This mid-priced title draws upon the two volumes of {^Christmas With the Chipmunks}, which were issued in the early '60s and quickly became seasonal traditions for kids of all ages, although in the wake of {$Beatlemania} many thought that {$the Chipmunks} were a clever rodent-related rip on {$the Fab Four}. In reality, the name was actually suggested by the children of the multimedia mastermind {$Ross Bagdasarian}. In fact, the moniker dated back to his 1958 hit {\novelty} platter, {&"Witch Doctor."} Although fictitious, the names of the primary characters, {%Alvin}, {%Simon}, and {%Theodore}, were a nod to {@Liberty Records} higher-ups {$Al Bennett} ({%Alvin}) and {$Si Warnoker} ({%Simon}) as well as the label's sound engineer, {$Ted Keep} ({%Theodore}). These three typical adolescent vermin were cared for by the bachelor/father human personality named {%Dave Seville}. The concept even spawned a weekly prime time animated television program called {#The Alvin Show}, which aired from October 14, 1961, through September 12, 1962, on {@CBS-TV}. In terms of musicality, the vari-speed manipulated recording may seem a tad trite (or exceedingly nerve-grating) to modern listeners. However, what better way to introduce the joys of {\traditional} {\holiday} music than with an infectiously funny and at times simply silly trio of highly identifiable icons, who are also a child's emotional and psychological peers. A cursory glance at the track listing reveals a host of familiar favorites such as {&"Deck the Halls,"} {&"Up on the House-Top,"} {&"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,"} {&"All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth),"} and {$Bagdasarian}'s {&"Wonderful Day,"} as well as two versions of the one that started it all, {&"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"} -- the original 1958 rendition and a 1968 remake featuring an incipient incarnation of the {\R&B} rockers {$Canned Heat}. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide