5 comments about Something Warm for Christmas.

1. If you are a fan of Jeffrey Osborne and even if you aren't, this is the BEST holiday CD. His voice is so smooth and you can't help but make it part of your holiday CD collection. He hasn't changed and still has the best sound that's slightly R&B but also just "good listening" for everyone. I highly recommend this CD. Have I convinced you?



2. The gentle, respectful and traditional interpretations of Christmas classics, along with the high-quality original tracks are what set "Something Warm for Christmas" by Jeffrey Osborne apart from other holiday offerings of recent years.

   The sanctity of the religious classics "O Holy Night", "The First Noel", "Silent Night" and a medley of "Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark the Herald Angels Sing", are preserved flawlessly and masterfully through Osborne's presentations.

   Osborne's version of "The Christmas Song", while not quite up to the standards of renditions by Nat King Cole and to a lesser extent Al Jarreau, is sure to provide a relaxing ambience. Osborne's take on "Little Drummer Boy" is quite pleasing as well.

   Two new songs are part of the package. "Just a Little Snow" lamenting the season's lack thereof in the warmer climates, and "Can't Wait for Christmas" are charming inclusions.

   Perhaps the one fault with this CD is its number of tracks, with only 10. All in all, though, Jeffrey Osborne has put together one of the better holiday sets by a modern artist. The typical over-exaggerated and emphasized synthesizers, guitars and drums are missing, as are the trendy digitally modified vocals. The Jeffrey Osborne sound is pure and clear, and is perfectly evidenced by this fabulous recording, which I highly recommend.




3. This is one Christmas CD I play over and over during the Holidays! Jeffrey Osborne is a wonderful singer! I can't praise him enough. He is so pleasing to the ears. A Must have for anyone's Christmas CD Collection. Every song is so good! Jeffrey Osborne you are the MAN!! Your voice is Heavenly! The Music and arrangements are first rate! The children singing in "Just A Little Snow" makes for an awesome, one of a kind holiday song! I can't say enough on how much I enjoy Jeffrey's voice and these wonderful Christmas songs!



4. Osborne shares the gift of his voice on this well crafted Christmas collection. His vocals are strong, soulful and articulate and every song expresses a distinct lyrical and vocal beauty which will quickly warm your heart and soul.
   
   This collection gets you in the spirit of the season from track one, Christmas Time is Here. Another one of the highlights is an Osborne original called Just A Little Snow. Osborne's articulate lyrics on this track create a vivid imagery which quickly elevates your mood and spirit to the holiday season.
   
   This is beautiful, relaxing Christmas music to enjoy with your loved ones by the fireside, during dinner, or snuggled with your spouse or lover.



5. I'm a great fan of George Duke and I think that the voice of Jeffrey is wonderful... so when I saw they collaborate on this CD I had to buy it!

No comments about Jazz Yule Love, Vol. 2.

No comments about Skinnamarink TV.

3 comments about One Elephant Went Out to Play.

1. While I would not CHOOSE to listen to kids songs on tape if I were not trying to entertain children, this selection makes the effort worth my while. The music is either classic or original, but always beautifully sung and executed by these three very talented performers. I love everything by this trio and so does my child. Even at 9 years old, she sometimes still asks to listen to them together because it is so fun to sing-along. A small confession: I sometimes find myself singing these catchy tunes to myself when my daughter is not even around! I highly recommend this for children 0-6 years old or as a gift for new parents



2. I grew up listening to this record (and the subsequent ones), and I still occasionally pull it out and put it on the turntable. This trio has managed to provide a diverse and high-quality collection of musical arrangements for classic children's songs. They offer a refreshing alternative to all the saccharine, cutesy and condescending music that is generally offered to kids.



3. I have recently purchased the CD of One Elephant, Deux Elephants as the tape I have had for almost 20 years is wearing out. My two-year-old son adores these songs and we listen to it repeatedly.

   Over the years, these songs have either become classics (Skinnamarink) or are traditional childhood songs (She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain; Twinkle, Twinkle; Tingalayo). Thus, the album continues to appeal to young audiences. Sharon, Lois, and Bram are fabulous musicians and present the songs in interesting ways while allowing their own personalities to shine through. It is amazing to me that this trio recorded this album shortly after they met (and on borrowed money)... and it quickly became a Canadian children's favourite and rocketed them to fame.

   The pace is lively and my son asks for his favourites over and over again. Hearing the voices of the child singers encourages him to sing along. I can almost guarantee that your child will love this recording.

5 comments about The Little Drummer Boy.

1. Just to be sure, this MCA reissue contains Simeone's 1965 recordings for Kapp Records - not the 1959 20th Century Fox recordings. One way to tell them apart is "O Bambino," a song recorded for the latter LP but not the first. Of course, one company - Universal - now owns both sets of masters, but they didn't when this CD was issued.... The 1990 Mercury CD contains the 1959 sessions originally issued as "Sing We Now For Christmas."



2. This is certainly not the record I own from childhood. My copy is a 20th Century Fox release from 1963 and includes thirty-one songs on nine tracks -- including the ravishing "Villancico" and "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming", which are not on this CD.
   
   It always struck me as a bit kitschy, and I still have no idea why my mother bought it as she took a very dim view of made-up apocrypha like "The Little Drummer Boy". However, it does contain some rarities and unusual material. You won't hear "Masters In The Hall" on the Muzaks in the mall! This is still the only recording of "Villancico" that I have ever heard. Why isn't the original recording released on CD? Legalities?



3. This is one of my 3 favorite Christmas albums of all time, with Bing's "Merry Christmas" (now titled "White Christmas"), and Ray Conniff's "Christmas With Conniff". I was able to find this album for download on a music site run by a piece of fruit (hint hint). I hadn't heard it in years, and it brings back so many memories. It's all I've been playing this week!



4. I grew up in the 70's. I can remember my parents playing this album during the Holiday Season when I was growing up in Guam. This CD brings back alot of good memories of my Childhood. I recommended this CD to anyone. ENJOY!



5. The original release contained 12 songs. This only has 11. Missing is "Sing Of A Merry Christmas". I found that dissapointing. The packaging and conditioning are excellent but I don't understand why that song was left out. I will say, however, that the CD is everything the seller said it was and it brings back so many fond memories of my childhood Christmas past.

No comments about Celebremos Navidad.

5 comments about Tavener: Song for Athene / Svyati.

1. I have liked Tavener since Apple and the Whale.

   I came across this in a budget section and gave it a whirl. Actually it has been in my car for three days. Well written, well sung, well orchestrated. Well what?

   Well it does not seem to me, although I am no expert, that it sounds pretty much like any other English choral music.

   It sounds good but does not sound special.

   I like it but it does not raise my soul.




2. For all the minor "complaints" one could have about this recording, it is still a wonderful, recent recording of beautiful music from one of England's finest traditional choirs. For such a cheap price, it is WELL worth the money!

   Tavener's music is perhaps an acquired taste. If modern, "hypnotic" sacred choral music appeals to you, then you would certainly do well to buy this recording, which includes some of Tavener's best works. I personally enjoy the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis best. Everything on here is very well sung -- sometimes truly beautifully so -- by the men and boys of St. John's College Choir.

   If you like Tavener, this CD is certainly worthy of your collection. If you are not familiar with Tavener's music, then this is the CD to buy to discover it -- the quality of singing is first-class and the price can't be beaten!




3. This is the best addition to my music library I've made in quite some time. Hearing the ethereal Song for Athene sung for Princes Diana's funeral I was mesmerized. It wasn't until our church choir began rehearsing this piece that I learned who had written it. I immediately went to Amazon to find more music by John Tavener. When I saw the price of this recording, I hesitated--perhaps the rest of his music doesn't match the quality of Athene? Why else would the price be so low? Since receiving my order I can only say it is worth far more. Anyone who enjoys the mystical eastern sounds introduced to us in the 60s and 70s will thoroughly enjoy Tavener's marriage of English choral music with the hypnotic droning "ohms" of eastern music.
   You will experience mystery and contemplation as you listen. Blake's and Herbert's poetry take on new meaning when set to Tavener's provocative underpinnings. His other pieces further create a sense of wonder, meditation, and awe. To listen is to be drawn to worship. Each piece on the disc adds value to the recording. What a marvelous find.



4. Wander to over to Classicstoday.com and do a search for all the reviews of Tavener's works. You'll come to the inescapable conclusion: Tavener sucks. What's even more astounding is that this judgement seems to be shared by nearly all in Classicstoday's notoriously fractious stable of critics. Quite a feat.
   
   So, is Tavener as bad as all that? I must confess that I haven't been exposed to what is apparently Tavener's worst stuff. Also, British critics hate self-promotion, and Tavener has practiced self-promotion (and pretension) to a nearly obscene degree. This may get in the way of a serious appraisal of his work.
   
   I find this disk quite pleasant, although I can see how having to endure longer works of Tavener's would be difficult. His musical themes are very simple, and they are worked out in manner that can rather quickly become boring. In these short choral works, which are performed with expert precision, this thematic claustrophobia can actually produce a striking effect.
   
   I have an inkling that there might be something of a Tavener revival 20 or 30 years from now. Make no mistake, he is fathoms below Part, Rautavaara, Hovhaness, Kancheli and Gubaidulina, among composers who write in a similar style. But on this disk, at least, he scores a moderate success.



5. I have had the privilege (yes privilege) to perform all the works of Tavener that are recorded on this CD. As an Organist/Choirmaster I have also had the pleasure of my choirs performing many of the works heard here, i.e. Funeral Ikos, The Tyger, The Lamb, Alleluia (Song for Athene), and Two Hymns to the Mother of God, amongst many others. His music is quite captivating and sometimes quite heart-wrenching. I know when "Funeral Ikos" was performed at the funeral services for a former Priest (Episcopalian), there wasn't a dry eye or seat in the place. The choir in this recording is a superb group and as expected, they performed remarkably well. There is no grey area when it comes to the music of John Tavener. If you want a good recording of his choral music, I highly suggest this CD.

No comments about And the Angels Sing.

3 comments about A Renaissance Christmas.

1. I first heard cuts off this CD on the syndicated early music program Harmonia and was enchanted by it. I ordered it the next day and wasn't disappointed after it arrived. The CD comprises various English, French, & Italian carols, dance tunes, noels, and melodies from the 16th century.

   I'm not a trained musician so please forgive my lack of detailed musical critique. The tracks consist mostly of the heavenly vocals of the six members of the New York's Ensemble For Early Music, with a mixture of period instruments thrown in for good measure. Listening to it all, you can easily picture an advent service in a 16th cent. French cathedral. If you're looking for a beatiful peaceful collection of music to add to your holiday collection, this is it.

   Favorite tracks include: Nowell: Tidings true, C'etait a l'heure, Es ist ein' Ros', Conventry Carol, Greensleves, Branle de l'Official.




2. Usually period music is so poorly produced and cliche, but this CD is flawless. The quality of sound is amazing; the beauty of the music transcends time and space. If you buy one Christmas CD, buy this one. It's the perfect elegant moodsetter for the season.



3. In purchasing this CD, I was anticipating music that reflects the excitement that was the Renaissance. Instead, I felt I was listening to middle age dirges. I confess, I've not listened to the CD again.

No comments about Merry Christmas.