In search of the best compilation of Elvis' Christmas songs

[arkpandora]

Hello, everyone!

I'm new to this forum.

Although Christmas has already passed, I would like to give my mother, on one or more CDs, all of Elvis' Christmas songs, or a compilation of them that is as complete as possible, or at least a good selection.

She already has a good compilation of the rest of his repertoire ("Elvis 75 - Good Rockin' Tonight").

I am a big music lover, but I don't know much about Elvis and his extensive discography.

Can you give me some advice?

Thanks, everyone!

Jean

[martin018]

The 1994 compilation’If Everyday Was Like Christmas’ is still my favourite.

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

he only did 2 christmas records

it is odd a release of a 2 disc set has not been done

his original 50s one is best

[OnStage55]

Here are 2 compilations.


EBAY LINK

EBAY LINK

[rockinrebel]

he only did 2 christmas records

it is odd a release of a 2 disc set has not been done

It has, and there are also numerous compilations that mix tracks from both albums.

As martin018 advised, If Everyday Was Like Christmas is the one to get.

[JohanD]

he only did 2 christmas records

it is odd a release of a 2 disc set has not been done

It has, and there are also numerous compilations that mix tracks from both albums.

As martin018 advised, If Everyday Was Like Christmas is the one to get.

Yes , that's a pretty good one.
But to have all the Christmas masters on one cd and as a bonus (wich was already a bonus during Elvis' lifetime) "Mama liked the roses", you can't go wrong with this one.
https://www.discogs.com/master/473589-E ... -Christmas

[rockinrebel]

he only did 2 christmas records

it is odd a release of a 2 disc set has not been done

It has, and there are also numerous compilations that mix tracks from both albums.

As martin018 advised, If Everyday Was Like Christmas is the one to get.

Yes , that's a pretty good one.
But to have all the Christmas masters on one cd and as a bonus (wich was already a bonus during Elvis' lifetime) "Mama liked the roses", you can't go wrong with this one.
https://www.discogs.com/master/473589-E ... -Christmas

I forgot about that one. Along with If Everyday Was Like Christmas, the inclusion of the 1957 gospel cuts and Mama Liked The Roses covers all the bases, giving you the complete recordings from the 1957, 1970 and 1971 album releases. Of course, this makes perfect sense, but the omission of the Peace In The Valley E.P. tracks on the If Everyday CD gives it a more seasonal flow for me. Both are very worthy compilations though, and the White Christmas CD is clearly a better option for completists...

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

he only did 2 christmas records

it is odd a release of a 2 disc set has not been done

It has, and there are also numerous compilations that mix tracks from both albums.

As martin018 advised, If Everyday Was Like Christmas is the one to get.

Yes , that's a pretty good one.
But to have all the Christmas masters on one cd and as a bonus (wich was already a bonus during Elvis' lifetime) "Mama liked the roses", you can't go wrong with this one.
https://www.discogs.com/master/473589-E ... -Christmas

true


I like this one for the package

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

that is why it annoyed me the gospel collection did not have the christmas songs, as these are also in that genre



this was the first major collection release that I skipped as I did not deem it complete

while I am an atheist, I appreciate the emotion of Elvis gospel work.

[rockinrebel]

that is why it annoyed me the gospel collection did not have the christmas songs, as these are also in that genre



this was the first major collection release that I skipped as I did not deem it complete

while I am an atheist, I appreciate the emotion of Elvis gospel work.

Not all Christmas songs are spiritual as such, so I don't think that would have worked.

Also, I preferred the Amazing Grace set over Peace In The Valley as the focus was on the gospel masters. With Peace In The Valley Sony took the kitchen sink approach, adding inferior movie songs, MDQ recordings etc. This really spoiled the flow of the album for me.

[KingElvis]

It is extremely rare for me to play Elvis Christmas songs, and I haven’t actually played a
single Christmas track this December.
But if I were to play any, it would have to be from the Back in Nashville box set from 2021.
The first compilation I got was Memories of Christmas from 1982 ....a great one at the time.

[Sweet-Angeline]

But if I were to play any, it would have to be from the Back in Nashville box set from 2021.

yes very surprised that after sales diminished for this box set that Sony just didn`t release the Christmas / Gospel tracks in a new package or two separate packages with a sticker on the front of both stating from the BACK IN NASHVILLE box set.

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

that is why it annoyed me the gospel collection did not have the christmas songs, as these are also in that genre



this was the first major collection release that I skipped as I did not deem it complete

while I am an atheist, I appreciate the emotion of Elvis gospel work.

Not all Christmas songs are spiritual as such, so I don't think that would have worked.

Also, I preferred the Amazing Grace set over Peace In The Valley as the focus was on the gospel masters. With Peace In The Valley Sony took the kitchen sink approach, adding inferior movie songs, MDQ recordings etc. This really spoiled the flow of the album for me.

Christmas is a christian holiday, so any song about that is inherently so

however
Jingle Bells is a thanksgiving song

[rockinrebel]

that is why it annoyed me the gospel collection did not have the christmas songs, as these are also in that genre



this was the first major collection release that I skipped as I did not deem it complete

while I am an atheist, I appreciate the emotion of Elvis gospel work.

Not all Christmas songs are spiritual as such, so I don't think that would have worked.

Also, I preferred the Amazing Grace set over Peace In The Valley as the focus was on the gospel masters. With Peace In The Valley Sony took the kitchen sink approach, adding inferior movie songs, MDQ recordings etc. This really spoiled the flow of the album for me.

Christmas is a christian holiday, so any song about that is inherently so

however
Jingle Bells is a thanksgiving song

I can't agree with that. Songs such as Santa Claus Is Back In Town or Here Comes Santa Claus don't belong on a gospel collection...

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

You get to, eh

Everyone has a view


if we all had the same one, the world would be boring


many people are bothered by santa and frosty songs as they are not religious



i just think a gospel/christmas collection makes sense, the xmas songs can be a separate disc

[rockinrebel]

You get to, eh

Everyone has a view

Exactly...

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

You get to, eh

Everyone has a view

Exactly...

glad we agree on that!

[arkpandora]

Thank you so much for your knowledgeable, well-argued, enthusiastic, and interesting answers!

I'm going to go with "White Christmas," but I'm also going to try to get my hands on a copy of that adorable pop-up special edition of "If Every Day Was Like Christmas," especially since my mom also loves snow-covered Christmas houses.

I wish you all a happy new year!