Legacy has now announced the new release (only vinyl so far) of 'Elvis Christmas: with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra'.
This album was first worked on by RPO Don Reedman / Nick Patrick team before the 'The Wonder Of You' second release but was bumped from the release schedule due to the immense success of 'If I Can Dream' and the European tour. Gospel numbers were also worked on at the time. As this is only announced as a vinyl release so far maybe the CD will be an expanded version including some Gospel tunes.
Tracklist:
1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town, 2. White Christmas, 3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane), 4. Merry Christmas Baby, 5. Blue Christmas, 6. I'll Be Home For Christmas, 7. Winter Wonderland, 8. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me), 9. Silver Bells, 10. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem, 11. O Come All Ye Faithful, 12. The First Noël, 13. Silent Night
Release date - October 6 2017.
My favorite Elvis Christmas song is 'If Every Day Was Like Christmas." I don't see it listed. Therefore, I won't be purchasing this release.
I'm going to buy. My favorite song is merry Xmas baby. I hope that the CD version with more songs will be released.
I like 'If Every Day Was Like Christmas' too, but the others songs are also very good. Really hope that on the CD are more tracks. Will be an interesting release. But let's see ...
They have very sensibly taken every Xmas track from the original Xmas album. Maybe the 4 from Peace in the Valley will be on the CD version to complete the original album, but it's not vital. Either way their choice of Xmas tracks on this LP is logical.
Hopefully the 13 tracks will be on a single vinyl disc and the Cd will contain additional gospel tracks, that would make sense
According to Elvis World-Japan there are 4 bonus tracks on the deluxe CD. They are the 4 gospel tracks found on the original Elvis' Christmas Album. Therefore, I have no interest in this Elvis/RPO Christmas release.
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous 2 RPO albums and play them often but will give this a miss. There are some strong adaptable tracks that could have been used on volume 3 like Stranger in My Home Town, Power of My Love, Surrender, It Hurts Me, Let Yourself Go, Return to Sender. Stranger in The Crowd, If You Talk in Your Sleep, Unchained Melody and so forth. I have never taken to the 4 gospel tracks on the original Christmas album other than Peace in The Valley on the 1957 Ed Sullivan show which was a masterpiece.
