Johnny Mathis - The Christmas Music Of Johnny Mathis: A Personal Collection (1993)

Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Mathis are the three kings of Christmas song, traditionally speaking. Mathis, with his warm, tender vocal style, touches on 14 songs here that everyone will know, from "Silent Night" to "Sleigh Ride," "Silver Bells" to the Broadway number "We Need a Little Christmas." There probably aren't many homes in America that don't have or haven't heard a Johnny Mathis Christmas song played at one time or another. This 1993 set features Mathis's favorite self-processed renditions of the numerous songs he's recorded over the years, including "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," heard and seen on 1998's Gap holiday ads, with Mathis, seemingly in timeless voice again, crooning like Father Christmas in front of a big, rich orchestra. Wonders never cease. --Martin Keller