Originally released in 1954 and padded with three bonus tracks for the digital age, First Christmas Record for Children is a timeless, yet tepid, run-through of holiday favorites ("Here Comes Santa Claus," "Frosty, the Snow Man," "Jingle Bells," et. al.) as performed by some of the era's palest stars (like
Doris Day, Ray Heatherton, and
Mitch Miller & the Sing-Along Gang. You're not liable to hear a more family-friendly Christmas album...or a more soulless one. Indisputable highlights:
Jimmy Boyd's cute "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and
Gene Autry's definitive take on "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." ~ Michael Gallucci