Santa's Top 10 is a collection of popular country and pop singers from the forties, fifties and sixties singing lighter, non-religious Christmas music. Light fare, such as "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Winter Wonderland," get the full treatment, performed only as singers like Vic Damone, Debbie Reynolds, and Andy Williams really can. The songs found here are quite innocent, and the performances are not bad, so this album would be recommended for anyone looking to collect some secular holiday songs in very traditional, older arrangements. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
After Thanksgiving each year, the playlists of radio stations gradually change to include Christmas music. While these days it seems as if nearly every top artist, no matter what style, has at least one full-length Christmas CD, that was not true prior to 1980. Although there were Christmas albums as early as the 1950s (a Nat King Cole set was one of the earliest ones), individual selections of Christmas tunes were recorded as early as the 1920s, often released as singles. That was true of Bing Crosby's hit version of "White Christmas" in the 1940s which, prior to the Rock Era, was the biggest selling record of all time.
Santa's Top 10 has a very interesting collection of Christmas songs performed by a wide variety of pop singers. Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (a big hit which largely introduced the song) and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" are fun to hear. Other selections feature Patti Page ("Frosty the Snowman"), Joe Williams, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell ("Sleigh Ride"), Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds ("Let it Snow"), Vic Damone and the Vienna Boys' Choir ("Little Drummer Boy").
This enjoyable set includes quite a few rarities and will be a favorite in the Christmas season.
—Scott Yanow
While supplies last!
Patti Page: Frosty the Snowman; Gene Autry: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Joe Williams: Jingle Bells; Andy Williams: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus; Glen Campbell: Sleigh Ride; Pat Boone: We Wish You a Merry Christmas; Debbie Reynolds: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow; Vic Damone: Winter Wonderland; Vienna Boys' Choir: Little Drummer Boy.
| Album Credits | |
Performance Credits |
Technical Credits |
|
| Andy Williams | Performer |
| Debbie Reynolds | Performer |
| Gene Autry | Performer |
| Glen Campbell | Performer |
| Joe Williams | Performer |
| Lotta Lannerheim | Layout Assistance |
| Pat Boone | Performer |
| Patti Page | Performer |
| Vic Damone | Performer |
| Vienna Boys' Choir | Performer |