I own some classic Christmas albums like Nat King Cole for example, and now, Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas. It has the catchy Christmas standards like "Joy to the World" and "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" and there are great original tracks like "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Miss You Most (On Christmas Time)"----this album covers all the basic ingredients that takes to become a standard classic. Her flawless and incredibly touching vocal performance on "Oh Holly Night" sends chills down your spine and the Mariah-penned "Jesus Born On This Day" is a beautiful hymn that uses a boys' choir, an incredible production. Although I do feel that her attempt at singing gospel is not very convincing, I still find the collection of songs irresistible. When you're by the fire and contemplating your Christmas tree with a loved one, put MC's Merry Christmas on your CD player and cuddle, it doesn't get better than that.

Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year. I think for everyone, whether you are particularly religious or not, it holds special sentiments of being with loved ones and being overtly happy. At the same time, however, there are always those more serious, religious, thanksgiving overtones. Mariah's Christmas CD - which I feel is the best Christmas album ever recorded - brings together these feelings wonderfully.

The fun tracks make up about half the record. The first single, "All I Want For Christmas Is You", is undoubtedly one of Mariah's best tracks, dancey but restrained enough so that even the "olds" will enjoy it. Mariah's beautiful voice glides over the melody like silk, but swooping and diving in true diva-style. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is a lovely, Motown-styled Christmas classic, whilst her rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" turns a cheesy Christmas tune into something really esquisite. The other "fun" track on this collection is her reading of Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World". Her vocal stylings here are superb, and there is nothing more uplifting than a good Christmas carol delivered in true Christmas cheer.

The ballads are also a delight. Mariah's self-penned "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" is my favourite Mariah ballad, and not necessarily one which should be relegated to Christmas times only. Her interpretations of "Silent Night", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Holy Night" are nicely restrained, but she really shines on the gospel stomper "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child".

Do not hesitate to pick this disc up. It has been in frequent rotation at Christmas time in my household since 1994, whereas many other Christmas discs I have purchased are played one year then stacked at the bottom of my CD pile never to be seen again.

This cd is one of Mariah's best cd, her voice is on top condition, and one of the best xmas collection ever. The songs are:

1. Silent Night (9.5/10) - Mariah does a calm vesion, and it's very good.

2. All I Want For Christmas Is You (9.5/10)The classic mariah holyday song, everyone likes this one.

3. O Holy Night (10/10)- Amazing Vocals, Best Version of this song ever.

4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (8.5/10) - Great Arrangement

5. Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) (9/10) - Tradicional MAriah Romantic Ballad but is Xmas Related. The Great thing here is the simple but amazing arrangement and her awesome voice, again.

6. Joy To The World (7.5/10) - unfortunately Mariah put a beat that doesn't fill here, but in the end ít becomes good.

7. Jesus Born On This Day (8.5/10) - touching song, children singing, calm, great.

8. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (9.5/10) - another classic song that mariah made the best version ever.

9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)(9/10)- great vocals of Mariah and all the background singers.

10. Jesus What A Wonderful Child (9.5/10)- great gospel side of Mariah.

Overall, amazing. As someone here wrote, Mariah sings gospel very well, and should have more gospel influences on her regular records.

Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" album is everything it's cracked up to be! This cd delivers 10 amazing tracks from the living legend. Her voice catapults you into a heavenly soprano stratosphere (i.e. Silent Night) and warms you with her rich alto rendition of O Holy Night.
Mariah penned three songs on this album, two of which have already been covered! "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is already deemed a classic amongst society and will most definately carry on through the years, and her beautiful gospel song "Jesus, Born On This Day" has been covered by Christian Music group Avalon.
You may debate whether to pick this one up or Whitney Houston's "One Wish" but let me tell you. Whitney's cd feels like something's missing to me. While she struggles to hit the notes in some songs (i.e. the ending of her rendition of O Holy Night), Mariah freely soars at the ending, leaving chills down your spine. Not to mention, Mariah worked very hard on this project, producing all 10 songs, writing 3 of them. This cd is more intimate and personal than Whitneys. It wasn't made to accept Mariah back into society, it was made to enjoy the warmth of Christmas.
Sure, Mariah has had her hard times, but her faith in Jesus has pulled her through and get ready for her next album! She has been working really hard and her voice has never sounded as powerful! I know, I've been to a concert recently! Thank you Mariah! You ARE THE DIVA!

Mariah Carey possesses great talent; Amazon correctly notes that she has a multi-octave singing range. On this CD Mariah delivers one great performance after another with every song she sings. Her voice is rich, vibrant and full of energy. She doesn't need to prove herself because she is known to have great talent; but her vocal gymnastics on this album highlight her talents yet again. This CD proves it.

The CD starts out with the beautiful traditional song entitled "Silent Night." Mariah performs this flawlessly; and she is ably assisted by a wonderful choir and a sensitive musical arrangement. The CD then takes a quick turn to a more secular, pop music flavored ballad entitled "All I Want For Christmas Is You." The mixing is superb and the choir supports Mariah well. The beat is excellent and "All I Want For Christmas Is You" deserves recognition as an instant Christmastime classic.

Other religious songs on this album include "O Holy Night;" "Jesus Born On This Day;" "Hark! The Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)" and the gospel ballad "Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child." All of these songs are done to perfection. The gospel song "Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child" is an excellent choice to end this album as it has a strong, catchy beat and the message is appropriately religious. Moreover, the gospel choir on this last track is positively electric.

The album boasts two more love ballads: "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" expresses a woman's longing for a lost love especially during the holiday season. "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" deals with the same issue but expresses even more melancholy with Mariah's incredible voice and its flawless musical arrangement. Excellent!

The liner notes are excellent. The songs credits and lyrics are there for you; and there are numerous beautiful photos of Mariah and a man dressed up as Santa Claus. Very sweet!

I highly recommend this CD for fans of both secular and religious Christmastime music. Mariah's fans will never get enough of this terrific CD not just because it's Mariah singing but also for the several musical arrangements Mariah personally did for this album. Fans of R&B/Soul Christmas music will also be delighted!