A Very Special Christmas (CD - 1989)

Producers include: Jimmy Iovine, Roy Bittan, Rick Rubin, Bob Rock, Jon Landau.

Engineers include: Scott Litt, Thom Panunzio, Shelly Yakus.

Includes liner notes by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Personnel: Madonna (vocals); Dave Freeman, Jon Landau, Larry Crane , Michael Landau, Mike Wanchic, Nils Lofgren, Rick Vito, Steve Lukather, Waddy Wachtel, Robbie McIntosh , Bryan Adams (guitar); Lisa Germano (fiddle); John Cascella (accordion); Clarence Clemons, Alto Reed (saxophone); Craig Frost, Jai Winding, Roy Bittan (piano); Richard Feldman (keyboards, drum programming); Rupert Black, David Ervin, John Van Tongeren, Johnny Blitz, Annie Lennox (keyboards); Charles Judge (synthesizer); Blair Cunningham, Steve Jordan , Don Brewer, Kenny Aronoff, Mickey Curry, Richard Hayward (drums); Crystal Taliefero (percussion, background vocals); Ms. Bobbye Hall, Bobbye Hall (percussion); Dave Stewart (drum programming); Sharon Celani, Andrea Robinson, Darlene Love, Darryl Phinnessee, Donny Gerrard, Dorian Holley, Edna Wright, John Townsend, Laura Creamer, Robbie Nevil, Rosemary Butler, Keith Scott, Pat Peterson (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Bob Rock; Peter Oxendale; Humberto Gatica; Alison Moyet; Peter Smith ; Randy Staub ; Shelly Yakus; Steven Ett; Bob Clearmountain; Bruce Lampcov.

Liner Note Author: Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Recording information: A&M Recording Studios (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); A&M, Los Angeles, CA (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); AIR Recording Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Air Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Belmont Mall Studio, Belmont, IN (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Blackwing Studio, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Blackwing Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Blue Room, Utopia Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Capitol Recording Studios (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Chung King House Of MEtal, New York, NY (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Chung King, House Of Metal, NY (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Glasgow, Scotland (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Marquee Club, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Orca Studio, Encino, CA (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Power Station, New York, NY (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Reflection Sound Studios, Charlotte, NC (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Sound Check, Glasgow, Scotland (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); The Blue Room, Utopia Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); The MArquee Club, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); The Power Station, NY (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); Townhouse Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987); West Side Studios, London, England (06/03/1987-07/29/1987).

Arrangers: Peter Oxendale; Jeremy Lubbock; Alison Moyet; Rich Warren.

Rhino's Playlist Plus: Very Special Christmas features volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the popular holiday series that started in the late '80s/early '90s to benefit the Special Olympics foundation. Comprised of mostly major-label acts like Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, the Eurythmics, Bon Jovi, No Doubt, and others, it's a fine set of rock and pop-oriented yuletide cheer that, like all holiday albums, wears itself thin after a week or two. ~ James Christopher Monger

Recorded to benefit the Special Olympics, this has some of the biggest names in contemporary music, most covering seasonal favorites with mixed success. Outstanding tracks include The Pretenders "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with Chrissie Hynde giving a touching performance. Run-D.M.C.'s topical "Christmas in Hollis" relies heavily on sampling "Back Door Santa," and may head you toward the dance floor. Alison Moyet's stately version of "The Coventry Carol" is beautifully haunting. Only the Material Girl, Madonna, embarrasses herself with an overly campy "Santa Baby." ~ Dennis MacDonald minimize