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masterblaster
12-17-2018, 04:35 PM
I recently purchased the Four Tops "Christmas Here With You" with some trepidation as I hadn't realised that the Tops had recorded a Christmas album. Got to say I am pleasantly surprised at the high quality of the production, the great harmonies and of course the sublime lead vocals of Levi Stubbs. One or two quirky tracks but on the whole this is an excellent album.
The album was released in 1995 so was this the last studio album recorded by the original four members for Motown or any other label.
marv2
12-17-2018, 04:38 PM
I bought it years ago. It is a great album.
thommg
12-17-2018, 06:03 PM
I really enjoy their Christmas album. As you said, one or two quirky tracks but so much to enjoy. I've used Christmas Here With You on many Christmas playlists.
marv2
12-17-2018, 06:49 PM
"Christmas Here With You" became an instant favorite of mine.
marv2
12-18-2018, 12:10 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-505nlzFEIk
Philles/Motown Gary
12-18-2018, 05:42 AM
Hey, thanks guys! I love "Christmas Here With You", which I had never heard before. I just ordered a copy of the Four Tops' Christmas CD from Amazon. Thanks again!
Fourtopsbiggestfan
12-18-2018, 08:10 AM
I need to get another copy of the original 1995 release. Hate the look of the 2005 MILLENNIUM COLLECTION re release. Awful packaging.
mysterysinger
12-18-2018, 08:42 AM
The original CD packaging is nothing special either
marv2
12-18-2018, 09:54 AM
I need to get another copy of the original 1995 release. Hate the look of the 2005 MILLENNIUM COLLECTION re release. Awful packaging.

Yes, I bought the 1995 release when it came out. It does have a nice package. I have played it each year since. Anita Baker also has a great Christmas CD.
Fourtopsbiggestfan
12-18-2018, 03:38 PM
Yes, I bought the 1995 release when it came out. It does have a nice package. I have played it each year since. Anita Baker also has a great Christmas CD.

Wish the original had more photos though. Christmas Delight is a favorite. And Duke on Away in a Manger.
marv2
12-18-2018, 04:10 PM
Wish the original had more photos though. Christmas Delight is a favorite. And Duke on Away in a Manger.

Yeah, the total packaging was sparse using nice graphics/font. I love "Christmas Delight" I was also more than pleasantly surprised to hear Aretha guesting on this album.
144man
12-19-2018, 07:03 PM
Hey, thanks guys! I love "Christmas Here With You", which I had never heard before. I just ordered a copy of the Four Tops' Christmas CD from Amazon. Thanks again!

It was easy to miss; it didn't get much publicity at the time.
Philles/Motown Gary
12-19-2018, 08:13 PM
It was easy to miss; it didn't get much publicity at the time.

And that's a shame, 144man. But better late than never. My CD copy is scheduled to arrive tomorrow [[Thursday).
masterblaster
12-21-2018, 01:11 PM
With reference to my original question, was this the last studio album released by the original members of the group?
thommg
12-21-2018, 02:29 PM
It appears that it was. I am only able to find one cd recorded after this one, a live venture with just Duke & Obie on it [[with Ronnie & Theo), done right before Obie passed away.
marv2
12-21-2018, 02:58 PM
With reference to my original question, was this the last studio album released by the original members of the group?

I believe so because Lawrence passed in '97.
woodward
12-22-2018, 06:33 PM
After all the favorable discussion about the 4T Christmas CD, I just realized that I had it in my collection but hadn't played it for some time. So I listened to it again. It is a great CD.

I was reading the notes in the front insert and noticed something that I wonder if anyone else noticed. There were three locations where the recording took and one of them much to my surprise was United Sound Studios, Detroit, MI [[Strings, Percussion, and Woodwinds). So obviously United Sound Studios was heavily involved in this production. That is great news in my opinion. Was anyone else aware of this fact?