The Time Life Platinum Christmas Collection: The Time-Life Treasury Of Christmas 2
This is your parents' Christmas record, in the best possible sense. Packed with Christmas crooners fromAndy WilliamsandJohnny MathistoPerry ComoandBing Crosby, sophisticated ladiesJulie AndrewsandElla Fitzgerald, and several chorale groups such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Harry Belafonte, Connie Francis, and the Boston Pops Orchestra, theTime-Life Treasury of Christmas Musicis all about nostalgia. WhenElvis Presley, Brenda Lee, andGene Autrymight be considered the set's most radical performers, you know you've reached the land of Christmas Comfort Listening. Classical music's titanic tenor Luciano Pavarotti delivers "O Holy Night" with his trademark bravado and Guy Lombardo closes out the collection with his standard "Auld Lang Syne." Still, you've got to wonder what the heckAlabamaare doing here singing "Tennessee Christmas" beside the satin-sheet likes of Eddie Fischer taking on "My Favorite Things."--Martin Keller