3 comments about Marilyn Horne: The Men in My Life.

1. Short and NOT Sweet!
   
   In case you're wondering why this is only going for $2. for new copies from secondary dealers, is because it wasn't worth the $16.00 it originally was priced at! What a SHOCK when I got this home from the store and put it in my machine!
   
   I gave it away in a grab bag at work!
   
   All I can say is: "Miss Horne, I am so sorry that you allowed this to be released...it's worse than the stuff that Callas/Di Stefano did at the end."



2. First, look at the collection of artists on one disc! Then, feast your ears on their versatility and how much pure, unadulterated FUN the singers are having. If you're looking for Marilyn Horne to display her Rossini/Handelian voice, forget it. If, however, you want to be entertained by some of the world's best singers, who are simply having fun with classic American songs, then your ears will be eternally grateful. Ms. Horne proves on this CD that she can really do it all. Of special mention, we hear the hauntingly lovely voice of Jerry Hadley, who left us far too soon. What a delight to have this in my collection. This is NOT for musical snobs! Listen and enjoy.



3. I'm a fan of Marilyn Horne, but this recording was truly a mistake. These songs are *so* overdone anyway, they really ought to be shelved for the next 50 years. But on top of that, Ms. Horne is rarely in tune here, and if you add to that Thomas Hampson and Jerry Hadley, you won't be able to fast forward through it fast enough. Kudos to Spiro Malas, who manages to come off unscathed. When you've got Marilyn Horne (in her repertoire), you don't need any of these beasts.

4 comments about A Gene Autry Christmas.

1. All of the best Christmas memories come back when I hear these songs again.



2. This collection of Christmas songs contains some genuine classics: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (which Autry introduced), as well as "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Santa, Santa, Santa" (both co-written by Autry). (Conspicuously missing is "Santa's Comin' in a Whirlybird," a bouncy children's favorite guaranteed to drill a hole in your head. It's on other Autry Christmas compilations, so its absence from this one is a bit of a mystery.)
   Autry's greatest strength as a singer is that he never succumbs to easy cynicism; regardless of his vocal shortcomings (or perhaps because of them), he always sounds sincere. His paeans to Santa Claus are informed by a casual, unforced belief in the spirit of Christmas. The best tracks feature gentle, casually sophisticated Western-swing arrangements that should delight children and parents.
   Unfortunately, this particular album has more than its share of duds. By and large, the worst songs on this compliation also have overproduced arrangements. The duets with Rosemary Clooney (except for "The Night Before Christmas Song," which is a little gem) are mostly busts, as are the songs with cutesy, childish lyrics ("Where Did My Snowman Go," "If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas"). To be fair, Autry delivers these songs as well as anyone could, but the question remains: Why did they have to be included here?
   Three stars.



3. This is the best Christmas cd by Gene Autry. I would like to find this one for gifts.But I have mine thank goodness.



4. This CD was eclipsed in 2004 by Varese Sarabande's "Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings." 27 tracks, well mastered, fully annotated.

4 comments about Christmas Favorites.

1. My wife remembered this album from when she was a kid. So I ordered it for her. The album is an import from Japan so much of the writing is in Japanese. But the songs themselves and much of the text inside are in English.
   
   We had to risk it since Amazon didnt know if it's in English. Wanted to make sure future purchasers know that it's in English.



2. I too remembered this Record from when I was a child. But the song list is NOT the same as my original record. The artwork and CD are great to look at, but all in all, it's not what I was expecting.



3. I absolutley love this CD! But beware of the title, and picture on the CD cover! The 7 songs are NOT sung by the Disney Characters like Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto. There is only 1 song of this 7 song CD that features Disney characters singing, and that is Song 5 (Chipmunk Song. As the title suggests, it is sung by Chip and Dale, with a breif appearance from Donald who interupts them!! So if you are hoping for Disney Characters singing these songs, look elsewhere. Unless you want to buy it for the only Disney related song sung by Chip and Dale!
   
   I wish I could read Japanese, because that is what the print is in, except for the title of the songs!
   
   As for the songs, they are sung I think by the same person who sings on The Disney Children's Classics albums 1-4. That is Larry Groce. Wow, this guy is so relaxing, soothing, and just plain awesome. He is sort of John Denver-ish or children's singer-songwriter Red Grammer.
   
   If you have heard Red Grammer's music, then you might like this guy, sort of has that quality. If you like John Denver, Larry Groce sounds very similar!
   
   A superb chorus sings "Do You Hear What I Hear?". They are called the Mike Sammes Singers.
   
   I had the tape of this thing years ago when I was a child, but as a previous reviewer said, the song listing is different. I desperately missed that tape, so I looked for it on here, and I cannot believe my luck!
   
   This CD has inspired me to get the Disney Children's Classics CD's! All 4 Volumes! I also plan to look for more CD's by the Mike Sammes Singers...
   
   All in all, don't be fooled by the cover of this CD! This is a 7 song album of superb Christmas tunes that is fitting for the Holidays sung by Larry Groce.
   
   And as far as for the Disney Children's Classics, they are not even sung by Disney characters, but Larry Groce also! These albums should be retitled Children's Classics by Larry Groce. And the Disney Art is misleading for those who expect Disney Characters to sing on albums with artwork depicting them on the front!
   
   So, all songs are sung by Larry Groce. One song, song 2 is sung by Mike Sammes Singers, while Chip and Dale do song 5, "The Chipmunk Song"..
   
   Disney fans wanting Disney characters singing should look elsewere!
   
   Enjoy!



4. The CD cover is the same as the old LP we had purchased in the 1970s, the title was the same too, but the content was only seven songs compared to thirteen on the original. It was quite disappointing, but when I notified Amazon.com of this, their response was speedy and most satisfactory. Delivery of the CD was prompt, arriving exactly on the day it was expected, so while I was disappointed in the lesser content of the CD compared to the LP, I was more than happy with the service provided by Amazon.com.

5 comments about Sounds of the Season, Vol. 1.

1. Maggie Sansone's Sounds of the Seasons is an absolutely sensational recording. After listening to it every year I just enjoy it more and more. You will love it!



2. Hammered dulcimer lends a magical, peaceful quality to the holiday spirit in the air. Throw on the Christmas tree lights, mull some cider and kick up your heels (either in a jig or on an ottoman!)to these uplifting, instrumental versions of traditional carols. Mixed in are wonderful medleys of melodies that round out the cast of regulars perfectly: #9 ("Il Est Ne/Jeannette Isabella) brightens my mood every time I hear it.



3. Unfortunately, many people - especially those who are employed in the record stores - would probably consider this 'New Age' or E/Z Listening Christmas music. That's because most of those record store people do not know their musical history. Nor do they probably care to as long as they have the so called holiday music of Mariah Carey and the like to dilute their senses.
   This collection by Ms. Sansone is just one in a long line of Old World style Christmas Music (see my other reviews for more of this type of music) that is pretty much only available at Amazon. It's a great introduction to this type of instrumental Christmas music for those who want to get their feet wet, mainly because many of the wonderful well-known tunes are here: Deck The Halls, Joy To The World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, etc. But it's the not-so-well-known tunes that really jump out at you, such as Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, Wexford Carol, Gower Wassail, and Baloo Lammy. After a few listens you'll begin to recognize and anticipate these lesser known songs every bit as much as the popular ones. By the end of the Season you'll be scouring Amazon for more of this style of music - it becomes an addiction. Just ask anyone who collects it! Next thing you know you'll be playing it for your friends, who of course, will want copies of THEIR own. Then you realize something: you've been spending your Holiday Season listening almost exclusively to this Old World Christmas Music and you're not sick of it! And you don't even miss Santa Claus Is Coming To Town or Feliz Navidad or so many of the other over-played carols! Because you now have fresh Christmas music to give you the spirit.
   A fine collection to brighten the Holidays.



4. This is a wonderful album which we have listened to for years. The variety of tunes is enjoyable. It makes a great Christmas gift, as well.



5. This CD has become the traditional music for our Christmas morning festivities. The dulcimer is played expertly, and the selection of songs is diverse and instrument appropriate. Because it is instrumental only, it can serve as nice background music for any holiday occassion. This has been our family's favorite holiday CD since we first acquired it four or five years ago.

2 comments about The Sugo Holiday Collection, Vol. 1.

1. This is definately my favorite musical Christmas CD. I was so happy to find it at Amazon, as my original CD is so scratched it barely plays, and I found it in a little gift shop. The music is soothing and beautiful, and could be listened to year-round.



2. I was thrilled to find this CD on Amazon (I've already have one--very well-worn). To me, this captures everything that is magical and spiritual about the Christmas season. I only wish Amazon would carry the other volumes as well!

No comments about The Christmas Touch.

1 comments about Christmas Gift of Love (Sl).

1. While I cannot speak specifically on the SACD version of this CD, I can speak for the music on the CD, which is the same.
   
   Well, it was 103 degrees last August in Baltimore, but I had the car windows open, air off, singing Dixieland-style "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" with Barry. OK, I'm nuts, but whaddoicare! There are only 11 songs here, but they are super, high-power big band arrangements. I love Christmas songs anyway, so much peace and love. Why only at Christmas?
   
   These are lively arrangements of the old favorites, that make you think of the family around the tree. But, oh my, "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" really rocks! I LOVE that arrangement! I blast that bad boy on the car radio at 60 mph and sing, LOUD! Revs me up for work for hours. There are also 2 absolutely beautiful songs I never heard before, "River" and "A Gift of Love," the latter written by Barry.
   
   A beautiful collection of songs from 2002 and a treat for any Manilownian. So hey, get outside the box and listen to it all year long. By the way, it's great to hear somebody still say, and sing, the word "Christmas".

No comments about The Essential Collection: Traditional Christmas Favourites.

No comments about Eloise at Christmastime.

No comments about Frank Kelly's Christmas Countdown.