensleeves)" features The Chipmunks singing their best vocals to the tune of "Greensleeves." Great! "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," a tune from Meet Me In St. Louis, sparkles as David Seville puts his stamp on this beautiful song. The Chipmunk tracks end fittingly with "White Christmas." This ballad, although it's actually somewhat melancholy, sounds optimistic and very beautiful as David Seville sings this with great sensitivity. The flutes and strings enhance "White Christmas," too. With this version of this album we get a bonus track by Canned Heat. It's actually quite good and it rocks; but it's a big difference from The Chipmunks! David Seville and The Chipmunks were a huge hit in the early 1960s; and they remain a favorite of many a child even today. You just can't keep good entertainment down; and this fine CD is sure to remain in print for many years to come.

• Here Comes Santa Clause (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
• Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)
• Jingle Bells
• It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas
• Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Up on the House-Top
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Silver Bells
• Over the River and Through the Woods
• All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)
• Frosty the Snowman
• Twelve Days of Christmas
• Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
• Christmas Time (Greensleeves)
• Here We Come A-Caroling
• Deck the Halls
• Night Before Christmas
• Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
• Wonderful Day
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• Jingle Bell Rock
• O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
• Hang Up Your Stockin'
• White Christmas
• Chipmunk Song \o*\c - Canned Heat, The Chipmunks