5 comments about Merry Fishes to All.

1. I admit it. My family and I are Trout junkies...we can't seem to get enough of these 2 talented guys. We have traveled near and not-so-near to see them live. It's because they really get it, and by "it", I mean the BIG it. As in, "what's it all about?" Things like childhood, growing up, being part of a family, having fun, enjoying each other. And they are fabulous musicians to boot! This album has just been nominated for a Grammy!
   
   With the release of this holiday CD, our annual dilemna of "do we listen to Trout or holiday music?" has been solved. We now have the best of both worlds! The songs are for the most part their original works...you haven't heard them a gazillion times before, but they will become instant classics in your family. Every song is someone's "favorite" in our house, so there are no skipped tracks.
   
   "Snow is Falling" is my personal favorite. I can't put it in words any better than another person who wrote that a real love and respect for children shines through. As I often do when I'm listening to Trout music, I find myself inspired to strive to be the kind of parent my children deserve.
   
   "Snow Day", "Bob & Bob", a great song about 2 "flaky little snowflakes with ordinary names", "You Gotta Get Up" and "The Christmas Letter" are also on my list of favorites. This last one is a touching and pretty song, written much like the familiar Christmas letter sent by many families to keep in touch with loved ones.
   
   "My First Christmas" is a very fun song that cleverly uses titles of popular Christmas carols to tell the story of a baby's first Christmas. "Just Because, Mrs Claus" is a plea for Mrs. Claus to help Mr. Claus lose a few lbs, because "when he was walking rooftops last year, ceilings started cracking." The words are hysterical! After listening to "I Got a Cheese Log" I guarantee you will find yourself humming this catchy little tune at your next holiday party when you come across the obligatory cheese log. "The Eleven Cats of Christmas", or as they call it at our house, "Meow-y Christmas", is The 12 Days of Christmas meets We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Fans of the album My World will be happy to hear a reference to Chicken Joe in this song.
   
   To summarize...great words and music as always. Thanks Keith and Ezra and congrats on the Grammy nomination. I highly recommend this CD. There you go. There you have it.



2. This is a terrific album by a folk music duo. At least they are ostensibly a folk duo. Many of the songs here have accompaniment from additional musicians and have more of a rock or jazz feel to them. This album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Children's Album. And while it is indeed an album that can be enjoyed by children, it is also quite enjoyable for adults too. In fact, some of the songs here have lyrics that are a bit too sophisticated to be really appreciated by children. Most of the songs are humorous, but there are a few songs that are played "straight". To sum it up, this is a fun Christmas album that can be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart.



3. Every year, I have to get a couple of new holiday CDs--especially, the different ones. Instead of "White Christmas" this album starts with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate...
   
   This isn't just a happy album, though. Trout Fishing shows you the good and bad side of Christmas. How many of you lament the year you got a cheese log, clothes---or the fact that your birthday is too darn close to Christmas?
   
   And the "Christmas Letter" at the end is just too good. If you're feeling down this year, this CD will definitely get you smiling.



4. Really loved this so much so that I gave it for presents this Christmas.
   "The Eleven Cats Of Christmas" soon became a favorite of my grandson's and there are too many to list that are my favorites--"I Got A Cheese Log"; "Clothes for Christmas"; etc. Such good vocals, not heard since the 60's groups.



5. This is wonderful music for families. The music and the musicians are very entertaining--the humor can be appreciated by young and old alike. The music is creative and the musicians are very talented. We as a family highly recommend this CD.

5 comments about A Timeless Christmas.

1. I own it! It's the bomb! You won't be disappointed! By far, I have not heard a Christmas CD that made such an impact on me musically since Kirk Franklin's Christmas CD, which I still can jam to! I was working on the computer one day and had the music station running on Comcast tv, in the background. I said who is that, that sounds like Israel?
   
   I was so suprised to hear this eclectic sound of jazz, gospel and soul, very reminscent in production to Earth Wind and Fire or Mint Condition just taken UP ANOTHER LEVEL! I called the nearest bookstore near me around 8pm that night, bought the cd, and came back to finish my work! I had to have it! I also listen to this CD all year and need to get my backup soon!



2. This is one of the best Christmas CDs I ever heard (from all genres). Just look at the ratings, its unanimous!This man has set himself apart from the pack. This music is very refreshing. BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT becuase you can listen to it throughout the year and its for all ages too.



3. This CD is a good alternative to the typical christmas albums. I prefer his acoustic songs much more. The song with his son is hilarious.



4. Great CD. Well done. Title says it all. These are timeless Christmas songs.



5. I bought this album at Christmas thinking it is a Christmas album. Sure enough it Was! But the wonderful thing is that the album goes beyond Christmas. The music and lyric are so good, it is enjoyable any day, any time and anywhere. It is as if every day is Christmas. I love this album.
   Dr. Israel King,Ph.D. Author of How To Keep A Man

5 comments about 50 Most Loved Christmas Carols.

1. I bought this somewhat based on the glowing reviews others had given it. It's not bad, but not that fantastic either. I've heard much better versions of most of the music on it. Not quite worth the price.



2. This collection has all the favorites - with some of the lyrics included. Great to put on the changer and play during the Christmas Season! Enjoy.



3. Why people put such completely average performances out on CD is beyond me. The singing here is really very ordinary. Out of tune much of the time and uninspired. There are so many good Christmas Choral CD's out there. This is NOT ONE OF THEM.



4. The selections are all very well performed with fine sound quality. I even liked the third disc's instrumentals.



5. The musical tracks and the choir are frequently out of sync. Also,there is a bit of intonation about the choir, I believe it is in the male voices. Lots of songs here, but lacking punch. The 3rd CD contains only instrumental tracks for sing-alongs, if you're into that sort of thing.
   If you are looking for a great big bunch of songs, the Mormons are always a good bet.

5 comments about Christmas with Johnny Mathis.

1. I could only find this cd on Amazon. It has all my favorite songs from Johhny, the ones I would listen too on the record player when I was little.



2. 
   Christmas Music is part of the American Way of Life. Year after year, American people get full of joy and the pleasure of listening to Christmas Music becomes a must.Also artists from many different styles and their labels are very conscious about it. It is rare to find an artist from the traditional pop scene who has not recorded at least one Christmas Album.
   
   Unfortunately, this Christmas tradition in American music scene is fading away among young artists though sales keep hot in the season. This proves traditional pop artists have got a market niche which maintains year after year even selling the very same album that has been recorded many decades ago.
   
   Repertoire is basically the same and this is another peculiar facet of Christmas Music. This is an indicator of the traditional `American way of buying music'.
   
   It is commonplace in the USA that many different traditional pop artists record the same hit song in a season. For instance, I remember that `The Shadow of Your Smile' has been recorded by Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, and even Astrud Gilberto, besides its sensational OST by Johnny Mandel. This shows Americans like to listen to that same song or repertoire as recorded specifically by their favorite artists.
   
   It is different than the music industry and customers in Brazil, for instance. If an artist records the same songs as other one does, he is minorly categorized as a `cover artist'. This is a bad category which labels the artist a minor artist, lacking creativeness as for Brazilian market parameters.
   
   It is very interesting, anyway, to listen to the same repertoire as recorded by so many different artists from so many different times under so many different arrangement concepts. Comparison arises inevitably. Somehow, a delicious comparison. What's the best `Jingle Bells' from Johnny Mathis to Diana Krall? Who's recorded the most creative `Silent Night' - Wynton Marsalis or Nat King Cole? There is a killer `Jingle Bells' recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra under arrangement by Michel Legrand and with Jean Pierre Rampal on flute. Ooooh God!
   
   Year after year, those albums are made available by continuous reissuing or not. Some even keep in the label's catalog on and on even out the Christmas season.
   
   This is the case for this CD `Christmas with Johnny Mathis' which is in fact the CD issue of part of Mathis 1964 album 'The Sounds of Christmas' recorded by one the most important stylists of American song and superbly arranged by the late Don Costa. Recorded for his new label Global Records and distributed by Mercury Records, this new effort still shows the great voice which is a treasure of the Great American Songbook.
   
   Some uncommon and some common Xmas songs make up the program. Never mind. Mathis' style imparts each song a particular touch, highly inspired, emotionally crafted, technically perfect.
   
   This album consists of some delicious uncommon songs on the theme. Here you'll find an original 'Marshmellow World' in Don Costa typical 4/4 with brass and backing vocals, a perfect vehicle for Mathis' voice.
   
   A beautiful Christmas album by Johnny Mathis. Someone said his is the voice of Christmas. This second album in his Xmas series confirms it. I'm willing to agree.
   
   As others have mentioned, I parallel them in their protest against the unexplainable Sony Records politics by cutting two tracks from the original album.



3. This album was awesome! It brought back so many wonderful memories of Christmas growing up and the excitement of decorating the tree while Johnny's Christmas LP's were playing on the record player. I too miss the songs that were cut but would love to see a complete collection of Johnny Mathis Christmas Hits come out sometime soon. That would be the ultimate Christmas collection to own!
   
   If you haven't listened to Johnny's sultry voice, do yourself a favor and listen to the sample here. I guarantee you'll be purchasing a copy of your own! Enjoy... :)



4. As noted by other reviewers, this CD is a re-release of the Johnny Mathis Christmas album "The Sounds of Chrismas" minus two songs and with different cover art. This was my very favorite Christmas album when I was growing up, and I was thrilled to find it on CD even without the songs they left out. Not sure why they decided not to release the entire vinyl version, but in my opinion the best songs are intact. The Secret of Christmas has to be one of the best Christmas songs ever written. I also love Christmas is a Feeling in Your Heart, The Sounds of Christmas and Marshmallow World. No one sings Christmas songs quite like Johnny Mathis, and this CD takes me right back to when I was 8 years old. My mom was thrilled when I made her a copy of it to replace her well worn vinyl LP she could no longer listen to because she doesn't have a turntable anymore. Johnny Mathis has a truly unique voice and style. Buy this CD, it will become a staple in your Christmas collection.



5. When you think of 'crooner' christmas music, names like PERRY COMO, BING CROSBY, and NAT KING COLE usually come to mind. But the 'crooner' who may have had the greatest contribution to the 'crooner' christmas music genre may be this man here, JOHNNY MATHIS. JOHNNY has recorded, to my estimate, at least five christmas albums. He has also released a christmas video, released christmas singles, appeared with others on their christmas releases, etc...... I still call PERRY COMO, MR. C which for me means MR. CHRISTMAS. But JOHNNY MATHIS may be the MR. C.
   
   JOHNNY MATHIS and his 1958 christmas album, MERRY CHRISTMAS, is easily his best christmas release ever, at least as far as I'm concerned. But this second christmas album, THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS from 1963 (cd reissue calls it CHRISTMAS WITH JOHNNY MATHIS), is an absoulte delight in terms of beautiful christmas music. The style is one that takes a very powerful and traditional 'crooner' approach to these christmas songs. DON COSTA also does a remarkable job as the arranger and conductor.
   
   Songs like the opening, THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, really jumps out at you with a very cheerful and upbeat christmas sound. I've never heard this song before but it's as great as any old christmas standard.
   
   HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS and LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW are done slower, softer, and very lush which means very powerful. There is a real christmas atmosphere here in these two songs.
   
   Another song with a beautiful christmas atmosphere is found in A MARSHAMLLOW WORLD which is pretty upbeat and cheerful and almost as great as DEAN MARTIN'S definitive version.
   
   RUDOLPH, THE RED NOSED REINDEER is also another very upbeat and happy and fun version of the song.
   
   There are also a few religious christmas songs such as CAROL OF THE BELLS which is fantastic.
   
   There are two songs left off of this album when Columbia Records released this Mercury album on cd (JOHNNY left Columbia records for a short while and went to Mercury Records). Still, though, it is a christmas gem of wonderful 'crooner' styled christmas music that is somewhere at the top of the pile of this genre, not in the middle or bottom. I would highly recommend this to go with JOHNNY'S christmas album mentioned above, MERRY CHRISTMAS, as the two really go great together and should give your home some of the most beautiful christmas music there is. I also find this JOHNNY MATHIS cd, CHRISTMAS WITH JOHNNY MATHIS, sounds similar to the PERRY COMO - SEASONS GRETTINGS album from 1959, so check that album out as well if you can as it also has been released on cd.
   
   In closing, you can't go wrong with JOHNNY for christmas music and this cd is one that is 100% recommended by this reviewer.

5 comments about Light of the Stable.

1. This Christmas country classic has been enhanced by the addition of three tracks. Everything Emmylou touches turns to gold. She brings the same elegance and authenticity to Christmas that she always has to the varied genres her career encompassed.
   
   The hopeful and uptempo Christmas Time's A Coming opens the album, the familiar Away In A Manger with its beautiful mandolin is straightforward but touching, whilst Angel Eyes is a sad slow ballad. Her voice really soars on The First Noel, while Little Drummer Boy gets a sensitive, graceful treatment. Perhaps it's childhood nostalgia, but her renditions of The First Noel and Star Of Bethlehem really stirred my soul.
   
   Most of her best work has always been infused with a spiritual quality, and this is perfectly showcased on her deeply moving version of Silent Night. I was tempted to give this album only four stars since the albums Stumble Into Grace, Red Dirt Girl and Wrecking Ball have spoilt me. But I can't!
   
   Light Of The Stable is a brilliant album that perfectly captures the moods of Christmas, with lovely instrumentation and vocals. The best of the new tracks are Cherry Tree Carol and the moving Man Is An Island, composed by the Canadian folk legends Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Once again, Emmylou provides the perfect soundtrack to Christmas. Born is the King of Israel!



2. I really wish Emmylou had just gone and put together a whole brand new Christmas album and not tried to improve a perfect one. For me, the original issue is a 5-star classic: arrangements and sequence. I added this new one to my collection becuz I collect, no other reason.



3. As many other fans of Ms. Harris and Christmas music will attest to, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Emmylou. The sweetest voice this side of heaven, Emmylou Harris' "Light of the Stable" is so personel that it feels as if she's singing just for you. I cannot choose just one favorite amongst these tracks. Each one is an acoustical gem, from the bluegrassy "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" to "Silent Night." I must say, though, that the title track, with the most beautiful 'Hallejula's' I've ever heard, stands out just a bit above the rest.
   I have been listening to this album every Christmas since it was first released and never tire of it. And I must say I love the addition and rendition of "Cherry Tree Carol" - a particular favorite of mine for years (although the other two additions are only fair - Warner and Rhino could have done a bit better, I'm sure, than these two numbers).
   Buy this, and maybe a Robin Petrie Christmas CD or two (seriously - check her out... - Emmylou's and Robin's cd's sound great together!) and what a fine Christmas Eve you will have!



4. She has such a pretty voice. Maybe just a tad too "country" for me.



5. This is a fine album . Every track is worth listening to, and some are truly magical.Ths is a mix of traditional Christmas songs in beautiful arrangements, alongside some less well known but very fine Country Christmas tunes.Christmas alb ums simply dont get any better.

5 comments about The Muppets - A Green and Red Christmas.

1. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR ALL AGES TO HEAR VOICES OF THE MUPPETS. REALLY WELL PLACED AND GREAT MUSIC...



2. Wow--what a treat. Finally after years of waiting THE MUPPETS have finally returned! "A Green and Red Christmas" is a merry, cheery, and dreamy collection of unreleased Muppet Christmas songs. And it's truly got that MUPPET MAGIC!!
   
   The music is so well produced, full, rich, and loud. Each Muppet is voiced in it's classic, familiar way. And voice actors have changed over the years...but these folks are right on here. The tracks with Miss Piggy (my favoritest of all Muppets) are so fabulous but don't think this a solo Piggy project. Each song is wonderful and will instantly put you in the Holiday mood!
   
   A must have for any fan of the Muppets and for fans of classic Christmas albums!



3. I ordered a CD that turned out not to have the song I wanted. Two CDs were sent in error--mine or the vendors??? I remember having some difficulty with the site while placing the order. Anyway, I returned them both.



4. I bought this for my daughter who is a Muppet maniac. She loves it and has the CD memorized already. A must have if you love the Muppets.



5. The cd arrived in good condition and in a timely manner. Thank you for great service.

4 comments about Latin Jazz Christmas.

1. Muy caliente! Sizzle doesn't get spicier than this collection of Latin-infused versions of holiday favorites: "Silent Night" as a cha cha, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" as a mambo. Ho-ho-ho has never sounded more hot-hot-hot!



2. This CD absolutely smokes! A collection of incredibly, hot, innovative latin-jazz interpretations of holiday classics. This CD is not designed for quiet fireside contemplation. I played it last year while we trimmed the tree and the entire family ended up bopping around the family room. Truly a lot of fun!
   
   PLEASE NOTE: This CD was put out a couple of years ago as "Playboy's Latin Jazz Christmas: A Not So Silent Night" but with a different cover. That's great because the original had a Playboy Bunny on the cover which may have discouraged some people from checking it out. That was a shame because it's an absolutely wonderful CD.



3. 
   I have 4 Holiday cd's and this addition is by far the best. Very well done in a Jazzy mode.



4. I love the punch and zesty of this music. Jazz will always be a heightened style of intrepretation of music so this one has emotion only associated with jazz. It is a great complilation!

5 comments about Happy Holidays: A Very Special Christmas Album.

1. It's a great holiday album, but not in Billy Idol's trademark style. He gets a little close to his 80's rocker shouting on tracks like "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" and "Merry Christmas Baby". The real missed opportunity here, in my opinion, is that he didn't sing "White Christmas" to the tune of "White Wedding". That would have been awesome. (It's a nice day for a...WHITE CHRISTMAS!) What about "Dancing With My Elf"?



2. I have been a fan of Billy Idol's for 30 years, and I could not have been more disappointed in this CD. He (normally) has such a powerful voice with a nice range, and this CD almost sounded like he was joking around. He could have done so much justice to the songs he chose, but they all fall painfully short of even his mediocre work. C'mon Billy, we know you have much better things to offer.



3. I bought this CD last year and had to listen to it several times before I got over wanting it to sound like the 80s BI, and started to appreciate what a creative and bold leap it is. He used his voice in a totally different way.
   
   I wanted this album to contain rocking versions of Christmas songs, but I appreciate the courage it took for him to put out an entire album in a totally different genre. He must've known he'd get flak--but he did it anyway.
   
   I, for one, can appreciate an artist who wants to try different things commercially--as long as they're good at them. And no one can argue that these aren't excellent versions of standard Christmas songs. A bit shocking coming from the guy who used to ride the blue highway, but a good solid offering, totally appropriate for any Christmas gathering, with just the right amount of sneering. Love it.



4. Billy Idol doesn't take himself too seriously on this record, which is just the way to be on a Christmas record. This is the way any of us hacks would sing Christmas songs, so why shouldn't he share the holiday mood (even if he is a professional)? If you want something pretentious, get an American Idol Christmas record, and if you want punk, buy Billy Idol's other records. If you want a fun Christmas record, buy this one. And if it's out of stock here, try Billy Idol's (ever-relocating) website for the best deal.



5. I was a Billy Idol fan in the 80's and found this album when I was updating my cd catalogue. I love Christmas and Christmas songs and Billy does a great job of these Christmas classics. It's good to here him acoutic and this album proves he can actually sing and doesn't need to yell lyrics to get them across. 10 out of 10 from me!!! :-)

1 comments about Home for the Holidays.

1. This albulm is a mixture of differnt sounds from diffrent eras. This is avalible rather cheaply at amazon, i bought a used copy.

5 comments about An Acapella Christmas.

1. You've got to hear this song tract from this CD. It has been playing in my head all day. The lyrics are great. The melody is smooth yet powerful. I find myself becoming more intimate with Mary and Joseph the parents of Jesus - all because of this song. The other songs are pretty good, too, but THIS song is a must listen to. You'll be refreshed and encouraged when you do.



2. We've had this CD for years and years, yet it's the first one we bring out at Christmas. "One Quiet Moment" is an amazing song, and the harmonies in "O Come Emmanuel" will have you putting the song on repeat. This CD is high quality and I recommend it 100% to anyone who is looking for Christmas music that is both peaceful and exciting at the same time. It's magical.



3. I don't usually listen to Christian music, but I love this CD at the holidays. Most of the songs have a little "twist" on the traditional harmonies. You really want to sing along with the songs. It's an uplifting and inspring holiday CD! My favorite song is "One Quiet Moment."



4. Glad, for those unitiated, is a Christian vocal quintet that does acappella projects every so often and chose to do one for the holidays.
   
   The good: Focused squarely on religious material so if you want a Frosty and Santa-less Christmas, there you go. It's also nice that they have some unusual choices..only a third of this disc is the same old same old (Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and O Come, All Ye Faithful..).
   
   The original tune "One Quiet Moment" is the highlight of the disc for me. It views the Nativity through the eyes of Mary and Joseph..Joseph realizing that this would never be "his" child..Mary glad that Joseph had chosen to stay by her side anyway...and both of them realizing that Jesus' mission would have lifelong complications for them ("Their friends would grow distant and shun them as strange"). The arrangement isn't especially original, but that's not why I like this. The lyric truly inspires me to view the Saviour's birth with new eyes.
   
   Other nice ones include the take on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and the inclusion of the Negro spiritual "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow" was unexpected but welcome.
   
   The bad: "Glory to God"...entirely too repetitive. Sadly, it's written by Bob Kauflin (who also wrote "One Quiet Moment"..)..perhaps he ran out of inspiration? Ed Nalle's voice floats ethereally over the other four..but the continual "Glory to God" just gets boring...In general, maybe they treated the songs too "reverently"...I believe it's possible to innovate the arrangements more and "have fun" without POKING fun. I realize they probably wanted to appeal to traditional audiences here, but I think they could have incorporated elements of jazz, swing, or doo-wop for instance to breathe new life into some of the old chestnuts.
   
   Summary: This won't knock your socks off cut for cut, but it's worth getting to have some great not-overused material like "Rise Up,Shepherd, and Follow" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" as well as the wonderful original "One Quiet Moment".
   3 1/2 stars....



5. Of all the Christmas music in my library, this is by far my favorite. Glad's arrangements of the classics are beautiful. Their voices are truly Angelic! The ability of this group to sing in full, melodic voices is amazing. They are very gifted with a beautiful and soul stirring sound.