3 comments about Timeless Christmas.

1. I do not give many reviews because I hate to write, but after listening to DMHO in their Timeless Christmas CD, I feel overwhelmed to spread the Joy you will feel after listening, tapping your feet, and snapping your fingers to this new upbeat renditions of Christmas music. All 13 tracks are excellent and done in their own DMHO style. Here the traditional Jingle Bells, Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Little Drummer Boy, Sleigh Ride, and Joy To The World done in pleasing new versions you never heard before. Little Drummer Boy is more than rum a bum dum, it swings. Like something blusey? Frosty The Bluesman is a horn blowing blue style that gives you feeling good. My favorite track is Jesus Child which starts out on the first note to get you dancing and hand waving and doing the Charleston. Its a little bit Dixie with six minutes of banjo and horns. If you want to hear joyous Christmas music, you will definitely love Timeless Christmas.



2. DMHO is quickly becoming my favorite group. This album has big band/jazzy versions of Christmas standards as well as a few DMHO originals ("Frosty the Bluesman" is a scream). If you ever get to see this group live, it is a fun show. Amazing talent from a young group of guys. Every time I start to play this CD, my 3 year old son dances all over the kitchen. This is not my first Denver CD and it won't be my last!



3. I first saw this group on the Gospel Channel and immediately went to my computer to order the CD - I only wish there was a DVD of the concert. As a 31 year band and choir director and a professional musician for even longer I really appreciate the quality of the arrangements, the performance and the obvious "chemistry" between the band members. You don't find that very often. I'll definitely be watching for more performances.

2 comments about The Little Drummer Boy.

1. My wife remembers this album from her childhood. We bought an LP recording of it shortly after we were married in 1969. When LPs faded from the scene and CDs became the standard medium, we bought a copy in that format. I have given a copy of it as a gift to my secretary. It belongs in the library of all who like tradtional Christmas music.



2. I love this album by Katherine K. Davis! However, there is one song, a medley, missing that was on the album we had in 1966-1969 era - "Pine cones and holly berries," or "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." This one song has stayed with me over the years. The LP album I recall did not identify the singers and conductor and I always wondered who they were. It was simply entitled "The Drummer Boy." That one medley is one of my all time favorites! It was the last song on that album and was a medley of "Pine cones," and briefly "Jingle Bells," then the finale "We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!" It was very Classic and Joyful with clear voices and bass instruments with a minimum of echo! If you love choral music as I do you, this album becomes more endearing over time. I think all Harry Simeone and Katherine K. Davis albums are classic and should each be offered on CD.

2 comments about Home for the Holidays.

1. Schooner Fare has brought us a holiday album for people of every religion. It is an album that speaks of families coming together, winter, and the spirit that touches each of us as we light our Menorah or Christmas tree. Songs like "First Snow" express a peaceful communion with nature. There is a medley of traditional Christmas carols and then a medley of carols from "the old world" including songs in Spanish, French, German, and Hebrew. The guitar on "A'Soalin'/Esa Enai will touch your soul. And, of course, I must note the amazing harmonies that Tom, Steve, and Chuck create on each of their albums. It isn't truly winter (even here in Maine) until I have listened to Home for the Holidays. It's the only holiday album in my catalog and I can't be without it. Sometimes I even play it in the summer!



2. This Maine folk group wouldn't immediately come to mind for holiday music, but their collection, Home for the Holidays, is a treat. Their voices blend beautifully on some unexpected tunes, like Lord of the Dance or Lo How a Rose E're Blooming.
   I highly recommend it.

5 comments about 12 Songs of Christmas.

1. Most of the songs on this album are the same old Christmas carols youÕve heard a million times, but I promise you have never heard them sound quite like this. Etta James has always been a tough, earthy belter with as much soul as Aretha Franklin or Otis Redding. And a brave singer too, willing to let her voice range off into all kinds of moans and groans and astonishing scatting. But as sheÕs gotten older (sheÕs in her sixties now Ñ although youÕd never guess it from the strength of her voice), sheÕs developed a depth and subtlety, a jazz singerÕs phrasing, that makes her unbeatable. Cross Billie Holiday with Janis Joplin and you end up somewhere in the neighborhood of the mature Etta James.

   She brings all those gifts to this Christmas album. She sings every song as if it is coming from the depths of her soul. Her Silent Night brings tears to my eyes. Jingle Bells is one of the happiest and most playful versions IÕve ever heard. And she sings Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in such a sly, sexy way, youÕll never be able to hear the song the same way again ( What DID Santa Claus bring you, girl?).

   And as if Etta James at her best were not enough, she brings along a perfect band, including Cedar Walton, who also accompanied her on Mystery Lady, her Billie Holiday tribute album. Christmas music doesnÕt get much better than this




2. This is for Etta James' real fans, the ones who have listened to her through her career and still want to hear more from her, even realizing that she is past her prime. Her voice still has that warm quality and she still has the style that gives one the feeling that she is singing particularly for the individual listener.

   Of course, this is of the jazz genre. But Etta is so respectful of both the secular and the serious Christmas music. Her opening number, "Christmas Wonderland", is very inviting, and features great work from bass, piano, guitar, and trumpet. This is one of Etta's charms, the way she gives plenty of space to the jazz musicians working with her.

   "Merry Christmas, Baby" is given a properly bluesy interpretation and besides her wonderful interpretation of the song, features solos from Red Halloway on Tenor Saxophone and Cedar Walton on piano.

   She gives lots of spirit to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", helped again by Cedar Walton's piano and also George Bohanon's trombone. This is followed with a transition...possibly the two greatest sentimental secular Christmas songs, before she goes into the more serious "The Little Drummer Boy", and then the traditional carols.

   Her "Silent Night" is indeed very moving and while there's a little improvisation in her performance and performances by Sametto James on Electric Bass and Red Halloway on Tenor Saxophone, there is respectful reverence here.

   The greatest surprise to me, and the song that I needed to listen to several times in order to appreciate the unusual presentation, was her slow paced rendition of "Joy To The World". I like to think that she was expressing an idea to us, that the type of joy experienced during these holidays need not be the wild, loud, hilarious kind, but rather a very deep inner joy which expresses itself in a soulful way. Again, great accompaniment maintaining the quiet yet joyful mood from Cedar Walton's Piano and Red Holloway's tenor sax.

   And then the effective closing cut is "O Holy Night". If you have any appreciation for jazz, I believe you will experience , while listening to this CD, how jazz can be used when in the hands of sincere artists to create a loving Christmas atmosphere.




3. I purchased this album several years ago, but not being much of a "reviewer" it has taken me a bit to write this down.
   Simply said, this album is a pleasure to hear come the holiday season. Always tasteful, the arrangements never come off as "Kenny-G" jazz. This is an album aimed for the traditional jazz fan and probably should be passed over by anyone looking for a "smooth jazz" angle.
   Indeed, the phrasings are classic Etta (although the other reviewers are not incorrect for noting that in her in her 60's Etta is losing her range, but still a wonderful, full-bodied singer.)
   If I was to single a track out, it would be "The Little Drummer Boy." It always seemed odd that the drummers quintessential tune was never given its proper due. While still lacking an all out solo, Etta sings around the drums so as to give it room to explore. The song closes with a wonderful solo which gives way to the finale of two Christmas classics.
   This album will never be considered a Jazz Xmas classic in the way that Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to the Penuts Christmas cartoon. Yet, its essential to note that Etta's goal wasn't to rewrite the rules of Christmas albums. The goal was to take a set of Christmas standards and to give them that classic jazz feel. In this way, Etta passes with without question.
   An excellent Christmas gift for that Jazz fan in your family. What an album. Highly recommended.



4. Etta James is the Queen of Sass... I truly enjoyed this CD this past holiday season... a good one to have in the collection; and to share with family and friends @ the X-mas party!



5. No real surprises on the song choices but a nice addition to my Christmas CDs.

3 comments about The Holly And The Ivy: Christmas Music With Hammered Dulcimer And Singing.

1. The Holly and the Ivy featuring Madeline MacNeil is truly a work of art. For those who have not had the pleasure of hearing Ms. MacNeil's vocal and dulcimer talent, this CD is a must have purchase. It is Heaven's music on earth.



2. I have had the absolute joy of owning this since 1983! (in cassette form, mind you!) and played it until the tape wore thin. To own it in CD form is pleasure indeed. Madeline MacNeil's sweet voice is incomparable! The hammer dulcimer rings with great clarity and purity. Christmas music is intended as holy music and this CD represents the true meaning of Christmas - to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. My humble opinion cannot do justice to the beautiful sounds on this cd. Buy it! Play it!



3. I can't give this marvelous album any greater tribute than to say that this is how I begin Christmas: on Christmas Eve, after all the frantic rush of the day, when darkness has come and before I go to church, I light candles and listen to Madeline MacNeil sing "Of the Father's Love Begotten." For weeks before that, we are all inundated with an aural clutter of holiday sounds and noise. Somehow this beautiful album, with its haunting purity of voice and instrument, and especially this ancient and sacred hymn, clears all that away and brings us back to the joy and holiness of the season. Thank you, Madeline MacNeil!

2 comments about Merry Christmas Everyone.

1. Shakin' Stevens (or Shaky, as he is sometimes known) established an excellent reputation as a rock'n'roll revivalist in the eighties, during which decade he had many big UK hits. Some of these hits were covers of fifties hits - they included Blue Christmas, which made number two in the UK charts. Others were original songs including Merry Christmas everyone, which made it to UK number one in 1987. (Note - never confuse this with Slade's 1973 song, Merry Christmas everybody.) In 1991, with the hits drying up, Shaky was encouraged to record a Christmas album and this was been re-released in 2005 after being out of print for many years and following the success of a new hits compilation released earlier in 2005. So if you've got the original, you won't need this.
   
   Understandably, the two big eighties hits are included although these tracks (unlike the rest of the album) have been frequently re-issued on Christmas compilations down the years and will no doubt appear on many more. If you enjoy those hits, you will surely enjoy the rest of this album. Two old chestnuts are given fresh renditions. I prefer Shaky's version of Silent night (taken slightly faster than normal) to his version of White Christmas, but both are very enjoyable. The other eight songs are all originals though one (I'll be home this Christmas) sounds like it could be a sequel to another old chestnut (I'll be home for Christmas) but in this song, he is finally coming home and not just dreaming about it. There are many other fine songs here beginning and ending with up-tempo rockers. The closing track (So long Christmas) is appropriate, as Shaky looks forward to the New Year.
   
   There have been many revivalist acts down the years and while none of them can ever recapture the spirit of the originals completely, Shaky is among the best rock'n'roll revivalists I've heard, mixing excellent covers with original songs that sound as if they could have been written in the fifties.
   
   If you enjoy fifties rock'n'roll, you ought to enjoy listening to Shakin' Stevens. Give this Christmas album a listen.



2. First I bought Shakin' Stevens CD Collection and gave it 5 stars
   naming him the best R&R revival artist of the past 25 years. Two weeks
   ago I got the Shakin' Stevens DVD collection which holds the 25 songs
   of the cd collection plus some 7 or 8 more songs divided into bonus
   songs and bonus Xmas songs. When I clicked the first Xmas bonus song
   called "The best Xmas of them all" I almost fainted but then jumped up
   because I was watching and listening to the best recorded Rock & Roll
   song ever! The music, the style of singing, the back-up vocals with
   all kinds of doo-wahs, the guitar and piano solos, Shaky's dancing; it
   was the essence of the real good old 50's Rock & Roll with the modern
   surrounding sound techniques. I immediatley searched for the CD this
   song was on and it happened to be a 1991 recording from Shakin Stevens
   which was relaunched last year. I received it yesterday and listend to
   it last night. The tremendous surprise came with all the rest of the 11 songs.
   There are 5 more songs like the mentioned "Best Christmas..."
   plus some wonderful ballads plus his #1 song Merry Xmas everyone plus
   his unbeatable version of Elvis' Blue Christmas plus his bluesy "Merry
   Xmas Pretty Baby" and a totally different approach towards to classic
   standars like White Christmas and Silent Night which are of course
   beautiful tunes but often too dull. Shaky turns them into authentic
   Rock n Roll songs with up tempo versions. The last song of this
   incredible CD "So Long Christmas" is the best ending possible. It sounds
   like Sweet Little Sixteen, not the tune but the style, and is full of
   splendid piano solos. A special mentioning of the back up vocals
   present on all 12 songs and the musicians behind Shakin Stevens. It is
   not Rock and Roll at its best, it is the best Rock and Roll CD available.
   It is dedicated to Christmas but I will listen to it all year long.
   For all of you who dig Rock and Roll, this is a MUST and please get it.
   I know what I am saying, I have been buying Rock and Roll records since the late 50's.

2 comments about Vienna Boys Choir: Carols, Johann Strauss & Pergolesi Stabat Mater.

1. This CD is a recording from the pre World War two era.It covers a wide range of music. I think it is one that You will really enjoy. I really thought the Vienna Boys Choir did a great job on the song 'Tales From the Vienna Woods'.



2. This is a CD made from a very old recording . . . possibly in the early 50's . . . but it was exactly what I have been trying to find for several years. It features carols I remember from my childhood and is, I believe, from a set of records my family had. I was thrilled to finally find a CD of this set of records that can no longer be played.

1 comments about The Hits: Chapter One.

1. A Great compilation by BSB. This edition is SO MUCH better than the US one because this one has like a million new remixes & a few new songs + a major enhanced video section. But the worst thing is that some of their songs are really cheesy. Those songs shouldnt have been in this CD in the first place...! Well - Great Cd and buy this one instead of the US one cause this is so much better!

1 comments about World's Greatest Christmas Polka Party.

1. The full title of this CD is "The World's Greatest Instrumental Christmas Polka Party". It is a prayer answered for those of us who wanted Joey Miskulin to step in where Frankie Yankovic left off when the latter died in 1998. It combines Joey's light, airy accordion with another instrument, the solovox, which until now had been exclusively Yankovic's among polka artists. The solovox, which sounds halfway between a mellow accordion and an electronic organ, makes its first appearance 30 seconds into the first track -- and what a welcome sound! On the third track, Miskulin harks back to the days of Whoopee John Wilfahrt and the Six Fat Dutchmen by including, of all things, a schottische. This CD can be played any time of the year, not just at Christmas. May there be many more!

5 comments about The Soul of Christmas: A Celtic Music Celebration.

1. The music CD has an unpretentious, at times unpolished feel to it that's refreshing in the sea of over-produced Christmas albums.

   My one disappointment is that the breathtaking voice of Mary Fahl, late of October Project, is heard only on one cut, and a short one at that. I wish she had contributed more.




2. This is a simple yet beautiful piece of work and the television special was even better. However, I'm disappointed that Iris DeMent was cut from the CD. She was a special guest on the PBS special and sang "The Cherry Tree Carol" which was beautiful.
   
   I'm ready for a updated CD.



3. This is my all - time favorite Christmas CD. It definately does not get lost in the crowd. The music is unique, it evokes a deep sweet feeling of the magic of the season.
   
   For further information: I also like Raffi's Christmas album. This is not at all simular but Raffi could get lost in the crowd. You just want to sing along.



4. I love this music. It is the first CD I play. It has such different and unique Christmas music, very meloncholy. No jingle bell junk.



5. This is my favorite Christmas video ever. I taped it the night it aired. I am extremely disappointed that Iris Dement's "Cherry Tree Carol" is not on this cut. I had never heard of this carol before I heard her sing it and it was so beautiful! Noone else comes close to singing it like her. I will have to try and transfer it to DVD cause mine is getting worn out.
   The rest of the songs are beautiful and unique versions.