2 comments about Christmas Grass Too.

1. Playing Time - 40:09 -- Christmas Grass Volume 2 is a sequel to the very nice acoustic, mostly instrumental bluegrass Christmas album which was released in October, 2002 by Koch Records. Volume 2 continues the holiday presentation with good song selection, this time emphasizing vocal numbers from Dolly Parton, Ronnie Bowman, Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, Darrin Vincent/Jamie Dailey, Russell Moore, The Larkins, Bobby Osborne, Charlie Daniels, and Sonya Isaacs. Instrumental renditions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" round out the set.
   
   Despite an all-star list of musicians, there is no grandstanding on this CD. All 40 minutes are tastefully-rendered arrangements of both the old and familiar, as well as the new and enchanting. Especially nice in the latter category are Bowman singing "Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho" and Rhonda Vincent's heartfelt rendition of "Tennessee Christmas." Another favorite is "O Christmas Candle," a Tom T. and Iris Hall composition rendered by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. A contemporary "Christmas in Dixie" sung by The Larkins is a well-wrought addition to every family's holiday music. Sonya and Ben Isaacs have become defining voices of their time, and "Mary, Did You Know?" illustrates their engaging and breathtaking vocal abilities.
   
   The uncluttered arrangements breathe freely, and just the right instrumental melodic fills are added. They are just as lyrical and fluid as they need to be without any unnecessary tricks. As it should be with Christmas music, the songs bounce along at slower to moderate paces without any racing performances. The vocals, and their inherent messages, are emphasized.
   
   Many of the cuts include a core of musicians -- Darrin Vincent (bass), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Randy Kohrs (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle) and Jim Mills or Charlie Cushman (banjo). With the exception of Vincent, the core musicians are different than the bunch appearing on Christmas Grass Volume One. Both volumes open with Tex Logan's standard, "Christmas Time's A Comin'." Christmas Grass Volume Two is a better balanced project than Volume One because of its emphasis on vocals with a few instrumentals also. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)



2. I bought this CD specifically for "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" and was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the songs as well. Nice addition to my Christmas collection!

No comments about Feliz Navidad: Christmas in Cuba.

5 comments about Christmas with the Vandals: Oi to the World!.

1. This may not be the ideal album for the entire family sitting around the fireplace on Christmas Eve, but it's still a Christmas classic. "My Frst X-mas (as a Woman)" and "Christmas Time for My [...]" are sweetly melodic and and the lyrics are hilarious. "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" is a little more hardcore but the theme from The Nutcracker is cleverly woven into the electric guitar insanity. There is something here for people of all sorts of musical tastes, and it makes an excellent offbeat gift for people other than your grandparents.



2. I think every genre of music with the possible exception of death metal has its christmas albums. The Vandals's Oi to the World! is hardly original, there have been punk Christmas compilations since the late 70s, but this one is one of the better punk takes on Christmas. Each song rings with juvenille humour and sardonic holiday cheer.
   
   Not every song is a Christmas classic, but some that really shine are "Gun for Christmas" and "My First Christmas as a Woman." Those two songs have concepts that carry them through whatever troubles they might have had. Hell, just saying the words "gun for christmas" will get a chuckle out of many people. "Christmastime for My Penis" is an ode to the organ that has kept our specie alive for the past few million years (even the femenists need to thank it a little).
   
   Some of the songs are medioce, "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S" comes to mind right off the bat, but overall, this album is one of the more memborable Christmas albums ever made. OI to the world and everybody wins.



3. Let's be honest for a change. I know that this is Amazon.com and not a music publication, and people only review albums they are totally in love with, but can we dispense with piling on of praise for one of many generally mediocre potential purchases out there? Can writing a review really help if all we do is go ape for any trivial POS out there? 5 stars?!!? That sort of review is for LANDMARK music releases, things like Double Nickels on the Dime, Sgt. Pepper's, Thriller, whatever genre. But The Vandals' Christmas getting 5 stars? Be honest. No way. And this from someone who genuinely enjoys the Vandals. The album is goofy/fun with the occasionally mordant social criticism, but it's nothing to loose sleep over. "Oi! To the World" is my favorite track here, and even it is more than a little dopey, in terms of lyrics. I could make some of my preceding statements about almost anything reviewed out there, but somewhere someone has to say something. A 5 star review would imply that the album is a must-buy. A 5 star review for an album like this makes me wanna go down and start running off copies of the deed to the Brooklyn Bridge.



4. This is a good example of a great 90's punk album. It's Christmas music fused with different styles of punk. Every song is different. It's kind of like the white album of Xmas punk. A Gun For X-mas and Thanks For Nothing are hardcore songs. Oi to the World! is Oi punk. Here I am Lord is a catchy, vocally tedious cover done Ska and I Don't Believe in Santa Claus could've come from an 80's Anarcho band. It's not a serious album by any means. I mean, there's a song called Christmas time for my penis. Still, Oi to the World! has some genius in it.



5. Add this to your collection of music. Christmas can not be the same without it. My holiday tradition is to play "Oi to the World" and "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" every year. The cd is a creative, hilarious work of art...I can see why it is so expensive. I never knew I was harboring a punk collectors item...I just got it in 2001 when it came out! Don't hate me :)

4 comments about Christmas in My Heart.

1. Let me start off by saying I'm surprised I'd never bought anything by Sarah Connor before. I mean I've heard the song Bounce, but for some reason I wasn't overly impressed. I'm actually re-evaluating my decision and may possibly look into her other works. Having said that, I am not as impressed by this CD.
   
   True Sarah actually has an amazing singing voice, but what really bothered me about this particular album was that fact that the newer Christmas songs didn't sound like well a Christmas song. I realize most pop groups these days want to branch out and add a new spin to the classics but in Sarah's case that was a bad thing to do!
   
   Like I said before she has an amazing voice, and some of the songs could have really stood out if the musical arrangement in the background was more holiday oriented instead of sounding like an ordinary pop song.
   
   Overall, here is my break down of the CD!
   
   1) A Ride in the Snow - 5/5 I actually enjoyed this song. This is probably the only non-Christmas sounding song that I enjoyed.
   
   2) A Christmas Song - 2/5 - This is a prime example how she should have just left well enough alone. With her voice I would have made this song as traditional as possible!
   
   3) Why Does It Rain - 1/5 - I didn't much care for this song so to be honest I skipped it!
   
   4) Tonights the Night - 1/5 - Her vocals are amazing on this particular song and the music is very holiday geared but some of the lyrics don't quite match for me! I can't explain it but it seems she has this issue on most of the newer songs. They start out with good intentions and it fails.
   
   5) Ave Maria - 5/5 - This is quite possibly one of my favorite songs on the entire CD. She did an oustanding job on this song! I was extremely impressed!
   
   6) A New Kindom - 5/5 - Again this is an amzing! I loved and I do mean loved this song! She approaches it with such a delicate voice then it grows!
   
   7) Come Together - 2/5 - I didn't care for this song either mainly because I wasn't feeling the background music!
   
   8) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - 5/5 - Possibly one of the best renditions and I will be adding this one to a mixed CD!
   
   9) Christmas In My Heart - 4/5 - Another song about being lonley on Christmas but I did like it. Too much pop for Christmas but it's still a beautiful song!
   
   10) Be Thankful - 3.5/5 - I thought this was a good song but it could easily be mistaken for a pop song not a Christmas song
   
   11) White Christmas - 5/5 - Wonderful vocals again on this song and her version is by far my favorite of any of them!
   
   12) Sweet Song - 3.5/5 - This song is traditional and her vocals are good!
   
   Overall you can see that half of these songs are amazing and the other half don't really stand out! I think this could be one of those albums that grows on you with time. If you are modern then you will enjoy this album, but if you really enjoy tradition might I recommend Mariah Carey's Christmas Album!



2. cracking music sarah has a fantastic voice.message to all brits this lady knocks the spots of all american "stars"eg maria carey.this is a christmas album but please check out naughty but nice.true genius.



3. I love Sarah Connor. Her vocals are gorgeous and her songs catchy and naughty: just the way they should be (though she has tamed in recent years.) As of now shes underrated in the US ('Oh that Bounce girl') but Im sure she'll be back. For now we have her latest German Release 'Christmas in my Heart' a collection of what some people dont realize but traditional Xmas songs, 'Usually in German' Xmas songs, and 'New' Xmas songs. Each version has its own rendition in a new way which most artists are too lazy to do...but not Sarah.
   
   Christmas in My Heart kicks off with the most gorgeous version of 'Ave Maria' ever. First in what I believe is Italian (I may be wrong, if not its Spanish then) and then in English. One of the best songs overall on the album and just plain impressive vocally and musically.
   
   Next up is the title track which is an original. Sappy and sadly longing like most new Xmas tunes. Good stuff though. It has more 'substance' to it then most newer tunes.
   
   'Be Thankful' is I BELIEVE BUT AM NOT SURE an English version of a German classic. Whatever it is its right up there with Ave Maria and could be a 'Non Xmas' tune. Very gorgeous. Sarah does her thing doing jazzier rendeitions of White Christmas and Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
   
   A Ride in the snow, Come together are a little duller but not bad or too Xmas-y'. 'Why does it rain' is okay but better then the above mentioned.
   
   For the Xmas purist Sarah's Jazzier and piano songs 'Sweet is the song' (one of the best on the album), 'The Christmas song' (again gorgeous), 'Tonight's the night' (very baptist sounding), and 'A new Kingdom' will do be their favorites. Xmas music is definitly a genre for an artist to show their talent in its full blazing glory...Sarah has no problem doing that what so ever.
   
   Over all even though I am very morally and musically (LOL well morally in the sense it drives me batty) opposed to Xmas music I do love 'Christmas in my heart' and can appreciate all the brilliant music on it. If you've never heard of Sarah but want a good Xmas CD you might be able to stand check 'Christmas in my heart' out.



4. Sarah Connor has an incredible voice. Too bad the US market has not embraced her talent and played her songs on the radio more. I bought the CD because of the song "Christmas in my Heart" and played it over and over around Christmas time. All the other songs on the CD are just as good as any other Christmas song they play on mainstream radio. "Christmas in my Heart" is my favorite song because I dedicated it to my husband who is/was in Iraq at Christmas and it had a special meaning to both of us. Anywone who wants a different kind of Christmas CD should buy this one! Enjoy!!!

4 comments about Greatest Country Christmas Hits.

1. WOW,It's official the songs in this collection (as stated on the inner liner notes)were selected by the World's Number One chart researcher Joel Whitburn,of Menomonee Falls,WI. Local boy makes good,or at least documents the achievements of those artists that hit the charts well. Dose that make this disc a must have? NO NO NO not to my ear. I'm thankful todays country has evolved greatly from its' roots back in the 40's & 50's. But what makes this record kind'a intresting is the historical significance of such songs as,Blue Christmas,Jingle Bell Rock,White Christmas,The Little Drummer Boy ,I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,and Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy---and the artists credited with charting them first. How many times have we all heard a cover of these classics ? Way to many for me.Still the simplicity,senceriy,and sweetness of these seasonal selections is somtimes just serendipitous today.Tracks 4,7,and 10 are worthy of inclusion upon a merry modern mix.***buyit\savesome\sharelittle\sellitusedifyoucan***Post Script:What are The Buckaroos banging upon to make that cool sound before there was techno ?



2. A fab collection of some not-often-heard gems from the country music wayback machine. I docked the collection one star for the inclusion of the much over-comped "Jingle Bell Rock" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", for several reasons: 1. Sure, they hit the "country" charts but they were much bigger "pop" hits, 2. Both are available on the Rhino "Billboard Pop Xmas Hits" series, "ISMKSC" on "1935-54" and "JBR" on "55-present" (as well as 20 billion other compilation CDs). It's redundant for folks who might want to buy all 3 of those discs. I'd rather they put on something by Dolly Parton, Alabama, you get the point.

   That said, this is well worth acquiring. "Little Sandy Sleighfoot" is kind of hokey but grew on me, and the rest of the tracks are ace, especially "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" by Buck Owens.




3. This CD features Christmas songs that made it onto Billboard's Country chart. There are some good songs here that you don't find on CD too often. The original version of "Blue Christmas" by Ernest Tubb is almost worth the price of the CD by itself. There are some other great songs by the likes of Tex Ritter, Eddy Arnold and Buck Owens. Then again, "Jingle Bell Rock", great as it is, has been on about a million CDs already and isn't really a country song. It's also shocking that the King of Country Christmas Music, Gene Autry, is not represented here at all. It's still a good CD at a low price and it's worth purchasing.



4. This is one a series of "budget" releases covering various aspects of Christmas to be released over the years by Rhino/Wea in conjunction with Billboard, all with 10-tracks each and liner notes in the form of track-by-track comments. Sound quality is generally good to excellent. All have "Billboard" as part of the title.
   
   Some others are: Family Christmas Classics; Top Christmas Hymns; R&B Christmas Hits; Rock & Roll Christmas; Greatest Christmas Hits (1935-1954); and Greatest Christmas Hits (1955-Present). Some of the foregoing are also offered in 4-pack and 5-pack editions. In essence, these are the one you have to have if you want to recapture the delightful seasonal sounds of your childhood (assuming you're old enough to recall the periods covered).
   
   This one gives you the original Blue Christmas by Ernest Tubb, a # 1 Country & # 23 Pop hit in 1949 b/w White Christmas, which also hit # 7 Country. Eddy Arnold's heart-tugging Will Santy Come To Shanty Town (# 5 Country) b/w C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S (# 7 Country) are also here, as is Tex Ritter's Christmas Carols By The Old Corral, a # 2 Country in 1945.
   
   A real hard-to-find from 1957 is Jimmy Dean's Little Sandy Sleighfoot (# 32 Billboard Pop Top 100), while you also get staples like Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms (# 6 Top 100/# 13 Country also in 1957), Jimmy Boyd's I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (# 1 pop/# 7 Country in 1952), and the Johnny Cash 1959 version of The Little Drummer Boy (# 24 Country). Topping it off is the delightful Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy, a # 2 on the Billboard Christmas charts back in 1965 for Buck Owens (and a # 18 again in 1967).
   
   Loads and loads of fun and memories.

1 comments about Another Direction.

1. I have heard the Cyrus Chestnut Trio in concert and you would not believe the sounds that they can evoke from their instruments! Not only the speed is amazing but the quality of sound is flawless! The whole audience was enthralled the entire evening and called the trio back onto the stage for an encore that was followed by a rich and enthusiastic applause. This CD is nothing less than another fabulous album that demonstrates (once again) the ingenuity, style, and talent of the Cyrus Chestnut Trio!

No comments about Christmas Cookies: Jazz Treats for the Holidays.

2 comments about It's a Wonderful Life: Sax at the Movies for Christmas.

1. They play cuts from this cd on my DISHNETWORKS Satellite dish on the Holiday Music Channel. Every cut is great for background music at a party or playing it while wrapping paper and decorating the tree. Highly recommended!!



2. Imagine your favorite holiday music played with a gentle, sophisticated jazz feel that brings to it the joy and sensuous emotion that makes jazz the ultimate "mood music". This cd is the soundtrack for that kind of Christmas. Nan Mishkin is one of music's most accomplished arrangers (Grammy nomination for a Sinatra arrangement, composer for TV and movies), and she is a master at multi-layered, sophisticated emotion. She has arranged the acclaimed "Jazz at the Movies" series (if you can still get them!) and has arranged this subtle mood masterpiece. This melodic jazz captures the happiness, optimism and humanity of the best of what is Christmas. I've been playing and reviewing music on the air since 1976, and I recommend this as THE jazz CD for you and your friends. This is Dom Perignon for your ears.

3 comments about Oy Chanukah!.

1. This tape was a Chanukah gift (what else?) from my sister some years ago, and has livened our Chanukah parties every year since. There is nothing better than eating latkes and playing dreidel than eating latkes, playing dreidel and letting the soulful klezmer clarinets wind their way into your heart.

   The tape includes a beautiful rendition of the Chanukah blessings, with a grandfather and grandson singing together. Between musical cuts, you will also hear a few stories of Chanukah in Eastern Europe, before the War--about lighting candles, making latkes, and celebrating in the shtetls. By now the elderly story-tellers may be gone, making these cuts the more important.

   Some music, like Chanukah, Chanukah, is quite traditional. But you will also be treated to the chants of Chasidim, and the stories and songs of the Chanukah heroes and heronies.

   When the stories and blessings are done, ask your children to put on their dancing shoes. You will love the Conservatory Band's special holiday tape. Alyssa A. Lappen




2. Oy Chanukah! is heard throughout our home before Thanksgiving and continues for a month. It is filled with joyful celebratory music, wonderful stories and thrilling Klezmer. Anyone wishing to relive the story of Chanukah as well as learn how it was celebrated in the shtetels of Europe will enjoy this tape. It is a great gift for a child as well as an adult. I am thrilled from hearing the first Klezmer notes to the last moving poem.



3. this recording is a ball to listen to with kids. It's got lots of lively kletzmer music and good hannukah stories. Kids will get up and dance (guaranteed).

No comments about John Rutter: The Choral Collection.