John Denver and the Muppets do good duty to these Christmas tunes. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a showcase, with a different muppet taking each day. Many John Denver originals, like "The Peace Carol," are well suited to the warblers voice. Surprisingly, the muppets are all good singers, and harmonize well with John Denver, even in character.

I am happy to have the full version of this CD, and I cannot recommend this edited 10 song version. To my mind, the standout piece of this album is Rowlf the Dog's "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which is sadly missing. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem's classic version of
the Beach Boy's "Little Saint Nick" is also missing. Stars deducted for this edited version, otherwise it is a 5-star album.


One of my warmest Christmas memories   October 30, 1998
 40 out of 44 found this review helpful

I remember when I was a little boy and I watched the John Denver and Muppet Christmas special on TV. My mother bought the LP for me, and I listened to it so much that I wore it completely out. I was overjoyed to find it available on CD, and when I listen to it, the memories flood back to me...this is the true joy of a childhood christmas. Not only is the album funny and witty ("Little St. Nick" with Animal flying into a fit over the line "run run reindeer!"; the round-robin on "Christmas is Coming"; the Muppets playing off each other's styles in "The 12 Days of Christmas") but often haunting and beautiful, particularly "Where the River Meets the Sea" and "A Baby Just Like You". Somehow, I find the meaning of the holiday wrapped up completely in these two songs. Everything on this is a treasure, a true tribute to the Jim Henson's gentle genius and whimsy. Even if you don't like John Denver (and I usually don't), even if you don't remember the special, please buy this album for you and the people you love.


Don't get Laserlight Version - Buy the CUTOUT Version   September 25, 2003
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I loved, loved, loved this album as a child. I had in on my wish list last Christmas and put in in the CD player the minute it arrived. You can't imagine how crushed I was that this cd was missing three songs from the original album. "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas", the sweet "When the River meets the sea" and the cruelest cut of all, it doesn't have "Little St. Nick". Don't buy it. Point your browser to the Cutout version instead, don't make the same mistake I did.


A Perfect Album   May 2, 2000
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I must also add my love of this album to the others listed here. My family watched the Christmas special John Denver and the Muppets a Christmas Together when it originally aired, and caught it every year after that. We also immediately bought the album (back then it was an LP). I was thrilled to discover it on CD. It is one of the first Christmas albums I pull out and one of the last to be put away.

This is one of those rare blends that works beautifully. John Denver's beautiful and clear voice with the delightful Muppets. Every song is a gem from the opening 12 Days of Christmas (I still laugh every time I hear Beaker sing). The next duet of John Denver and Rowlf the Dog singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is very simple and touching.

There are also some wonderful non-traditional Christmas carols: Alfie the Christmas tree is a delightful story about the true meaning of Christmas, the Peace Carol and When the River Meets the Sea are both beautiful songs.

If you've never heard this album, you are in for a wonderful treat. As a final note, I was lucky enough to tape the TV special off the Disney Channel a few years back. Perhaps if people are interested in having the television special released, maybe Disney has the rights.


Pure Magic From Start To Finish...   November 14, 2002
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

John Denver and Jim Henson's Muppets emerged with this collection of Holiday tunes in 1979 to accompany a TV Special and published Songbook of the same name. All these years later, despite the passing of both Denver & Henson, selections from this album continue to receive popular radio play each December.

The collaborative efforts between Denver and Henson's creative team resulted in a remarkably polished and inventive jaunt through classic holiday carols. The opening track "Twelve Days of Christmas" - a traditional English carol - seems tailor-made for the zany Muppets.

From the environmental plea of "Alfie: The Christmas Tree" to the reflective "Noel: Christmas Eve 1913" this record proves itself worthy of listeners young and old alike, even beyond Denver's or Henson's core followers.

Not to be missed is Rowlf the Dog's lounge-lizard take on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and Dr. Teeth's raucous "Little Saint Nick." Throughout the collection, Denver's personality fuses perfectly with that of the Muppet cast. Their friendly, humorous banter effortlessly compliment such silly tunes as "Christmas Is Coming" and the closing number "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

The acoustic ballad "When The River Meets The Sea" seems to encompass all the mystery and innocence of life in its gentle melody. In my opinion, it is the stand-out track among stand-out tracks.

The magic of the holiday season will soon be upon us again. And with this remarkable collection of ageless songs, Christmas time has never sounded any better!