Christmas Hits: 50 Festive Favourites

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Product description DOUBLE CD: Cliff Richard, Slade, a.o.,Christmas Hits (50 Festive Favourites) .co.uk The first disc of Christmas Hits is dominated by songs from the 70s and early 80s--the golden era of the mobile DJ and Christmas number ones, when people sang about "Father Christmas" or "snow" and couples tenderly proclaimed their love by calling each other "scumbag" or "maggot". And there are plenty of pop songs here that although not ostensibly about Christmas, are certainly in the spirit of things. Just listen to "The Power of Love" (Frankie Goes To Hollywood's poignant last single) or E17's "Stay Another Day" and try not to weep openly through Robson & Gerome's "I Believe", no really, try. Disc two is more laid back, with classics from Bing Crosby, Elvis and Tony Bennett mingled with some soulful covers of traditional songs like "Silent Night" and modern classics such as "Last Christmas" and "Walking in the Air". Unfortunately, both of the latter are tortured by Human Nature and Declan Galbraith respectively, and its here that the compilation starts to fall apart. Some of the covers are interesting, but often they highlight just how much better the originals were. There have been plenty of great versions of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", not to mention the original so why do we get Michael Bolton? The inclusion of Eva Cassidy's "Over the Rainbow" is also a little confusing. It's poignant sure, but since when has it been associated with Christmas? Still, there's plenty here to keep you amused until its time to put the baubles and tinsel back in the loft. --Jenny Winwood