3 comments about Home for Christmas.

1. I had high hopes for Luther's Christmas CD. Not great...I got weary of it after the second song.



2. Luther can do no wrong. He puts a special spin on these songs. They really inspire and motivate throughout the holidays. Wrap those gifts and bake a little with Luther in the midst....



3. This is an alright product but not as good as I thought it would be.

4 comments about The Best of Stevie Wonder - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. Stevie at his BEST! I love this cd!! So many great songs on one cd. Ave Maria is my favorite! He adds his harmonica to most of the songs which makes this cd a true classic!! My holidays require this CLASSIC music for Stevie Wonder! You will not regret having this in your holiday music collection! It is truly one of the BEST!



2. I can only say that I was blown away by this album when I first heard it. "The Day that Love Began" is, in my opinion, one of the best numbers Stevie has ever recorded: there's so much love and passion in this song!! "Ave Maria" is another example of how he loves to take risks and turn ordinary into extraordinary. How I wish he would have done "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen"!! If you're tired of listening to regurgitation of the standard elevator Christmas music on the radio, give this album a try.



3. First off, I'm not one to buy Christmas albums -- in fact, this is the first I've ever purchased -- but I am a big Stevie Wonder fan and have most of his post-1970 albums, even the not so essential ones from the 80's. The latter being true, there was almost no way I was going to be dissappointed with this, especially after hearing a track on the radio this past Christmas and really digging it.
   
   This relatively new compilation (2004) includes 14 remastered tracks, originally recorded by Stevie back when he was "Little Stevie Wonder" and sung mostly non-originals under the direction of Motown executives. Tracks 1-12 were in fact originally issued as 'Someday at Christmas' in 1967 -- this new collection therefore trumps that album (which still shows up in the used bins) by adding two additional tracks. Still, the total playing time remains brief at 42 minutes.
   
   The music itself is a bit dated of course -- Stevie croons in an adolescent voice, is backed by an un-funky orchestra with lush string arrangements and vocal choruses, and most of the tunes, if they ever were popular, are now obscurities. There are a some classic carols -- "Silver Bells," "The Little Drummer Boy," the classical piece "Ave Maria" (which Stevie braves in latin), and a Stevie favorite, Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts roasting on a open fire..."). Most of the tunes are slow ballads, until the end when the tempo picks up with "What Christmas Means to Me," a number more in the trademark Motown tradition with sleighbells serving as the rhthym section, and the two concluding add-on tracks. Some of the songs border on smarmy ("Bedtime for Toys" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Me" with their spoken interludes), but the opening track "Someday at Christmas," "The Day That Love Began," "The Christmas Song" and "Christmastime" are standouts with Stevie really shining -- the latter two feature a bit of Stevie on harmonica.
   
   I saw Stevie sing a free Christmas concert in Times Square back in the 90's, making me want to hear a modern Christmas album by grown-up Stevie and all his now trademark piano and vocal pyrotechnics, but this album works for me too... as something to put in around Christmastime to break the monotony of well-tread carols on the radio, a conversation piece (peace?), and a good addition to a relatively complete Stevie collection.



4. I love this album. Faith took a lot of OLD classics that most R&B artists won't touch and I think that is great. Her version of 'This Christmas' was done very well, but my favorite is 'The Day That Love Began'. I think it's such a pretty song and it's worth buying the album.

5 comments about Tidings.

1. One of the most beautiful Christmas albums I have ever heard. You have to hear her sing Angel. Her music will take your breath away. If you like Sarah McLachlan, you'll like this.



2. Received this as a gift over the holidays, and wow.... just, wow. Allison's singing is remarkable in a way that is difficult to put to words. There's an essence to her singing, a vitality that you can appreciate only in the experience. It hit me while sitting in a candle-lit living room on a cold night sipping tea with my lover, and finding that we both were suddenly moved nearly to tears by this great CD. (Yes, I'm referring here to the hauntingly good rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah").
   
   The song selection is great (doesn't hurt that Allison's included "In My Life" -- one of my favorite Beatles songs), and this has certainly made it into my stack of favorites. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.



3. Tidings grows in popularity each year. As noted, the album contains traditional carols and songs of the season, alongside not-so-traditional songs from the secular, popular music, canon. The music, passionately performed by a singer and pianist of rare beauty, is simple and powerful. This collection, called "the Yule-tide find of the year" by a Canadian reviewer, has proved to be popular year-round - as well as during Christmas season. It's recorded most naturally, live-off-the-floor, on Winter's eve in Canada.



4. An on-line review recommended Allison Crowe's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah as the best of the cover versions. It's not. Crowe has a powerful voice and excellent taste in her material, but her approach lacks either sufficient bombast or sufficient subtlety to be comparable with Janis Joplin or Kate McGarrigle. These are plain and predictable readings of good songs and have the sense of a talent being squandered.



5. Allison Crowe has the most amazing voice I've heard in almost 40 years of concert-going. Her Tidings versions of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, Joni Mitchell's River, The Beatles' In My Life, as well as renditions of traditional carols, such as Silent Night, are definitive and, simply, beautiful. (It's simple music as in pure. There is virtually no production and very little instrumentation apart from voice and piano on this CD.) Crowe's sound is powerful, yes, but, really, it's also the distinctive texture, timbre and color of her voice that makes for the intense joy in her music. Her piano-playing equally is strong and moving. This album is a modern classic. I'm thankful to discover an artist with such immense talent and taste - especially today!

5 comments about A Rock'N'Roll Christmas, Vol. 2.

1. Okay so it has some great tracks like "Christmas time" but then you get to the Beach Boys! (seems like they are on every christmas complilation these days.) I wish it had more oomph like the first one that had "Christmas is the time to say I love you" Find the first albulm and stay away from this one!



2. "Rock N Roll Christmas 2" is an awesome CD, with tracks such as "Christmastime" by Bryan Adams (How often do you see that one on CD?), and "Run Rudolph Run" by Dave Edmunds, which just happens to be my all-time favorite Christmas song. This CD also has "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" by Bob & Doug McKenzie, which makes me laugh every time I hear it. For these three alone, this CD is worth the money. Also found here are rarities by Chris Deburgh, Angel, and Squeeze. Put them all together, and what do you have? The answer: An AWESOME CD! If you liked "Rock N Roll Christmas" (the first volume), you'll want to pick this one up as well. GET IT NOW!!!



3. Why do we hang a stocking upon the mantle anyway? Because the enjoyment of discovering our favorite goodies and trinkets is instant joy, no wrapping paper to take off, no waiting for your turn, and no dissapointment because it is filled by those who know you best. This comYULEation reminds me of a Christmas stocking. The liner lists a few well known artists playing yuletides which have become Rock`n Roll seasonal standards. If you have listened to vol. 1, continue to be assured those tracks less recognizable will also be compiled from among the best goodies of the 6o`s,7o`s,and early 8o`s. As with most 2nds, you`ll find a wider assortment of sub-generas and a few less ring`ers.Merrily mix~ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and 10 ~~ no bahhumbugs Post Script : As with vol. 1 the load is too short for a five star ranking and no instrumental.***buyit*saveit*sharemost*giveit*donateit***



4. Just as good as the 1st volume. Great cd & would highly recommend!



5. Purchased to get the Run Run Rudolph song, the rest aren't really that good.

5 comments about Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Orchestra.

1. Hands down the best CD in my extensive collection of Christmas music. There are very few "must own" CDs, but this is one of them!



2. Anyone who is a fan either of Doc, big band, brass or Christmas music must own this CD!!! I Have looked for years for a Christmas CD to top this one with no luck. The Tonight show band was one of the most powerfull big bands of all time!! This CD clearly confirms that, it can be a beutiful ballad one moment and turn into a powerhouse the next. Words can not express how awesome the CD is. A must have for any Christmas collection.



3. The Tonight Show Band does a great job with all these numbers. All the numbers are arranged by Tommy Newsome or John Bainbridge. If you buy this CD for only the great arrangement of "Jingle Bells", you won't be sorry. You'll recognize all the selections. They're different slightly but performed tastefully. Snooky Young has some nice moments, too. There are vocals by the LA Children's Chorus and instrumental flavorings by the Pacific Brass and Desert Bells International. A fine addition to any Christmas CD collection.



4. I have listened to this album several times every year since I purchased the cassette in 1992. It is simply that good. Colorful, varied, and powerful are just a few words I would use to describe this classic. Doc Severinsen does not disappoint!



5. One of the best Christmas CDs I've purchased to in a long time. Sit back, relax, and just listen.

5 comments about Christmas Song.

1. I first heard of Roger Whittaker on the Time-Life Treasury of Christmas and instantly loved his voice. This CD is incredible! His voice is amazing and I highly reccommend this.



2. It's great to finally have a this CD. Roger Whittaker has been a favorite of mine for years. He has the greatest voice for every type of music.



3. As always Roger gives his all when performing. I am a new fan of his and I really enjoy his voice. He can sing so that you understand the words.
   I'm a product of 50's - 6o's. He beats them all and with this album you really enjoy the christmas feeling.



4. I discovered with the birth of my first child the soothing abilities of Roger Whittaker's voice. I had the Time Life Treasury of Christmas that had 2 songs sung by him on it (Ding Dong Merrily on High is on this CD as well), and I quickly found that my son would calm right down when I played it. (Or maybe it was that it soothed me too, so my tension melted away and he was able to calm down too!) My second, and my 2-wk-old third child also, like to listen to Roger sing.
   
   The songs on this CD are performed simply and beautifully~ he doesn't add trills or try to change the song or rhythms (a pet peeve of mine with so many other artists!) O Come All Ye Faithful, The First Noel, The Sussex Carol, and Silent Night, as well as Ding Dong Merrily all give me goosebumps! Roger's rich and mellow voice is a must-have in your home!



5. I love this CD! It has some of my favorite Christmas music on it. Roger Whittaker's excellent rendition of so many of the songs is unequaled. I have a good collection of Christmas music and I am so pleased to add this CD to my growing collection. I have enjoyed listening to it since I received it and it isn't even the Christmas season yet!

5 comments about Broadway Cares - Home for the Holidays.

1. this cd is unlike any others that i have. it has all of my favorite broadway artists (daphne rubin-vega, patrick wilson, billy porter, lillias white) and so many tony award winning stars as well like liza, alan cumming and gary beach. they are all singing their favorite holiday songs. it was also great to learn that all of the artists donated their time to record this cd as benefits for bc/efa.



2. This is by far my favorite Christmas CD. The singing and arrangements are lovely, and the mix of songs is wonderful. Standouts (on an album of standouts) include Alan Cumming and Liza Minnelli having fun with "Baby It's Cold Outside," a version of "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" that is a haunting prayer for our times, and a beautiful and sad version of "I'll be Home for Christmas."
   
   If you're looking for a Christmas album to entertain children, this probably isn't it. No Frosty or Rudolph here, and the arrangements have an adult contemporary feel. But if you are looking for something to help you unwind after the kids have gone to bed, this CD is like a warm fire on a winter's night.



3. The biggest disappointment I've ever experienced in a holiday music CD. However, the good news first, such as nice to hear Christmas Time Is Here (from Charlie Brown) in a format other than cartoon, though this version does get a little bluesy rather than contemplative. As well, the Minnelli & Cumming version of Baby It's Cold Outside is wonderful fun (even though it's probably not a great song for Liza's Ss). Patrick Wilson is wonderful on the traditional (and fast-paced) We Need A Little Christmas. Other than maybe going WHOO! there's no surprise there. Victor Garber, normally wonderful and someone I look forward to, puts such a downer on his variation of I'll Be Home For Christmas I had to stop listening to it altogether. The mix of traditional holiday with "seasonal" fare, like New York State of Mind is well-conceived, it's just the individual interpretations may not be to everyone's taste, certainly not mine, as I found the majority of songs to be overwrought, like a bunch of over-eager kids in audition mode. Sam Harris on Merry Christmas Darling had me gritting my teeth.



4. I looked for this CD at all the stores and could not find it. This year the date is November 10th, and I ordered two, one for myself and one as a gift. I can't wait to hear the whole thing. I've enjoyed the sample songs on Amazon's website.



5. This CD features Broadway stars singing Christmas songs. They all sing great, not surprisingly. Most songs aren't done in a very swinging style, but they are enjoyable in an easy listening kind of way.

5 comments about Cowboy Christmas.

1. No exaggeration, this is my favorite Christmas album of all time (and I own about 100). The selection of songs is perfect--some traditional, some familiar, and some new. The instrumental is just outstanding, as you would expect out of one of Michael's albums. The grouping of numbers into different aspects of a cowboy Christmas is unique. And then, of course, there's Michael's vocals, which are unlike any other. While it's all great, my favorite number is a duet with Suzy Bogguss on "Two-Step 'Round the Christmas Tree". This album is one-of-a-kind and completely enjoyable. I highly recommend it.



2. This is the single best Christmas CD I have ever gotten. I originally bought it becasue I wanted one song on it, but fell in love with all of the songs. It is a refreshing changed from people rehashing all of the old Christmas classics.



3. A treasure... yes there is a difference between country and western, and this is all classic western. We look foward to hearing these songs every year... they are captured in a easy sing a long not fatiguing way, love songs, dance along, you name it... full of imagery. A must have to round out any collection.



4. I am a long time collector of Christmas music, everything from classical to cowboy. Cowboy Christmas is my hands down favorite of the 250 or so Christmas albums I own. I own two copies, one for home and one in the car. I highly recomend this album.



5. Michael Martin Murphey nails what Christmas in the country is all about. I love the songs. This is my favoite Christmas CD.

5 comments about Christmas Songs.

1. Anuna has such amazing voices! You will love the richness and blends of the vocals and Celtic rhythms.



2. Anuna has combined the traditional, celtic, and the new age styles of music of Christmas in to a moving mix that will please everyone. The sound of the vocals is an outstanding treat for the ears. This CD is a classic in the making, a great gift for those who enjoy good music.



3. This is almost sensuous in delivery, this is a delight to the ears. Instead of New Age pablum or syrupy sweet and content free, this album comes out with the rich velvet of authentic cream and the delicate spice of pure maple syrup. I don't know if the Celts like maple syrup, but this is just a fantabulous disk for a cold night and a hot fire. Be sure to have some candles or Christmas lights nearby to complete the atmosphere.



4. I had seen Anuna on a PBS special, and was captivated by their gorgeous, haunting sound. In doing some research on the web, I found this early Christmas album by them, and had to get it. It's now my favorite Christmas CD; it barely left my CD player all season! In addition to some of the more traditional songs (albeit unusual versions of them), there are some more rare selections, like the Coventry Carol and the Wexford Carol. Their music brings me back to an ancient time and place, when people of the Earth lived life governed by the seasons and the land, and there was none of the crass commercialism of the holidays that we see today.
   
   This CD is a must for anyone who loves not only traditional Irish choral a cappella music, but more ancient sounding, non-traditional holiday songs.



5. I ran across this when looking for a unique version of The Coventry Carol and after previewing a couple of tracks, I decided to buy the whole CD. It's really great. Simple and beautiful. Very serene, relaxing. Incredibly talented group! The friends I have let borrow it love it as well. Definitely a great way to add some variety to your Christmas music collection.

5 comments about Christmas the Cowboy Way.

1. You'll get a real feeling of being out on the prairie or at least knowing what it might be like on Christmas Eve miles away from any town, surrounded by your fellow cowboys and several thousand head of cattle. Some traditional, some more modern, and a few originals are included on this CD. Good for throwing into the holiday music mix.



2. This is a decent Christmas album, done in a Western harmony style that is reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers. It's well enough done, but to be honest, I was expecting it to be funnier. There is some humor, but most of the songs are done "straight". And the songs that are "funny" are pretty corny. But if you like that sort of thing, you should enjoy this album.



3. My Mom gave this album for me for Christmas when I was 18 years old. I'm 25 now and I still love it. It has Christmas songs many that everybody knows and some totally unfamiliar, all of them done in cowboy style. I think the choices that the Riders in the Sky, chose for the album were very appropriate. "The Friendly Beasts," is about Jesus being born in a manger and the animals giving their gifts to them. "I'll Be Home For Christmas," was originally a WWII song, sung by soldiers who couldn't be home for Christmas. And the "cowboys" probably chose the song for this album, because like many soldiers, cowboys often don't have a home to come home to for Christmas either.
   
   So go ahead, buy this album. You'll be glad you did.



4. I have a big collection of Christmas music, and this is my favorite album. The song Corn, Water, and Wood is worth the price alone! Each song on this album is unique. The talent and creativity of these guys comes shining through.



5. the title says it all
   
   it's the Riders in the Sky - they are singing Christmas music - what more could you ask for???
   
   a different, fun album - especially if you like cowboy music