Radio Disney Holiday Jams

Various Artists

Walt Disney Records, 2000

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/29/2000

The older I get, the more I realize that Christmas truly is for children - and believe me, if I hadn't realized it before I received Radio Disney Holiday Jams, it was hammered home after just one listen to this disc.

I mean, where else would you find a collection of songs that mixes songs I consider to be traditional standards (Bobby Helms's "Jingle Bell Rock," Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree") with today's young hitmakers ('NSYNC's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," Myra's "Frosty The Snowman")?my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Of the 15 holiday songs contained within this disc, only three particular tracks left me cold (no pun intended). The Spice Girls don't add anything special to "Sleigh Ride," and this track just doesn't spark any feelings of good tidings of comfort and joy with me. Likewise, SHeDAISY's take on "Deck The Halls" doesn't sound like it's the most comfortable version of the song ever tackled.

And then, there's "Macarena Christmas" from Los Del Rio. This is a review of a kids' CD, so I have to watch the language, but I have only six words for both the band and the producers of this CD: What the heck were you thinking?!?

The only other pet peeve I have with this disc is the constant interruption by Radio Disney on-air personalities to wish holiday greetings or to just be silly. Maybe I'm more bothered with this because they prevent me from using this disc at Christmas parties I work as D.J., but the kids are probably more in tune with these people, since they listen to Radio Disney more than people like me.

The bulk of Radio Disney Holiday Jams is pretty much predictable, though enjoyable. You have your omnipresent song from a Disney soundtrack ("As Long As There's Christmas" from Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack), you have your holiday standards ("Little Saint Nick" from The Beach Boys), and you even have your silly songs ("Jingle Bells" from The Singing Dogs, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" from Elmo & Patsy).

And what makes Radio Disney Holiday Jams special is that there's enough material that both adults and kids will like. The adults will enjoy hearing the songs that bring back memories of the holidays when they were children, while the kids will groove to the bands they know and love and create their own memories to be passed on in years to come.

Even with a few clunkers, Radio Disney Holiday Jams has enough material on it to all but guarantee a permanent spot in the Christmas music rotation of your family's CD player.

Rating: B-

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


Comments

 








© 2000 Christopher Thelen and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Walt Disney Records, and is used for informational purposes only.