Publicity stated: 'Elvis' Christmas Album', the LP that - with over ten million copies sold in the United States alone - is the best-selling Christmas album of all time has been on newsstands since October 25, 2022.
First released in 1957, the vinyl comes in a valuable collector's edition and contains twelve Christmas songs (remastered original mono audio), made even more magical by the extraordinary interpretation of the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley. The 'Elvis' Christmas Album' box also contains an exclusive 12-page illustrated booklet and makes a perfect gift idea for any music lover.
In the 1950s, the music produced for the album market was not, as you might think, that related to Rock 'n' Roll, black or country music. The rankings reflected the tastes of the affluent part of Americans. Tastes mainly aimed at the sound of a bygone era: from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, from Mantovani and Mitch Miller to Ray Conniff.
On the other hand, the albums cost more than the singles which, instead, more represented the taste of a rebellious youth, dedicated to listening to rock'n'roll which, for many commentators, was the devil's music. Only three young artists were an exception: Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson and Pat Boone.
Elvis in particular was at the peak of popularity in 1957. In that year, at his countless concerts, thousands of delirious teenagers often caused accidents after each of his performances. People got hold of everything they could, from mic stands to instruments.
Elvis entered the Hollywood Radio Recorders studios and, in just three days, (September 5, 6 and 7th 1957), records the disc. The songs, initially, are only eleven and, only at the last, a composition by Leiber and Stoller is added, inserted at the beginning of the album: 'Santa Claus is Back in Town'. Interpreters and collaborators are: Elvis himself, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana, The Jordanaires and finally, arrived especially for this session, the soprano Millie Kirkham.
Elvis, in the songs lasting a total of thirty minutes, transfers all his love towards religious songs, through his unmistakable warm and convincing voice. For 'White Christmas', he reprises part of the Drifters arrangement, recorded two years earlier. In 'Blue Christmas', he makes Millie Kirkham sing a soprano obligate.
In October, the album that bears his name ('Elvis Christmas Album'), is put on sale and a certain press denounces this release as an attempt to desecrate the Christian religion. Just think that Irving Berlin, composer of 'White Christmas', promoted an initiative to block the radio broadcasting of his song. Despite everything, the young "thug of Rock 'n' Roll" wins his battle and the album is a resounding success. It will be, by far, the best-selling of the 1950s, with 7,000,000 copies.
The cover is a photo taken in the recording studio where, for the occasion, Steve Sholes had placed some Christmas gift boxes. The album, released in the USA, has a gatefold cover with five pages of beautiful photos. Under the holidays, a gold sticker with “to… from…” was added to the package.
Elvis, with this album, consecrated himself absolute master of the American music scene in the 50s and will be for a long time, until his untimely death. You will never forget the splendid voice of him, the miraculous interpreter of 'That 's All Right', or any other song by him. He will forever live in the hearts of his countless fans, having given us the opportunity to release those emotions that are too often repressed.
Once again available from the Follow That Dream collectors label are the sessions sets 'American Sound Sessions', 'Elvis Is Back Sessions', 'Pot Luck Sessions', 'Something For Everybody Sessions' and the 'Viva Las Vegas Sessions'. The sets should be available in November.
(Source: Classic Rock Italy / UEPS)