On October 6, 2017 RCA released "Elvis: Christmas With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra". The album could be purchased in form of a standard compact disc, a vinyl record and digital download. Of course it was also available for streaming. A little later RCA offered a special edition (with bonus tracks) as well as a double-cd featuring the new Xmas album as well as the previous RPO release "The Wonder Of You".

On the Billboard Charts the album peaked at number 1 (Classical Sales Chart), 4 (Holiday Sales Chart) and 73 (Billboard 200). In the UK it reached number 6 and in Australia it peaked at number 7. The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) honored the UK sales with a Gold Award. "Elvis: Christmas With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" was a success, but it didn't sell as well as the previous RPO collaborations. Today the difference is even more significant since "If I Can Dream" was streamed on Spotify over 184 million times and "The Wonder Of You" accumulates more than 152 million requests. "Elvis: Christmas With The Royal Philharmoic Orchestra" clocks in at just 38 million streams.

As usual the album was produced by Nick Patrick and Don Reedman, who also functioned as executive producer along with Priscilla Presley. The rhythm tracks were produced by Peter Schwier at Bunker Studio and Shine Studio. The band consisted of John Parricelli (guitar), Laurie Cottle (bass), Ralph Salmins (drums), Richard Cottle (piano and saxophone) as well as Nick Patrick and Don Reedman (percussion and programming of the drum computer). The harmony vocals were provided by Andy Caine, Miriam Grey, Shena Winchester, Andrew Playfoot and Phoebe Street. The contributions of The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were recorded under the guidiance of Peter Cobbin at Abbey Road Studios. The different bits and pieces were mixed by Peter Schwier at Shine Studio, the mastering was done by Vic Anesini at The Battery Studios in New York.

Because almost half of the king's Xmas songs were recorded in mono, the complete original recordings had to be used. Back in the 1950s all instruments and voices were recorded on a single track and in the middle of the 2010s there was no technology to separate the bits and pieces. To enhance the sound, the singers and musicians had to copy what was on the original recording. Even though further elements could be added, the producers were somewhat limited in what they could do with the songs.

The booklet starts with an introduction by Priscilla Presley, in which she describes her first Xmas with the king. Besides that, she claimes, that Elvis loved Christmas and certainly would have been pleased to do an album like this. Of course this was pure marketing, because his longplayer "Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas" (1971) does feature an orchestra and a choir. Besides that, the king always took an orchestra and many harmony singers on tour with him.

The mono recording was enhanced with guitar, bass, drums, piano and harmony vocals. Even though the complete original recording had to be used, there is not much left of the aggressiveness. Robin Smith' big band arrangement is nice to hear, but lightyears away from what Elvis had released back in 1957.

The Xmas classic, also recorded in the 1950s, wasn't changed all that much. Basically just The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and harmony voices have been added. I am not a fan of the king's version of "White Christmas", for me the new incarnation is somewhat of an improvement.

Mr. Smith added a saxophone, a choir and the inevitable orchestra. I like the big band sound of this version very much.

This one was taped in early 1971, so the producers were able to work with a multi-track recording. Sally Herbert wrote an orchestra arrangement, that is somewhat reminiscent of the "Steamroller Blues". The result sounds less raw than the original recording, but if Elvis had presented "Merry Christmas Baby" on stage, his rendition might have sounded similar.

This is Elvis' most famous Xmas song. Robin Smith simply added strings and harmony voices to the mono recording. It doesn't sound much different, but more voluminous and (due to the improved recording technology) modern.

To extend the song, Robin Smith simply repeated a part of the mono recording and linked the pieces with a saxophone solo. The trick works very well, I also like the idea, to play the drums with brushes.

When Elvis recorded this seasonal classic in 1971, he did little to hide his boredom. However, the band (especially James Burton) saved the track by playing in a rockin' style. Sally Herbert's big band arrangement takes away all the edges and turns the "Winter Wonderland" into a musical wasteland.

Once again we hear a typical big band arrangement, but this time it works well. The original mono recording is cleverly supported by the additional musicians and singers.

The original release from 1971 also features an orchestra. Sally Herbert wrote a new orchestra-arrangement and added more harmony voices. Both versions are nice to hear.

Robin Smith added harmony vocals and the string section of The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It all sounds very tasteful and improves the old mono recording.

Elvis' version sounded bombastic and kitschy, but it also featured a surprisingly rockin' drum. The remake does not and so everything babbles on uneventfully and boring. Just like "Winter Wonderland", this remake is a debasement.

In contrast to many of Elvis' other recordings from the 1970s, this one was arranged quite simple and sparse. Sally Herbert enhanced the track with lots of choires and strings and added an intro as well as a bridge. The result sounds vastly different, but I like it a lot.

As you might know, I don't like the king's version of "Silent Night". Simply, because in 1957 he lacked the emotional debth and vocal abilities to perform the song. Robin Smith added an orchestra, which somewhat covers up the shortcomings of the young singer.

This is one of my favorite recordings from the 1950s. Here Elvis gets it all right. The vocal technique, the emotion, just everything. The mono recording was enhanced with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, harmony voices and newly recorded instruments, which mirror the stuff on the original recording. The result sounds stunning, for me this is the ultimate version of "Peace In The Valley" and the highlight of this album!

The mono track was enhanced with a new intro, a new bridge and of course strings and harmony voices. The result sounds more voluminous and due to the advanced recording technology also more modern.

The same applies here. This time Robin Smith added a string intro.

The RPO version was created with the same procedure. The musicians copied the stuff on the mono track and the whole thing was enhanced with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and additional harmony voices.