No comments about Children's Christmas Classics.

2 comments about Traditional & Modern Carols.

1. Paul Hillier, having lived in the U.S. for several years, developed a love for early American music, which shows in his release of the 2-volume "Early American Choral Music." This love continues in "Traditional and Modern Carols," a Christmas CD which includes several early American spirituals, as well as English songs from other eras and locales. Some of the American spirituals Hillier includes are several Shaker songs, such as the first track, "This is Jesus' Birthday," as well as "Babe of Bethlehem," and "Hail the Memorable Morn." These songs will show you why the Shakers are unjustly neglected for their contribution to American music (which includes "The Gift to be Simple" by the way). We get to hear some lovely renaissance songs as well, such as the 16th-century consort song, "Swete was the song the Virgin sang"; the beautiful 15th-century carol "Ecce, quod natur"; the immemorial "Coventry Carol"; and the beautiful French/English song "Nowell, Nowell". "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" and a version of the Wassail ("Kentucky Wassail") are justly included as well. The Indiana University Children's Chamber Choir are a pleasure to listen to, and Paul Hillier brings out the artistry in the performers and the music as always. "Traditional and Modern Carols" is a great CD for fans of Chirstmas music who are looking for something a bit different.



2. This is a wonderful Christmas CD, especially for folks who like melodic singing that comes with songs that are not on the well beaten track. The Shaker and shape-note carols are especially invigorating. The price indicates this is a gem that hasn't been discovered. That is too bad for many traditional music lovers.

1 comments about A New World Christmas featuring Stevan Pasero.

1. The music on this CD is absolutely beautiful, with a mystical, Middle Eastern feel to it. I can't imagine why it hasn't gotten more traffic that I should be the first to review it. This is by far my most-played CD at Christmas. Light some candles, pour a little red, and be transported!

No comments about Heavenly Peace.

5 comments about Happy Christmas.

1. I was excited to get "Happy Christmas" through [...]. It is not exactly the easiest Charley Pride project to find. I purchased it for my wife who remembered it as a child growing up. I was happy to find it on cd. As I listened to it, I was not as impressed as she was. It brought back alot of warm fuzzies for her but for me it was just ok. If you like old style country, you'll love it.



2. This CD is wonderful if you are a fan of Charley Pride. The album cover has been changed from its original (Charley in a Santa suit). My Dad brought home the LP when I was young and we played it so much over the years it became badly scratched. The songs have some traditional carols and some that I have only heard by Charley. Im so happy they brought it out on CD. I love it!



3. I purchased this years ago on a 33, but could not find it on CD. I enjoy listening to a variety of Christmas carols and this one has unique songs that you don't hear by other artists. I grew up listening to Charlie Pride, I'm very happy to have found it and added to my holiday collection and memories.



4. I gave this album to my Dad 25 years ago, he loved it and so do I!! Now when I play the Cd it's like having him with me for Christmas!!



5. This was a great purchase, it had all the information that I needed to make the decision to purchase the Item.

5 comments about Classic Christmas.

1. Yes, I know I am writing this review 6 years later then when it was released, but oh well.
   
   This album is definitely the one that showcases his talent best. Everything about this album is flawless. The arrangements are beautiful. If you don't have this album yet, you should go out and buy it! Believe me, you wont be dissapointed.
   
   The a cappella intro of "Angel's We Have Heard On High" is all you need to hear to experience how angelic Billy's voice is. He holds the notes while singing "Glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria" unbelievably strong, but soft at the same time.
   "Away In A Manger," "There's A New Kid In Town," and "White Christmas" are absolutely amazing.
   This is definitely my favorite Christmas album of all time.
   Good job Billy.



2. Simply stated, this CD is completely heart-warming ... and impressive!
   Now, I--the reviewer--have sung in some of the finest choral ensembles, and this CD excels in 2 distinct ways :
   
   a) Billy Gilman is allowed to be under few constraints, and is thus permitted to SOAR in his own rich, smoooooth style. He handles these famous Christmas tunes as readily as Sinatra or Nat Cole. Some people need a "free rein" in order to excell, and in this case, Billy is in the stratosphere!
   
   b) The arrangements could not be better. Sinatra would have wanted these orchestrations due to their rich tapestries of notes and the schmaltzy way they cater to the singer. Add to this, Billy Gilman is in love with singing, and it comes over the microphones and console board. Billy Gilman was at his show-stopping BEST in this Fall 2000 recording.
   
   As a final comment, I am still FLOORED by how WELL Billy sings and his style, breath control, and articulation are at the same level as a seasoned professional such as some of the aforementioned names.
   Who would have ever thought that a kid could sing like this! WOW!!



3. I realize this title makes a bold statement...and is one that is very subjective in nature; However, for me, it's the honest truth. There are only three I ever listen to: Mariah Carey's Christmas Album, Barbra Streisand's early Christmas Album...and this one. Wait...I take that back. I also have Anne Murray's on stand-by. Still, it doesn't make my Top Three.
   
   This Christams CD is aptly named: Classic Christmas. The musical production on each track is meticulously and wonderfully crafted and, listening to it, you truly wish you were in front of a crackling log fire with your family and friends...or sipping a spicy, hot mug of steamy cider, while snow collects on your window sill. If you love Christmas, you'll love these sounds that are so carefully situated behind Billy's ethereal vocals.
   
   Billy has always amazed me with his records. How an eleven or twelve year old could possess this much vocal skill, I'll never know. It's completely crazy how he could have possessed the vocal expertise that he displayed at that time. He has the phrasing perfection of Streisand and the vocal craft and control of any of the greats you can name. If you put on a pair of headphones, turn up the volume to a moderate level...and then truly listen with a critical ear...you can truly appreciate the instrument that is this kid's voice. He ever only breathes in just the proper places and he's never a prisoner to his own vibrato, which is sometimes rapid and staccato like contemporary Streisand, and sometimes slow and measured like Leanne Rhymes or Aaron Neville. Make no mistake: This boy's voice is pure gold...and he was in complete control of how he used it.
   
   Young male singers just don't get any better than this. And I have some experience behind that opinion, being the parent of a fledgling young singer myself, Joey Pearson...who began by imitating and covering Billy's early hits.
   
   When I look for an artist, I always look first at the vocals. That's just me. Yes, good music is wonderful...but if you have vocal excellence, it can effectively cover a lot of the sins of bad production, should any exist. None of that exists here. On this collection, we have an expert combination of both perfect musical production and vocal perfection. When Billy sings "There's A New Kid in Town"...you can feel the emotion that went into the writing of that lyric. That is the measure of a true vocalist: Delivering the lyric in the spirit in which it was written. He delivers it perfectly and with just the right combination of both melancholy and nuance. And by album's end, when he hits that last soaring, unbelievably high note on "Oh Holy Night"...you fully understand why Billy Gilman made it as big as he did...and why that one voice will be the reason why this Christmas album will stand the test of time. (Er...did I say..."One Voice"?)
   
   Two other stand-out numbers: Away In A Manger...delivered perfectly with just the right measure of gentleness...and Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. If this version of that classic number doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit...well then, I suggest checking your name tag. It's likely that it reads "Scrooge" or maybe even "Grinch".
   
   Others may disagree with me, but I fully believe that the duet between Billy and Charlotte Church was misconceived. Both were prodigies at that time, true...but I don't think they were matched well for a duet. You can actually hear the different treatments the producers applied to each voice. Charlotte was drowning in reverb while Billy soared on his vocal part, easily navigating the song, completely in the epitome of his element. Charlotte's is a grand voice...but she was ill-suited for this number, in my opinion. You can hear it most at the end when they each had a solo line...Billy sings, "It's lovely weather..." and Charlotte completes with, "....for a sleigh ride together". The extra reverb they gave her is so apparent and completely takes you out of the song. At least that's my experience. I even doubt that they were together in the same studio.
   
   Billy is now 18 years old, so I know this review is late...but it's still relevant since the album is a classic. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves wonderful Christmas music...or is a fan of Billy Gilman. You won't be disappointed.



4. I had his CD "One Voice" and loved it. Since it was Christmas, I decided to buy this CD. It's pretty good. His music tends to be the kind that you need to listen to, it's not background music.



5. No regrets buying this CD. It will surely be played in our house for many holidays to come. Billy Gilman did a perfect job interpreting these classic Christmas songs. The "Warm and Fuzzy" song is very enjoyable. Good luck to him in 2008!

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 Real Meaning of Christmas.

1. I brought this CD because Fred Hammond was on it and I love anything he does and at first it was for my son who is a Fred Hammond nut he loves anything that he sings but to our good suprise there was a lot more on it than we expected. The orther artist were dynamic as well espically commissioned's song A Real Christmas it is the bomb as well I tell you you cant go wrong with this Cd for yourself or as a gift.l highly recommend it.



2. Can't express how touched I was after listening to this CD. Double the five star rating...it's that good. The variety of songs and artists makes it a keeper. I immediately ordered the two other versions of The Real Meaning of Christmas CDs without hesitating paying for the next day delivery shipping charges. Praise God for such wonderful Christian music for The Real Meaning of Christmas!

4 comments about Christmas with Glenn Yarbrough.

1. If you are familiar with Glenn Yarbrough's sonorous voice but have not bought this Christmas album, you really should. If you are not familiar with Glenn, who goes back to the days of the Limelighters in the '60s, then you have been missing one of the great voices of the last half of the 20th. century. This Christmas album is a great way to learn about Glenn. After you hear it, you will be looking for more of his music, I feel sure. I first heard and saw him in concert at Notre Dame in 1963, and have been a fan ever since. On this CD, the traditional songs such as O Holy Night, Silent Night and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear are done in a way that makes them seem new. A song such as Scarlet Ribbons may have passed you by with you not realizing it IS a Christmas song and a beautifully done one by Glenn. Mel Torme could have no qualms with Gelnn's rendition of The Christmas Song. All 14 songs are fun to listen to and will put you in the Christmas mood.



2. For those familiar with Glenn Yarbrough, it is well known that every song is carefully selected and sung with heart. For years Glenn Yarbrough fans have waited for a Christmas album which the jolly man (Yarbrough) finally delivered in 1998. Again,he has carefully selected the holiday tunes that he can provide with total emotion, heart, and love. His renditions of the traditional Silent Night and the majestic O Holy Night are unequalled.Perhaps, the surprise is Yarbrough's interpretation of Scarlet Ribbons, a magic and breath-taking gift of a song seldom considered a holiday necessity. Alongside Nat King Cole's Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire album must stand Yarbrough's Christmas cd; it's essential.



3. Just a fabulous album to put you in the Christmas spirit. His unique voice allows him to make familiar songs new again. And his I Wonder as I wander is marvelous, his whistling better than most people can sing. If you think you have heard these songs sung before, don't worry, they come alive again. If you like Christmas this will add so much to your Christmas spirit. Only Nancy LaMott's Just in time for Christmas is in a class with this in my CD collection.



4. This album sure brings me back! Yarbrough's honey toned vocals with that slight peppery touch of tremolo really echoes in my heart. His delivery of these celebrated classics is timeless, nothing harkens back that old time Christmas jeer like sitting around the fireplace with the family, taking a long draw on the pipe and listening to Glenn Yarbrough. This album is great after a big meal, with perhaps a little cabernet and some fine tobbacco, Mr. Yarbrough has crafted here an album that will resonate through the centuries as one of the definitive Christmas masterpieces, from the jolly jubilee of "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas to the longing poetic balladry of "White Christmas" Glenn Yarbrough has brought us a beautiful piece of music, a record that will surely bring out the yuletide spirit in all of us.

3 comments about America's Newest Praise and Worship Favorites, Vol. 1.

1. A great, great praise & worship experience. The music & harmony are great. I never grow tired of it.



2. well all i have to say is that this Cd is really worth buying , not one song on Here soundes poor and as you know it is very very hard to find Cd's that have nothing but good songs on it,but there is only one thing wrong with this CD some songs on it are too short and i get mad because of that some , but it is only like two or three on there like that , the reason i get mad is because i'm a Music person and as soon as i start to get into the songs that are short (Click) they are over, so i just loop the songs lol, but if i could i would get this Cd all over again becasue it is that good



3. A good collection of modern worship.

   Also, at Amazon's free downloads, check out Recent Rainfall's "Declare Your Glory" It's a great modern worship tune.