No comments about A King Family Christmas.

5 comments about Jussi Björling Edition: Studio Recordings 1930-1959.

1. Jussi Bjoerling was one of the greatest singers of the century. His voice is pure, effortless and yet thrilling. Even better than the quality of the voice is his style. He never scoops up to a note nor does he ever whoop down from one, instead, he uses perfect legato and faultless intonation to deliver the cleanest sound you'll ever hear from a tenor.

   This collection, from the large set of EMI recordings, provides a wonderful survey of Bjoerling's career. He was a straight 'spinto' tenor, that is, between a lyrical tenor (like Pavarotti) and a dramatic tenor (like Domingo). Most of the Puccini roles demand a spinto and those are the roles that Bjoerling was unbeatable in (particularly Des Grieux in Manon Lescaut). However, I think I most prize this collection for the songs sung in English on the last disc. I had some of them on a cassette I wore out in the car and others on a vinyl disc I wore out at home. For shear beauty of voice, the Berceuse by Jocelyn is stunning. For perfect diction, intonation and style, Love but a Day is breathtaking. Buy this set and I guarantee you'll fall in love with what many think is the finest voice on record.




2. When starting my Bjorling collection, I saw MANY CDs, with his early recordings. I was in a quandry as to what to buy, UNTIL I found this set. TRULY remarkable in many levels.FIRST and foremost, the voice. Captured in all levels, from the earliest to the latest. Truly wonderful, and the Swedish versions are a real treat to hear, don't worry, the Italian versions are here too!!Secondly, the remastering process. This set was remastered at Abbey Studios in London. For the first time I've heard, they actually pressed NEW 78s from the metal plates, and THEN remastered the new discs!!! Inspired, and the results--incredible.I find myself listening to Disc 3 the most. Very interesting, as it is the Swedish one. When the songs are terrific, along with the "standard" tenor arias, and it all comes together, it is PURE MAGIC!! I will admit that due to time limitations of recordings of this era, the opera house Bjorling is not fully conveyed. There are other CDs for that. Most notably "Romeo and Juliet", and for a REAL thrill, his ATLANTA concert, in STEREO, so much so, that the piano is even divided; left hand left, right hand right. Wait a minute, am I playing TWISTER??:-)) But if you want to skip all those unknown labels, you couldn't have a MORE complete set. ALL wit the great remastering I spoke of. Bjorling--His voice will NEVER die, at least in MY house!!!



3. this is so awesome, i love his voice, this is good for anyone, the professional or just someone who wants to hear the greatest tenor of all times! this is so great



4. This is an excellent collection, the best available overview of a great tenor.

   This would get 4 stars but has been marked down for only supplying token texts and translations in the large booklet. It is understandable (sort of) that the Italian opera excerpts don't merit texts and translations as (apart from the Callas recitals series) EMI generally doesn't provide texts with historical issues. However the tempting inclusion of a dozen or so texts to the Italian and Swedish songs makes one all the more aware of the miserliness of not providing all the texts.




5. This is an wonderful compilation of one of the most incredible voices on record. Whether you are a new or old Bjorling fan -- and who could hear that voice and not be enthralled by it -- this is a fine CD to have. The quality of the recording is excellent, and the range in years, from 1930 to 1959, gives a splendid overview of his dazzling talent. In addition to many of the arias one might expect, there are also lieder and songs in Swedish, as well as some charming duets with Jussi's wife, Anna-Lisa. I have quite a few other Bjorling CDs, and this is one of the best in terms of quality and scope. It is a most worthy addition to any Bjorling collection, regardless of its size.

1 comments about MUSIC BOX MELODIES VOLUME ONE CHRISTMAS.

1. This is the best christmas cd to have on, it will make the mood of christmas time. A wonderfull collection of old music box christmas tunes.

5 comments about The 20 Greatest Christmas Songs.

1. With Boney M.'s big selling Christmas album from 1981, producer Frank Farian recorded six new Christmas songs with Liz Mitchell and Reggie Tsiboe (who'd replaced dancer Bobby Farrell in 1982) in the summer of 1984; they were, however, only released at the time on a South African LP, but when Boney M. had split up in 1986, Farian wanted to keep the kettle boiling and dug out these disappointingly mediocre recordings, remixed the whole 1981 album but two songs, and released the whole mess in November 1986. And the result is awful! Get the original "Christmas Album" instead (it is available on CD) when you want to get in a Christmas mood, this CD sounds as supermarket muzak ...



2. There's something about the subtle combination of camp and Christmas. This was a classic in my house when I was younger: my parents owned the tape, though Boney M was not quite their demographic's genre. Fond memories include listening to this as I walked through the malls in mid-December, my mother running it on a continuous loop while she did her holiday baking, and having blaring in the background on Christmas Eve while the folks hosted their annual fondue (though that says it all right there). I suppose this was a trendy album at the time, perhaps more akin to the latest offering from the Barenaked Ladies (though never as grim as "Hung for the Holidays"). It struck a chord at the innocence for the holidays, kid-friendly, spiritual -- but not overtly and in your face. Just a happy, upbeat Christmassy-type album.



3. I remember Boney M from the days of disco (late 70s, early 80s) and wasn't a huge fan, but I admit I bought this album because the medley of Mary's Boy Child and O My Lord gets played a lot on the radio every Christmas season. Happily, the whole album is good, with the group sounding mellow (but still with a prominent beat) at the right times. For me a good Christmas CD combines some old favorites (this one has Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, Silent Night, etc) with some pretty but unfamiliar songs (Hear Ye the Message, Zion's Daughter, Petit Papa Noel). Boney M can sound delicate and lullabyish on a song like Petit Papa Noel or A Child Is Born, but almost anthemic and bouncy on Joy to the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. If you're like me, you get tired of the radio's constant play of Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Burl Ives, etc, and this is a nice alternative--still has that 'sweet' sound you expect of a Christmas CD, but also with that toe-tapping, shake-your-body quality you'd expect from a group that was part of the disco era. Incidentally, the album ends with a very rocky version of Auld Lang Syne--not only is the beat good, but you actually get to hear the 2nd and 3rd voices of that old song.



4. Each song in this album is great. I used to never enjoy Christmas Carols, until I once heard one of these songs on the radio. I purchased the album and every song is simply great.



5. I would say this is the best Christmas carol one can ever hear.

No comments about Sing Christmas Carols Volume 1.

No comments about Celtic Harp Christmas.

No comments about Joy to the World.

No comments about Joy to the World-Music of Christmas.

No comments about First Noel.

5 comments about Christmas Sing Along.

1. Granted I am Bob's daughter but I am also one of his biggest critics and mother to his 3 and 1 year old grandsons. As such, I'm happy to report that after listening to his new Christmas CD about a thousand times over the past few months my husband and I are still happy to play it, yet again, each time we get in the car and our three year old shouts "Bobby's Christmas CD......louder". If you too can be exhausted by hearing some of your kid's music over and over (and over) again, you'll likely appreciate Bob's accomplishment at bringing together full-grown musical arrangements and first-rate musicians with his classic voice and a kid's choir to create this Christmas CD fit for the whole family. I hope your family will enjoy it as much as mine already has.



2. This singalong collection of holiday favorites is great for bringing the whole family together in song. What makes them highly accessible is the fact that they are arranged in keys that are comfortable to everyone.



3. Great to hear from this wonderfully talented tenor again. Delightful CD filled with old and new favorites!



4. The music on this CD makes me want to dance around the room, and really brings the holiday spirit into the home. Bob is truly a voice that reaches all generations, as I can remember watching him and Leslie Uggams sing with Mitch Miller and his crew in the early 60s -- bouncing ball to sing-a-long with and all. The young children's choir and other singers who accompany him on this CD add a depth and variety that show how truly diverse and encompassing Bob's voice is. My kids and grandkids enjoyed him on Sesame Street. Even though they're too old to watch him anymore, they, too, are able to enjoy him on this CD. He is someone I have always loved to listen to. Even after Christmas is over, I'll still be listening to this -- his voice surpasses all seasons AND generations!



5. I liked this Christmas CD quite a bit. One of the highlights for me was the last song, Keep Christmas With You, which I had only heard before on the wonderful Christmas Eve on Sesame Street special and had always loved. It's great to have it here! Bob's voice is so clear and friendly and loving. I only have a few quips---they involve the song choices. The first song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, is hands down the most disturbing children's Christmas song there is---"He sees you when you're sleeping.."---is Santa a stalker? Or God-like? I don't really like the message of that song, and I would think Bob wouldn't either! I also found the novelty type song "What a Great Christmas It Was" to be quite unfunny! However, I loved "Must Be Santa", another novelty type of song. I wish there had been one or two traditional carols here---it seems like a choice was made to make this a pretty secular album, and I can respect that, I guess. Overall, a nice treat for the Christmas season!