Engelbert Humperdink – A Merry Christmas With Engelbert Humperdink

Engelbert Humperdink was born Arnold George Dorsey in 1936 in India.  His family moved back to England after WW II.  He has recorded under the names Arnold Dorsey, Gerry Dorsey and in 1965, he changed his name to Engelbert Humperdink, the same name as the German opera composer from the 1800’s.

He did not have much success recording under the name Gerry Dorsey, and taking the advice of his new manager, he changed his name.  Starting in 1967, the hits started flowing.  His first, Release Me, from 1967, is the song most people know him for.

This is Engelbert’s second Christmas album.  The first was Christmas Tyme, released in 1977.  A Merry Christmas With Engelbert Humperdink was originally released in 1980.  It is unknown when this CD version was released.

The cover artwork has not really changed with this re-release, except for the image that appears on the CD takes up the whole album front on the cover from 1980.  The CD insert is a single fold out, but there is no inside information. Bummer.  The back of the fold out lists the artist and album title followed by a numerical track listing with time signatures.  Below are producer credits, production credits and release information typical of all recordings.  The artwork on the back of the CD is the same as the back of the insert.

There are 10 songs included here, the same as the original release from 1980.  There are no bonus tracks; and the track order has been kept the same as the original release.

Even though there are only 10 songs on here, this is a pretty good Christmas CD.  I think Engelbert Humperdink has a terrific voice and his record sales in the 70’s prove that many other people thought so too.  Out of the 10 songs on the CD, 4 are in my Top 500 Classic Christmas Recordings.

The orchestrations on all songs are by Jimmie Haskell & his Orchestra.

The CD begins with O Come All Ye Faithful, a wonderful Christian hymn originally composed by John Francis Wade and translated into English by Frederick Oakeley.  This is a soulful, endearing version of this old carol.

Track 2 is Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.  A cheery rendition of this Christmas classic.  All songs on this CD feature a pleasing chorus providing background harmonies.  I can find no information on who the choir is, but they sound terrific.  This is one of the better songs on this release, and probably familiar to many of you.

The newer Christmas classic, Blue Christmas, is performed soulfully, and there is that great chorus again!

There are 5 Christian hymns on this CD, and Away In A Manger, the fourth track, is one of them.  The song opens with a beautiful, light piano solo that features wonderfully throughout.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem begins with the chorus declaring “Bethlehem”, then moves into a quiet interpretation of this Christian hymn.  Another one that is in my Top 500.

The 6^th track is the only medley featured here.  The music doesn’t stop between songs, so this was recorded as a 3-song medley.  The first of the three, We Three Kings Of Orient Are, begins with a brass introduction that plays throughout.  Trilogy, as it’s called in the track listings, takes a softer turn with The First Noel.  Silent Night finishes the medley off.

The 7th song, the Christmas classic, Winter Wonderland, has a slightly Country flavor to it.  I say that because of the style of the lead guitar.  A very popular Engelbert Humperdink Christmas song, you will still hear it played on the radio during the holiday season.

Mary’s Boy Child is one of my favorite modern Christmas hymns.  Here Engelbert, backed up by the choir, does a terrific job.

Oh my….the 9^th song.  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  It has such a wonderful a cappella intro, chorus only, singing the first stanza.  One of the best arrangements of this song I have ever heard.

The CD closes with what must be my most favorite modern hymn, The Lord’s Prayer.  When I think of this song, I think of Andy Williams, who covered it on his 1974 Christmas album, Christmas Present.  Here Engelbert Humperdink does a fantastic job of delivering a heartfelt rendition, backed by the chorus, eventually turning into a loud crescendo of instruments and voices.

I think the orchestra leader, Jimmie Haskell, has done a terrific job of using modern instruments along with a traditional orchestra to give the music a modern flavor.  You can tell it’s not 1954, and all the instruments play together beautifully.

As I stated in the opening remarks, this is a great Christmas CD to have in your collection.  If you think you might like Engelbert Humperdink singing Christmas carols, then I would recommend this Christmas CD.  His first, from 1977, (just 3 years prior to this one), features 4 medleys that contain many carols each, out of 10 songs total.  That means you’re getting many Christmas songs, but just 1-minute versions of each.  Here, you only get 10 songs, but you get 10, 3 minute + Christmas standards.  Go for this one instead.

Engelbert Humperdink does a really good job on all songs.  The orchestrations are traditional arrangements, so you’ll be familiar with all those, and the unknown chorus puts on the finishing touches to produce a short but sweet Christmas CD.

I give this CD :

***1/2*