Album Review: James Taylor – ‘James Taylor at Christmas’

April~ReneDec 5th, 2006 - 03:22:26

I bought the new album immediately after seeing normally very dry James acting so silly in the tv commercial about it! I think having his young twins has really brightened him up! I am a lifelong fan and this album does not disapoint a bit. The Jingle Bells version surprised me a lot but I love it. Saw him perfom that and River [an all time fave!!!]on the Today Show last Friday and
don't miss him this Fri. on the CBS Early Show! Ho ho ho JT!

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ChrissyDec 6th, 2006 - 15:54:26

I was just wondering if this was the same as his 2004 Christmas album. I noticed most of the same songs, but was wondering if they were identical.

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JlawDec 15th, 2006 - 15:18:36

Pretty much the same album; here's the story:

James Taylor's first Christmas Album was released in November 2004. After long stints with Warner and Sony, he elected to try releasing albums on an ad hoc basis after his last Sony release October Road (which contained his first Christmas related track “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”).



A Christmas Album was an exclusive joint venture with Hallmark sold exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. Produced by Dave Grusin, the enterprise was far more successful than anyone could have hoped; the album is now platinum (over One Million Sold) and is almost impossible to find in stores, having sold out at most Hallmark stores well before Christmas 2004.



James Taylor's agreement with Hallmark allowed them the exclusive rights to sell the CD for 2 years (October 2004 through September 2006). During the 2005 Christmas season, the CD was only available at select retail stores that carry Hallmark cards such as Kohls and Safeway.



On October 10, 2006 a revised version of the CD called James Taylor at Christmas became available online and at retail, distributed by Sony, James Taylor's previous label, having released 'October Road' in 2002.



Basically, the new CD adds two tracks, “The River” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and drops one, “Deck the Halls”.



“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was the final track on 'October Road,' in fact its popularity probably inspired 'A Christmas Album' in the first place.



“The River” is a cover of the Joni Mitchell song from her classic album Blue. It was recorded for 'A Christmas Album' but was probably left off the CD because Hallmark found it to be to somber to fit with the other songs. Until recently, “The River” was available as a free download from James Taylor official site.



This special, hard to find, limited edition of 'James Taylor at Christmas' has all 13 James Taylor Christmas songs on one CD. Otherwise, you’d have to buy 'A Christmas Album' and the standard edition of 'James Taylor at Christmas' to get all of them. The only way to get all 13 of James Taylor's Christmas Songs on one CD is to buy this Special Edition of 'James Taylor at Christmas' with the 'Deck the Halls' bonus track. Be careful though, there is another special edition which has the video of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' but not 'Deck the Halls.'

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