CHRISTMAS ISLAND is a super holiday album with a tropical twist to it. Not everybody lives in a winter wonderland, and this album is perfect for those who spend the holidays in a warmer climate. Buffett does an excellent job of combining some your favorite holiday classics with a little bit of a Carribbean twist.

Buffett belts out "Jingle Bells" in a way that will have you snapping your fingers and stomping your feet in no time. Other standout singles include the Hawaiin classic "Mele Kalikimaka," and a snappy, toe-tapping, hand-clapping version of "Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum."

Overall, this is a very peppy album that is sure to bring a different type of joy to your home this holiday season. CHRISTMAS ISLAND is an amazing album and is an excellent gift for this time of year. It is the perfect background music for your traditional Christmas dinner of a "Cheeseburger in Paradise."


Buffett Mails it In   December 6, 2001
purplebari (Maryland)
5 out of 11 found this review helpful

Being a huge Buffett fan, I bought this, unheard, the moment I saw it in the store. When I got home, I found the album very disappointing. The traditional songs are delivered in a very uninspiring way, most of the originals lack the sparkle of his finer work and the John Lennon and Chuck Berry cover tunes don't add much to the original versions. One bright spot is "Merry Christmas, Alabama" which I enjoy very much.

If you are enough of a Buffett fan to enjoy Hot Water and Off To See the Lizard, then go ahead and buy this, but if Jimmy Buffett's name alone isn't enough to make an album worthwhile, look elsewhere.


HO - HO - HO - CHRISTMAS AND JIMMY BUFFETT - A REAL CHRISTMAS ISLAND TREAT!   October 20, 2005
Lady Gal Music (Florida)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

As I write this review, it is mid October and I'm spending time in Florida waiting for a Hurricane (Wilma) to blow over and dreaming of other places other times. Christmas in Florida is definately "different" than places up-north...so it is obvious that Jimmy would give us a "yummy" taste of Christmas spent under swaying palm trees or sailing along the shores of the wonderful Gulf Coast. This CD was recorded in 1996 so time has changed many things, if not Jimmy Buffett, who remains confident as ever and uneffected. His Christmas songs remind us of the joy there can be in life. This CD is backed by the ever great "Coral Reefer Band", and made better for that reason. Guest vocalist Melanie Prestidge ads her vocal to "Happy Christmas". My favoite pieces include "Christmas Island", "A Sailor's Christmas", and "Mele Kalikimaka". This CD has lasting power, especially as Christmas 2005 approaches. For those with a penchant for winters in sunny Florida, soft sandy beaches, dreamy tourquoise and peach sunsets, and the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and making a rendezvous with Jimmy on Boats and safe harbors, here's a way to cure your doldrums, even amid typhoons and hurricanes. In your area it may be snow storms and sleet and below zero temperatures. At least in Jimmy's world, it's a celebration of a warmer Christmas season - as children play barefoot in the sand and sail boats are decorated instead of pine trees. Jimmy Buffett reminds us that King Neptune is our Santa instead of Ol' Saint Nick. And the canoe brings presents to place under a coconut palm instead of a snowy sleigh bound for decorated pine trees. The songs in Buffett's Christmas CD show the world the beauty of Christmas in Florida. Hurricanes and all...I'd get this CD and then have a PARTY with some of your very best friends. This CD, of course, would be ideal as sing along music. Jimmy Buffett means PARTY time any time. And this CD is just plain FUN!
















Fun Christmas CD   December 25, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I've always liked Buffett, but I'm no parrothead. That said, this CD is great! It constantly brings a smile to my face and is great fun to sing along with. I played this at work on Christmas Eve and had people hula dancing to "Christmas Island" and "Mele Kalikimaka". It's also great to listen to in the car as you're stuck in holiday mall traffic.

"Silent Night" and "O Holy Night" have their places at Christmas time, but to really enjoy yourself (and maybe pretend you're in a place where the breeze doesn't freeze your snot) this CD really pulls through.


WORTH 10 STARS!!!   August 18, 2001
Kim K. (Bayonne, New Jersey)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

No doubt my fellow Parrot Heads will agree that this is definitely a MUST-HAVE holiday album & belongs right alongside other Christmas classics by guys like Bing, Perry, Andy, etc.etc. Sure to bring a smile to your face & help get rid of any Grinch-like feelings! Along with terrific versions of Christmas Island & Mele Kalikimaka, there are plenty of other goodies such as A Sailor's Christmas, Ho Ho Ho & A Bottle Of Rhum & Merry Christmas, Alabama(Never Far From Home). Other treats are Jimmy's renditions of John & Yoko's Happy Xmas(War Is Over), traditional standards like Jingle Bells, Run Rudolph Run & Up On The Housetop. Extremely enjoyable & very highly recommended.