5 comments about Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 3.

1. If you are into the Ultra Lounge series as I am, then you will want this album in your collection. I have the previous two Christmas albums which I think are better than this 3rd addition, but still worth having if you are a fan of this stuff.



2. Love this kind of music - can't get enough - have most all of the CDs. Excellent New Jersey-based company with excellent foresight and retro-understanding for the best party and jazz combos. Excellent choice for any kind of day or evening, party or relaxation time.



3. Virtually every song on this CD appears on other CD's. The order of the tracks is poor, transitions too much, to make it a good party background cd. The only worthwhile thing about the cd is that it's all from the same wide genre, lounge. So, if you don't have any christmas cd's, and you like lounge, this is the cd for you.



4. Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, part three continues the hits that made the first two volumes a huge success. Unfortunately, however, this last segment of the three part CD series seems to have been done hastily--and on the cheap. Just as other reviewers note, there are practically no liner notes and there are fifteen tracks instead of twenty or more.
   
   Some highlights of this CD immediately come to mind; it's not without its good points. I especially enjoyed "Baby It's Cold Outside" by the incomparable Carmen McRae and Sammy Davis, Jr. Bing Crosby's "Frosty The Snowman" is also very well done. Bing never sounded better! Moreover, listen for Wayne Newtown's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Wayne's excellent diction bolsters his fine performance. The strings and brass make "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" a really good number.
   
   Peggy Lee's "White Christmas" is really very good; and the slight echo of her voice on this track is a great special effect. Love it! Lou Rawls's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" features Lou's vocals squarely in the spotlight; and the musical accompaniment adds an extra jazzy touch so that Lou can put his own stamp on this classic holiday number.
   
   Julie London's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" is romantic and Julie conveys all the romantic nuances that any man would love; and the CD ends strong with June Christy singing "Sorry To See You Go." Love that brass on "Sorry To See You Go" as June sings this out with panache.
   
   As I mentioned before, the "liner notes" are a real letdown after the great booklets we get with the first two volumes in this series. Other reviews also note--quite correctly--that this third CD in the three part series has much more material that can easily be found elsewhere on other CDs. Sigh. Gotta take off a star for that!
   
   Overall, the quality of the songs is still pretty good but there's less material and what we do get features some rehashed material instead of more numbers lovingly picked from the vaults. If you like lounge music and you don't have too many of these holiday time classics then you should get this CD. People who are diehard fans of Christmastime music will already have a lot of this material and these people should look elsewhere if they want to buy an extra CD of Christmas music.
   
   Four stars.



5. The first two "Christmas Cocktails" CDs were absolute classics--a wide variety of music--some familiar, some esoteric--and a great value. Volume 3? Well, it's got some wonderful tracks on it, but for the most part, it's a very ordinary song selection.
   
   Perhaps most troubling--and why the music industry is in such dire straits today--it the fact that they give you less and less for your dollar. The first two volumes in this series were 72 and 64 minutes, with 21 and 20 tracks, respectively. Volume 3 is under 40 minutes with just 15 tracks. Plus they eliminated the liner notes booklet, and now only have a one sheet insert. And all for the same price as volumes 1 & 2.
   
   If Capitol wants consumers to buy their "physical" product, give them some reason to do so--provide something they don't get via a download (legal or not). And don't cut back so much on the content itself--value "added" gets more buyers, not value "subtracted".

5 comments about If Every Day Was Like Christmas.

1. This CD features all the Christmas songs Elvis ever recorded. It includes the songs he recorded for his 1957 Christmas album, the songs from his 1971 Christmas album and the 1966 single "If Every Day Was Like Christmas". There are also four alternate takes of songs from his 1971 Christmas album. All of Elvis' Christmas recordings are great, so I highly recommend this CD.



2. My wife is the Elvis fan, but even I enjoyed listening to most of the Christmas songs presented on this album. A couple songs were a little too "Bluesy" for me.



3. I bought this CD and I must say I LOVE IT! Who doesn't love a good ol' Elvis song! I also bought Lisa Marie's CD & was very disapointed with all the fowl language in, especially being that she's Elvis' daughter!!!!



4. It's Elvis. He's singing Christmas music. It's all of the Christmas songs released during his career and a couple of alternate takes. What else do you need to know? It's Elvis singing Christmas songs, Heaven on Earth.



5. I did a little research and "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" (IEDWLC from here on out) wasthe best Elvis Christmas CD for me. My mom is an Elvis fanatic and his Christmas songs were always playing in the house during the month of December. Although I rebelled against his music, I found it more and more appealing as I became a young adult and desired one of his Christmas CDs.
   
   Unfortunately, he has many which meant I had to look through quite a few track listings to find which one had all the songs I wanted. This was it. It has secular classics such as "Blue Christmas" "Dreaming of a White Christmas" and "Silver Bells" along with tunes of a more religious tone like "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "The First Noel." Almost every classic Christmas song can be found on this CD as well as some that became classics because of Elvis -"Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town."
   
   Elvis sings many of these songs in a similar vein as his normal music and this is especially true of "Blue Christmas." If you do not like his style of singing normally, I doubt you would like it on this Christmas album. Another reviewer called it "schlock" but one must remember that much of Elvis' work -was- as much; it was a little hokey and a little cheesy and a little overdone but that's why we love it and this is why we love his Christmas songs.
   
   However, not all the songs are over the top. While it could never be Elvis with his thick performance, many of the tracks, especially the religious ones, are more toned down and less "schlocky."
   
   Elvis stays pretty true to the tradition of most of the songs (except perhaps "Blue Christmas") which is what I love. I love when classic songs are done with new voices but retain the classic sound.
   
   If you're an Elvis fan, you're bound to like this CD. It contains all the classics you might want and even a few Elvis originals. If you're not a fan, I would suggest giving this a go but keep in mind that these are very Elvis-y. This is a timeless album.

5 comments about 20th Century Masters: The Best of Burl Ives - The Christmas Collection.

1. I have to start by saying that I love christmas music, especially all the "Golden Oldies" like Bing Crosby, Ray Coniff, Nat King Cole and Andy Williams. I bought this CD to add to my collection because I love the Rudolph the Reindeer movie and thought this CD would be cute. It is NOT cute, it is actually completely awful! He sounds raspy, the songs are completely off tune, and the whole CD is depressing. I have never been so disapointed in a Christmas CD, I gave it away to a charity store. It is not even worth $7.99. DON'T BUY THIS!!!!



2. During the 1950's & 1960's, Burl Ives was remembered for his unique sounding American folk music. Today most remember him for his Christmas music from the TV special "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer". The most famous songs from that series plus a few from the 1950's are in this collection. The production does sound its age, the separation & highs are off, or to write it this way: it sounds thin compared to modern recordings. I collect many records from many periods & most are better upgraded than this CD. Most songs are done rather straight forward, with few instruments & back up singers, which may sound a little corny for some, yet revealing a time of innocence & fun. Try out the Listen to Samples & see if you remember any of the songs & then sing along with your family. The most remembered are: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silver Bells, & A Holly Jolly Christmas.



3. It's a great CD. Brings me back to when I was a little girl. We shouldn't forget the greats from the past. Besides, no one sings Rudolph better than Burl Ives.



4. I purchased this CD thinking it was the same as a sound recording of Christmas music by Burl Ives released in LP form during the 1960's (remember LP's?). Ives is not in good voice in many of these songs, and in particular he seems to be rushing through "The Twelve Days of Christmas." In fairness, this is more of a 2.5 rating. If you want Burl Ives at his best, give this one a pass.



5. If you're looking for a "Best Of" Christmas album that includes many of the Holiday's staple music, look no further.
   
   This include Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, as sung by Burl on the Holiday staple Christmas special of the same name.
   
   The remastering is well done and removes any pops, hiss or other similar issues associated with such old analog recordings as these.
   
   If you like Burl Ives' voice, you will like these tracks. If you don't like Sam the Snowman's voice or his vocal tracks from the original Rankin/Bass Rudolph special, then avoid this one.

5 comments about The Christmas Album, Vol. 2.

1. With a velvet voice what more could you wish to listen to,sat next to a blazing log fire,with snow gently falling outside



2. Neil Diamond's second Christmas album is a rare treat. It's debatable as to whether it's better than volume 1. Some may say it is; I personally say #1 is the superior. But most are agreed that they're both enjoyable and memorable Christmas albums. My favorites are "Joy to the World" (it begins with sharp piano notes and is eventually joined by a young gospel choir); "Mary's Boy Child" (a little-known and little-heard Christmas hymn and Neil does a wonderful job with it); "Away in a Manger" (nothing unique here, it's just that this classic song, for whatever reason, is missing on most Christmas albums); and the "Hallelujah Chorus" (an admirable effort that pays off very well).
   
   Most of the others are sung in the good old fashioned traditional style--the way they were meant to be sung, if I may be so bold. The only song I don't really care for that much is "Deck the Halls/We Wish You a Merry Christmas". It seems to have a little of that musical style somewhat similar to his rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on volume 1. Except this one does not have as much of the "barbershop quartet" style to it. Whatever it is, it's an approach that Neil Diamond does not have the right voice for. But even that one is tolerable.
   
   Overall, this is an excellent Christmas album which will not disappoint the average Christmas music enthusiast.



3. I may be giving this a rating that's slightly too high, but because he is much better this time around, this will get a four star rating. These songs are still "Neil Diamafied"(A description of the stately way that he kind of talk-sings), but at least I could sit and listen to this volume without wanting to leave the room or vomit. I don't know if these songs suit his singing style, or that he worked harder at singing them correctly or what, but I think I might not sell Volume II like I did my Volume I a couple of days ago on the Amazon website. I am kind of dumbfounded how a Jew who doesn't believe that Jesus is the messiah, can sing songs about Jesus being the savior, but whatever floats his boat. Who knows he might be in the organization JEWS FOR JESUS, which are Jews who believe Jesus is the messiah. He doesn't ham up this set of songs like he did on the first volume, so that makes it a much more enjoyable listen. If you're a big Neil Diamond fan, you need not hesitate.



4. Awesome! Neil does it again. I love his voice, his choice of songs. Volume 2 is almost as good as Volume 1!



5. o' come all ye faithfull. when i think of christmas my thoughts are of christmas trees, a warm fire, a tall glass of a fine coniac, and an old jewish man singing carolls. this is the only christmas cd that will really bring the hollidays home. if you want your family home for the hollidays, just let them know that neil diamond will be there wanting, singing and steeling the good china.

5 comments about Rudolph Frosty & Friends Favorite Christmas Songs.

1. This CD brings back such positive memories of my childhood. I really enjoy it!



2. The best of Christmas songs on one album for parents and children alike!
   I bought it for my three year old son. I wanted Christmas songs that were familiar to him and upbeat! This is it! It's mid January and he still requests it everytime we go for a ride in the car!!



3. This cd is an excellent addition to anyone who owns and loves the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials. My children loved to hear the music from the shows they had watched.



4. This CD has all the favorites plus a few I wasn't as familiar with. When I first purchased this my kids couldn't get enough of it. So eventually we played our first one so much I had to get a new one!! The whole family loves it, so much so that some of them would have us play it all year if I would let them. Great buy for the money.



5. This is a CD incorporating the classic songs from Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, and the Little Drummer Boy. These are the original songs from the original series and the album is easily worth the money, though it seems as though this version is out of print. A very good Christmas gift for children and adults.

5 comments about A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

1. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD - even if you don't think you like Christmas music. People stand in line for hours to hear the Choir of King's College's annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and when you hear this recording, you will understand why. Rarely does a choir sound quite as pure, smooth, and "together" as they do on this recording. The selection of music is wonderful. You get a few traditional favorites like "O Come All Ye Faithful", recorded live with the choir and the congregation singing along (I thought this would annoy me but it really doesn't - it only makes me feel the spirit of the ceremony even more). You also get plenty of wonderful choir-only pieces that you've probably never heard before unless you're a big cathedral music enthusiast. It all begins, of course, with a single choirboy singing the first verse of "Once in Royal David's City". It's impossible for me to pick an absolute favorite from this recording. I find "The Fayrfax Carol" by Thomas Ades to be particularly haunting and beautiful. Vaughan Williams' "The Truth from Above" is also very, very lovely. And how could you not enjoy "Up! Good Christen folk, and listen"? There is also Ord's short, but beautiful, "Adam lay ybounden". I like all of these pieces in and of themselves, but I think having them sung so expertly and sweetly by the choir makes me like them even more.

   To top it all off, you get about 20 minutes worth of readings and prayers recorded live at the service, interspersed among all of the music. I suppose this could be seen as the recording's only drawback (people talking), but I think it makes the recording much more authentic as a representation of the world-famous service. The readings make the recording more than just a musical experience, but a complete Christmas experience - which is what the ceremony is supposed to be. Besides, if you really hate the talking, that's what the skip button is for.

   Go ahead and buy this -- you'll be very glad you did.




2. A holiday classic. It has been a tradtion in our family for years. This is the first time I've seen it available on CD. I would highly recommend it to anyone.



3. A DIVINE DISC FOR THE DEVOUT!
   
   Listening to this one and one-half hour recording is one way to experience the meaning of Christmas. It must be a joy for those who can attend such a service as the "Festival of nine-lessons and carols". To hear the beautiful voices of the King's College Choir and their marvelous organist, Benjamin Bayl. This is all under the direction of Stephen Cleobury, and provides a treat for music lovers everywhere. The carols are related directly to the scripture readings that tell the Christmas Story in its entirety, all read skillfully by various people involved in the program. They are not lengthy, but quite to the point. The related carols are varied as to composer and mood, running the gamut from the traditional to the more recent such as : 'The Truth from above'(Vaughan Williams)-'Illuminare,Jerusalem' (Judith Weir)- and 'The Lamb' (John Tavener). The soloists include:Edward Moore (treble)-Thomas Bullard (baritone)-Adrian Kelly (tenor)-Edward Harries (treble)-and Julian Perkins (baritone). All sang well as did the entire choir. The English sound, that is boy sopranos and male altos, appeal to me personally and show up very well in this particular group. It's all quite emotional and very moving, especially to those who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. I've had this disc for several years, and would not think of celebrating Christmas without listening to it several times during the season.



4. A great experience combining Christmas carols with the reading of Holy Scripture (the lessons). It's a beautiful Christmas worship service in the Anglican tradition. I highly recommend it.
   
   In our age when thing change so fast, it's good to know that some great traditions continue. This recording is one of them.



5. This is familiar, traditional Christmas music, very well-crafted and performed in the Anglican style of hymnody. One of the best ever Christmas albums.

5 comments about Christmas Caravan.

1. I stumbled across this record in a used CD store and what a find it was! This CD is a great collection of tunes which bring back Christmas memories for those of us who are the same age as the guys (and gal) who wrote the song. This has quickly moved to the top of the stack of our Christmas favorites.



2. I was surprised by some negative reviews for this album. This is one of my most favorite Christmas albums and have been tempted to listen to this album at other points of the year. Some great fun songs that help bring out the spirit of the year and a nice change of pace from the traditional Christmas music that gets played to death during the season. I highly recommend adding this CD to your collection.



3. As opposed to covering the usual cannon of tired Christmas songs, the Squirrel Nut Zippers have managed to record an album of completely original music, save one song, that sounds as though it came from another era. Instead of dabbling in pastiche or novelty, they have created music that is a legitamit entry into whatever genre they choose to tip their hat. It's become a holiday staple in my house, and it seems such a shame to only listen to it precious few weeks of the year. Highly recommend!



4. This album is the one I wait all year to listen to. I love the blues and bluegrass songs. That his father's original recording is on the end is really cool.



5. There are definitely some tracks I skip on this Christmas record. But it's well worth the purchase price just for the truly phenomenal rendition of "Sleigh Ride", easily the most raucous, terrific, wonderful version of that song I've ever heard. Other standouts include the interpretation of "Winter Weather," which is just dripping with sass, "Carolina Christmas" and "Hot Christmas", which are a blast, and "Indian Giver" which is a heck of a fun shot at yuletide blues. The downtempo numbers aren't my favorites, and frankly a few of them are just a little too much of a bummer if you're trying to be festive.
   
   Anyway, though: the half of this album that hits is easily worth the purchase.

5 comments about The Gift.

1. This was the CD I had been looking for. Received in Excellent condition and in plenty of time to enjoy it for Christmas.



2. This is one of the best Christmas CD's that I have ever purchased. I just love it.



3. This cd is fantastic. I fell in love with "Mary Did You Know" and decided I simply must have the cd no matter what the other songs sounded like. It's a must have.



4. I have reordered this because my first copy was loaned out and never returned!This is without a doubt the best recording of "Mary did you know?" that I have ever listened too. It even gave my husband who is a pastor goosebumps! He even played it at our church Christmas program giving full credit to Kenny Rodgers! This album is incredible and I was so grateful to be able to obtain another copy!



5. I was very happy with the product and the service. Received as promised and in the condition as promised.

5 comments about Christmastime.

1. I first listened to this CD in November 1998. I went to Texas to go with my parents to the doctor. The diagnosis: multiple myeloma, incurable cancer for my mother. After spending a few days with them, I listened to this CD all of the way home, a 400 mile trip. I prayed & worshipped all the way while God used the beautiful music of Michael W. Smith's Christmastime to guide me safely home. I still listen to the CD and it is truly a beautiful CD that can be a worship experience for an open heart.



2. This is a great CD! I have had it for awhile now and love to listen to it every Christmas. It has a lot of upbeat songs as well as some traditional ones. It's a fun holiday CD and I would recommend it to everyone!



3. Michael has two Christmas cd's out now, and I wish he would do another. I have called his first one a masterpiece, the same could be said of this one.
   The first track "The happiest Christmas" is a wonderful opening track. Kay Thompson's Jingle bells is reminiscent of Andy Williams of the sixties.
   
   This release and his "Christmas" are the two cd's that gets heavy playing time at my house. In the past year I have sampled and or purchased more Christmas music than in the last 15 years. I have heard some really good music but for the season His music has not been topped. These two cd's are what I would consider modern classics or masterpieces! Michael, a master of blending and reinventing music to bring something new. I also appreciate the way he gives Christmas music profound reverence and respect. Tops most Christmas releases because of Michael's passion for music,giving it that Christmas feeling and epic sound. Michael has captured the Christmas spirit in this one!
   
   I went to see Michael when he recently came to my area.He did a Christmas show and I was surprised to see how many people did not have all of his Christmas CD's. I said to myself "You don't have that one!!.... then your Christmas is not complete!!!!
   
   I have a LOT of Christmas CDs, and this is one of the first and last I listen to each Christmas season. He has clearly captured the spirit of the season, MWS has done it again!! Thanks Michael on making a modern tradition for Christmas!



4. Michael Smith is a terrific musician and I enjoyed this album very much. It had some variations of old familiar Carols as well as a few new ones that I also enjoyed immensely.



5. I have actually bought two of these, one for the house and one for my car. I love the original "Christmastime" and even my music savvy 20 year old who loves Keane, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, The Fray, etc., deemed "Christmastime" her favorite Christmas song this year. If you want to add to your Christmas music collection with something different than choirs or acoustic guitar ... this is the CD to buy!

5 comments about Christmas with the Rat Pack.

1. I have alway loved the Rat Pack and this CD was just what I needed to remember why I love Christmas. Thanks



2. a must have. perfect listening while putting up the tree and sipping on some spiked nog!!!



3. When this came out in 2002 I grabbed a copy from a fast-diminishing pile at my local record store. And I now regard it as one of my all-time seasonal favourites.
   
   The opening lines from the insert tells it all: "Forget about ho-ho-ho and bells that jingle. This Christmas will be strictly ... Ring-A-Ding Ding. Yep, Frank, Dean & Sammy are serving a heaping helping of yuletide cheer featuring classic versions of holiday standards, rare first-time CD performances and hitherto unreleased bonus tracks."
   
   This is followed by two pages of brief anecdotes from each of the stars, some of it related to the origins of the nickname The Rat Pack, as well as a note from Frank's long-time pianist Bill Miller relating their appearance in Las vegas while filming Ocean's Eleven.
   
   A picture spread in the middle shows the three in action on stage, followed by three pages showing the contents and when the song first appeared on record. The earliest [track 11] dates to 1954 and the Capitol LP Merry Christmas To You while most of the remainder are culled from albums originally reeased in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Track 20 is from Dean's TV special on December 21, 1967 and track 21 is from his December 31, 1970 show. The only one previously unreleased is track 3, Christmas Time All Over The World by Sammy, and when you hear it you'll wonder why it was held back at the time.
   
   Thank you Capitol for what is now surely an essential addition to any Christmas collection.



4. Just like "Christmas Story" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", this compilation of Rat Pack classics has become an absolute favorite and a Christmas ritual. This was the frist Christmas CD my wife and I bought when we got married and with hours of holiday driving to see our families, we have never regretted it. While there are other albums from these artists, it's tough to get such a great collection on a single CD. It would be nice to have a little more from Sammy Davis Jr, but as a whole, this is a fantastic mix, and you won't be disappointed.



5. I have had to buy at least ONE new copy every year--someone always talks me out of my copy! Absolutely the greatest holiday music for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages!