Jim Reeves’ ‘Twelve Songs of Christmas’ is surely everyone’s favorite album at Christmas time. From the tiny tots to the oldies, Jim has got music to suit all, be it his peppy Jingle Bells, Senor Santa Claus or the Merry Christmas Polka.

Many grew up listening to this on Christmas album vinyl way back in the day when there was no cassette or CDs. It was the only means of listening to music, and course we had the radio. If you want an album of traditional Christmas music, this is it. This is a great album to just play, sit back and relax.

His rendition of Jingle Bells, Silent Night and Blue Christmas are excellent and his rendition of White Christmas is the best than any other artist who has tried to cover it. In addition to the traditional classics, there are other greats like Dear Senor Santa Claus, The Merry Christmas Polka, another classic that kids will love dancing to. There’s also the slow and meaningful An Old Christmas card, that today has no relevance as many have stop sending Christmas cards to one another with the advent of the digital age. Other highlights here include C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S and Mary's Boy Child, among a few others.

Gentleman Jim, as he was revered, has all twelve masterpieces of his Christmas album out here. A good album that has the best in reverie or reverence. As his album sleeve note from the LP version rightly states, Jim Reeves’ wish for all who take this collection of songs into their homes is to have – ‘A Texas sized Christmas to all of you’ .

From one of country music's greatest and most complex artists of all time, playing it on your turntable sounds great, in powerful stereo quality (also available in Mono) and is probably one of the highlights of the Nashville Sound of the 1960's. The album was originally released in 1963 at a time shortly before Jim Reeves died in a plane crash on 31^st July 1964.

The classic white background with Jim Reeves in a sweater leaning through a huge Christmas Wreath....is unforgettable, just like He is.

Buy this album on vinyl for old times’ sake, I can assure you, you won’t regret it.

Rating: *****

Label: RCA Victor

Release date: 1963

Producer: Chet Atkins

Duration: 32 minutes

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira