11/23/2023
ON THIS DATE (60 YEARS AGO)
November 22, 1963 – Phil Spector: A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records is released.
# ALL THINGS MUSIC PLUS+ 5/5
# Allmusic 5/5
A Christmas Gift for You is an album of Christmas songs, produced by Phil Spector, released on November 22, 1963. In 2003, the album was ranked number 142 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Spector treated a series of mostly secular Christmas standards to his trademark "Wall of Sound" treatment, and the selections feature the vocal performances of Spector's regular artists during this period. It is one of only twelve long-playing records released on the Philles label, peaking at number 13 on Billboard magazine's special, year-end, weekly Christmas Albums sales chart in December 1963. The album was reissued by Apple Records in 1972, with different cover art and retitled Phil Spector's Christmas Album; this version went to number 6 on Billboard's special Christmas Albums sales chart in December of that year.
However, the album was a relative failure at the time and was released on 22 November 1963, the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Original pressings are now scarce and collectable, now selling for $400–$500 in excellent condition.
In subsequent years the album grew in popularity and is considered now to be a holiday classic. Several of its tracks became iconic Christmas songs for generations, such as the original (and flop) single "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," and the well-known "Ring-a-ling-a-ling Ding-dong-ding" background vocals in The Ronettes' "Sleigh Ride." The arrangement of Bruce Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is based in part on the Crystals' version of the song , and U2's late 80s cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" that appeared on the first A Very Special Christmas album is patterned after the Darlene Love original that appeared on the Spector LP . The Ronettes version of "Frosty The Snowman" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" also usually get some radio airplay during the holiday season.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, well-known as a fan of both the Ronettes and Spector, has cited this album as his favorite of all time.
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LINER NOTES
Can Twelve Great Christmas Songs be treated with the same excitement as is the original pop material of today; sung by four of the greatest pop artists in the country; produced with the same feeling and sound that is found on the hit singles of these artists, without losing for a moment the feeling of Christmas, and without destroying or evading the sensitivity and the beauty that surrounds all of the great Christmas music? Until now, perhaps not! But I am quite sure after you listen to this album you will agree that the answers to these questions are found in every groove of this album, four of the greatest teenage stars in America, all on the same label – the entire roster of Philles Records, The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans have come together in a newly produced album, each singing several Christmas songs in their own inimitable style and with the sound that made each of their records such a huge success. Because Christmas is so American it is therefore time to take the great Christmas music and give it the sound of the American music of today – the sound of The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans.
This album was produced solely for you and only with you in mind. It is an endeavor to epitomize the great young stars in the recording field, singing some of the greatest music ever written. It comes from me to you with the sincere wish that you understand and appreciate this endeavor into something new and different for Christmas. I am very proud of my artists at this moment and very grateful for having the opportunity to express myself as I have been able to do in this album. I, along with The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans, hope that you enjoy and love this album as much as we enjoyed making it for you and wish you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years and we thank you so much for letting us spend Christmas with you.
Phil Spector, Producer
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REVIEW
by Dennis MacDonald, allmusic
Featuring Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" in its prime and his early stable of artists, the Ronettes, Crystals, Darlene Love, and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector stands as inarguably the greatest Christmas record of all time. Spector believed he could produce a record for the holidays that would capture not only the essence of the Christmas spirit, but also be a pop masterpiece that would stand against any work these artists had already done. He succeeded on every level, with all four groups/singers recording some of their most memorable performances. This is the Christmas album by which all later holiday releases had to be judged, and it has inspired a host of imitators.
TRACKS:
[ ] - artist
1 White Christmas [Darlene Love] - 2:52
2 Frosty the Snowman [The Ronettes] - 2:16
3 The Bells of St. Mary's [Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans] - 2:54
4 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town [The Crystals] - 3:24
5 Sleigh Ride [The Ronettes] - 3:00
6 Marshmallow World [Darlene Love] – 2:23
Side two
1 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus [The Ronettes] - 2:37
2 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer [The Crystals] - 2:30
3 Winter Wonderland [Darlene Love] - 2:25
4 Parade of the Wooden Soldiers [The Crystals] - 2:55
5 Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) [Darlene Love] - 2:45
6 Here Comes Santa Claus [Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans] - 2:03
7 Silent Night [Phil Spector and Artists] - 2:08
