Burl Ives Albums (14)
'Favorites for Children'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 8
Label Shout! Factory
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What The Critics Say
Burl Ives, the man who brought Sam the Snowman to life and helped make the television version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer one of the most faithful holiday annuals in pop culture history, alternated four children's stories and their attendant songs on this 1974 LP for Children's Records. Ives' familiar voice makes him the perfect figure to recite these favorite stories, and the arrangements on the songs are light and nimble, replete with acoustic guitar and woodwinds. In total, the list of songs (each with an accompanying story) is "The Witch at the Well," "The Tailor and the Mouse," "Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin'," and "The Crocodile Song." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'Chim Chim Cheree & Other Children's Choices'
Release Date 3/17/1998
Tracks 12
Label Disney
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What The Critics Say
Disney Records began digging into their extensive vault of children's records in 1998, reissuing classic or underappreciated albums from the '50s and '60s as the Disney's Archive Collection. Burl Ives' 1964 album Chim Chim Cheree & Other Children's Choices was chosen as the first installment in the Archive series, and it may well be the best of the bunch. Ives' warm, joyous voice is perfectly suited for children's songs, since he sounds like everyone's favorite grandfather. And, apart from the three selections from Disney's recent film Mary Poppins, these are classic folk and pop songs that you can imagine a grandfather singing to his grandchildren. Most of these selections are familiar ("Swingin' on a Star," "Polly Wolly Doodle," "Mairzy Doats"), but Ives also demonstrates his vast folk knowledge by choosing the English folk song "Ilkey Moor Bar'Tat" as the closer and performing it a cappella with the children's choir. Certain elements of the album sound rather dated, whether it's the spoken asides on "Mairzy Doats" or the elaborate production, but Chim Chim Cheree retains its charm, not only for aging boomers and Gen-Xers, but also for young children, since this music is simply delightful. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas'
Release Date 6/1/1995
Tracks 12
Label MCA
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What The Critics Say
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas is a compilation of holiday songs performed by Burl Ives. The award-winning actor performed the definitive version of the title track, thus forever cementing his place in the genre. The other songs here (many of which have also gotten quite a lot of radio play) are all standards for the most part, and are all sung in Ives' sweet, fractured croon. Fans of the title track will probably enjoy the rest of the album, and any other curious listeners may also want to give this a try. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'
Release Date 6/1/1995
Tracks 19
Label MCA Special Products
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What The Critics Say
The Rankin/Bass animagic film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared on December 6, 1964. Since then, it has become the longest-running of all holiday TV specials (with, we hope, no end in sight). It's fitting that the grandfather of all Christmas specials features Burl Ives, still remembered warmly by millions as the voice behind the film's narrator, Sam the Snowman. Although this soundtrack bears his name, Ives appears only on a handful of songs: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Silver and Gold." The remaining vocals are handled by various cast members: "Jingle Jingle Jingle" features Stan Francis as Santa, "We're a Couple of Misfits" is sung by Billie Mae Richards (the voice of Rudolph) and Paul Soles (the voice of Hermie), "There's Always Tomorrow" is immortalized by Janet Orenstein (as Clarice), and a chorus shares "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." The real musical genius behind the movie is Johnny Marks, a songwriter who had earlier written the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as well as holiday favorites like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (which is featured in a medley here). His songs, in the hands of musical director Maury Laws, simply sparkle with Christmas magic. The second half of the soundtrack features instrumental versions of the songs, featuring the Decca Concert Orchestra conducted by Herbert Rehbein. The instrumentals keep the holiday spirit flowing, but it's the equivalent of a long musical intermission (in other words, you'll probably find yourself straightening out candy canes on the tree before long). Few soundtracks hold as many happy memories or contain as much Christmas spirit as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Hardcore fans (who number more than a few) can also purchase the film in DVD format or check out a book from Rick Goldschmit that chronicles the making of the film (with lots of fascinating facts about the film's history). ~ Dave Connolly, All Music Guide
'Women: Folk Songs About the Fair'
Release Date 1/1/1954
Tracks 8
Label Decca
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What The Critics Say
Burl Ives' 1954 concept album is humorous and has an enjoyable pop edge to its folk sensibilities, with different accompaniments (heavily relying on Tony Mottola's guitar) across its eight songs. This is also probably the first LP (and, for that matter, very likely the first record of any kind) ever issued by a major label to use the term "anti-feminist" (or, for that matter, by extension, "feminist"). The material tends toward the amusing and, by today's standards, patronizing and sometimes unkindness, but Ives is in good voice and his sound is as accessible as ever. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
'Folk Songs Dramatic and Dangerous'
Release Date 1/1/1953
Tracks 8
Label Decca
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What The Critics Say
Burl Ives' seventh album for Decca -- on which he is accompanied by orchestra part of the way -- draws on songs from Irish and Canadian as well as English, Scottish, and American traditions, with one lullaby ("Hugh Little Baby") included as well. There's one song, "From Here On Up, The Hills Don't Get Any Higher," that the notes say was passed to Ives by Carl Sandburg and the soon-to-be-blacklisted Earl Robinson. But probably the most unexpected track here is Ives' rendition of "Git Along Little Dogies" as part of a medley, in which he gives it a much more autumnal mood than one is accustomed to hearing in its more familiar cowboy-oriented versions. Another treat is the Alan Mills/Rose Bonne "I Know an Old Lady," which probably achieved a good deal of its familiarity as a camp song through Ives' interpretation here. And it ends with the haunting "I Wonder as I Wander," a suitable finish for any album. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
'Ballads Folk and Country Songs'
Release Date 1/1/1950
Tracks 9
Label Decca
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What The Critics Say
Burl Ives' third album in barely a year, and at least his fourth of the period. This time the accompaniment is a little more varied -- in addition to three songs accompanied by guitar, Ives also does a handful of numbers arranged by Elie Siegmeister, and draws beyond the public domain songbag into work by A.P. Carter, Floyd Tillman and Jimmie Davis, and Frank Loesser. The highlight is "Blue Tail Fly," which made its LP bow here on its way to becoming an American standard, with "Big Rock Candy Mountain" right behind it, but the rest is equally rewarding. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
'More Folksongs by Burl Ives'
Release Date 1/1/1949
Tracks 9
Label Columbia
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What The Critics Say
Burl Ives' second LP for his new label, Columbia Records, includes such familiar fare as "Robin, He Married," "Pretty Polly," and "Old Blue," among others. He's accompanied by Tony Mottola's guitar, which creates a smoother and more commercial sound than Ives' Decca recordings, which were appearing on LP in profusion during this same period. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
'Ballads and Folk Songs, Vol. 2'
Release Date 1/1/1949
Tracks 9
Label Decca
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What The Critics Say
A slightly more diverse body of work than its predecessor, the nine songs on this 10" LP come from England, Germany, and all points of the compass in the United States. Once more Ives accompanies himself on guitar, and time hasn't diminished the simple appeal of either. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
