5 comments about THE IRISH TENORS: Home for Christmas.

1. This collection goes straight to your heart. It's their voices, their song selections, and most of all their enthusiasm and heart that makes this albumn shine. I listen to it over and over and it still is fresh each time. The best Xmas singing ever as far as I am concerned!



2. I first videotaped the "Live from Belfast" performance on PBS.I don't know how many times I have watched it. Then I bought the CD (as well as the "Live from Dublin" CD and video), thinking it would have a song book, but it didn't. That is the only thing I could wish for. I am delighted to find the "Home for Christmas" CD, as I have been told by two different sources that it is unavailable.As someone else expressed, I am glad Finbar Wright was given a chance, even though I am sorry for the occasion that made it possible. I am of Irish descent, and their songs (and especially their interpretations) touched me deeply. I would also like to see a list of other recordings, especially of Anthony Kearns. Pavarotti and Bocelli are the only tenors I might rank as equals with Anthony for ability, pure beauty of tone, and control. I have tried repeatedly to access their web site, but it is unavailable.



3. Like millions of others I discovered the Irish Tenors through PBS. I promptly began looking for anything else by these wonderful performers and found this Cd. The music is soul-satisfying as the Christmas music is all sacred (the closest to secular is "Good King Wenceslas"). The arrangements are in turn glorious, tender, and sweet. "Suo Gan" by McDermott, ''Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "The Wexford Carol" by Kearns are highlights. Of the ensemble pieces, "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World" stand out. But the crowning selection is "The Holy City." We are wearing the album out and it's only May. We'll have to have another copy for Christmas!



4. I have the CD and the tape of this item and I have also seen the Concert twice.TWICE !! The most amazing part of it is when Anthony sings his LITTLE JESUS BOY. When I went to the concert the first time I wasn't really prepared for the effect that song would have on me. On the CD & tape he sings with a Choral Group to back him up. EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST LINES OF THAT SONG !!!!!.

   IT IS ONLY HIS VOICE WE HEAR, AND WHAT A VOICE !!! But at the live shows, he does the same thing, but without the music, and the effect it has IS LIKE A PHYSICAL BLOW TO THE SENCES. I think every one in the place just held our breath until he was finished. IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUND THAT EVER CAME FROM THE MOUTH OF ANY SINGER I HAVE EVER HEARD. I play that one number over and over just to hear ANTHONY'S VOICE. I guess by now you know that I think all THE IRISH TENORS are great, but there is always something special about each of them on certain numbers they each sing. I especially like the trio doing AMAZING GRACE. They do it so well together. Just can't wait for the new "STUFF" FROM YOUR #1 FAN. JOAN WAY




5. I really enjoy this music. I like the quality and style of music presented by the Irish Tenors, and I like Christmas music. This is the perfect CD for me. I like hearing it from early November through the holiday season. I have given this album as a gift, and it was much appreciated. I would recommend it for anyone who likes traditional Christmas music.

5 comments about Christmas Cookies.

1. This CD is fantastic. I love the Christmas Cookies song, and Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing is hilariously true. Of course, I am a long time fan of the Oaks, but they sound so good together even a newcomer would find themselves listening repeatedly.



2. The Oak Ridge Boys really know how to warm the heart. Over 15 years ago I had one of their Christmas cassettes and made copies for our girls. Over time the tapes wore out and each year the girls would sing those songs from memory and recall how great that music was. Everyone thought back to those trips to the grandparents each year listening to those heartwarming tunes. I was able to recreate those memories through Amazon and obtain that "old" music on CD, AND got thier latest Christmas works this past Christmas, now life for our kids who are now grown up may enjoy those "new" memories for many more Christmases to come ! Thanks Amazon ! Larry G. (Georgia)



3. I wanted this cd after hearing "Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing" on radio. It is such a cute song. The other songs are a good mix of traditional and original. The Oaks do a great job on everything they sing. Love it!



4. I ordered this CD because of the song Christmas Cookies but was delighted with all the songs on the album. It will be one we listen to at holidays in the future. I think anyone listing to the song Christmas Cookies can relate to it. I was also surprised to find a recipe included for Jan's Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. Will be trying it soon. Add this CD to your Christmas listening.



5. The Oak Ridge Boys continue to get better and better and this Christmas CD shows they've still got it! There are some traditional Christmas carols and lots of new songs. The harmony is wonderful and there are solos from each of them. It's February and I'm still playing it in my car!

5 comments about Here We Come A-Caroling.

1. Ray Conniff was a talented trombonist who hit upon a winning commercial formula in the 1960s. He could take any piece from any musical source, run it through his formula and come out with a sound that appealed to millions. He became immensely popular as the kind of music one heard in elevators and supermarkets. Conniff never took himself or his product too seriously and was smart enough to never deviate from his method.
   
   I am not his target customer and find the kind of easy snappy music kind of dead. However, I don't want to take anything away from those who really enjoy it, and there are many because the music is still in print after 40 years! That is saying something. I am simply not the target customer.
   
   The sound is basically a kind of anonymous mixed voices singing style with a soft rock beat, with guitars, and small orchestra. Nothing much changes from song to song.
   
   Having this as background music at a holiday party would be honoring this music for exactly the purpose for which it was created.



2. It's nothing fancy, but "Joy to the World" just rocks. As a matter of fact, if you listen closely you will hear what I think is perhaps a special guest appearance by the lovely and most talented soprano hippopotamus from Pee Wee Herman's "Under The Big Top". It doesn't get any better than singing hippos at Christmas.
   If you're still a bit uptight, there is plenty of other stuff on here to suit your fancy.



3. We had had this in tape form, but wanted a CD. It'sjust what we expected and we are very happy to have found it.



4. Thank you for this "wonderful" addition to my Christmas collection. CD was in perfect condition and recieved promptly. Thanks again.



5. Such great vocals, music, arrangements and the way Christmas music should be to me, very classy and traditional. You won't get this sound today in music, simply a holiday favorite for me to mix with many other xmas music I have. You can't go wrong as you have the option to listen to piece of the songs before buying the CD or buying individual songs.

5 comments about Windham Hill Holiday Guitar Collection.

1. I have collected every Windham Hill Christmas album back to Winter's Solstice I. As with every holiday season, I looked forward to Windham Hill's latest collection. But this year's version is a total ripoff. It is merely a recylced collection of songs from previous Windham Hill Christmas CD's that I already own. Even though the cover says "Windham Hill presents a new collection of timeless Christmas favorites," every song was on a previous Christmas or Winter's Solstice CD. If Windham Hill had practiced truth in advertising I would have never forked out $19 for a bunch of songs I already have!!! This rating only reflects my anger at getting ripped off, the music is 5 stars.



2. Buyer beware: this is indeed a new collection, although of material that has been previously released by Windham Hill on the "Solstice" and/or "Christmas" series. It certainly would be disappointing and a money waste to make the purchase expecting newly published material.
   
   That being said, this is an excellent sampling of Windham Hill artists and performances within a single CD. The playlist is all instrumental guitar (amplified or acoustic) and represents a wide array of song titles. A perfect accompaniment for mellow mood holidays!



3. Music's great but the songs are old. If you bought this cd and have the other ones too then hey, you have a perfect xmas present for your loved one! No need to be angry... and anyway you get the cream of the tracks from previous compilations in one place now, all in the row.



4. The music is superlative. You will not find better Christmas music anywhere. Well, I take it back...you WILL find the SAME tracks on all the old Windham Hill Christmas and Winter Solstice Collections. If you don't have those, or have no interest in them, then this is the CD for you. Otherwise, buy all the others, because the piano and other instrumentalists are exquisite as well. I STRONGLY urge you to pick up a copy of Windham Hill's Guitars (and other Stringed Things) A Windham Hill Christmas Collection. The music is all unbelieveably awesome, and it appears to be out of print now. A few copies are left for a few dollars, and I'm just glad I have it saved in iTunes so I don't have to worry about scratching my overused CDs anymore!



5. All of my friends who have heard me play this CD have gone out to get one of their own. It is both soothing and innovative.

3 comments about Ultimate Classical Christmas Album of All Time.

1. Good mix of the expected ("Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", etc) and the unexpected (the Vivaldi Gloria, Gabrieli, Schutz). Kudos to the Sony team for uniform clarity & quality of sound, despite source material from 1959 through 1998. Word to the wise: the performance of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" credited to Marilyn Horne is actually by Eileen Farrell from her excellent "Carols for Christmas Eve" release. No disrespect to Ms Horne, who is well represented by two performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. If you're truly a classical music fan but don't mind a traditional carol or two, this is an excellent buy.



2. If you love Christmas as much as I do, you will probably enjoy this album. It features plenty of standard favorites - especially sung by the MoTab, who seem to be a holiday staple. I probably wouldn't pay $17.95 just to hear songs like 'The Little Drummer Boy' of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'
   
   What makes this compillation interesting is the liberal sprinkling of less traditional - or, anyway, less well-known - classical pieces. Vivaldi's 'Gloria', Corelli's 'Christmas Concerto', and the opera 'Hansel and Gretel' all make an appearance. The standout, in my mind, is the ethereally beautiful 'Watt's Cradle Hymn,' which I have never seen or heard anywhere else - that one song alone makes this album worth a listen.



3. Over and over we played "Die Menge der Engel" - - it is stunningly beautiful! The loftiness of the voices, wonderful.
   
   We loved the boys/children's choruses on many of the other pieces on the album. Duets by Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavorati - - magnifico!
   
   It is a pleasant compilation of traditional favorites and awesome classical pieces that are worth listening to again and again.

5 comments about He is Christmas.

1. Listening to this album this morning as I add to my wish list, the vast majority of comments here echo my own. This album is fresh every time I listen to it. It stands ups. Timeless. Even the cuts I didn't like the first time grown on you. If you like Take 6, or just very smooth vocal jazz harmony, this will put a star on your musical tree every year.



2. This album is divine. It has the ability to evoke a Christmas feeling that I had years before the album even came out! 'Hark the Heral Angels Sing,' my favourite track on the album, reminds me of growing up, surrounded by family on Christmas Day with a turkey and ham in the oven... thinking "thank God for the joy this day brings."
   
   Vocally they are impeccably harmonized and the genre ranges from STUNNING classical interpretations such as 'Hark the Herald' to a dreamy, bluesy number like 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy'...to jazzy 'God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen'. Like all good Santas, there's something for everyone and yet we can still enjoy all of it. Magical!
   
   Bring the spirit of Christmas home...or back home. Get this CD and then turn the volume up. God bless!



3. I had this on cassette but felt very left out when cassette players went out of style. I bought purely because it is a great Christmas CD. My favs are....well all of them!



4. This Christmas CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.



5. This is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas album ever! I've had it for 7 years now and NEVER tire of it. The arrangements are bold and brilliantly inventive. Their harmonies are as fresh as ever, and I know this music will endure and excite throughout my honkey life. My fav is Drummer Boy. I have all their stuff, and this and So Much 2 Say are my favs. Their other Christmas CD might appeal to more mainstream listeners, whereas this feeds the ears/sensibilities of those wanting excitement - wanting the proverbial chills-up-spine thrills. The cover design appropriately reflects this.

3 comments about Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. Great Collection for any temptaions fan. How ever some of the song where often heard on other collectors cds. Only a few of the songs weren't played to death on other albums. Also i loved the extra track "Oh Holy Night " i never haerd that song sung quit like that before. I found it very refreshing.



2. I love everything the Temptations have ever done. This was a "must" for my collection. The songs are timeless, done in the mellow and harmonious Temptations style. This is a good variety of classic Christmas songs sung as if they were written especially for this group to perform. All Temptations fans will enjoy this collection!



3. I recieved this cd in November, and I have been playing it almost every day since. The Temptations are wonderful as always. Their Christmas Carols are not borning. It makes you look forward to Christmas. MY 10 year old granddaughter heard the cd and this is what she wants for Christmas. Need I say more?

5 comments about Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock.

1. The two previous reviewers have done an excellent job of summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of this recording. Von Otter shines in this recording, and Tomlinson's bass is approachably period-correct -- a heavy booming bass soloist is not called for here.
   
   On a personal note, I grew up with the Gardiner recording and purchased this Trevor Pinnock version several years ago. Last Christmas I put the Gardiner on the turntable for a listen, and found it staid...overly stiff in comparison with the Pinnock recording. While this may not be surprising to the cognoscenti, it may be helpful information for those who are seeking a dancing, light, and truly emotive performance.



2. Of all the many versions of Handel's MESSIAH available today, this is perhaps the very best. The overnight delivery was wonderful. Thanks very much.



3. I won't repeat all the positive observations made by others about this enduringly fine recording in affirming it's one of two of which I never tire. As others have noted, its uniform excellence is one of its greatest attractions. Above all the purity and clarity of Arleen Auger's voice in the soprano solos, so well known and therefore rather unforgiving in the demands made upon them, makes me reach for it among the dozen or so I currently own.
   
   I've been to hear live Messiah performances and listened to recordings for 43 years now, and sometimes it seems the changing fashions in performance practice, especially of Bach and Handel, define my life development too. I think Handel would have liked this performance, and been very pleased with Pinnock's choices and his soloists. Pinnock avoids pushing too hard in making his points for his performance choices, and perhaps that's another central reason why this recording never grows tiresome.
   
   The other recording I enjoy as much is Mackerras's 1966 recording with Elizabeth Harwood and Janet Baker. I had never heard the "Rejoice!" done in 12/8 before,and have had a preference for it ever since. Harwood adds a touch of pleasing dramatic engagement Auger sometimes lacks, but for which she makes up in the purity of tone. Handel: Messiah / Harwood, J. Baker, Esswood, Tear, Herincx; Mackerras
   
   For me the only comparable "He was Despised" recordings besides Dame Janet's here, are Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias and the ever-dear LP copies of Kathleen Ferrier.



4. AUGER AND CHANCE ENCHANT AND ENTRANCE.
   The English passion for oratorio is largely due to Handel. Every year from 1738 to 1751, he produced at least one. The 'Messiah' is THE modern oratorio, not only because of the custom of rising and stretching in the seventh inning, when the 'Hallelujah Chorus' is sung, but because of its magnificent choruses, soaring arias and orchestral accompaniment which are truly thrilling.
   
   And that is precisely why I would not give this rendition five stars. It is incredibly 'laid back' and too 'cold' for my taste. However. let's examine the soloist's contributions one by one, for some of this overall impression has a great deal to do with them.
   
   John Tomlinson (bass)- excellent technique with good emotional investment; tone quality unusual (I didn't like it) and rather rough-sounding.
   
   Howard Crook (tenor) very oramented delivery overall; somewhat overdone at times, but otherwise, well done with good vocal resonance and upbeat style.
   
   Anne Sofie von Otter (contralto)-after hearing Chance, she is a big let-down. She had that highly emotional and lengthy solo 'He was despised', and she could have been singing' 'take me out to the ball game' for all the emotion she sent out to the listener. While she is certainly more than adequate in her other arias on this recording, nevertheless, she lacks the power that Chance maintains throughout.
   
   Michael Chance (countertenor)-Excellent, as per usual, lovely sound throughout, mega emotional investment. Always the perfectionist!!!!
   
   Arlene Auger (soprano) Superb in every way; her voice is the ultimate in every way: exciting, sonorous, emotional, smooth and clear as crystal. I have never heard 'Rejoice Greatly' sung any better!!!
   
   Chorus: nice sound, but rather bland; tempos somewhat slower overall. Excellent diction throughout, just not the most exciting of my many 'Messiah's'.
   
   For real excitement try the 'live' performance from Maulbronn Monastery with Jurgen Budday!



5. If you like Handel's Messias and want a definitive record, this is your choice!!
   
   I recommend!

5 comments about Christmas to Christmas.

1. I just bought this album just this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. My thirteen-year-old daughter loves "Hot Rod Sleigh" which is a really great up-beat original Christmas song written by Toby himself. As a hopeless romantic I love "Blame It On The Mistletoe", "The Night Before Christmas", and "All I Want For Christmas". Toby also has some really great Christian Christmas music on this album. "Jesus Gets Jealous of Santa Claus" (written by Keith Urban), "Mary, It's Christmas", and "What Made the Baby Cry"- all superb songs by any standard....especially mine. There are also songs on this album that will make bring a smile to your face such as "Christmas Rock" and "Santa's Gonna Take It All Back"... so as you can plainly see there is a little something for everyone on this album.
   
   If you are tired of the same old Christmas songs being remade over and over, and would like a completely original album then I highly recommend this album.



2. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS VERSION OF "THE CHRISTMAS CAROL"...GEORGE C SCOTT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SCROOGE...YOU MUST HAVE THIS DVD IN YOUR CHRISTMAS COLLECTION



3. Like a lot of Christmas albums released by "flavor of the month" entertainers, this disc really only contains two or three songs that stand out, the rest, not so hot. A real Toby Keith fan might disagree, but then again a real Toby Keith fan is probably not a Christmas music shopper. I'd recommend Santa I'm Right Here, Santa's Gonna Take It All Back, and a couple others, but that's hardly worth the price of the full disc.



4. Very good CD if you like Toby Keith and you also don't want a CD of traditional Christmas music. Some very pretty ballads.



5. I rarely like all the songs on a CD and this one is no different. But the price was right, I like Toby, and I'm glad I got it.

5 comments about Home for Christmas.

1. This compilation of Christmas songs has some of the most wonderful holiday songs ever written. They range from Christmas classics as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "The Christmas Song" (the latter sung most soulfully by Mr. John Oates) to cover songs performed in the "rock & soul" manner that Hall and Oates became famous for. ("Christmas Must Be Tonight", "Children Go Where I Send Thee") My personal favorites are "The First Noel" and "O Holy Night"; they're sung with such soul and depth that I come close to crying whenever I hear them. This is one album that almost anybody can treasure during the holidays and throughout the wintertime.



2. This is not another promo of old stars singing old songs in an uninspired way just to get a buck at Christmas. This is the best Christmas CD I've purchased in years. It is fresh and inspired but is full of very beautiful Christmas arrangements as only Hall and Oats can accomplish. Daryl Hall & John Oats still have it and are only getting better! They have applied their unique blending of voices to their unique renditions to make you remember why you were originally a H & O fan. They make the songs seem new. My favorites are "Children Go Where I send Thee" and "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" but their all good.



3. The arrangements on this CD are great, and of course Daryl Hall's voice lends a very soulful feeling to "Jingle Bell Rock" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear". This album also contains one of the very best renditions of "Oh Holy Night" I've ever heard. Unfortunately, whoever produced or mixed the album decided to start the CD tracks in the middle of songs (after the instrumental intros, at the start of the vocals). This also means that each track ends with the intro to the next song, making each song hard to listen to individually. If you skip to your favorite track, you won't hear the start of it. So forget about using these tracks on your holiday mix CD - or was that the point of starting the tracks in the wrong places?



4. Enjoyable Christmas CD, with pattent Hall and Oats soul added. Best cut, their classic version of Jingle Bell Rock.



5. Daryl and John were very inspired when they worked on that album.
   I could count on a lot of good surprises when I bought HFC.
   First, the original tracks: "Home for Christmas" and "No child should ever cry on Christmas", they are very good! They can stand out among all those traditional ones, great work.
   I couldn't tell which are my favorite tracks, it's quite difficult, since they are all so good.
   John does an amazing job when singing "The Christmas song", his voice is perfect for it, completely soft, just like the song.
   "Children go where I send thee" allowed Daryl to show how his voice gets better with time, he's giving us his best, I'm sure.
   "Jingle Bell Rock" has found its best interpretation now (compared to the several ones it has), it's even better that the one Daryl and John recorded in the 80's.
   Believe it, this album is amazing!