5 comments about An Irish Christmas.

1. Growing up, my father always played a variety of Irish music, especially on Christmas. Once I was married and had a home of my own, I really missed listening to Irish music on Christmas. This CD isn't the same music that Dad always played, but it evokes the same atmosphere of joy and celebration in a typically rollicking Irish manner. I'm so glad I bought it! Christmas feels more homey to me now.



2. I love Christmas albums and this is one of my favorite albums. Songs included:
   
   1. Bells Over Belfast - one one the best songs on the album. You'll find yourself humming it to yourself during the day.
   2. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
   2. Christmas Caroling
   4. Silent Night
   5. Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake - another one of my favorite songs on this album. Very funny song.
   6. Angles We have Heard on High
   7. The Christmas Traveller
   8. Away in a Manger
   9. The Holly Bears The Crown
   10. Christmas in Killarnay - yet another one of my favorite songs
   11. What Child is This?
   12. We Three Kings
   13. Good King Wencestas
   14. All Through the Night
   15. Down Among the Bushes of Jerusalem
   16. Grandms Got Run Over by a Reindeer
   17. It's Christmas Time Again
   18. We Wish You a Merry Christmas



3. The Irish Rovers are a fun Irish band, they make you want to sing along and have a good time. This album is a great change of pace to the traditional Christmas carols presented at that time of year.



4. When I was a kid, I used to sing along to 'The Unicorn' also by the Irish Rovers so with the advent of the internet and Amazon, I went searching for it and found the Irish Rovers Greatest Hits which naturally contained the Unicorn song and many other excellent ones that quickly became added to my list of favorites.
   
   Now I finally have received their Christmas album (listening to it now as I type) and find it to be another great collection of hits with the Irish lilt added. As an aficionado of all Christmas music (I have about 70 albums) I was delighted to find that the Rovers had put out a great album like this. My favorites are Christmas in Killarney and the lovely Bells Over Belfast.
   
   You don't have to like Irish music to enjoy the fine singing of the Rovers. I guarantee you'll enjoy this album. 5 hearty stars!



5. One of the family's favourite CDs to trot out at Christmas, this 2002 release produced by band member George Millar cannot be found by searching in Amazon under album title. You'll get all kinds of hits with An Irish Christmas - but not this gem. They may wish to correct that if they want to boost sales.
   
   As for the album itself, if you like the music in general of this Irish-Canadian band which took their name from the song The Irish Rover way back in 1963, you'll love the 18 tracks presented here which include their interpretation of familiar traditional carols/songs (tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 to 13 and 18). and covers of a couple of novelty pop hits led by a rousing Christmas In Killarney, first a hit for both Percy Faith & His Orchestra and Dennis Day back in 1950, and Grandma Got Run Over By A reindeer, first introduced by Elmo 'N' Patsy in 1983.
   
   But what really attracted my interest were the unfamiliar songs, aptly described in the liner notes by Joseph F. Laredo this way: "many traditional Christmas favorites are lovingly revisited here, but one of the more intriguing aspects of this collection is the inclusion of several worthy songs that are seldom encountered on holiday anthologies ..."
   
   Band member George Millar's compositions Bells Over Belfast and It's Christmas Time Again, two toe-tapping originals sure to get you in the mood, are augmented by other rousing tunes like the Irish oldies Christmas Caroling, with new lyrics by George, Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake, arranged and adapted by George, Wilcil McDowell and Wallace Hood, and The Holly Bears The Crown, along with The Christmas Traveller.
   
   Sure to liven up any Christmas gathering ... and don't you know that Santa Claus is one of the boys from home?

1 comments about Christmas Time.

1. The musicians who were credited on Instant Excitement also serve as the Chris Stamey Group on the delightful Christmas Time mini-album; the dB's back him on the Brian Wilson-like title track. The original songs are all seasonal: "The Only Law That Santa Claus Understood," "You're What I Want (for Christmas)," "Snow Is Falling," even a new acoustic version of the unexpectedly appropriate "It's a Wonderful Life." The reissue has a different cover photo from the same session (see Chris crinkled in laughter!/see Chris betray the faintest Mona Lisa smile!) and 11 added tracks (but one deletion). Among those bringing extra presents, Alex Chilton sings Mel Tormé's "The Christmas Song" and, as Big Star with drummer Jody Stephens, his own "Jesus Christ." The dB's do Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," while Holsapple renders "O Holy Night" on his own. Syd Straw gets off a good pun covering Blondie's "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presents, Dear." A warm, spirited winner - the more the merrier. - Ira Robbins, Trouser Press

3 comments about Christmas Past.

1. From the 50s through the 70s, lots of kids like me grew up on Peter Pan Records. There were lots of different record labels under the Peter Pan umbrella including Diplomat, Premier, Tinkerbell, Power, and Rocking Horse. These records were reissued over and over and over on 78s, 45s and LPs with constantly changing cover art (particularly the fondly remembered covers by artist George Peed). The artwork is not the only thing that changed. The same songs were recorded many different times by different ensembles in different styles. Sometimes the same versions would appear on different 45s and LPs. Sometimes entire albums would be reissued with different titles. The artist might be listed as The Peter Pan Players, The Peter Pan Singers, The Caroleers, The Caroleer Singers, The Peppermint Candy Kids, Eddie Maynard or even Tex Johnson and His Six Shooters. Lots of childhood memories are associated with Peter Pan recordings and the records are often highly sought out on eBay and other online auctions, sometimes at hefty prices.
   Here we have 22 Christmas tracks on a single CD at a reasonable price. First, it should be noted that 7 of these tracks are horrible 80s sounding recordings using synthesizers that are unlikely to bring back any memories for anybody. In my opinion, it was stupid of Peter Pan to even include them. The other 15 tracks are early Peter Pan recordings that paired a chorus (and on a couple of songs, a solo male voice) with accordian accompaniment. I had most of these on records when I was a kid and am thrilled to have them on CD.
   So Peter Pan has given us this CD and also one other titled CHRISTMAS CLASSICS (you can find it on Amazon under the artist name "Peter Pan Singers"). CHRISTMAS CLASSICS includes different versions of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Rudolph" plus some of the songs from the Diplomat/Tinkerbell/Rocking Horse LPs like "The Little Elf", "A Ride On Santa's Sleigh" and "Snoopy's Christmas".
   I'm glad to have both of these CDs but can't understand why Peter Pan Industries was so picky about which songs to reissue on CD and which ones to leave gathering dust in the vaults. I'm pretty sure that all 32 tracks contained on three of the most popular "Caroleers" LPs (SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN, SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS and SLEIGH RIDE/JINGLE BELLS) would fit on one CD. These are some very highly sought after LPs online and lots of people are wanting these songs on CD. (Incidentally, the CHRISTMAS CLASSICS CD contains one song from SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS and 6 from SLEIGH RIDE/JINGLE BELLS. To date no tracks from SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN are available on CD even though entire web forums have been devoted to people trying to find favorite Caroleers songs such as "Who's That Up On The Roof", "The Day Before The Night Before Christmas" and "I Want An Elephant For Christmas".
   Instead of wasting more time putting out Halloween CDs that contain horrible new songs like "Nose Boogers", you'd think Peter Pan would get a clue and reissue these Caroleers recordings. When these two discs came out, I fully expected more to be issued, at least by the following holiday season. But we got nothing.
   Come on, Peter Pan! You've got the stuff in your vaults. Put it back out on CD with some of the original cover art. Throw out some weekend/late night TV ads letting people know that it's available and watch your stock sell out!
   And don't forget "Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers"!



2. To be fair, over half of the selections sound like they were recorded in the 50's or 60's. These are pleasant Peter Pan recordings that exude the Christmas spirit. However, around seven of the songs (#3 and #13-18) are accompanied by what sounds like an inexpensive keyboard. Moreover, the singers on those seven songs are really bad! "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is listed as song #18 but is actually #3 on the CD. No big deal if just listening to but if you want to "rip" to computer, you'll have to manually retype most of the selections. It would have been better to have 15 great songs rather than 22 with seven annoying holiday selections. If you can find this CD at a very low price, it is worth it for the 15 notable Christmas songs. However, over $5 and you're duped!



3. As a fan of the Peter Pan Records I had as a child, I got this CD to relieve old memories of those songs I had. As a child I guess I did not mind the songs or the singing.
   
   But as an adult at 30, I this CD did NOT appeal to me at all. The music sounded very simple and old fashioned with what sounded like a very weak synthesizer. I thought I heard an accoridan in some songs, but even that sounded too simple. The music all sounded too geared for children to get them ready for Santa Claus to come.
   
   I think that's why I enjoyed the Peter Pan Singers or Caroleers as a child. I did not mind how professional the songs were as a child probably, so I was not picky about the faults they may have had. I guess the songs reminded me of Santa as a child, and that's why I liked it.
   
   I guess I was hoping for a very nice professional CD, but the way the songs sounded, it sounded like it was for children who wouldn't care how good or bad these songs sounded.
   
   Indeed, I think this CD was geared for children, as I was a child once.
   
   The singers were not the best. I can't sing so I shouldn't say anything!! But if a CD is going to have Christmas sings on it, get some singers that sound pleasing to listen to.
   
   Each song is sung by a different person and not the same person, so we have no idea who the song is sung by. Some of the singers are all over the place, and I found myself not listening to entire songs because of the qualities of the singers voices.
   
   The choir was just mediocre, but not great.
   
   One of the songs listed on the cover which was #18, which is Hark The Herald Angels Sing was not even on the CD!
   
   Although this not a good CD, I don't want to be a totaly meanie and give it a 1 star rating. But I'lll give it a 2 star for making an effort.
   
   Again if I was a child and heard this CD, I probably would have enjoyed it alot more and looked past it's faults, so as a child I probably would have gave it a 4 star rating.
   
   Kids might enjoy this CD because that's what this CD sounds like what it's geared for: kids. For adults wanting to reminice about what the Caroleers sounded like when they had these songs on Peter Pan Records, give it a try. But be prepared to expect that you might like them as much as when were a child.
   
   If you want great professional lovely singing, you might want to pass this one up.

3 comments about Holiday.

1. If you're looking for Christmas albums, you should consider this one. I highly recommend it. I love the song Holiday and listen to it year round. The only Christmas albums better than this one are Manhiem Steamroller!



2. This CD really gets me in a Holiday mood! Russ Freeman's take on holiday classics is truly unique. Love the latin-influenced God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman!



3. This is a great album and most Rippington fans don't know it exists. It is scarce...I met Russ at a Jazzfest in 1999 and even he didn't have a copy! Over the years, it remains my favorite holiday album. I bet it will be your favorite, too. This would be an outstanding gift for any of your friends who love the Rips.

2 comments about Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. I stumbled across this album over 10 years ago (it's a re-issue of an album originally titled "This Christmas" from 1990) and it has become my FAVORITE holiday album ever since.



2. Patti puts all of her heart and soul into this Christmas collection of songs. This remastered version was produced very well. No Christmas should go without Patti's cd playing non-stop.

2 comments about Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show: Soap Box Derby.

1. Sharon, Lois and Bram's The Elephant Show is possibly one of the best ever childrens' series. It's imaginative, funny, entertaining, addictive, and educational. It's especially fun if you're from Toronto ( like I am ) and can actually see the areas of the city where Sharon, Lois and Bram romped around in. I saw this series through reruns on the Canadian channel TVO ( for the first two years they were new episodes, I think ). It's been a major influence to me. I love the show. The songs are amazing
   ( and from literally everywhere. From folk tunes and show tunes to a Monty Python tune (!) ) and the episodes are endlessly brilliant. They're even inventive in form and style, never stooping too low as to think that kids might be too young to appreciate it. Some of the episodes are in skit form, and some have Sharon, Lois and Bram acting as different characters throughout the entire episode ( like the witty Three Little Pigs episode with Eric Nagler as the Big Bad Wolf ). Also alongside the three main stars were a host of kids ( some of whom we get to see grow up on the show, which is a real treat as you rewatch them from year to year ) and the mute Elephant. The Elephant conveys all of his ( or her, depending on the season ) emotions, thoughts and feelings through physical comedy. And the show itself pages through bizarre and even occasionally surreal episodes. Like the one where, because of a broken down tour bus, Sharon, Lois and Bram, not to mention their back-up band, has to drive for miles and miles and miles by wagons, tricycles, or bikes. During the show there were episodes where Bram walked on the ceiling, where a mysterious rope once pulled deposited piles and piles of shelled peanuts, and where we continually got to see really strange stuff through fantasies ( the broken down tour bus episode turns out to be but * spoiler alert * a dream ). And then there's the episode ( you see it all the time in reruns ) where Elephant ends up high in a tree and is scared to come down ( how did it happen ? Don't ask. )
   It's a surprisingly sophisticated childrens' show. Are small kids too young to appreciate such things ? I doubt it. I think it takes the kids' show to a higher level. It did for Canadian childrens' T.V. what M*A*S*H did for sitcoms.
   Watch it. Both you and your kids will enjoy it for years to come.



2. There were, I think, 65 episodes of the original "Elephant Show." Anyone who cares about children's television should become familiar with them. The fact that they are out of print is criminal. And the fact that you can't see them on American television is also criminal.

   This particular episode, Soap Box Derby, features the sidekick, Eric Nagler, driving a soapbox derby car down a street and singing as it falls apart, piece by piece, with his brilliant commentary (jokes that is).

   As with all SLB/Elephant show episodes, this is filled with great songs and silly patter, appealing to not just kids but adults too. My one year old daughter loves these shows, and my fifteen year-old will still watch and talk about how great they are. I hear that Lois has quit performing, which is truly a shame, because "you are terrific!" has long been part of my daily song to my baby. Fifteen years now. Thanks you guys. I love you more than you can know.

4 comments about A Celtic Celebration.

1. This cd is one of THE most beautiful Christmas cds ever and yet it has not been recognised, which is a shame, for this is a work of art! Good King Wencelas; Away in a manger; Angels we have heard on high; What child is this?/Greensleeves; Christmas Back home; Jesu, Joy of man desiring; The twelve days of Christmas; Here we come a Wassailing and Silent night are among the best songs here, and every one of them are done beautifully! The songs are beautiful, quaint, folk-like, Celtic, its all just so glorious!



2. My family has owned this CD for quite a while now, and I'd have to say it is my favorite Christmas CD I've heard. The music is beautiful and haunting and will take your breath away. I suggest it to everyone who wants to listen to something different this Christmas.



3. The Night Heron Consort's Celtic Celebration CD is simply a gem. If you like any of the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CDs, you'll probably love the Night Heron Consort's performances because they too are "out of the box" Christmas song renditions. Listen closely to the "Greensleeves" track for the detailed guitar work which carries through the song. The way Steve Schuch uses flutes and non-traditional instruments is brilliant. And the "12 Days of Christmas" amazes me as I consider how much time and creativity it took to put together all the instruments and animal sounds used on that track. This CD is so overlooked as a quality work. If you're a musician, you'll be inspired by the complex and creative arrangements used on most of the tracks on this Christmas CD.



4. I have listened to and owned this album for years. It is a staple of my Christmas library, and part of the "tree-decorating music" collection in my home. Beautiful music with a touch of humour on tracks such as "Twelve Days of Christmas". If this hasn't found a home in your CD rack yet, buy it now and become lost in the wonderful harmonies as we once again approach the holiday season. Whether decorating cookies, putting up lights, or snuggling under a blanket with some hot cocoa and a loved one, this is the perfect accompaniment.

5 comments about Twisted Christmas.

1. Metaldiva Sez:
   This set is a "must have" for everyone that enjoys the "almost lost" art of satire and take-offs of their favorite holiday, everyday and metal hits and styles. Nothing better than relaxing enough in these crazy, sad times to laugh at ourselves. The Metal take-offs are a blast!!! I first heard "I Am Santa Claus" done to Sabbath's "Iron Man" in December 1998 along with "Walking 'Round in Women's Underwear" done to "Winter Wonderland" on my way to a relocation in Los Angeles. My heart was heavy from the move and they made me crack up and laugh out loud. The imitations are really, really good and can take even metal afficionados like me have to turn-it-up and really listen hard to hear if it is the original artist or not. My metalbaby sons love these and some of the lyrics may be a bit racy to have a 6 and 13 year repeat at school, so parental discretion should be used (as with every truly decent metal song. But my entire family Rockgod, Metalbabes, and yours truly, the Metaldiva herself say get this and have a greatly needed laugh anytime of the year!!!



2. I did not realize that only 2 of the boxed set are Twisted Christmas CDs. The third is 1994 a year in review. I would have prefered all Twisted Christmas CDs other wise i would have purchased them seperatly. The two Christmas ones are great!



3. sound more suzi quatro than suzi. other titles are very good,funnyand not offensive. good work



4. Being a Bob Rivers enthusiast, I enjoyed this boxed set of Cds. The year in review was a little lame, but the other two disks were the typical Christmas quality!



5. This is a boxed set featuring Bob Rivers first two Christmas albums (Twisted Christmas and I Am Santa Claus) plus the "bonus disc" Twisted Tunes 1994: The Year in Review. I have reviewed all these albums separately, so there's really no need to review them here. I'll just say they're funny and leave it at that.

5 comments about December Stillness.

1. This is a very well-conceived collection of mostly lesser-known choral gems for the holidays, combined with a few more famous selections. For years, Warland has championed the cause of otherwise obscure choral works, as well as choral composers whose works deserve a broader audience. The benefit to these composers, their works, and the discerning listener, is the consummate professionalism, musicianship, artistry, and craftsmanship with which Dale Warland, his singers, and even the recording engineers and technicians lend to their album projects.

   As a former student of Dr. Alf S. Houkom, composer of "The Rune of Hospitality" (found on this recording), and a choral conductor myself, I rejoiced in the knowledge that this work, and others like it, are finally getting the exposure, as well as the professional treatment, that they so richly deserve. Bravo, Mr. Warland, and thank you for the gift of this album. This is truly in the spirit of the season.




2. Minneapolis-based conductor Dale Warland directs this superb chorus that specializes in 20th-century music. The collection here is an outstanding demonstration of the group's artistry, with some compositions by well-knowns such as Stravinsky and Arvo Prt, and others that are relatively unknown.
   
   It's hard to choose favorites from such a line-up, but the vocal and artistic highlight for me is Penderecki's "Song of Cherubim" - an absolutely stunning piece sung with the precision that is one of the hallmarks of this group. Alf Houkom's "The Rune of Hospitality" has a gorgeous melody that resonated in my head for days afterward. I also like Trond Kverno's magnificent "Corpus Christi Carol," and Stephen Paulus' quietly moving "Evensong." But every single track is a gem, and throughout the program, this remarkable group demonstrates impeccable technique and ensemble unity.
   
   American Choral Classics has done this project justice with sound of crystal clarity and presence. When coupled with such artistry, the result is one of the finest choral recordings I have ever heard.
   
   Don't be deterred by the "holiday" nature of the collection. The music and the performances are of such a high caliber, you'll want to listen to it year-round.



3. At times I have not been terribly impressed with albums like this from American choirs, but this one is very good indeed. It's certainly an eclectic collection, including music from around the world. The singing is almost always exceptional, with some outstanding interpretations of the lesser-known works. My favourites would have to be the two settings of 'Ave Maria' by Stravinsky and Javier Busto (a Basque composer, who has developed a wonderful choral-writing style). Also of note are Part's 'Magnificat' and Poulenc's 'Quem Vidistes Pastores'.

   I highly recommend this recording - as other reviewers have said, it's worth playing all year round (in New Zealand, the stillness is in July anyway - not December!).




4. once again the dale warland singers have produced a recording of wonderful singing and terrific (while perhaps slightly obscure) repertoire. this eclectic recording of lesser-known choral works is truly worth purchasing. from the simplistic beauty of "little tree" to the fresh dissonances of "the rune of hospitality", this recording is a treasure. however, i would recommend it to those with an experience ear.



5. One of the most beautiful, well-made choral CDs to be released anywhere in recent memory. A must for any choral enthusiast. Wonderfully fresh, gorgeous, and challenging program. One or two of the tracks, such as Busto's Ave Maria and Part's Magnificat are slightly below the choir's standard of excellence, but it is easy to forgive considering the incredible performances on the rest of the CD. The Penderecki, Houkom, and Paulus in particular are absolutely ravishing; I truly don't think choral singing has ever gotten closer to perfection.

1 comments about Sing A to Z.

1. As a preschool teacher, I can honestly say that this group ranks quite high with the five and younger crowd! Catchy, fast paced, fun tunes and lyrics.Lois, Sharon, and Bram's music remain a childhood staple. Right up their with Raffi- another must buy!