If there's anything better than buying rock 'n roll Christmas records, it's knowing that at least part of the money you're spending will benefit a good cause, in this case the Special Olympics. All of the five albums released since 1987 have their moments, though I have to say I still prefer the first one as a listening experience. For one thing, it has a strong connection to the Phil Spector album, with U2's cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and the Pointer Sisters' rendition of Phil's arrangement of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Jon Bon Jovi is here with "Back Door Santa" and Run DMC perform "Christmas in Hollis," The Pretenders do a classy "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Bruce Springsteen donates his version of "Merry Christmas Baby." Madonna acquits herself well on Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" and John Cougar Mellencamp has an interesting take on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Whitney Houston is here to present the set's diva moment on "Do You Hear What I Hear." Others on the initial outing include Eurythmics, Sting, Alison Moyet, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Adams and Bob Seger. UPDATE: A DVD out for 2007 brings us a collection of selected videos and live performances from the entire Special Christmas series. FURTHER UPDATE: For 2008, there's a three-disc package offering the first two volumes plus the Acoustic Christmas disc, which is mainly country artists and isn't reviewed at this site. Another "limited" package for 2011 has the first two volumes plus the DVD.
A Very Special Christmas, various artists (A&M)
If there's anything better than buying rock 'n roll Christmas records, it's knowing that at least part of the money you're spending will benefit a good cause, in this case the Special Olympics. All of the five albums released since 1987 have their moments, though I have to say I still prefer the first one as a listening experience. For one thing, it has a strong connection to the Phil Spector album, with U2's cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and the Pointer Sisters' rendition of Phil's arrangement of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Jon Bon Jovi is here with "Back Door Santa" and Run DMC perform "Christmas in Hollis," The Pretenders do a classy "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Bruce Springsteen donates his version of "Merry Christmas Baby." Madonna acquits herself well on Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" and John Cougar Mellencamp has an interesting take on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Whitney Houston is here to present the set's diva moment on "Do You Hear What I Hear." Others on the initial outing include Eurythmics, Sting, Alison Moyet, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Adams and Bob Seger. UPDATE: A DVD out for 2007 brings us a collection of selected videos and live performances from the entire Special Christmas series. FURTHER UPDATE: For 2008, there's a three-disc package offering the first two volumes plus the Acoustic Christmas disc, which is mainly country artists and isn't reviewed at this site. Another "limited" package for 2011 has the first two volumes plus the DVD.
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