A Christmas Together: Limited Collector's Edition [Remaster] by John Denver/The Muppets
Written: Nov 07 '07 (Updated Nov 15 '07)
Product Rating:
Pros: A joy-filled Christmas Party. John Denver and Jim Hensen
Cons: Not a thing
The Bottom Line: It's like I walked into a holiday party with a group of good friends just letting it all out having fun with each other without any airs or cares.
popsrocks's Full Review: A Christmas Together: Limited Collector's Edition ...
One of my favorite albums to listen to through the Christmas season is A Christmas Together by John Denver and the Muppets. It's full of joy and laughter, fun and camaraderie. It's like I walked into a holiday party with a group of good friends I know very well and they are just letting it all out having fun with each other without any airs or cares.
This most recently released album, (2006)the Limited Collector's Edition gives us thirteen songs to remember from a 1979 television special starring Denver and the Muppets. The original album became a hit in our home as soon as it came out in vinyl and on CD continues to give us pleasure. The cover is the same as the original and also the following CD that came out in 1988 with ten of the thirteen songs.
Thirteen Tracks
I would like to share a line or two about each contribution to the album.
Twelve Days Of Christmas
This song sets the fun attitude of the album with all the Muppets getting their lines in of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Of course Miss Piggy takes front and center singing the Five Golden Rings line as only she could. That's Frank Oz behind her voice. He does a few and Jim Henson does Kermit the Frog and others.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
John hands off lines in this one with one of the members of the Muppets. I think it's Rowlf. They keep it slow and heartfelt. It's amazing how these furry creatures can exude such human feelings and qualities. Ah yes, remind me, there are real life persons behind them.
Peace Carol
This song comes across as a lullaby played with a light touch on the piano for a background. I can feel the rocking back and forth in this piece shared by John Denver and some of the cast.
Christmas Is Coming
This is where Miss Piggy and all take to a Caribbean beat and have fun. Get the dancing shoes on (perhaps throw off the sandals and dance barefoot in the sand) as they sing this one in an upbeat round. My wife and I have been to the Caribbean often and this song brings more than just Christmas memories for us.
A Baby Just Like You
This is one I have never heard elsewhere. It's John that sings this one. It's a peaceful song noting the reason of the season, the birth of a special baby. It does get a little lost with all the other traditional songs and familiar tunes.
Deck The Halls
Like the Twelve Days of Christmas one can recognise the different Muppet characters that take their turn singing this old classic. Yup, more fun! The background music fills in with bells and chimes. Nice touch.
When The River Meets The Sea
Here's John's sweet voice telling one of his stories. It's a slow listen with steel guitar backing. I'd say it's the natural elements of earth at peace in the Christmas season.
Little Saint Nick
This is done with the same energy that the Beach Boys had on their Christmas Album. A couple of shout outs by the furry ones give it a distinct Muppet flavor. Another fun spirited song. It's like the whole bunch got together for the ultimate Christmas jam.
Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913
Once again Denver takes another song for his own and it's a style that he always excelled at. Telling a story by bringing us to another time or place. I have to say I miss that. This one brings back a little piece of his talents. Steel guitars and horns give John accompaniment.
Christmas Wish
Kermit sings this one and ya just gotta love him as he invites all to the beauty of the season. This is a slower song as compared to many of the others but Kermit keeps our attention and the story is a lovely one.
Alfie: The Christmas Tree / Carol For A Christmas
Tree / It's In Everyone Of Us
This little medley continues the story telling portion of the album as Mr. Denver tells the story of Alfie and the Christmas Tree. Believe me when I tell you there is "life" in that tree. There's a subtle move onto a prayer calling for every one of us to appreciate the season.
Silent Night, Holy Night
This beautiful song might seem out of place in a Muppets album but when sung by friends with heartfelt meaning, even if they are puppets, it still comes across as lovely as always intended. It opens in its original language, German. That follows with John telling the story of the night when the song was written. The Muppets finish it off in English beautifully and then wish the best to each other for the holiday season.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
The perfect close to this album is the well wishes from the Muppets and John Denver. This is done with joy and spirit and some fun interaction between the characters. Like I said, this album is like being in the middle of a family/friend filled party with everyone wishing the best for each other.
Last Thoughts
The sound quality is excellent to my ears. I also appreciate the voices not being drowned out by background music. I found a wonderful balance of the two. I like the overall arrangement of songs on the album giving respect to the reason for the season yet allowing for much revelry allowing the characters to act out and be themselves in a joy-filled atmosphere.
This is def different than most other albums I own. Perhaps the Beach Boys 1964 Christmas Album is close to the feeling but this one surpasses that and all the others for that joyous feeling of celebrating together.
Though I love this album and have listened to this music for over 25 years it's also sad to know that both John Denver and Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and the voice of many are gone. They had so much more to give yet I have to say this album keeps their spirit of living life to its fullest alive.
Get this album (it's easily available at good prices)to appreciate those two men and their talent and most of all to celebrate the Reason for the Season.
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