5 comments about Christmas II.

1. Although Alabama are well capable of rocking with the best of them, they chose not to on this collection of Christmas music. The tempo picks up on Rocking around the Christmas tree (a cover of the Brenda Lee classic) and Hanging round the mistletoe (more recently covered by Brooks and Dunn) but they do not go full throttle even on those songs. So this is one of those Christmas albums to play during quieter moments and it works very well on that level.

   Among the other songs, there are two old chestnuts - Little drummer boy and O little town of Bethlehem - on which Alabama sound exactly as you would expect them to sound. New tears eve 1999 is a track from their Twentieth century album. I don't think it was part of the album when it was first released in the nineties but it fits in well and I'm glad that it was added as a bonus track. I was young once too is a great father and son song. The other songs are a mix of love ballads and spiritual songs and make for very enjoyable listening.

   This is another great collection of Christmas music from Alabama, though I think their first Christmas album was even better. At the prices quoted, both of them are a real bargain.




2. Helps round out my Alabama collection. Shipped & received in good condition. Nice job in handling my order.



3. Was not aware they had a second Christmas CD and am very glad to get it.



4. I like this album, especially the song called "The Blessings", in which a man sings about how he is blessed to have a wonderful family and a generally wonderful life.
   
   I operate an online radio station on live365.com that is temporarily playing Christmas music and have added this to the playlist (www.live365.com/stations/allenkep67).



5. If you enjoy Alabama...then please DO treat yourself to this CD! We have experienced many happy moments during Christmases past listening to their original Christmas CD with 'Thistlehair, the Christmas Bear'...this one is as easy listening and as pleasant..if not even more so! I've already purchased several to give as gifts in early December 2008...just so family and friends can enjoy it as well!

5 comments about Harry for the Holidays.

1. I'm deluded from the track list.
   Few classics and not nery notable too.
   But the talente of Harry is not discutible.



2. This is a great CD that my kids look forward too every year for the holidays. There are a lot of great "full jazz band" songs .



3. I am a huge HC fan, and it's hard for me to objective, but this album is just not up to his usual standard. While I enjoyed the different take on 'Silver Bells' and the up-beat jazzy spin on 'Frosty' and "Santa Claus is Coming," too many of tracks are waaaaayyyy too far away from the traditional. Some of the interludes contain melodies and instrumentation that just don't fit. Sorry, Harry.



4. Great CD. Lots of original music and different styles of old favorites. Harry's renditions of the classic Christmas music re-ignites interest in your old, sometimes overdone, favorites. Fun and catchy tunes such as "The Happy Elf" and "I'm going to be the first One" are original and entertaining. If you love Christmas music this CD is a must have



5. We've about burnt a hole in this disc, we've played it so many times. It has a great mix of hymns, holiday and children's music. "The Happy Elf" is a family favorite and "Silent Night" will give you goose bumps every time.

5 comments about O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge.

1. For traditional Christmas Carols, this choir is really weak and the selections could be better. I prefer stronger choirs such as the Robert Shaw Chorale.



2. I always love King's College Christmas CD's. The music sung by these awesome voices is like hearing angels in heaven praising the newborn King. I have also sung some of the descants used with the old favorites like "O Come, All Ye Faithful". The soaring of the young boys' voices in songs like "Once In Royal David's City", is just beyond compare. Be sure to buy one or more of the King's College CD's and just sit, listen, and fully enjoy the music.



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



4. I live in the D.C. area and have the former Classical Station WGMS to thank for introducing me to the King's College Cambridge Choir. This wonderful radio station used to play gorgeous Christmas music all through December, but alas it (the station) is no more, which is why I bought the CD. The CD is exquisite, every carol fills me with the proper Christmas spirit of reverence, benevolence... to think of music doing that to a driver in this area is quite impressive, as the traffic around here would try the patience of St. Francis himself. Anyways, this music is an absolute joy, a blessing, a comfort, and I would recommend it with ten stars if I could. Do yourself a favor, buy this beautiful CD collection and truly FEEL the Christmas spirit in 08!!!



5. I just read J Morgan's review. I like Robert Shaw too, but Kings College Choir is fabulous. Too bad this disc is no longer available new.

2 comments about Welcome Christmas: Carols and Lullabies From Around the World.

1. It is getting more difficult each Christmas Season to find discs that offer Christmas choral music that is infused with a sense of "rootedness" borne out of time-hewn tradition and at the same time compliments--rather than rehashes--the existing repertoire of age-old Christmas choral music.
   
   This is one of those rare discs that accomplishes this difficult task of offering a different approach to Christmas choral without slipping into the secular/contemporary (which usually strips all meaning and "rootedness" from Christmas). It does so by continuing to mine selections from Christmas traditions; however, the traditions are beyond the historical milieu of Olde Europe.
   
   At least half the selections here hail from Hispanic origins. If I know anything about Hispanic culture (not much, but I live in the American Southwest), it is nothing if not traditional and rooted, yet passionate and alive.
   
   If you are looking for a Christmas disc that can compliment (i.e., blend with but not duplicating) existing Christmas choral traditions, this is a "must-have" disc for your Christmas collection.
   
   To be sure, several of the tracks are from the European Christmas choral traditions. But even these are executed with



2. This is simply the most enchanting Christmas recording I have ever owned. I can't recommend it highly enough for those who love Christmas and some of the finest choral music. You'll love it too!

5 comments about Symphonic Rock: British Invasion, Vol. 1.

1. First, these outstanding songs were performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the BEST orchestra in the world!

   The LSO has a great reputation for playing Rock & Pop music, and they done it again with this album. I really love some tracks, like Night in White Satin, House of Rising Sun, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another Brick in the Wall and Layla. The atmosphere was grand, and that helped unleashed the spirit of the songs.




2. dear all ....words are not enough in this case .... i realy dont know how to thank you all for the great stuff you'r doing ......i'v ben searching for this albume for ten years .... it makes me feel that am in my own world .....thank you all .. and keep on beieng the best .... emad



3. I love this cd, I found it at a thift store. I listen to it all the time. If you want awsome music BUY IT!!!



4. This CD is very amusing. It reminds me of Radio Jordan - The English station Broadcasting from Amman Jordan & is recieved here & different cities around Israel & the PA... You see, they played these sorts of instrumentals all the time. Anything they could get their hands on - Yani, Kenny G, and lots of this stuff... so this is kinda like Radio Jordan... but in a good way! :-)



5. This CD is truly incredible.I liked it much better than just about anything else the LSO has done. As many have already stated before me, I think this CD will appeal to a wide variety of audiences-and especially for those who are used to listening to rock and are now enjoying classical music. This CD deserves the"cult classic" status it has attained over the past few years, and amoungst rock symphonies is only surpassed by the "Door's Concerto".

5 comments about Catch Me If You Can.

1. I loved the movie and now the music. I think it is one of the most original soundtracks that John Williams has ever done. The Jazz in this music is so peaceful and lighthearted. This soundtrack should be on any music lovers shelf. In my book, this music is a classic film score.



2. This is brilliant. You will have this theme ringing in your ears for a month after listening. I have collected around 25 to 30 J. Williams scores. This is wonderful like the rest...



3. The opening theme is the coolest ever. It has that jazzy, suspenseful, space-age groove that takes you back to the early 60's era portrayed in the movie.
   
   Once I discovered it was done by John Williams, things started to click. The arrangement and themes actually go back way before he was famous. Back to an era he may not want you to remember. Back when he was known simply as "Johnny" Williams.
   
   First, notice the melody and pace of the creeping marimbas and bubbling flutes. Next, catch a repeat of the old Sci-Fi, TV Fairy-Tale known as "LOST IN SPACE." Listen for the incidental, suspense-scene music throughout. Did you catch the composer's name in the credits?
   
   Bingo!(and still very cool)!



4. John Williams does it again! This man is the best composer I have ever heard! The music fits the scenes in the movies so unblievably well that you will wonder how one man was creative enough to think of it!



5. The way people have been talking about this score, from the reviews to the liner notes, you'd think it was a stylistic counterpart to "Checkmate." In truth, there is minimal jazz or even pseudo-jazz content in this score. It is mostly orchestral with occasional jazzy touches, such as vibes or sax, but it's hardly a return to his days as Johnny Williams (as some have suggested). And the handful of tunes by the likes of Sinatra, Dusty, and Getz/Gilberto are readily available elsewhere in more appropriate settings. On its own terms, the score is certainly pleasant, but it's hardly a "jazz score" as defined by the likes of Mancini, Lalo Schifrin, Johnny Mandel, Kenyon Hopkins, and others.

5 comments about Abriendo Puertas.

1. Abriendo Puertas is the second of Gloria's three Spanish CDs, but the last I became familiar with. At first I was disappointed as it seemed less "serious" and "cutting edge" than Mi Tierra or Alma Caribena, but increased familiarity has revealed its considerable charms.

   This is a holiday (Christmas and New Years) related album, but not really a Christmas album as such. All the songs are based on Latin dance rhythms and represent the kind of high spirited festival music that is popular at that time of year. This is as much composer/arranger/instrumentalist Kike Santander's album as Gloria's-- he has written 10 relentlessly upbeat, wonderfully arranged songs, inventive and polished to perfection. The details of the songs are quite wonderful, and Gloria's singing is ideal for this idiom.

   This is really a great album to put you in a good mood, as well as for appreciating top of the line musicanship. The Gold Star award for the songs must go to "Felicidad", which is just that, and the impossibly infectious "Tres Deseos", (try and play it just once!).

   All together, Gloria Estefan's 3 Spanish CD's are a real achievement, and prove that her real talent is in her Latin heritage, and not in the rather ordinary English language albums she is more famous for.




2. This is the best spanish CD EVER I recommed it you wont be dissapointed.



3. Gloria's second Spanish release has to be her most exciting (along with 1998's Gloria!) The songs have a very authentic Latin sound. It's almost like she took the last song from Mi Tierra and continued on with the songs on Abriendo Puertas.

   The songs have a New Year's and Christmas theme, with messages about starting over, sending good wishes, as well as about just having fun. "Mas Alla" is the softest number, so lovely it brings a tear to your eye. "Farolito" is the most interesting, because of its tribal blend of chanting and rhythmic hand claps.

   There are many different Latin and Caribbean styles, which Gloria has written about prior to the lyrics of each song. She tells what styles you'll hear in the particular song, where they come from, and the instruments that are used to get a particular sound.

   This one isn't translated like her two other Spanish CD's are. So, even though you may not get the lyrics, the message of loving life is clear throughout the entire CD.




4. I am happy to send a review of this seller. My CD came quickly and was wrapped securely. I couldn't believe the promptness and have been enjoying it ever since. Thanks!



5. I'm 1/2 Cuban and I've been a fan since "Conga". This is her best album of all time. With an old world feel she brings Cuba to you with these songs. This album has never left my car and I can't imagine not owning it. In fact if I was on a desserted island and could only have one cd this would be it.

5 comments about Christmas Is....

1. MANY PEOPLE HAVE A FAVORITE X MAS SONG, ONE THAT IS SPECIAL FOR YOU, AND MINE IS SILVER BELLS BUT ALSO I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AND SPECIALLY ALL THE SOUNDS LIKE VIOLINS, CHELO,ETC. WELL, LISTEN TO THIS VERSION OF SILVER BELLS AND YOU CAN HAVE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR A COUSY, WARM, ELLEGANT DINNER IN COMPLETE HARMONY, I RECOMMEND USING THIS PIECE AT THE MOMENT YOU LIGHT THE CANDELS FOR YOUR XMAS DINNER...IT MAKES A SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE AND BELIVE ME THAT IT STAYS IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOU MIND FOREVER...AND THIS HAPPENS THE SAME FOR YOUR LOVE ONES.



2. This has always been my favorite Christmas album. Actually this is my second one of these. I keep a copy in my car and one in the house. I really feel the spirit of Christmas when I listen to this one.



3. This has been a family favorite since I can remember. We grew up listening to this on an original reel-to-reel recording. Timeless Christmas classics that take you back and make anywhere you play it during the holidays, feel like home. Includes songs such as Little Drummer Boy, Silver Bells and It's Cold Outside. It doesn't get more Christmas than this. A must have for your holiday music collection.



4. 
   I like anything by Percy Faith, especially his Christmas albums. When I saw this was available, I jumped at the chance to purchase it. It definitely lived up to my expectations!



5. Thanks for having a very hard to find product. The memories of childhood roll back as I listen. Christmas Is, the soundtrack to my adolescent Xmas time. Used to sing in a Madrigal Choir in Iowa. Mr Schneider wherever you are I hope you are doing well.

5 comments about Classical Kids Christmas.

1. Classical Kids' Christmas is one of the most reverent experiences it has ever been my pleasure to hear.It is not just for kids, but for everyone who cherishes the essentially intimate, family-oriented and community-based nature of the Christmas celebration. Noble in concept, deceptively artless and understated in its expert execution, it recaptures the magic and wonder of those earliest Christmases we all recall when we compare what we did then with what we do these days. Classical Kids Christmas should become a part of every child's fondly remembered Christmas traditions.



2. This is, by far, my favorite Christmas CD. In fact, I listen to it all year round.The music is so wonderful, you really have to experience it for yourself. This would make a wonderful gift for any child or adult, especially for a sick or hospitalized patient. At $14 is not cheap, but it's so worth it...



3. A CLASSICAL KIDS CHRISTMAS is a Symphony of Stories for all ages. This truly beautiful interweaving of traditional yuletide songs with stories and legends from around the world which illustrate each song is a CD that will become your family favorite for December for many years. The music, performed by some of the best artists in the world, is magnificent, and each voice chosen to tell one of the stories and legends is perfect for the spirit of that story. The CD is a magnificent treasure. Be sure to order many for your friends and family.



4. I like this CD just fine but it was not what I expected or really what I wanted. I was looking for an all instrumental Christmas CD for my Autistic son. He does not particularly like the Christmas narration or the singing. I will make sure to read the description more closely next time.



5. Story line is interspersed with a nice variety of classic christmas songs and poems in a setting that enhances the meaning and understanding of the words!!! It addresses both the Santa and Christ of christmas and keeps the focus of the holiday giving to others rather than self gain. Nicely balanced in topic, theme, style, and well done! Truly a classic tradition for all to enjoy from young to old!!! A MUST for every home for the holidays as this is not just for kids!!!

5 comments about A Statlers Christmas Present.

1. Had an old recording of this, and liked it, and this is nice too.



2. Can't complain when the Statlers sing...humor, harmony, and the holidays. It doesn't get any better than that.



3. I gave this as a present, and the recipient seemed pleased. If you're a Statler Brothers fan, you'll probably like it!



4. Was very happy with the speed of delivery. Love the Staters and the cd were in perfect condition



5. This is a great addition to my Christmas collection. I love the Statlers & never missed their show on TNN when they had it. This brought back many memories of those shows. Thank you.