Phil Spector's Gift
An old high school friend asked me to review this 1963 album "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector". When the album was initially released in late 1963 on Phil Spector's "Phillies" label, my friend and I were in high school. The LP was little noticed at the time, due in part to the assassination of President Kennedy. It has grown in stature over the years. After our graduation in 1965, the first time my friend and I saw each other was at our 50th high school reunion this past summer (2015). It was kind of him to think of me in connection with this album and to suggest I listen to it. I have been listening to a song a day and posting the song on social media for my friends.
Spector (1939 -- 2021) produced this album at what would be the height of an erratic career and a sadly even more erratic life. The CD features artists Spector had recorded including Darlene Love, the Crystals, the Ronettes, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. With the exception of Bob B. Soxx, the artists were all young women from what were known at the time as girl groups. The recordings were heavily produced with Spector's "Wall of Sound" which involved overdubbing of instrumentation, winds and percussion. and some gimmicky sounds.
The thirteen songs on the album were all familiar popular songs of the season with the exception of "Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love which was newly composed and which has become frequently performed with time on television and elsewhere. Besides Darlene Love's "Christmas" the most famous song on this LP is the Ronette's version of "Sleigh Ride" with its endearing lead singing, the "ring a ling a ling ding dong ding" in the chorus and the whinnying of the horses. With the familiarity of the songs on this CD, the exuberance of the singing and Spector's creative arrangements make the album magical. In addition to the two songs already mentioned, I particularly enjoyed Darlene Love singing "Marshmallow World", Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans singing "The Bells of Saint Mary", and the Crystals singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It took a special talent to turn this familiar material into fresh arrangements which still give pleasure today in a different world and to a different age group than the original target audience.
I inevitably thought of the girl groups I enjoyed so much when I was young -- the Crystals -- including Darlene Love and the Ronettes. Darlene Love still is going strong but many of the other performers have moved along. Those such as my friend and myself who were part of the baby boomers have changed and grown older. There is a feeling of nostalgia for old times and for a dimly and not entirely accurately remembered innocence. Phil Spector too changed with the years. He is serving a long prison sentence resulting from a murder conviction and his health in jail has markedly deteriorated. He reportedly is unable to speak. It is sad to see a gifted person come to violence and to serving the remainder of his days in prison. We should be grateful for this LP which comes from a younger, happier time. Perhaps the joyful nature of this music will restore and recreate good, happy times for the Americans and for all people. I am pleased my friend suggested that I share my thoughts on Phil Spector's Christmas Gift.
Robin Friedman
