No comments about Rockin' Christmas.

5 comments about Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.

1. During the most recent heat wave, I actually thought it might help to drag out a few of my favorite Christmas recordings and, at least, chill out mentally. It was worth a try, I suppose--not that it actually worked. In fact, all it really did for me was load Christmas anxiety on top of my already burdensome heat exhaustion.
   
   But then I figured, hey, before you know it, the clime will have shifted and we'll be hankering for chestnusts roasted on an open fire--instead of feeling like WE'RE being roasted on an open fire. And since, I never think to post reviews of actual Christmas product until, I dunno, maybe Christmas Eve, at least this year, I get a jump on the gun and maybe even garner a couple of "helpful" votes by Thanksgiving weekend.
   
   Tony Bennett's SNOWFALL is arguably as much a "winter" record as a purely holiday one. It's always seemed something of a shame to me that all the joyful Christmas music gets put away well before winter has really set in. (At least the Russians are smart enough to celebrate it in January, which can help forestall the winter doldrums for a short while at least.) The fact that the title song on this seasonal album is "Snowfall" and not "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" at least gives you some kind of excuse to play it well into January, heck, maybe even February. Or as in my little experiment, in July.
   
   And, of course, "Winter Wonderland" and "I've Got Our Love to Keep Me Warm" are good for the whole calendar season too. "My Favorite Things," is a canny choice for an opener too. It's seasonal the way its source film THE SOUND OF MUSIC is seasonal: it evokes familial warmth and good times, even if the packages are in brown paper and "tied up with string" rather than ribbons.
   
   And then there's the almost bizarre medley of actual Christmas songs that concludes with a conventional romantic ballad ("Where Is Love?"). Musically, it fits just fine, but thematically, it's a bit strange--almost as if Tony's saying, "Hey, I'm down with the holiday stuff, but THIS is what I really do..."
   
   As an interpretive singer, Bennett has the unique ability to be warm and a little breezy at the same time. When I read somewhere recently that "I'll Be Home For Christmas" was actually a WWII song, and meant to be sung with at least a hint of melancholy, I thought of the live version included here(from a JON STEWART SHOW broadcast), which is certainly more breezy than reverential. But, of course, by this point in that song's history, it has lost much of its sombreness, and, hey, it really does lend itself nicely to a little jazz pizzazz.
   
   That track, by the way, is the album's closer, and it is really the only new entry on this collection, most of which is culled from material released in Bennett's 60s heyday. It's certainly interesting to hear how his voiced has changed and how he's learned to compensate in warmth and wit for what he may have lost in vocal technique.
   
   Bennett was and is a singer for all seasons.



2. For me, this is my favorite for Christmas time. I like a lot French songs but when I feel to hear something more, more from the south, I put that CD. A classical. When it starts with "My favorite things", I immediately feel being downtown New-York, snow falling, doing the last shopping before Christmas Eve. I really like this "American" beat. It remember me a lot.



3. This was for myself. I like the songs on this album and enjoy the way they are sung by Tony Bennett. It's a classic. Great product.



4. While Tony is one of the best singers of any century, the song selection is not too "christmasy." Actually I found it depressing and annoying. I was disappointed and surprised. ADVICE: Stick with any other Tony album!



5. C'mon Sony! Put at least a little effort into your Christmas reissues! I own this and both Andy Williams Sony titles, and they did the same thing to all three - They sapped the life out of the recordings by filtering out the highest frequencies to reduce the tape hiss. They could have reduced the hiss by utilizing other methods, but that would have required effort. I guess Sony doesn't take their Christmas offerings very seriously.

5 comments about A Special Christmas Gift.

1. I am looking for tracks as well as sheet music for these albums. Can anyone help?



2. I'm usually not a big fan of praise music, but this collection of Christmas music is great. John P. Kee's orifinal songs, as well as the ones on the CD that he arranged and performed are wonderful.

   Reviewer "carmen walker" mentioned looking for sheet music. Yes, it is now available.




3. THIS CHRISTMAS ALBUM BY JOHN P KEE AND THE NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHOIR IS THE BOMB. I LOVE JOHN P KEE AND HIS CD. THIS ONE IS PERFECT FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE ONLY SONG THAT I DO NOT LIKE IS "CHRISTMAS IS JESUS CHRIST". I LIKE THE BEAT AND THE MUSIC. THE VOCALS AND THE LEAD VOCALS DID NOT WORK OUT TOGETHER. THIS IS THE ONLY SONG THAT I DO NOT LIKE. MY FAVORITE SONG IS "TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN". O MY GOSH. SHELIA LAKIN DID AN EXCELLENT JOB ON THE LEADS. SHE JUST LET THE LORD USE HER IN A MIGHT WAY. I THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT ALL OF HIS SINGERS DO. LET THE LORD USE THEM IN A MIGHTY WAY. THATS WHAT MAKES THE CD SO GREAT. THE ANOTING OF GOD. I HOPE THIS WAS HELPFL



4. JOHN P KEE DID IT AGAIN WITH THIS CHRISTMAS ALBUMM. HE HAS MADE AN AWESOME CD. I LOVE THIS CD. I LISTEN TO IT EVERY CHRISTMAS. THIS CD HAS ALL OF THE RIGHT SONG FOR CHRISTMAS. JOHN P KEE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GOSPEL ARTIST IN THE WORLD. THIS CD IS THE BEST. IF YOU DONT HAVE THIS CD THEN YOU NEED TO GET IT. YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED.



5. I love this christmas album. John P. Kee and New Life is one of the best gospel choir in the world. "CELEBRATE" is a perfect song to start off a good cd. By this song I knew that this cd was going to be good. "THE FIRST NOEL" is a nice solo for John.
   
   "Silent Night" I like the remake. He made it like only John would know how to do. This song is perfect I love it. "Tell it on The Mountain" is one of my favorite song. Shelia Lakin is the best. I love her voice. "Christmas Is Jesus Christ" I really dont like this song. I dont know what it is I just dont like it. This is the WORST song on the cd. "Let us adore him" took me back when I use to sing this song. I love it. "No Christmas Without you" ok I know that I gave this song low grade becuase it was on their "SHOw Up" Album but now that they have more this song to an apporitate album. It follows right. I still love the song.
   
   "Special gift" is one of my fall time favorite song. I love John on this song. "Tell me a story" is an awesome song. Vanessa tears the lead part up. I LOVE IT. "Joy to the World" is a nice song. "OH Holy Night" is the best song on the cd. I like how he gave all the choir members a lead part. I love it. "Perfect Plan" dont know that this was about but I dont like it. This is also not a song that John P. Kee should never make again. EVER!!
   
   But all and all this cd is good.

5 comments about Handel: Messiah.

1. I was really surprised with the new that the Messiah's New World premiere was held at Trinity Church in October 1770, twenty-eight years after it was written. This fact only will make one proud in having this CD among his collection.

   Anyhow, this is nothing more than a historic detail and would not count if this recording had not an outstanding first-rate ensemble of singers. Without doubt there is no definitive version of Messiah. Each one has its own distinctive touch and feeling and exploring it is always a pleasant journey through imagination.

   As stated by the conductor: "we must concede that performing Messiah with twenty singers and an appropriately balanced instrumental ensemble represents, at best, an imperfect comprimise", it will be easy to understand that this recording does not stand among the greatest and will probably carry some imperfections. I will mention two that kind of disppointed me a little bit. The Overture and the Chorus Worthy is the Lamb, for some reason misses the habitual vigor and strenght. Everything else is great and this is definitely a worth buying.




2. I was more interested in "The Messiah" for the religious content than as a music critic, but this was too much. The strings are tinny. The orchestra is plodding. The soloists and choir are thankfully very good and seem to understand the meaning of the words. It is a shame the sound mix is uneven. The male parts come across loud and clear, but the poor women. For instance, No. 9 Oh thou that tellest..., the soloist sounded like she was singing in an echo chamber far from the mike. This is one of the most disappointing versions of "The Messiah" I have heard in a long time.



3. There are so many performances of the Messiah out there that it is very difficult to point to a difinative one, but I'd put this in the catagory of the "very good" ones. As other reviewers have said, every performance is different and has its own character. Each has stronger and weaker points. Here the conductor and musicians have made good, solid musical choices. There is an amazing attention to detail which is not so obvious the first listen through but which makes the piece shine. The tempos seem to be right on, and there is no frivolous over-embellishment by the soloists. There is no attempt to be showey. The dramatic dynamics in the first section of the overture are interesting, but seem to work after you hear it a few times. This performance also includes sections which are often omitted (Second half of "He shall feed his flock," "Thou art gone up on high," "Great was the company of the preachers," and "Death where is thy sting"). I prefer the more intimate quality of a small ensemble of musicians to the mega-performances by the London Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, etc.. As with this performance, the smaller group lends a clarity to the music, where the larger ensembles can get a little "muddy" at times. Just my personal preference. Overall, this is a very good performance, and certainly the low price (being on the Naxos lable) makes this a clear choice.



4. I've hunted a thrilling performance of The Messiah through 240 versions so far. This is the best I've found. Some are self-conscious, dutifully singing as instructed. Some are almost childish in their lilt. Some are overblown with so much bombast that you can barely hear the heart of the music. Some are concentrated on faithfulness to the original instruments. If you want a performance that will make you shiver with the power and joy of the music, this is the one. The singers are singing about GLORY. They sound as if they are ecstatic. The musicians are at one with the music and they create a virtual cathedral wherever this CD is played, just close your eyes. Or, let your own imagery, be it celestial, or of great oceans...carry you away.



5. I do not pretend to be any sort of an expert when it comes to the different CD versions of Messiah. I have many of them, because I enjoy the music.
   
   There is something about this CD though. A purity of notes. An unaffected singing. Whatever it is, I have enjoyed listening, very very much. It is as if the music is all new again. I am delighted.

No comments about Plays the Music of Queen.

1 comments about Christmas Festival.

1. While the singing of traditional carols by the Bach Choir under the direction of Sir David Willcocks is as always superlative, the real find on this album for me are nine of the seventeen original tracks from the long out of print 1982 London/Decca LP/Cassette/CD titled NOEL! by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. (You will also find this under the title CHRISTMAS BRASS by the PJBE. Two additional tracks can be found on CHRISTMAS IN THE MORNING: A CELEBRATION IN BRASS.) Wonderful arrangements and excellent playing by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble have made this one of my all-time favorite Christmas listening experiences. What a treat to hear these tracks again!

No comments about Blues, Blues Christmas, Vol. 2.

No comments about The Essential Collection: Traditional Christmas Favourites.

5 comments about Christmas at the Biltmore Estate.

1. This Christmas CD by Judy Collins is the BEST! My little niece asks me to play this CD for her every Christmas season! A CLASSIC! The choir is wonderful, Judy is FABULOUS and the Biltmore is a perfect setting for her concert. Enjoy the CD!



2. A very warm set of holiday tunes from Judy, performed in a very special place. Judy's sometimes-nostalgic stage patter lends a little sadness to this set, but all in all it's a cheerful thing! I give this four stars rather than five only because I would have liked more 'adult' tunes rather than kids' favorites. Judy's other holiday CD, Come Rejoice, was beautifully produced but marred by some vocal problems. All in all, this is the better set.



3. Anyone who doubts how terrific Judy Collins still is after all these years should listen to this wonderful Christmas album she produced in the mid 1990s. She is in full voice here, and if you are familiar with her amazing range, you can appreciate how well that vehicle can deal with the traditional Christmas music included in this album. She is nothing if not the consummate interpreter of other's music. We can hear her magical touch as she glides through a number of standards such as "Silver Bells", "Joy To The World", and "The First Noel". She is also very good with a number of contemporary seasonal tunes like "All On A Wintry Night", "The Night Before Christmas", and an unforgettable version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". If you want a classic treatment of a number of traditional and contemporary Christmas music delivered with the voice of our own special angel, you will really enjoy this terrific recent Christmas album by Judy Collins. Joy and Peace!



4. Christmas at The Biltmore was my first exposure to Judy Collins. Now I'm a very devoted fan of hers. I had seen the TV special and I was enchanted by her voice.I also loved the songs as I love to listen to Christmas music all year round. I also enjoyed the stories she tells between songs. I had this CD years ago but it broke and I'm pleased to have it back in my collection of Judy Collins music.



5. Judy is in wonderful voice, the choir adds to the production, as do Judy's personal reminiscences. I've attended Judy Collins' Christmas concerts, and this album brings back fond memories. Her own compositions, Come, Rejoice and All on a Wintry Night, are among the best tracks on the album, but every song is very well done.

2 comments about The Dark Side of the Christmas Tree.

1. This album is a compilation of material thrown together by Erik Lindgren's ArfArf records, including material by Erik, both under his own name and under the name of The Space Negroes. That material is unfortunately the weakest of the lot. The tracks by The Jethroes, however, are another matter -- wild, anarchic versions of traditional carols that are worth the price of the CD. Satires? Loving goofs on conventional Christmas music? Impossible to say -- hilarious cuts spanning any number of musical styles, though, that stand up to repeated listenings. Also worth having: Magic Mose's version of Have Yourself A Groovy Little Solstice. Warning: the track titled something like A Personal Holiday Message From The Retailers Of America is extremely, corrosively funny, but will be offensive to some.



2. This compilation throws together some Christmas music that happened to be recorded for the same record label. It starts off with four songs from an EP by the Space Negros. They are anti-Christmas parodies of Christmas songs and they aren't very good. Then we get both sides of a Christmas single by Magic Mose and his Royal Rockers. These are weird, sarcastic lounge lizard Christmas songs and they also aren't very good. Then we get an entire Christmas album by the Jethros. These are poorly played instrumental Christmas songs, which I guess is supposed to be funny, but it isn't. Finally, the album concludes with two tracks (I can't really call them songs) by Erik Lindgren. The first one is a short, vulgar track purporting to feature a retailer telling off Christmas shoppers. The second one features creepy voices saying "ho ho ho" accompanied by weird sounds for twelve interminable minutes. This is a truly terrible Christmas CD. But I do like the album cover.