Music Box: A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector

With the possible exception of the Frank Sinatra Christmas album, which is a classic in an entirely different way, there's never been a better holiday soundtrack than Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift for You." Released in 1963, the album featured 11 holiday classics -- you've heard them all, performed by his Wall of Sound stars the Crystals, the Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx and Blue Jeans and Darlene Love -- plus one new song, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" written by the legendary songwriting trio of Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, which today ranks as my favorite Christmas song of all time. (Did you know the tune was intended for the Ronettes, but Ronnie "was never able to channel the emotion and strength" her producer husband wanted, so Darlene was brought in to save the day -- and boy did she!)

Each year, the holidays don't quite seem right without the following two things taking place: seeing Darlene perform her signature Christmas song on Letterman (coming up on Dec. 23), and seeing the annual Ronnie Spector Christmas Party at B.B. King in Times Square (got my tickets for Dec. 19). Darlene does an annual gig in the city too, but for some reason I've always gone to Ronnie's. Although I absolutely adore Darlene -- I saw her show "Portrait of a Singer" at the Bottom Line back in '94, and she even gave me her paycheck! -- I've always had a soft spot for Ronnie's brand of crazy (she carries on conversations with herself onstage), so I can hardly wait to hear what she has to say about her ex-husband's murder conviction.

While writing this I happened to notice that Darlene and Ronnie are teaming up -- something I've always wished they'd do here in the city -- for shows in Maryland and New Jersey this year (I'm so jealous -- please contact me if you go!). A promoter friend of mine had told me that he's tried to get these two together over the years but that Ronnie's diva demands always got in the way of a deal (is it any wonder I love her so?!).

If "A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector" isn't already playing in your home, then get your copy HERE.

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