2 comments about Villa-Lobos: Symphonies 1 & 11.

1. This works are wonderfull, the 1st symphony is an exellent work wich show us a young composer full of musical ideas that later will became much more mature and strong in works like his fouth symphony, (also recorded by this exellent ensamble and conductor as well) ; the 11th symphony is by far one of the masterpieces in the genere in the past century, is amazing the fact that there was no interest at all of any ochestra in the world in make an integral recording of this works, till now.
   The sound is exellent and performance is more than 1st class!!!
   if you love xxth century music, you must buy all the symphonies as soon as they will be avilable.



2. I fully agree with the first review on this CD. The eleventh symphony is a wonderful piece of art and both the interpretation and the recording are of very good standard. By the way, CPO has now released the complete set of Villa-Lobos' symphonies. Very enjoyable music alltogether.

1 comments about A Country Superstar Christmas, Vol. 2.

1. Various artists Christmas collections usually contain plenty of old chestnuts, but there are not many here. That suits me fine, though whether the casual buyers at whom this is targetted will appreciate it, I'm not sure.

   The most famous songs are Little drummer boy, I'll be home for Christmas and It's the most wonderful time of the year. Most of the other songs are original, though Nothing but a child (Leaa Ann Womack) was written by Steve Earle. My favorite track here is Two step round the Christmas tree, a song Suzy Bogguss co-wrote. The version here is her first solo recording of the song. Suzy also recorded it as a duet with Michael Martin Murphey (that version can be found on his first Christmas album, and also on Volume 4 of this series) and later re-recorded it for her own Christmas album.

   There are many other great songs here, some of which can be found on Christmas albums by the individual singers, but not all. For example, the excellent Brooks and Dunn song, Cabin in the valley, can only be found (at the time of this review) here or on another great Christmas compilation, Star of wonder - when they eventually released a Christmas album, this song was not included.

   This is a wonderful Christmas collection, especially for those who are tired of hearing the same old songs.

No comments about White Christmas.

2 comments about Baby's First Christmas - Music Box Lullabies.

1. This is a beautiful collection of the lilting melodies of your favorite Christmas songs, including some songs which are harder to find today. All are played on antique music boxes as you've never heard a music box before. At their height of popularity as a music player, these provide joyous renditions in beautiful harmonies and chiming quality. The Christmas season has not begun officially until the family has heard this disc. You'll play it again and again!



2. I really wanted a CD that featured a Regina music box and I had to do a lot of digging to find this one. It was worth it though because every track is of a Regina playing! The songs are really beautiful, and my favorite is O Sanctissima. I gave the CD four stars because there were some other religious (non-Christmas-y) songs that I wasn't as interested in. I would have loved to hear some other Christmas favorites played by the Regina, but those discs may not exist.
   
   Not sure why they called it "Baby's First Christmas" because anyone of any age who loves Regina music boxes would love this CD!

5 comments about Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity.

1. This CD contains the usual Rutter mix of gorgeous traditional treatments with a few incredibly schlocky arrangements. Fortunately, I can just leave the schlock off my iPod playlist (otherwise I'd return the CD).

   The real letdown is my own fault: I didn't notice that "In the Bleak Midwinter" is the Darke version, not Holst. Ugh. If only the RealAudio samples had stretched one song further down the song list.




2. This compilation of Christmas carols both traditional and modern stands in stark contrast to much of the bubble gum, soda pop Christmas music so often heard on popular radio these days. There are no divas or over the top performances or attempts to make "a moment". What there is are beautiful songs sung by talented singers.

   So many of these carols are so beautiful that it's hard to pick out which are the best. More likely than not, that's going to be a highly personal choice but if you see one of your favorites on the track list you can be sure that it's well performed.

   In short, this album should be part of your Christmas collection. It's best listened to in the quiet time on Christmas Eve.




3. I,ve been collecting Christmas Music for over 25 Years especially the non-pop genre. This is my desert CD. The Chanticleer and Kings College CDs are very good but this is the summit of quiet meditative music for the season. I always listen to this alone at night and still get thrilled and overwhelmed by it's beauty and sublimity. My favorite track is "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" simply because of the beauty of the poetry of Rossetti. I always give this as a gift to my friends who enjoy beautiful acapella music.Do yourself a favor and purchase this most beautiful of all Christmas music. I own over 200 Christmas CD'S and this one gets played at least twice a season. The other Rutter Christmas CD's are excellent but not quite in the same class. This is a once in a lifetime album. It is the centerpiece of my own personal celebration of christmastime.



4. Recommended for everyone to have since secularized "popular" Christmas music is repeated endlessly from mid November to 25 December with dreary lyrics and superficial performance. Carols of the Nativity is immensely better.



5. It's an absolutely delightful CD! The music is soothing and beautiful, the singing is so lovely and angelic. The lyrics are so beautiful that it brings me tears. `how do you write down a baby's first cry...' `what can I give poor as I am, ...'

1 comments about Tradition: Itzhak Perlman Plays Popular Jewish Melodies.

1. First of all I am not jewish, nor have I had any prior experiences with or knowledge of jewish music.
   With that said, I have really enjoyed this album especially the song "As the rabbi (can't remember the name) becomes so very merry".

5 comments about A Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas.

1. What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger. What an incredible piece, and how well- conducted it is. The music brings tears to my eyes, to be sure. The album is a classic example of how holiday choral music should be performed. This is done with spirit and tenderness.
   
   If only other orchestras, choirs, and arrangements could be performed as well. Some are, but how often do we purchase an album just to find it not what we like? Fortunately, one can listen to clips of each of the pieces, before purchasing.
   
   "What Shall We Bring" is becoming now my fondest Christmas song. The performance by the Mormon Choir and orchestra is incredible, to me. I've found other versions of the song, but this version is the finest, by far.
   
   For those interested about my favorite piece: It is from a traditional Catalonian Carol, translated from Spanish, called, "The Son of Mary."



2. There have been so many Christmas albums over the years, when I saw this I thought 'Oh no, not another one?' Then I looked at the track titles and saw that this was something different. Among the traditional carols there were many unfamiliar titles (I say this as a foreigner - some may be better known in the USA than in Australia). I decided to buy the SACD version of this release. What a revelation! Where do I start?
   The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is famous for producing very enjoyable choral recordings, usually with a religious theme, but frankly, on an international scale, they do not rate with the best (compare them with some of the better UK symphonic choirs, which is how the Tabernacle choir must be categorized, to see what I mean). But on this album, they have placed themselves well and truly in the international arena. Every aspect of their singing is, to me, perfect - diction, phrasing, musical expression, ensemble, and of greatest importance, a total involvement with and perfect expression of the words and the music. They don't sing about Santa Claus; they sing about the true meaning of Christmas, and mean it. And you really hear how well they sing in the few 'a capella' sections - musical moments that are unsurpassed.
   Then there are the arrangements. These express everything from the implicit grandeur of God coming down to earth, through to the greatest tenderness of the simplicity of his birth as Jesus. All the orchestrations and choral arrangements are completely fresh and unhackneyed, ranging from the most exquisite harmonies through to extraordinarily bold key changes - the people who did these arrangements are amongst the best in the business.
   Then there is the program. This ranges from fresh arrangements of old favourites (sample the fantasy on 'What Child is This?'), to an exploration of the most beautiful unfamiliar songs and carols you will ever hear.
   Finally the engineering. Telarc are famous for the audiophile standards of their recordings, and this is one of their best. The SACD fully utilizes the multiple channels, without resorting to gimmickry. If ever there was a 'you-are-there' recording, this is it.
   In summation: no matter how many Christmas CDs you own; buy this one too. The CD version works well (and remember, if you buy the SACD version - Telarc SACD-60552 - it will play on an ordinary CD player as well), but if you have the equipment to play the multi-channel SACD, you will get an even more rewarding experience.
   All the above may sound over the top, but, as you may have gathered, this release has had a massive impact on me at every level. It is a prize in my collection. The greatest Christmas album ever? Quite possibly.



3. CD arrived in perfect condition; however, the front of the jewel case was cracked.



4. I should've realized that this was the actual performance CD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I was expecting more of a studio version. Although the songs were good, I had to keep adjusting the sound level up and down to hear the music- not an easy thing to do while working, studying or reading. This made it difficult to keep my mind on the work at hand with me constantly getting up to change the dynamics.



5. A total disappointment. A Broadway-ish production. The music insipid. The choirs tastelessly arranged and poorly balanced. The instrumentation vulgar. Sounds like music for a Tom and Jerry show. Wasted my money.

5 comments about CHILD - Music For The Christmas Season.

1. I was fortunate enough to have been at The Bottom Line in New York on one of the nights that this CD was recorded - December 18, 1996. On my first visit to New York, I happened to see this concert advertised in The Village Voice. I'd seen Ms Siberry perform twice in my home town of Sydney, Australia and had been enchanted by her imaginative, left-of-centre songwriting. The concert I saw on December 18 is something I will always cherish for opening my ears to some new Christmas carols, for bringing out the spiritual dimension of some of Siberry's best songs and for the sheer joy and spirit in the playing and singing of all the musicians present. Apart from Ms Siberry, the musicians include Rebecca Campbell and Phillip Brown on vocals, Tim Ray on Piano and multi-instrumentalist, Peter Kiesewalter.

   Ms Siberry certainly changed my conception of Christmas music by avoiding hackneyed carols and by choosing songs that, to her genuinely said something about the meaning of Christmas. The French carol, "What is this fragrance softly stealing?" and Harold Darke's setting of Christina Rossetti's "In the bleak midwinter" are real discoveries.

   Siberry songs like "The Valley" also come across differently and have their spiritual dimension amplified when placed in the context of Christmas music.

   But apart from the wonderful selection of songs in the concert, which is almost reproduced in full on this CD, there are the heartfelt performances and imaginative arrangements of these musicians. Their version of "The Twelve days of Christmas" is truly ecstatic and inspired.

   This CD is a remarkable souvenir of a remarkable concert, something to play when you need a dose of Christmas spirit. I do, however, recall that "Calling All Angels" was performed as an encore at the concert I attended. It's a shame it hasn't been included. Maybe one day we'll get the full recording.




2. I'd choose the Lime, because like a rind from the fruit this recording is something thats been left behind.When you squeeze a Lime or you play these live recordings, an exceptional expedtious essence extraction experience may change your preception by adding some juice to stir within your seasonal soul. The taste of Lime juice is neither sickly sweet or stingly sour, yet it is best served when mixed within a wide palette of flavors, within the tracks of this recording Jane's juju juice is showcased by a wide assortment of musicianship that aids in a unquie journey from light to dark to light again. A single Lime serves up multiple portions, this Wintery Wonder Woman's seasonal songsmithing has crafted much merry mirth worthy of deep digg'n in addition to this live double disc, which any YULEtide Treasure Seeker can attest to the rarity of. ~~~Merrily Mix~ disc one = 2#1\2, 6%, 7#1\2, 9$1\2, 10#1\2, and 12$1\2 ~ disc two = 1#1\2, 6#, 7#1\2, and 8#1\2 ~~~Post Script: The liner notes and the recorded narritive speak of this artist's quest to bring forth an experiance away from the tradtional trappings of a loungey YULEtide, she has achievied an admirable testimonial toward that end.I'd add an extra 1\2 star for the liner and front cover excellence. While like white ( the color of truth ), this recording may not be mainstream, the message hidden throughout is.***buyit*saveit*sharesome*** YULEridGEMality Factor = 13



3. First of all, if you're looking for an ultra tradtional Christmas album, this is not it.
   Jane Siberry sings songs that are so resonant, powerful and breathtakingly gorgeous that you couldn't do much better than this one for the holiday season. The songs range from the well known ones (Christmas Song, What Child is This?) to ones you've probably never heard before (SHe's Paying the Taxidriver, New Year's Baby).
   Time and again, as I listened to this album I was surprised by joy - or tears. It is a powerful work, each piece stamped with the ring of individual interpretation..a rare treasure. It should be a classic.



4. Great original holiday music by the one and only Jane Siberry...perfect choice in some of the best holiday songs out there from other countries. This is a holiday album you'll want to listen to throughout the year because it doesn't have the typical feel of the holidays. A RARE FIND. You can't get this in the stores as it's no longer distributed!



5. You have to appreciate Jane Siberry and her reality-based look at Christmas to love this CD. She doesn't sugar-coat, yet her voice is sugar. Her incredibly unique selection of songs, funny, sad, pretty, even informative, are all refreshing. And her voice and the voices of her ensemble band are to die for. Gayle Ann Dorsey? Ridiculously good. You are in for a treat.

5 comments about The Best of Aaron Neville - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. I bought this as a gift and the person who received it, loves it. Great value.



2. Great sounds - played it thru out the holiday season. Can't wait for next year so I can play it again. I have several of Aaron's CDs & love them all.



3. This is the best Christmas CD ever. Aaron Nevelle's beautiful voice makes all the classics seem fresh. Next year, I'm buying these CDs for friends.



4. I love this collection of Christmas songs by Aaron Neville. He is one of my favorite singers and his rendition of Ava Maria is beautiful.



5. What can I say.....two of my alltime favorites, Christmas music and Aaron Neville. His amazing voice and unique arrangements are always a treat. "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "Louisiana Christmas Day" are "Such a Night" are favorites. Rev up your Christmas spirit with Aaron's amazing voice! I'm treating myself to his other Christmas CD next year.....the heck with waiting for Santa!!

1 comments about A White Christmas.

1. This is a nice CD to listen to when playing games or painting my crafts, or just a nice instrumental song in the back ground.