1 comments about Dramatic Christmas: Very Best Christmas.

1. I've been a fan of the Dramatic's since the '70's. They are my number one group. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to each and everyt concert in DC.

2 comments about Annie Laurie & Other Celtic Ballads.

1. i came across this cd by accident, I was browsing through the celtic music selection, and I saw the cover which is a copy of the " lady of Shallot " by john Houseman.Which I have a print of. So I boughht the cd because of that, But If you enjoy Celtic music as I do you will really enjoy this. It is great.



2. I wish I could find more CDs by these two musicians. This is one beautiful, gentle and very dreamy recording. Romantic as all hell, but stylish and well-scored. The sound is fabulous. And it is the only recording I can yet find of "Annie Laurie," which is one of my all time favorite ballads. Wonderful stuff. My wife and I played it in the background of our Thanksgiving Dinner this year and by dinner's end, we were all Scots and picking the gowans fine! Loc Lomnd is also a highlight, and extremely well done.

4 comments about Merry Christmas from the Trailer Park.

1. Once again, Antsy McClain has created another great CD with his release of "Merry Christmas from the Trailer Park". This is not your typical holiday music, but then again, Antsy McClain is far from the typical singer songwriter of today. McClain brings his unique perspective on life to each cut on this CD. From the rather wacky "Frank the Christmas Turkey" to the serious "Mary Lou's Christmas List", McClain takes the listener on everything from a fun filled romp to a somber "gee, I never looked at it that way" trip though the holiday season. Never far from his roots, with "She's Underneath the Mistletoe Again" McClain shows us that there is a little trailer park in all of us. This CD is not to be missed.



2. Antsy McClain can write a song about anything. But he has out done himself this time. This is a wonderful christmas album, worthy of anyone's collection.



3. I've bought several Christmas albums over the last few years, but none as wonderful as this one. I laughed, I cried, I was touched - and that's no joke. This album has everything from crazy songs like "She's Underneath the Mistletoe Again" to the most beautiful rendition of "I Heard the Bells" that I've ever had the privilege to listen to. Antsy McClain is known for his comic genius but he's also a brilliant vocalist with a voice so pure and perfect it brings tears to your eyes during some of these songs. "Auld Lang Syne Revisited" is the last track on the album and is definitely worth the wait - my new favorite. What a privilege to have found this album and this singer!!



4. As the Christmas season goes by, I get more and more tired of the seventeen versions of Jingle Bells I own. Ansty and the Troubadors did themselves proud with this album. A few new things and few that make me laugh out loud, and a couple of traditional carols thrown in for good measure. I can't wait for their next album!

5 comments about Chris Isaak Christmas.

1. As opposed to the smarmy quality of much Christmas fare, some of which is good initially but sours as you hear it hundreds of times over the holiday season, this album is refreshingly mellow and laid back. It reminds me of some Elvis Presley Christmas albums in style.
   
   Nice alternative from a good song stylist.



2. His music is totally wonderful. I have all of his CD's this one is one of the best. I listen to Christmas music all year round. This is a buy buy buy you will not be disappointed. Try the Best of too.



3. ...a Christmas album will cure what ails ya. Chris Isaak is the rare artist who can write originals and also cover the classics by putting his own stamp on them, and he also has a great band. Fun for the fan and also those looking for something fresh in the holiday rotation.



4. I tend to like the Christmas "classics"...Bing Crosy and Nat King Cole with a little Elvis thrown in because that is the music I remember hearing as a kid during the holidays. This CD covers the classics and has some great originals as well. "Mele Kalikimaka" may be better than Bing's version, 'ol Bing would be impressed. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Pretty Paper", "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" are awesome as well. "Blue Christmas" is a little cheesy with the hammond organ, but still sounds great. My favorites are probably his originals. "Washington Square" is a beautiful but sad song. "Christmas on TV" is both sad and funny and who couldn't help but like "Gotta Be Good".
   
   I think a lot of Christmas CD's are a little over the top, but this one is just great. 5 out of 5 stars



5. Just a brief comment on this CD, which had all the classics but also some fun Christmas music such as Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas) and Gotta Be Good. Not as good as his mainline stuff, but enjoyable and good background music to ripping open those presents under the tree. Recommended.

2 comments about A Keely Christmas.

1. Keely is in her prime. I am a lifelong totally devoted fan. The Nelson Riddle arrangements along with the talents of Billy Mays allows her crystal clear voice to soar to the heavens. She is one of the greatest singers to have ever lived. She has music in her bones. I have never heard anyone with a cleaner voice. I could listen to any of her music 24-7.



2. I was thrilled a few years back when I found this holiday collection by Keely Smith; long a favorite of mine. Her clear, gorgeous voice does plenty of justice to every cut on this album; whether religious or traditional yuletide songs. From the opening cut White Christmas to Blue Christmas at the very end; you will want to keep this on your turntable over the holidays & long afterward. Very highly recommended.

No comments about Christmas Classics: Redneck Style.

5 comments about Under Construction, Pt. II.

1. It seems like the people that gave this album four and five stars are diehard fans of Timbaland who'll like just about anything he puts his hands on. Now, I'll agree that Timbaland is one heck of a producer, but he just can't deliver a great album. I didn't think things could get any worse after the piece of trash that was Indecent Proposal, but then I heard Under Construction Part II.

   As usual, there is an abundance of guest stars on here. Why? Maybe because if you asked your friends, "How do you like to spend your day off?" most of them probably wouldn't say, "I'd kick back and listen to a Timbaland and Magoo album." And the usual guest rapper, Sebastian (whoever he is), has rhymes that neither help nor hurt the album.

   Like I said before, Timbaland is a great producer, but you really can't tell on this album. As my favorite website said, Tim gave his best beats to Justin Timberlake and Bubba Sparxxx, leaving his own album with just okay beats. And as far as rapping goes, Tim still fails to impress for the most part. But the thing is, Magoo's rapping has actually improved a little. But I'm still not giving him a WHOLE bunch of credit because he still only fills his rhymes with talks about sex in the raunchiest way possible; it'll even make Devin the Dude want to throw up. Regardless, if Magoo is rapping better than Timbaland is, then there's something seriously wrong.

   There ARE actually some tolerable songs on here, like "Indian Flute" and "Cop That Ish", the only song featuring Missy. Speaking of that song, I agree with reviewers that said there's a difference between interpolating a rap verse and just ripping it off. The first verse of this song rips off Eric B. and Rakim's "I Know You Got Soul", and later on you'll find "Throwback" ripping off LL Cool J's "Jingling Baby". I don't know if that's being wack or being lazy. And Tim really doesn't impress when he says to a rival: "You should push your album release back `cause that thing's crappy" (from "Can We Do It Again"). And after hearing "Throwback", I have a question for Tim: what the hell does "f***lin'" mean?

   There are a few songs on here that are basically just filler, like "N 2 Da Music" with Brandy and "Shenanigans" with Bubba Sparxxx (although Bubba does kick a nice verse). But most of the songs just don't work at all, like "Leavin'" and "Don't Make Me Take It There"; and "That Ish Ain't Gonna Work" took the words right out of my mouth. Even the album's intro is wack.

   As much as I try to cut rappers slack when they write personal songs, I have to say that even those songs are bad ("I Got Luv 4 Ya" and "Hold On" with Wyclef Jean). This album doesn't really prove anything except maybe that Timbaland still doesn't understand that PRODUCER and RAPPER are two different things. To say that Mag and Tim's -- oops, I mean Oo and Heavy T's (their new adopted nicknames...*sigh*) third album is under construction would be an understatement.

   Anthony Rupert




2. Timbo is still doin it with his dope beats....
   songs to listen to....track 3w/bubba sparxx, track 6- don't make me take it there is by far my favorite because of the music flow and how he carries with the lyrics, indian flute- really flows/great song, hold cutz-u just have to feel the lyrics



3. I have no problem with Magoo because he is no worse than Missy, who I can't stand. I am still playing this sometimes in my car because it is so damn entertaining. "Don't Make Me Take It There" and "Hold On" are very solid songs, and this is one of those albums you can listen to the whole way through without skipping any tracks because none of the songs are horribly whack. Nice beats as well. You should definitely buy this if you are a mainstream rap lover. If you into underground ish like I am, there is still something to get out of this album.



4. Amazon reviewers are usually pretty good.
   This is definitely not the case for Anthony Rupert, this guy's got problems.
   I would pay big money to put him in a room with Magoo along with his reviews for this cd and Timbaland's newer one, Indecent Proposal.
   
   That would be great. Timbaland could use the beats that Anthony takes in his next track.
   That would be a huge HIT.



5. This is an extremely entertaining album. The production stylings of Timbaland are rhythmical, textured, and very influential. Listening to this on a subwoofer-equipped stereo system reveals some serious juicy tones. The long list of guest appearances features such artists as Missy Elliott, Bubba Sparxxx, Sebastian, Raje Shwari, Wyclef Jean, and Beenie Man. The flows are funky and compliment Timbaland's deeply rhythmical production style. This album makes you want to dance, sprinkled with tracks that would make any club bump. The various bhangra and dance hall influenced tracks add even more character to this great piece of work.

5 comments about 20 Greatest Christmas Songs.

1. With Boney M.'s big selling Christmas album from 1981, producer Frank Farian recorded six new Christmas songs with Liz Mitchell and Reggie Tsiboe (who'd replaced dancer Bobby Farrell in 1982) in the summer of 1984; they were, however, only released at the time on a South African LP, but when Boney M. had split up in 1986, Farian wanted to keep the kettle boiling and dug out these disappointingly mediocre recordings, remixed the whole 1981 album but two songs, and released the whole mess in November 1986. And the result is awful! Get the original "Christmas Album" instead (it is available on CD) when you want to get in a Christmas mood, this CD sounds as supermarket muzak ...



2. There's something about the subtle combination of camp and Christmas. This was a classic in my house when I was younger: my parents owned the tape, though Boney M was not quite their demographic's genre. Fond memories include listening to this as I walked through the malls in mid-December, my mother running it on a continuous loop while she did her holiday baking, and having blaring in the background on Christmas Eve while the folks hosted their annual fondue (though that says it all right there). I suppose this was a trendy album at the time, perhaps more akin to the latest offering from the Barenaked Ladies (though never as grim as "Hung for the Holidays"). It struck a chord at the innocence for the holidays, kid-friendly, spiritual -- but not overtly and in your face. Just a happy, upbeat Christmassy-type album.



3. I remember Boney M from the days of disco (late 70s, early 80s) and wasn't a huge fan, but I admit I bought this album because the medley of Mary's Boy Child and O My Lord gets played a lot on the radio every Christmas season. Happily, the whole album is good, with the group sounding mellow (but still with a prominent beat) at the right times. For me a good Christmas CD combines some old favorites (this one has Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, Silent Night, etc) with some pretty but unfamiliar songs (Hear Ye the Message, Zion's Daughter, Petit Papa Noel). Boney M can sound delicate and lullabyish on a song like Petit Papa Noel or A Child Is Born, but almost anthemic and bouncy on Joy to the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. If you're like me, you get tired of the radio's constant play of Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Burl Ives, etc, and this is a nice alternative--still has that 'sweet' sound you expect of a Christmas CD, but also with that toe-tapping, shake-your-body quality you'd expect from a group that was part of the disco era. Incidentally, the album ends with a very rocky version of Auld Lang Syne--not only is the beat good, but you actually get to hear the 2nd and 3rd voices of that old song.



4. Each song in this album is great. I used to never enjoy Christmas Carols, until I once heard one of these songs on the radio. I purchased the album and every song is simply great.



5. I would say this is the best Christmas carol one can ever hear.

2 comments about Country Superstar Christmas.

1. I bought this cd when it first came out to shut up my son.Was I ever impressed! I had never been a country music fan (Thanks to my Godfather & Hank Williams,Sr-He sounded like he was in pain every time he sang!) but this was a real pleasure. I especially liked the duet with Vince & Jenny Gill. I was hooked and have since broadened my music collection to include country. You will be pleasantly surprised too.



2. Although I usually buy Christmas albums by individual artists, I also enjoy various artists compilations. For country fans, they don't get any better than this series (four volumes at the time of this review).

   Many of these songs have been taken from Christmas albums by the individual artists - and have been very well chosen - but there are also tracks by the Mavericks (Santa Claus is back in town), Gary Allen (Please come home for Christmas) and Tracy Byrd (Christmas like Mama used to make it), none of whom have yet recorded a Christmas album.

   The songs here are a well-balanced mix of the familiar standards and some original songs. The original songs include the tracks by George Strait, Tracy Byrd and the Tractors. Of the standards, Reba's cover of Away in a manger (the most traditional-sounding song here in what is mostly typical nineties country) is my favorite, but every track is excellent.

   This is the kind of country Christmas album you can play without offending too many people, and might convince some that country has more to offer than they thought - the previous reviewer is living proof of that.

2 comments about Wiggly Wiggly Christmas.

1. My 1 1/2 year old daughter thinks that this CD is great! She loves to sing along in the car, so it makes long trips go much faster. She even loves the slower ones, which are nice when she needs a nap. We also own the video for the Wiggles Christmas, and I would highly recommend both!!



2. It's March, and we're still listening to this one. My 2-year-old loves this CD. It's right up there with "Get Ready to Wiggle".

   OK, so the wiggles don't have great singing voices, but the tunes are energetic and infectious. Don't play this when you need calm-down time!