2 comments about Celtic Ladies Christmas.

1. The Celtic Ladies have once again shown that their voices and musicality are well above the average. This wonderful tin-boxed set of 35 Christmas songs is something that I can have playing in the background without getting irritated, unlike many mass-market Christmas music collections.
   
   
   Now, you may wonder why I said 35 songs when the box and the CDs all say 12 per CD, 3 CDs. (Should be 36, you say?) Well, much to my displeasure, the last track on the 3rd CD is actually a repeat! It was not supposed to be. It is listed as "Go Tell It On The Mountain" - a wonderful and uplifting song. However, it seems to b a repeat of track 7 from the first CD: "O Holy Night" - also very nicely done but when you go in thinking you will get "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "O Holy Night" comes as a bit of a shock.
   
   
   However, even with this missing track (or mistake in mastering) - this boxed set is very much worth having in my music collection. And it lets me play holiday music for the family without wanting to stuff my ears with cotton balls.



2. This CD is 29 minutes and 44 seconds long. It is mainly three female Irish singers (Sarah Moore, Michelle Amato, and Michelle Lindahl) singing Christmas songs. Sara and Michelle A., sing the majority of the songs. Michelle L., sings only last two. Overall it is a nice CD to listen to. I would recommend Celtic Ladies Christmas to anyone. Irish or not.

2 comments about Celtic Christmas.

1. Let me preface this review by saying that when I went to Amazon.com to search for this particular album, I had no idea I would run in to roughly eighty different Celtic Christmas search returns! Having not heard the other eighty, I can't hold this one against any others as "better" or "best", I can only give my thoughts on this particular album itself.

   I only recently discovered some of the Celtic field to be of interest after listening to the soundtrack for the movie Lord of the Rings. When a sibling of mine was given this music CD as an early Christmas present, I sat down for a good listen.

   This CD plays most of your favorite Christmas songs, but of course with a Celtic flair. From the songs you know like Away in a Manger and Auld Land Syne, to a few extra obscure ones that you may not know, like "Coleraine's Jig" and "Cannaught Man's Rambles". The CD is a great little seasoning you can use to spice up the humdrum holiday music in that old CD rack. The lovely little Irish/Celtic jilt just might be enough to make you dance a jig!

   If you've got a bit of the Scotsman in ye, or if you just happen to be hosting a Hobbit Head party for the holidays, this is the CD you should buy.




2. JUST AS GOOD AS IT'S PARTNER "A CELTIC CHRISTMAS STORY" BY DAN GIBSON, BOTH BY THE SAME LABEL.

5 comments about Alligator Stomp, Vol. 4: Cajun Christmas.

1. This is a MUST for anyone who can get a little cranky around the holidays from stress. I haven't played it for anyone whose feet and hands could remain still as they listened. This will be a "first grab" out of my CD collection for many years to come.



2. Wow! If you want Christmas music that will lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, get this CD! Upbeat Cajun arrangements of standards such as "Joy to the World" sit alongside similar arrangements of contemporary classics such as "Jingle Bell Rock". Then, add a few originals, most notably "Christmas Bayou" (which is like a Cajun "Home for the Holidays" with its vivid imagery of home and family, except it's much more upbeat) and you've got a musical Christmas gumbo! If Christmas music sung in French and backed by an accordian doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, think again! If you like Cajun music, and if you love Christmas, then this will probably become one of your favorite CDs!



3. This CD features Cajun musicians performing Christmas songs. About half the songs are instrumentals, with the other half being sung in either English or Cajun French. This is happy, fun music, featuring an emphasis on accordions and fiddles. All the music here is great. My personal favorite is Belton Richard's "Please Come Home For Christmas", sung in Cajun French, which is the best version of that song that I have ever heard. This CD is sure to make any Christmas party swing.



4. Great buy!!! One of two hard to find items. This fun CD bought back lots of memories of fun Christmases with family and friends back in the Bayou Country of Louisiana.



5. Let me add my 5-star rating to this album. I lived in New Orleans as a child and young adult and was charmed by Cajun music. My favorites on this album are Christmas Bayou, It's Christmastime in Louisiana, and Blue Christmas. It ranks in my Top Ten of all-time favorite Christmas albums.

2 comments about Wind Machine Christmas.

1. I was waiting for a plane to arrive in our jet center in Colorado Springs and heard this soft continuous familiar Christmas music playing somewhere. It was so peaceful to hear, and unique. I asked the Flight Coordinator who it was; she said Wind Machine out of Colorado, near Boulder, and then told me other CD's of theirs and that I should be able to find them at Amazon or a store in Col Spgs. She said also that they tour. Great background music for a waiting area or a party and the kind of sound that makes you ask who is that artist and what CD.



2. Our whole family enjoys Wind Machine Christmas music. It sets the tone for reflecting on the true meaning of the season. We have the other two Christmas offerings from Wind Machine but this one has become my favorite. Tasteful arrangements and beautiful instrumentation ... this is not just your typical seasonal fare ... the choice of Amazing Grace as the closer is particularly pleasing ... never thought of this as a Christmas song, but in reality, it is the essence of Christmas ... God's Amazing Grace demonstrated through Christ our Saviour!

   I definitely recommend adding this one to your holiday music.

No comments about Sleigh Ride.

2 comments about The Come Let Us Adore Him: A Christmas Worship Experience.

1. Please buy this new christmas worship album. This CD is a great mix of contemporary and traditional Christmas music. The whole CD never lets us forget the "Christ" in Christmas. I especially love Joy William's gorgeous "Here With Us." Also spectacular is Bebo Norman's, "Mary's Prayer." Please just take my word. This is a CD you will enjoy every year at this most blessed time in the winter season. I challenge every one of you who reads this review. Take a chance. You and your soul will not be dissappointed. You will find yourself lifting your hands to Jesus and praising His Holy name. Grace and Peace to you and your families.



2. This is definitely good and inspired music, especially for all those who haven't yet purchased the City on a Hill series. I already own the 4 City on a Hill cd's that I also highly recommend to everybody. That's why I only gave 3 stars to this album as it's been released in the same musical genre and theme as the previous "Steve Lindalong" productions. There are few top songs on this album that defo grab me a lot: "Holy holy" (Bebo Norman), "Messiah has come" (Cindy Morgan) and the songs performed by Caedmon's call talented members ("silver starlight", for ex). To my opinion, this isn't music you could just listen to while worried and busy doin' other things. You need to stop, sit down and medidate while savoring each word of it. It is that kind of music that has been challenging my faith and led me to a deeper and honest communion with the Lord. Wether you just listen to a Christian cd wether you chose to join the artists and adore Him through their inspired songs...

No comments about Garage Band Christmas - Volume 1.

1 comments about Handel: The Great "Messiah" Choruses.

1. If you like Handel's Messiah but get bored with the solo's then this is the CD for you. Handel's Messiah has been around for many years, with different versions. I like this CD because the collection of the most famous and beloved chorus' are found here without having to hear all the solo's which are usually included on the other CD's that I have found. The chorus' are the best known and those that I look forward to hearing at Christmas. The quality of the rrecording is excellent and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir does a great job at what they do best.

5 comments about Sentimental Christmas.

1. I hesitate to even give this album one star. It was among the worst Christmas albums I have ever listened to. Big Band-Jazz was just a poor choice on Troccoli's part. She simply does not have the voice for the Big Band-Jazz style. I had a very hard time forcing myself to listen through this album. Her choice to jazz up her medley of Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem/Away In A Manger was at best in poor taste. Traditional hymns such as these should not be toyed with. Yet, she toyed just the same. The best track on this album was Only Always written by Troccoli. It had more of a warm blues sound and was at least the most tolerable of all tracks on the album. I know that this album was a pet project of Kathy's, yet I just hope that she does not repeat this pet in the future. Though the album was a real stinker, her live presentations of it were very nice. So perhaps one star is appropriate for this album after all, based on Troccoli's live performance of Sentimental Christmas. So, to sum up this review-taboos on purchasing this album, just catch it live next Christmas.



2. After having this recording for a few years now, I can safely say that Kathy Troccoli is an artist who not only Loves God, she also Likes Christmas!
   Go get this album ,you will enjoy it for many years to come!



3. I like Kathy and I've enjoyed her work over the years. So I was excited to find her first and only Christmas album a few years ago. But I have to admit that I was disappointed. I was expecting the soulful R&B style that I'd enjoyed on her other albums. Instead, we get a big band-style offering that seems to be in complete opposition to Kathy's warm and distinctive voice. The arrangements are typical of the sort of thing you might hear at your standard karaoke joint. They add nothing to the seasonal feeling usually evoked by these songs. And Kathy's voice is overpowering and too contrasted with the arrangements. A great singer can save a weak arrangement. But even Kathy can't overcome the odds with this album... which is really too bad. Her fans deserve better.



4. First of all....I've been a fan of Troccoli's for many years, from the first time that I heard her featured as a back-up singer in early Amy Grant concerts. It's no surprise that, after her disappearance from the recording scene for a number of years, that she came back and experienced a measure of pop stardom. Sometimes her rich and throaty delivery goes a little overboard....but sometimes she hits it right on the money with songs that are perfect for her voice. But I keep buying Troccoli's c.d.'s because, first and foremost, she is a true artist/musician. She actually surpasses any vocal limitations by combining them with an impeccable ear and sense of timing. I've appreciated her amazing phrasing and ability to sell her strengths so much over the years that I'm always curious to see what she'll do next. And this amazing Christmas project was no exception. Despite the naysayers on Amazon who "pooh-poohed" her recording a "big-band" style Christmas project, this is an immensely enjoyable, classy and ultra-produced c.d. that is one of my all-time favorite Christmas projects. Her take on some traditional carols and Christmas classics is always tastefully done and she jazzes up some songs that lesser artists would've ruined by such treatment. She exceeds our expectations by never "overdoing". Just when I thought that I couldn't bear to hear another tired "new" rendition of songs like "White Christmas", "The Christmas Song", etc.....Troccoli comes along and gives us these sumptuously-orchestrated jazzy gems. The one original song "Only Always" is extraordinarily beautiful and worth the price of the c.d. Troccoli squeezes every bit of meaning out of these beloved songs and uses her husky alto to bring out every nuance. I've heard that Kathy is a huge fan of my all-time favorite singer (Karen Carpenter) and I actually believe that she may have picked up some of her wonderful phrasing from Karen. The majority of todays superstar pop females know very little to nothing of such technique. Troccoli has not only recorded a gem of a Christmas c.d.....she's put her heart into this recording. And I am definitely grateful.



5. I just listened to this CD today and it is truly unlike any other Christmas CD I have experienced. Jazzy, upbeat, fun and romantic, this Cd does not become grating after multiple listens. Kathy's re-interpretation of the classics breathes new life into them and makes them a new treat instead of "yet another version" of a familiar song. Great job Kathy!!!!

5 comments about A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra.

1. I first heard Frank Sinatra's version of "Jingle Bells" on a local radio station, and just had to have this cd for the holiday.I not only liked "I love those j-i-n-g-l-e bells" but "Mistletoe And Holly".An enjoyable cd.



2. Great addition to CD collection. If you like Sinatra, then this is a must for your Christmas music listening.



3. I purchased the vinyl version of this Sinatra Christmas album 25 years ago when I was newly married. It became one of our favorite holiday albums. This year I finally got around to ordering the CD. The album's appeal is endless-my college age girls are fans too and enjoy listening to Ol Blue Eye's interpretation. I highly recommend this album for anyone who loves good holiday music, Sinatra or remembering an easier time.



4. If you like Sinatra's classic style and enjoy the fun of Christmas songs, this recording is a slam-dunk for your collection.



5. Received my Christmas CD in lightening speed! Will definitely do business again! Love this Frank Sinatra CD!