1 comments about All I Hope for Christmas.

1. Nelson Rangell is the most under-rated saxophonist of our time. He deserves the highest of ratings! This album is evidence of what a superb and extremely gifted Nelson is. Yes, his saxophone and flute chops are out of this world, but, the quality and unique beauty behind each arrangement is what sets Nelson apart from the rest. Nelson has taken Christmas music to a whole new level. Nelson could have done an album like Kenny G did for Christmas, but Nelson set a new standard and brought the spirit of Christmas to my family. Thanks Nelson. This fulfilled my Christmas list...

2 comments about Adeste Fideles: Christmas Music from Westminster Cathedral.

1. Out of all the many 100's of choral cds mentioned in the Penguin and Gramophone CD Guides, there are precisely only two that get both a Penguin rosette and a Gramophone award. Both these CDs are on the Hyperion label (CDA66114 and CDA67017), both are radiantly beautiful, and both are by the same choir - the Westminster Cathedral Choir.

   That should be more than enough recommendation for this excellent collection of carols by the same choir. The voices are angelic, the organ accompaniment is just right, the arrangements are both musical and subtle, and the Cathedral acoustic adds just the right air of sacredness. Heavenly.




2. I love Christmas music sung by cathedral choirs. This cd sung by the Westminster Cathedral choir is one of the best. Ian Simcock on the organ is great. The trebles are fantastic, Mark Kennedy does a solo on "Once in royal david's city" and Aaron webber on "in the bleak midwinter". "In dulci jubilo" is sung for unaccompanied choir. Stephen Alder, baritone does a beautifull job on "Three kings" . There is also "Of the fathers love forgotten" one of the great mass hymns. The plainsong melody is in "Piae Cantiones". "Sing lullaby" another tremendous hymn is the last of the three carol anthems of the year 1918-1920 by Herbert Howells. Actually they are all wonderfull. I can't forget to mention "0 come, o come, emmaniel" the advent carol which is the fervent plea to the saviour to come and redeem mankind. This was arranged by James O'Donnel. The spirit is one of quiet assurance and timeless devotion. Which is how he conducts this collection of timeless carols.

No comments about Christmas Rose.

No comments about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

5 comments about Christmas to Remember.

1. Amy Grant has set quite a high standard for music in general. But especially when it comes to Christmas music, Amy Grant has known how to deliver. Or so it would seem.
   
   First, there was the church-driven holiday classic 'A Christmas Album' recorded in 1983. Then there was 1992's nostalgic gem of a holiday record 'Home For Christmas,' which to this day remains my all-time favorite Christmas CD.
   
   Then there's this one...
   
   Following a bitter divorce and a controversial second marriage to country star Vince Gill, Amy hopes to forget the drama and criticism and go back to the beauty of Christmas. But, despite her hopes, this album reflects the emotions of those past couple years.
   
   Contradicting its bright and merry cover and artwork, the album, for the most part, is melancholy, which is very unusual for a Christmas album. Particularly a Grant Christmas album.
   
   The album does have its bright moments. The opener and title track, the following newbie "Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away," "Jingle Bell Rock," and the spinoff of the Sandman song, "Mr. Santa," are all jolly tunes. But they run in twos, causing gaps in the album that are filled with slow, poignant numbers that evoke Christmas heartache rather than Christmas cheer. Grant sets off the album by declaring "Light up the fire, play some Nat King Cole" in the title track, but she never quite gets around to either with this record.
   
   The albums up moments are definitely the first three tracks mentioned above. Those are the songs that evoke the most Christmas cheer and spirit. "Mr. Santa," while light and bouncy, comes off as rather annoying, especially as the song unfolds. The slow numbers "Christmas Lullaby" and "Welcome to Our World" are beautiful, and would sound fresher between a collection of lighter holiday tunes. "Highland Cathedral," complete with bagpipes, is a nice instrumental number remniscent of her previous holiday album's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." "'Til the Season Comes 'Round Again" is beautiful and nostalgic, but it can be quite sad.
   
   The album's down-er moments are Grant's way-too-melancholy version of "Silent Night" and the irritating re-working of "Mr. Sandman." Her very slow cover of Michael W. Smith's "Angus Dei" would be great for a worship album, but doesn't fit here. "Gabriel's Oboe" is a beautiful instrumental, but only adds to the holiday gloom found here. And the album's worst moment comes when Grant chooses to end on the most blah and melancholy song found here: the hidden track "Merry Christmas, Darling."
   
   A lot of the songs on here are really good, but when put together make for a really un-cheerful Christmas album. You may end up forgetting this collection of christmas down-ers. Or this 'Christmas' might just be one to remember. Too bad it has to be such a depressing one.
   
   *******Album Profile**************
   
   Best Song: "A Christmas to Remember"
   
   Christmas traditionals / Total tracks: A mix of pseudo-classics with new material and a couple traditionals
   
   Sample This: The classic Nat King Cole-ish "Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away" or Chris Rice's baby-Jesus lullaby "Welcome to Our World"
   
   What to Avoid: expecting more than a shot-glass worth of Christmas cheer from this album
   
   The album in 2 words: Christmas blues
   
   Stocking Stuffer or under-the-tree: stocking stuffer



2. I love Amy Grant, but this was not a Christmas to remember. The music is so bland and her renditions of some of these songs are tired. After hearing this album I gave it to the dog to chew up. Good Coco.



3. My husband bought this on accident. At first I was disappointed, having grown up with Amy's older Christmas music, and not a fan of "new" Christmas tunes. BUT, I LOVE IT! It is always at the top of my Christmas playlist.



4. Amy's third Christmas CD (the 4th if you count the "Animals Christmas" collaboration with Art Garfunkel) is by far the weakest of the batch.
   There's little of the festive frolic or energy of the earlier releases and in fact Amy's vocal performance sounds just plain tired and melancholy on many of these songs.
   The project starts off with a pretty good bang with the title song and then it's all downhill from there.
   >The bonus track of "Merry Christmas Darling" is not on this version but it's no great loss. Amy's take on the Carpenters classic contains little of the sparkle or passion of the original.



5. I don't know what other people are looking for in a Christmas CD, but "Christmas To Remember" has been the number one Christmas CD on my list from the day I bought it. Great variety of music. Beautiful vocals. Fun, inspirational, devotional. What more could you ask for? This CD stands on it's own and stands up well against the others. Can't get enough!

5 comments about Christmas With the Vienna Choir Boys/Placido Domingo/Hermann Prey.

1. This recording is a combination of two: "Domingo and the Vienna Boys Choir" and "Hermann Prey and the Vienna Boys Choir," now out of print. I own all three recordings but play this one most. I love the variety of tenor and bass/baratone voices, combined with the boys' voices. All the singers are in top form and the songs are not all the usual trite ones, though there are some familiar titles. Is it possible to have a Vienna Boys Choir Christmas album without "Silent Night?" All in all, this is a wonderful Chrsitmas experience and highly recommended.



2. Nice, didn't know guys could sing that well. Buy this CD, you won't be disappointed.



3. I have purchased and listened to about 15 CD's performed by the Vienna Boys' Choir. I enjoy them all, but this one stands out as my favorite. It is not a collection of traditional Christmas music as you might expect, but one section of Latin mass by Mozart (sung in Latin obviously) and the other is most of a Cantada by Bach (in German). Whoever decided to call this a Christmas CD was apparantly out of his mind, but the music on the CD is wonderful from beginning to end. I especially love the short duet of the two boys harmonizing during the mass, and the longer duet near the end of the CD of the male bass singer and the boy treble. I wish the Vienna Boys' Choir would put out a CD of just duet songs. I give this CD my highest recommedation.



4. Is there any more wonderful music to listen to for the holidays? I think not. Domingo is a soaring foil to the Vienna Boys Choir. If there could be angels on earth, I would imagine this is how they sound. "Der Hirten Lied" the "Shepherd's Song" is the most exquisite for me, but all of this collection is wonderful.
   
   Listen and bring the spirit of the season into your heart.



5. Not your HO HO Ho merrymerry kind of Christmas album. Beautifully performed and recorded; but not what most Americans associate with the season.

3 comments about WCBS-FM 101.1 - The Ultimate Christmas Album, Vol. 2.

1. CBS-FM Program Director Joe McCoy does it again with Ultimate Christmas Album 2-every song is a treat to be enjoyed not only at holiday time but even now, summertime. I found myself putting these albums on during hazy, hot, humid weather to cool off with the air conditioner on. From the opening cut "Little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys to the very last "After New Years Eve" by the Heartbeats you'll be thinking of treelights, candycanes & gift wrapping in no time. Very highly recommended for all collectors of classic Christmas music.



2. This is a must, if only for the regional classic Dominic the Donkey! In fact I haven't found any other compilation Christmas classic CD with that track! If you haven't heard of Dominic the Donkey , then get it just to hear it! If you're Italian (or not!) it really makes you smile! Enjoy!



3. This is an excellent christmas album...The music captures,the holiday spirit,and is sure to please,friends,and family.curl up by the fire and enjoy the music.I own volumes 1 thru 6,and i play these albums every year...This album makes a great holiday gift 5 star rated. "enjoy" stewart l

No comments about Christmas Classics: Redneck Style.

1 comments about Splendor of the High Holidays.

1. This excellent CD of High Holy Days liturgical music is, according to its own liner notes, "somewhat concertized," the goal being to "reflect the profound spiritual journey that takes place in the life of Jews throughout the world during this holy period, and to open this experience, at least on an artistic level, to lovers of music, beauty, and holiness." It should therefore be listened to as if it were a classical concert, rather than actual worship. (This is not a new idea among Jews; in the days before "equal opportunity employment," when Jews were barred from European opera companies, it was not unusual for a gifted cantor to go on tour in the Jewish world, giving concerts of original liturgical music, performed on "secular" days. Such concerts, in turn, gave birth to music which eventually found its way into the regular synagogue services -- as did much of this music.)

   
   The pieces included here come mostly from the Western European (Ashkenazic) tradition, and will be familiar to most Ashkenazic Jews. Much of this music originated in the German Reform movement of the 19th century which, in turn, was strongly influenced by the classical composers. The prominent use of a pipe organ in this concert places it squarely in the "classical Reform" category, i.e., the most "churchlike" of Jewish liturgies. However, I have heard the same tunes sung in synagogues of other denominations, too -- including Orthodox groups that would be absolutely mortified to discover that their "traditional" music is originally Reform! Consider the oh-so-traditional "Kol Nidre" by Louis Lewandowski (included on this CD), who was a Reform composer. It is indeed a tribute to the beauty of this music that it speaks to all kinds of Jews.
   

   
   The concert itself is beautifully performed, with Stacy Lowe as soprano, Russell Ashley as baritone, Mary Jane Newman as organist and choral director, and Lisa Rautenberg on violin. The CD comes with liner notes by Mary Jane Newman, giving a brief history of Jewish music and some background on the the various composers.

5 comments about Let's Share Christmas.

1. I wish I could describe what I like about Pizarelli's voice, but can't find the words. He doesn't have a powerful voice, or a rich voice, or in any other way a very distinctive voice; but it's very pleasant to listen to, and he does some good things with the Christmas tunes on this CD.
   (And don't forget his instrumental guitar work; I've always loved the Leroy Anderson tune "Sleigh Ride" and have numerous recordings. The arrangement on this CD really swings).



2. Others have said it before, but I'll repeat it here: there's nothing particularly special about John Pizzarelli's voice. It's not terribly rich, and it's a little bit nasal. Still, there's something quintessentially New Yorkish (for lack of a better word) about him, and it's awfully appealing. On "Let's Share Christmas," he uses his signature big band sound to create a soundtrack for the holidays that will draw in anyone who ever loved a good martini, a black satin dress, or the glory days of Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.

   Pizzarelli does justice to all the classic tunes here, from a quietly soaring "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to a boppy, swingin' "White Christmas" and beyond. Arranged and conducted by such class acts as Johnny Mandel, Don Sebesky, and Patrick Williams, these are all a treat. A special kick comes from the purely instrumental "Sleigh Ride" as performed here by the John Pizzarelli Trio. While a mellow electric guitar performs most of the work, the piano sparkles in the background and the song is off and running, leaving behind a wake of freshly fallen snow. It's a winner, as are all the songs here. Treat yourself to this for Christmas, have some close friends over, and enjoy a cocktail while decorating the tree--you can't miss with this as your holiday soundtrack!




3. ...this time to set your Christmas heart aflame. Everyone is in good spirits. People want good holiday music. I got tired of Boyz-to-men after a while. I've always enjoyed the peaceful crooning of John Pizzarelli, but this just usurps the cool breeze express. It's like a breath of fresh air. It keeps it simple and puts you in good spirits. Makes me wanna pick up my guitar and play for me lady! Makes me really wich I could play piano, lol. Wonderful holiday music and a breath of something new.



4. "Christmas songs are like old friends. They give you warm and fuzzy feeling." ~ John Pizzarelli ~
   
   With this CD "Let's Share Christmas" by John Pizzarelli, every Christmas celebration will be more special and memorable. This is just the perfect listen this Yuletide Season for your family reunions, get-togethers and parties. Or if you want solitude after a hectic day of Christmas shopping, take a few moments to relax and listen to it while soaking in a warm bath with candlelights and aromatic unguents to revive your holiday spirit.
   
   John Pizzarelli is not only a gifted guitarist and a great singer but also a very creative composer in his own right. The title track, "Let's Share Christmas" is one of his many remarkable original compositions. His charming music not only encompasses the Great American Songbook, but also traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. In this remarkable Christmas CD, he has the backing of some of the most brilliant names in orchestration and arranging: Johnny Mandel, Don Sebesky, Michel Legrand, Dick Lieb, Ralph Burns, Clare Fischer, Patrick Williams, John Clayton and Torrie Zito. And not to mention Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and his long-time partners Ray Kennedy and Martin Pizzarelli.
   
   All the songs are positively charming and delightful from the opener "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" to the perfect ender, "Silent Night." "Santa Claus Is Near" is an original composition by Mr. Pizzarelli. It was written for his then four year old son and arranged by Clare Fischer.
   
   His beguiling interpretations of some of my favorites in this CD have completely pleased my ears and won my heart! And these songs include "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and a beautiful interpretation of a remarkable song by composer/lyricist Frank Loesser "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Johnny Mandel utilized a full orchestra here and his orchestration is, as always, magnificent, par excellence and simply oozing with charms!
   
   "When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
   And the couples we know are fondly kissing
   Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?
   
   Maybe it's much too early in the game
   Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
   What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
   
   Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
   When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
   Welcoming in the New Year's, New Year's Eve?
   
   Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
   I'd ever be the one you chose
   Out of the thousand invitations you received
   
   Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
   Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
   What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?"
   
   With my heartfelt recommendation!
   
   From my heart to yours . . . my greetings for an old-fashioned Christmas filled with love, joy and kindness and a New Year full of blessings, hope and good cheers!



5. This disc, too long out of print, is spectacular. Pizzarelli's personality comes through and the music is festive, fun, and SO WELL DONE.