5/5 Great in mono
  by Aj Watson (Sydney, Australia)
My copy of Sony's remaster of this Xmas classic arrived today. I have to say, this 2009 remaster from Sony is the best it's EVER sounded. My previous CD issue from the early 90s 'Back To Mono' box set is very flat-sounding compared to this new version.
As for a previous poster's complaint that it's not in stereo, thank goodness for that! I have the stereo LP issue of this classic album and it definitely loses impact in that format. As Spector himself recognised, his 'Wall Of Sound' relied on one huge conglomeration of sound coming out of both speakers. With stereo separation of the individual instruments into separate channels, the Spector 'Wall of Sound' is effectively halved. The stereo mix is clearer, no arguments there, however in doing so, it destroys the very thing that Spector's original mono mix set out to achieve and succeeded in doing. So cats - go for it - Out with your old copies and replace them with this sparkling new version of one of the greatest Xmas albums of all time.

2/5 Phil Spectors Christmas Collection " It's Back......." Oh Nooooo
  by Vibrolux45 (Xiamen,China)
I just had write about this collection .....as everytime I see it picked up by another record label I think back to the many Phil Spector stories that I know and cant help but chuckle!
This thing gets shopped around every year by Spector and or his people to another label looking to make a buck on the "Wall Of Sound" the genius Phil Spector!
The funny thing is I can not even listen to my copy because all I see in my mind is that picture of Phil in court for shooting that girl ...you know the one he shot in his mansion and claimed it was an accident! (Well back to vision I see in mind ) ....and that is a really old guy in an amazingly bad Wig! I mean this guys completely nuts and that anyone continues to talk about him at all is kind of funny ...see I am even talking about the guy!
Well he did make a couple nice records but I think the artists themselves should be the ones being discussed and as most people on the inside of the record business understand this guy has been a nutcase since day one!
In reading about the Beatles during the late sixties I remember reading a funny thing about John and Paul and that was John agreed to release this very same album on Apple Records and Paul was really pissed because he absolutely did not like Spector one bit and it really is a sign of Pauls fine understanding of human nature and his good sense!

5/5 Why not Mono and Stereo ?
  by Bill Anthony (North Texas United States)
I first bought this great 1963 Rock and Roll Christmas classic in the early 80's when the version available on LP and cassette was STEREO, as it had been since the early 70's. I think it sounds sparkling and crystal-clear in stereo, and also enjoy the nice fat Mono mix, which was the original intent of Phil Spector. (Phil Spector follower Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys was the same way in the ensuing years - mixing most everything to Mono). We've had CD versions of this in Mono for over 20 years - why not issue it with both Mono and Stereo mixes on one disc ? This has been done with numerous artists and albums over the last 15 years, including the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. Disappointing, but predictable. Like other reviewers, I'll continue to enjoy my Stereo mix, transferred from vinyl LP, along with the remastered Mono 2009 CD.

3/5 Hear It In Stereo
  by Frank Lopez Jr.
Why is the CD in MONO. You don't know what your missing until you hear this collection in stereo. I have the LP in stereo, cleaned it up from the pop's and click's useing a LP to CD converter software. Stereo adds to the sound quality on this collection like you've nerver heard before. You can keep your MONO CD, I'll listen to it in Stereo, the way it should be heard.

5/5 Professor of Oldies
  by Martin Hoffer
This is what all other artists and producers try to emulate when they come out with a Christmas album. This album is a masterpiece and the greatest Christmas album of all time. My favorite tracks are The Bells of St. Mary. The orchestration and arrangements were way ahead of their time and like many others have said Baby Please Come Home where Darlene Love/Johnson puts everything she has into it. Every holiday season I play this over and over again and never get tired of it.