Christmas In the Heart

Don't Judge Too Quickly...
Just gonna make this short here... opinions will be all over the field on this one... but for me this is one of the more "musical" albums Dylan has ever released. Yeah, I know... "Christmas Songs"... but don't be too quick to dismiss the music that all these fantastic players and singers have created here. There is so much soul and depth to all that's going on, whether it's Bob's vocals or the excellent musicianship... give this one a try!

Christmas, Dylan-Style
I'll admit, when I heard that Bob Dylan was releasing an album of Christmas music, I was waiting for the punch line. Surely, it had to be a joke, didn't it? It wasn't. My next thought was, will I actually buy it? (Not my usual thought when I hear that Dylan has new music coming out.) Finally, I thought, "Yeah. I'll buy it. I'll listen to it once, maybe play it on Christmas, and that'll be it. Boy, was I wrong! I've already played this one through several times. It is great! The musicians play superbly, and Bob seems to be totally engaged in the music. He sounds downright spritely on "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Winter Wonderland," and, especially, on "Must Be Santa." He delivers his versions of traditional Christmas hymns with reverence but without sounding dry. Once again producing himself under his "Jack Frost" pseudonym, this may actually be his best self-production yet. And, at 68, Bob keeps pushing that craggy voice of his to hit some high notes. I find that in itself invigorating. "Christmas in the Heart" is a very good Christmas album, and a mighty fine addition to the formidable Dylan catalog. I'm no longer concerned that I'll only play it once; now, I'm concerned that I'll wear it out before Christmas.

Listened to the clips, won't buy this one!
I listened to the clips of this album and it's a good thing I did. Whatever has happened to Dylan's voice? I guess if you are nostalgic for your deceased grandfather, the one who insisted on singing off-key at every family get-together this is your album. But I like my Christmas music to be more ... festive. The man is a classic, yes, but this album is not.

Listen to the samples before you buy this CD
OK, I admit it. I bought this CD, but mostly out of nostalgia, and before I listened to it. Then, just out of curiosity, I decided to sample what I purchased. I thought something was wrong with my equipment when the first song came on, but I listened on. The same sound repeated itself over, and over again. Sure, it is my opinion, but I venture to say that no one would buy this album if it were some unknown artist instead of Bob Dylan. I know Dylan has his own, unique style, but I cannot avoid comparing this effort to drunken Karaoke by a throat cancer patient. I am hoping that this sounds better once it comes to my house, but I am still trying to figure out how anyone not associated with the production somehow, or completely tone deaf could ever give this CD a good review. I imagine this CD will get very few plays and my house, but I just hope that I am wrong, and that something else intervened to leave me with such a "sour" first impression.

Let Christmas in the Heart be the Soundtrack to Your Holiday Season
Christmas in the Heart really surprised me. Personally, I enjoyed it more than Together Through Life. While I wouldn't rank it as one of Dylan's greatest albums, his outstanding interpretations of 15 timeless Christmas classics will nevertheless prove doubters wrong. Highlights include "The Little Drummer Boy," "The Christmas Blues," and "Silver Bells." I found "Must Be Santa" to be the only weak track on here (never liked that song for some reason). This is definitely a Bob Dylan album worth buying, not just for its quality but for the fact that the money will be donated to a charity fund.