5 comments about Gregorian Christmas: Chants & Motets.

1. This is a beautiful collection of soothing Christmas chants and motets...Put this in your CD player and you'll have trouble getting upset about the person who just cut you off for the last parking space at the mall! An excellent-quality recording for an amazing price...



2. Beautiful musical rendition of Christmas music. Soothing and lilting, it'll help you get centered or reconnected or whatever it is you need for stress relief. A fantastic CD at a great price!



3. Not technically Gregorian, because of some polyphony. But this is one of the best selections of this kind of music that I've heard. Compare to expensive monastery or convert CDs, and others, and this is one you put on the CD changer more than the rest. Found it in a bargain bin at Fry's. Amazing CD.



4. The play list is correct, the one with the ability to listen to clips. This CD has 14 tracks, beginning with "Puer natus est nobis" (the Introit) and ending with "Magnificat anima mea Dominum." The list that says ON THIS CD is a totally different list of chants. I do not know what it is doing on this page.
   There is no Mozart. There are sparse credits in the liner notes. The recording appears to be of a group calling itself Capella Gregoriana, although nothing is said about them. Predominantly chant, there are times when the selections move to motets, the natural outgrowth of chant, being simutaneous independent plain songs as it were, combined to form a melodious and rhythmic whole much as partner songs do. Highly recommended, this is an excellent budget album. Just be sure that you understand that you are getting the 14 tracks that you can listen to, not the list that says other tracks are on the CD. As for the Christmas feel, it is certainly reverent and soothing. It is not festive. If you like chant, you will appreciate this album. I certainly do. If you are looking for festive type Christmas music, find another source.



5. I've used this for years as part of my meditation regime and never realized that I've never done a review for it.
   
   When I listen to it just after my morning meditations, it always bring up solem divine feelings in me that bring some tears to my eyes.
   
   The people who perform this work really capture the divinity in it. I'm really not interested in who the creators or performers are. All I know is that what they did work for me.

5 comments about Christmas Here with You.

1. I believe this is one of the finest Four Tops album that the group ever put out, not to mention one of my favorite Christmas albums. Levi Stubbs is alive to this very day, February 03, 2000. I saw him in concert three months ago. All the originals are still alive except the groups leader(not lead singer but leader) Lawrence Payton, who passed in 1997 due to stomach cancer. Paytons vocal arrangements and the groups harmony make this album a plus. Sometimes the four sound as if they were a choir of 20 their voices are so strong. The only aspect of the album I do not like was Aretha Franklin. Yes, the Queen of Soul is a great singer. However, her style of singing on some of the songs conflicted with the Tops style. Definetly listen to Track 1 and Little Drummer Boy. And don't eject it till you hear Obie Benson's two songs he wrote and sung on here. All the Tops have at least one lead on the album. BUY IT.



2. When I think of Christmas I think of: the happiness, togetherness, & joy of the season. This CD really captures the aspect of the season not to mention three of the songs (track# 1,8,10) were original and written by the Gentlemen of Pop. And a lot of the rest were edited or added to. The harmonies of Levi, Duke, Obie, and Lawrence sound so graceful. And the special guest Aretha Franklin adds the perfect touch to the mixture. We were all so lucky that the Tops & Aretha blessed us with their voices on this CD. This is one of my favorite CD's because of the harmony it brings. When I hear it I wanna go sit by the fireplace and drink a hot liquid. I'm a lifelong Four Tops fan and always will be and I think this CD would be a great buy and addition to anyone's Christmas collection.



3. I love this CD. There are some unusual arrangements (The Little Drummer Boy) and best of all, the Christmas Song, which has always been linked to Nat King Cole in my family - in my opinion, it's even better by Levi Stubbs. I even gave this away to friends as presents for Christmas.



4. This is a must have for any Four Tops fan. The way they harmonize sounds great. Hearing Levi makes reaching some of those high notes is impressive. They all sound great. This is a great buy.



5. I LOVE this CD. After, Charlie Brown, it's the first CD I reach for to get my holiday hum on. The rendition of Little Drummer Boy , alone, is worth the price of the CD. It is a nice up tempo rendition with a fabulous ending ( the horns are outstanding ! ).I put it on blast, every time I play it. The Night Before Christmas, Christmas Delight and Christmas Here wih You are also very nicely done. I've just purchased 6 more copies for holiday giving.

5 comments about Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Seasons.

1. Had enough of animated snowmen and over-sweetened carol arrangements? Here's a hugely enjoyable recording of songs and dances done with flair by the Baltimore Consort. There are a few familiar tunes, such as the lilting arrangement of "Ding, Dong Merrily On High" and a beautiful solo flute version of "Lo, How a Rose 'Er Blooming." But most the songs are off the beaten track, and are therefore fresh and new despite their antiquity. Custer LaRue brings feeling and energy into the songs. This has become the most played Christmas CD in our household.



2. 'Twas the day after Thanksgiving, and all through the house, Christmas spirit was stirring and starting to rouse feelings of joy and expectation in the hearts of the people who were there. Beautiful music and Custer LaRue's singing filled the air.

   Wonderful songs, written by people long dead, caused pictures to form and stories to dance through each listening head. Stories of a virgin bearing a child, stories of the little Savior's entrance into this world...meek and mild.

   Each song is sung with such haunting beauty and care. The Consort's playing could not be more wonderfully fair. Each song is a masterpiece--"The Cherry Tree Carol," "In dulci jubilo," and "Quem pastores laudavere." Each song's focus is on the true meaning of Christmas--no appearance made by St. Nick--but with singing like this, in your head they are sure to stick.

   More beautifully than snowflakes this music drifts down. In sheer loveliness, "Christmas Is My Name" deserves the crown. Oh but each tune is strong--like "Ding Dong Merrily" and "The Wren Song." Most come in at under three minutes each, none is overlong. Each is stunning...how can the listener go wrong? How they twinkle...they are most merry. One even makes mention of Cherries.

   (...)

   I highly recommend this disc.




3. A perfect way to celebrate the Christmas spirit any time of year with some truly "old" favorites, performed with spirit and heart by the Baltimore Consort. Period selections imbued here with the consort's singular sound and creative improvisations include "Ding Dong Merrily on High", "The Old Year Now Away is Fled", "The Cherry Tree Carol", "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day", "Es ist ein Ros", "In Dulci Jubilo", and many more that may charm you for the first time. The Baltimore Consort is: Mary Anne Ballard, viols and rebec; Mark Cudek, cittern, guitar, viols and bandora; Custer LaRue, soprano soloist; Larry Lipkis, viol, recorder and gemshorn; Ronn McFarlane, lutes; and Chris Norman, wooden flutes and pennywhistle; with Webb Wiggins on organ.



4. This might be my favorite holiday album. It's one of the first I pull out in November and doesn't get put away until February.



5. I purchased this CD after listening to another work by the Baltimore Consort. The quality of the recording, of the music and the vocals are all top notch. After listening to this CD for a few days, my wife and I decided it would be an ideal gift for other music lovers. Each person who has since received it has also thoroughly enjoyed it. While the CD is themed for the yuletide season, I don't know that it has to go away with the garland and tinsel.

2 comments about Christmas with Glen Campbell.

1. This ablum is some of Glen's very best Christmas songs. I can remember this was one of the first Christmas albums that I heard as a child and it brings back wonderful memories. Glen has a way of expressing the feeling of Christmas through his voice. I strongly recommend this album to anyone who also enjoys Bing Crosby and John Denver.



2. Glen Campbell has recorded several Christmas albums in his incredible career. During his late 60s heyday, there was That Christmas Feeling on Capitol. It went gold. Unfortunately, those tracks are often mixed with some singles in various compilations. Fans should get a complete Christmas on Capitol, similar to the one done on Decca/MCA for Brenda Lee. In the 90s he cut some wonderful Christian albums for New Haven Records. One was Home For The Holidays. Christmas With Glen Campbell was next on Laserlight. Finally, he cut another Christmas album in connection with a TV special. This Laserlight album is his very best Christmas album. In the liner notes, he mentioned the fun he had recording it. Believe me, it shows on every track! He recorded it during his time in Branson. The band is incredible. Glen's in great vocal form. Also, there are several guitar solos, most by him. Too many of his later albums have him playing little, or not at all. His version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is in between the two common arrangements of this song. We also hear him on the bagpipes on "I Saw Three Ships." This is one Christmas album you will enjoy all year round. My only complaint is that it's only about 35 minutes long. You should buy a copy now.

3 comments about It's Christmas Time.

1. A fine, fun holiday record, western swing with a honkytonk beat, with Thompson's jovial touch added to standards such as "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Rudolph," and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," as well as loopy Thompson originals like "I'd Like To Have An Elephant For Christmas" and "It's Christmas Every Day In Alaska." Thompson and longtime producer Ken Nelson bend the songs to their will, moulding each one to match Thompson's distinctive, instantly recognizable, bouncy hillbilly swing style. Best of all, is the gusto with which Thompson tackles each tune -- his delivery is vibrant and heartfelt; it may be just another goofy, cornball Christmas record, but it's lively and enjoyable, a cut or two above similar efforts by other artists. Plus, guitar whiz Joe Maphis provides a sparkling counterpoint to the band's infectious beat. Hey, even a curmudeonly country Scrooge like myself can get into this one!



2. Hank Thompson is one of country music's all time greats and I can't tell you how delighted I was to see this reissue of this fantastic 1964 Christmas album. I highly recommend this album to not only Hank Thompson fans, but it should be in everybody Christmas collection in my opinion. You will love Hank's beautiful and smoothe voice and my favorite song from this album is Mr and Mrs. Snowman. You will love the sound of the Brazos Valley Boys. My darling Nafisah Anif will always be my Christmas angel.



3. If you like Texas swing, you'll like this one. I would have preferred a few more traditional songs, though. The Brazos Valley Boys are a fantastic band and really prove it on this one.

No comments about Christmas Album.

5 comments about Christmas with the Rat Pack.

1. Great CD for decorating the house. It was good to hear some of my favorites singing the holiday songs. It's very nostalgic!



2. Album is outstanding. Wanted to share it with my daughter. Delivery was extremely fast and dependable.



3. Really enjoyed this CD. Had a great variety of different tunes and was upbeat, even on the slower numbers. This will definitely be a new Christmas tradition to be played year after year.



4. The beautiful voices of Frank, Dean and Sammy live on with this wonderful CD. A must for anyone who enjoys listening to beautiful holiday music.



5. A sublimely classy Christmas album, this has Messrs. Dean, Sam and Frank singing all the standards of the season with the smoothness of the finest brandy-tipped eggnog. This doesn't rollick, it swings, sways and steps easy---and the signature Rat Pack repartee is priceless:
   
   "Thanks for being here tonight, Frank."
   "You're welcome, Marvin."
   
   A cool, bright album for your cool, bright holiday season!

1 comments about Bluegrass Christmas.

1. I bought this CD by mistake and ended up really enjoying it. The disc listings are mixed up (ie; Disc 1 is really Disc 2 and vice versa), but the music is really good. Incidentally, it's performed entirely by Billy Oskay and the Clarke Family, not "Various Artists". If you like bluegrass music at Christmas, give this one a try.

5 comments about Secret of Giving.

1. I love Reba's first Christmas CD! But her second one (this one), misses the mark on most counts. When the sounds of the season come on at Christmas I want to hear sleigh bells and chimes and something that makes me feel like its snowing outside (even if it isn't)so that I can curl up by a warm fireplace and watch the Christmas lights glow in the dark with beautiful music in the background. This CD does not do that for me, unfortunately.



2. This CD, a supposed Christmas CD, im most cases does not resemble anything Christmas at all except the theme of the songs. The production values and content here are NOT CHRISTMAS! I'm going to listen to "Bing Crosby's White Christmas" for a taste of what REAL CHRISTMAS music is!! I'm sorry Reba.



3. You really have to like Reba in order to get this CD. Its really awful. More pop ditties with a couple of Christmas classics thrown in there for good measure. This is one of the worst CDs I have ever heard in my life. If you want to hear Reba do Christmas get her first Christmas CD "Merry Christmas to You" because that one, while not outstanding by any means, at least has some Christmas sounds on it. This one does not.



4. She's crosseyed on the CD cover and she must also have been crosseyed when she picked out the songs for what is supposedly a Christmas CD! That's a laugh.



5. Between this album and Reba's first Christmas album, "Merry Christmas to You," you have all you need for the holidays! The first album has more traditional Christmas favorites, and this one has a couple with a lot of great new material that captures the true spirit of the holiday.
   
   1. This is My Prayer for You--This is a great way to start off the album. With a great country up-tempo, it may not have snow and sleigh bells, but it does offer the hope for a season filled with joy, peace, and love.
   
   2. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus--A Christmas favorite that Reba's voice is perfect for; very enjoyable song!
   
   3. One Child, One Day--An upbeat country tune that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas--Christ coming into the world!
   
   4. Mary, Did You Know?--This has always been a favorite song of mine, and Reba's voice is PERFECT for it. It really helps you to reflect on not only the significance of Christmas from the lens of Christ's birth, but also from Mary's courage in saying "yes" to God and allowing all of this to happen.
   
   5. Up on the Housetop--Another Christmas favorite with a really upbeat tempo that is a lot of fun to listen to!
   
   6. The Angels Sang--Another great song that focuses on the true meaning of the Christmas season....and the children's chorus is a nice touch!
   
   7. Santa Claus is Coming Back to Town--The saddest song on the album, telling the story of a divorced couple and the mother who decides to let her ex-husband play Santa Claus for the kids despite how hard it will be on her to have him there. While it may not be the most uplifting song in the world, Reba's voice is crisp, clear, and beautiful as always and it captures the reality of a lot of family situations around the country. Beautiful.
   
   8. The Secret of Giving--Perhaps the most "un-Christmas" song on the album in tone, but it's another song that captures the true spirit of the season----giving from the heart!!
   
   9. This Christmas--Probably my favorite song on the CD. This song really captures three big things about the season: 1) The courage of the Wise Men to seek the Christ child despite the fact that "logic told them it was crazy," 2) Mary's courage in facing the long, winding road ahead of her, and 3) the love Christ felt for the world even though he came into it knowing people would not believe him. Wonderful.
   
   10. 'Til the Season Comes 'Round Again--The best way to end the album! The first song on the CD was a great opener, and with this song, it all comes to a nice, complete circle. This beautiful lyrical song focuses on the beauty of having family and friends around you during the holiday, and the hope that we can all retain that love through the new year...until the season comes around again! "One night, holy and bright, shining with love from our hearts! By a warm fire, let's lift our heads high, and be thankful we're here until this time next year."
   
   This album has faced a lot of criticism on here because it does not have a lot of traditional Christmas carols. While I love the traditional Christmas carols as much as the next guy, I am so grateful to have a Christmas album that is so full in faith, hope, and love. Reba McEntire delivers another masterful work with ten songs that in different ways all capture the true spirit of the Christmas season, and I find it to be very inspiring. Her voice is as wonderful and beautiful as always, adding her special touch (her own brand of holiday magic!) to a collection I will cherish forever.
   
   And I will certainly be pulling this one out all season long and I will do the same "when the season comes around again!"

1 comments about A Tenors Christmas.

1. This album was clearly a "pickup group" put together for the commercial Christmas Season. Having said that, it is an enjoyable experience to hear these three gentlemen harmonizing so fluidly. Although Mr. Carreras's power can't equal the two giants singing with him, the engineering successfully levels the signal.
   
   I love Christmas albums, and this is no exception. There is nothing controversial, experimental, or challenging. What you get is a lovely seasonal collection of masters who truly sing like angels.