2 comments about Peace on Earth: The Best of Tingstad & Rumbel Christmas.

1. I picked this up along with the Windham Hill latest Christmas release "I'll be home for Christmas" this past holiday season and they complemented each other beautifully. We had christmas music playing in every room of our 110 yr old Victorian house that was decorated to the nines and this was one of the c.d.s we featured for our Christmas Open House. It was playing softly in our upstairs den inviting our guests to poke their heads in to see the decorations and then welcomed them to sit and talk in peace (no pun intended). Overall it is a very nice c.d. to put on for unwinding from coming home from a visit with family, early in the morning before anyone gets up. This will be one of our new favorites!



2. "This is a review of "Peace on Earth " by Tingstad and Rumble.
   You cannot never go wrong buying any of the music produced by Tingstad (guitar) and Rumble,Nancy(oboe). Their music is contemporary, original and in a New Age style or lyrical, harmonious, peaceful, and excellent in level of quality of performance and writing -which is it's own style.
   Most people like it even if they are not familiar with these instruments,(and admired by those who know them well). It transends the familiar music they hear in everyday life into a superior, pleasant experience on the quiet side of comparison to most music.It is a beautiful experience to have as a background in their lives. Of course, this relates to Christmas themes, but is not ordinary Christmas but in an original, peaceful addition to their holiday collections. After living with this CD, people may go back and buy the other CDs made by them which are wondeful also. I own every CD they have made. I am also an oboe player who dreams of playing as well as Nancy Rumble. Young oboe players can hear what they should be sounding like someday. They need to have role models and Nancy Rumble is the best in the world. It is very difficult to find original oboe performances, since most of are repeats of the Classical pieces. It is a fine experience and priviledge to be involved in their music, even just as listeners. They also give live concerts and are Grammy winners. This is a beautiful addition to any collection of Christmas music.

1 comments about First Christmas.

1. Oh, joy! The Christmas retail season is upon us. We're barely past Halloween and now we've got radio stations playing Burl Ives and The Singing Dogs, Christmas commercials have invaded the airwaves, and I'm ready to hibernate until January 2nd. Thank God for tasty, hip new versions of Christmas faves from sax star Andre Delano, who's rising faster than gingerbread in a hot oven! This is one of the good parts of the season as December madness approaches us. You can watch and hear Andre on the new Megan Mullally show, and you can hear him at his best on his brand new FIRST CHRISTMAS release, which will deservedly get tons of airplay this season. It's in-the-pocket Smooth Jazz, and it's ultra fresh-sounding. He's given new life to nine holiday standards, including some of my all-time favorites like "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella." The title track is a tasty original vocal, with Andre singing lead. Listening to FIRST CHRISTMAS right now, I'm thinking, "Hey, this early taste of the holidays is pretty cool after all." So, here's my prescription for you if you're having a little bit of trouble gearing up for the season this year. Grab yourself a copy of Andre Delano's new release FIRST CHRISTMAS and a snicker doodle, slip it into your player (that would be the CD), and create a little private holiday cheer for yourself before the season just gets completely out of hand! ~ SCOTT O'BRIEN

No comments about The Carols Album.

5 comments about Christmas in the Country.

1. There really is no such thing as a bad Homecoming CD or video. Every one of them contains enough wonderful moments to make them essential purchases for all Southern Gospel fans. So, why did I only give this one four stars, instead of five, you ask. In comparing it to their other Christmas concert video, Joy to the World, I felt this one didn't quite measure up to the magical holiday feeling of the first one. I can't really put my finger on why.

   There are some great songs on this one though. My favorites were Tennessee Christmas, featuring Babbie Mason and Guy Penrod. I do have to laugh at the verse Guy Penrod sings. He does a wonderful job, but the words don't really fit him. He sings about being attracted to the glamour and excitment of Hollywood. If there is anybody who would be less likely to head for LALA land, I can't imagine who it would be. That's not a criticsm. It just amuses me to hear him sing this.

   Bob Cain passed away the day this CD/video was made. Russ Taff sings his theme song, What a Wonderful World. Frankly, I have to say he sings it better than Bob Cain did.

   One song which really did capture the sparkle of Christmas is the medley sung by Greater Vision. If you find yourself repeatedly hitting the replay button on that song, you should buy the Greater Vision Christmas Album, which is one of the all time best Southern Gospel Christmas CDs.

   I advise buying Christmas in the Country. However, if you don't already own the Giather's Joy to the World Cd or video and ony want to buy one Gaither Christmas project, opt for Joy to the World over this one.




2. I love this CD. I have many of the Gaither CDs and videos. I also was fortunate to see them live recently. OH HOLY NIGHT is my favorite Christmas song. I have never heard it sung better than David Phelps does, backed by the Homecoming Friends. Simply incredible. You must have the video! All the Gaither CDs and videos are a mix of beautiful music and so much laughter and fun. I have my favorites, but I would recommend any of them. (...)
   Hallellujah! All the Saints say......AMEN and AMEN!



3. I am ecstatic to find this CD (bought the video too!). On Christmas Eve 2000 my TV was on late and just when I was about to turn it off, I inadvertently hit the channel button instead of the power off. Whatever channel was struck, at that moment, a singer began to sing a Christmas carol and for a few minutes I was spellbound hearing the song "O Holy Night" being sung like I had never heard it sung before. I was stunned with the beauty of this rendition and thought about it for one entire year wondering if I would ever again find this vocalist. By pure coincidence, while channel flipping tonight, I happened to see the Bill Gaither Group on TV and recognized the vocalist. I then searched Amazon Music under Gaither and saw the review that described this song incredibly sung by David Phelps. I listened to the sample and knew I had finally found this treasure. I am grateful that technology supports such searches. I feel blessed to have found this beautiful gift which will be shared with my family every Christmas from now on.



4. I think I share the sentiments of many Gaither Vocal Band and David Phelp's fans when I say that this live version of "O Holy Night" is the best I have ever heard. And I've heard or seen about 30 different versions. It's a great showcase of David's talent and Anthony Burger's, as well. Two people who always 'bring it all to the table' when performing. They are the Michael Jordans of the music world. Whenever you see them perform, whether on TV, CD, or in person, you always get your money's worth and become inspired.



5. The only way to listen to this group is live. If you can't hear them live, then listen to a live recording. Only then can you appreciate their tight harmonies and amazing vocal ranges. If you don't well up during the singing of "Oh Holy Night" ... well.. I do, every time I hear it. Incredible!

1 comments about Holiday Magic.

1. As an educator, I found it easy to listen to, my students loved it immensely and we were able to use the instrumental versions for our Holiday program.

   If you are looking for a recording that your children will love, this is it!

1 comments about A Season's Promise.

1. Judith Clurman knows how to work with singers, and the sound of her chorus is sumptuous on this CD. Just what you might want to have playing as the family is gathering for the holidays. And in a time of questioning and re-examination of what makes us Americans, the fact that this CD represents a wide variety of American composers doing their best to connect to beloved traditions makes this CD a winner. Hats off to New World for making a CD the record companies never would have...

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.

1 comments about Crux.

1. This is some exquisite choral music. The Grieg fire psalms and the Kverno Ave Maris Stella and Corpus Christi Carol are especially beautiful. My only criticism is I thought the sopranos were too pretty in parts of Ave Maris Stella. Other than that it is a truly wonderful CD for fans of Norwegian choral music.

No comments about Have a Twilley Christmas (Expanded and Remastered).

1 comments about Count Your Blessings.

1. This album is a gem of delicate beauty! The artists are sensitive to the word and the vocal phrasings are gently unique and inspired! In the vein of the magnificent McGarrigles, Holly Cole, Rebecca Jenkins, the sublime Mary Margaret O'Hara, Jane Siberry and Victoria Williams sing refreshingly honest and true tales of Christmas and our love of it. An intimate and heartfelt production. What a joy it must have been to witness it, and thanks to this recording we can hear it at will.