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 22 Merry Christmas Favorites.

1. I don't know what the first reviewer was expecting, but this is indeed Lawrence Welk and his ochestra and singers. My parents had the album set from which these were taken and they sound just as good now as they did when I was a child.
   
   For anyone who likes the old time Christmas songs, this CD is a must.



2. The person who gave this CD 1 star is mistaken. This CD is perfectly legitimate Lawrence Welk, with all of the recordings coming from the 4-record set put out by Reader's Digest in 1969/1970, with the exception of "Christmas in Los Angeles". That's Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts on "Silver Bells", Ralna English on "What Child is This", and so on. When I first got this CD, my principal regret was that it didn't include Jo Ann Castle's fabulous honky-tonk piano version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Happily, that cut is included in the newly (re-?) released "Christmas Memories". Buy this CD, buy that CD, and buy "Jingle Bells", which includes a few more of the songs from the box LP set plus some different (though perfectly legitimate) versions of others, such as the Lennon Sisters' recording of "Merry Christmas from Our House to Your House". Don't bother with the 10-song CD "Merry Christmas from Our House to Your House", as it doesn't contain any songs/versions that aren't already covered on the other three. Sadly, there are still some songs from the box LP set that are conspicuously absent on any CD, and we can only hope that those will be included in a future release, or that the box LP set itself will be released in its entirety on CD. Some of the missing classics: "Twas the Night Before Christmas", "Christmas Dreaming", "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", "High on a Housetop", "Ho Ho Ho", "Here Comes Santa Claus", and "Let's Have an Old Fashioned Christmas" among others. Still, though I don't pretend to know how Ranwood went about selecting songs for these compilations (even "Jingle Bells" doesn't exactly match the LP - from the 50s? - by the same title), if you like Lawrence Welk (and I dare say even if you DON'T like his non-holiday stuff), you simply can't go wrong here. Light a fire, fix yourself a glass of eggnog, and listen to this wonderful CD as you watch the snow falling outside your window. Merry Christmas.



3. This is a premier Christmas CD!! It is absolutely inspiring with Lawrence Welk orchestrations and vocals that are so moving that I defy "Scrooge" to not like them. This is a true Christmas offering. As to the reviewer to said this was a "fraud", I'm sorry to say, she is sadly mistaken. She must have been listening to something else. This is pure "Lawrence Welk from the vintage years!!
   
   We have Ralna English singing "What Child is This", Tanya Welk-Roberts singing "Do You Hear What I Hear", Clay Hart and Steve Smith (from the 1960s Blender's group both with beautiful voices, Norma Zimmer and Jimmy Roberts singing "Silver Bells" and to my delight and surprise, Sandi and Salli singing "I Wanna Do More than Whistle", a nice bouncy happy tune!! THe rest are pure standards with beautiful orchestrations.
   
   This is the perfect Christmas CD and I will play it for many seasons to come. This is Christmas Music the way it was meant to be!! I also have Lawrence Welk's "Christmas Memories" which is equally fine as well which includes more cuts and work by more Lawrence Welk artists such as JoAnn Castle and Joe Feeney.
   
   Trust me, any Lawrence Welk fan will not be disappointed with this!!



4. I bought the 4 record set over 35 years ago and have played this 'wunnerful' music each year as we decorate our Christmas tree. I made cassette copies when my daughter moved away------even to England; she has kept up the tradition even to this day. Our concern was the longevity of the cassetts, so I searched the internet to find possible CD's. I was SO thrilled to find this and another CD available and immediately order her and me a set. Now we are assured of ALWAYS being able to enjoy Lawrence Welk's Christmas music forever. Thank you for making this available.



5. This compilation from LAWRENCE WELK, HIS ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS, is a christmas gem of christmas music. It is without any doubt, one of the best christmas cd's ever released. This release, 22 MERRY CHRISTMAS FAVORITES FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE, finds itself in my cd player very often over the christmas months of november and december. Christmas wouldn't be the same without it.
   
   The songs all sound as if they were recorded in the same session rather than scattered years. It sounds as if it was a single recorded christmas album from perhaps 1960 or so. I didn't even know it was a compilation until after I read that it was. That's how much I thought it was it's own early 1960's record. This is a plus because all the songs mix into each other really well.
   
   You will get some fabulous orchestra music, some wonderful chorus singing, and some superb solo or duet singing. In fact, it's one of the great christmas releases where every song is really dynamite. I'm pretty certain you won't be skipping any songs to get to the next great one and you'll play it straight through time after time. And with that in mind, this cd would be a perfect cd to play as background christmas music for when you have company (like family and friends) over during the christmas season (and also just for your own listening enjoyment over the holidays).
   
   Very powerful chorus singing is found in such songs as MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE and the timeless WHITE CHRISTMAS. A beautiful orchestra sound is heard in O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM and SILENT NIGHT among others. Great solo singing is heard in THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR. A superb duet is found in SILVER BELLS. And a very powerful and beautiful orchestra and chorus is heard in the songs HARK THE HEARALD ANGELS SING (my all-time favorite version), DECK THE HALLS (also my all-time favorite version), CAROL OF THE BELLS (first or second all-time favorite version), AWAY IN A MANGER, and several others.
   
   In many of the religious songs (the only exception being CAROL OF THE BELLS), the chorus doesn't sing words but rather become a type of instrument of the orchestra (kinda humming along) but this style is used in a very unique way in some of the songs and it is ever so beautiful.
   
   This cd really has a style all it's own so it will be pleasant and fresh from other christmas cd's, but at the same time, still being at least around as great (if not greater) and in the general 'easy listening christmas' style (or category) of other great orchestra and chorus christmas albums by the LIVING STRINGS AND LIVING VOICES - WHITE CHRISTMAS (1968), PERCY FAITH AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS - CHRISTMAS IS (1966) and HENRY MANCINI AND HIS ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS - A MERRY MANCINI CHRISTMAS (1966).
   
   This cd is a most reccomended cd that has many timeless favorites with fresh original approaches to many of them unlike versions you have probably heard before and also several new songs you may not have heard (such as the very upbeat and amazing RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS) which makes this cd a very unique and most beautiful christmas offering that I'm certain will become one of your favorites if not your favorite christmas cd.

5 comments about Christmas Extraordinaire.

1. I like Mannheim Steamroller's other Christmas albums. So, I kind of got carried away and bought this one without listening to it ahead of time. That was a mistake. I should have paid more attention to the negative reviews, as it's remarkably boring. The tunes all sound sort of similar as most feature either bells or a generic synthesizer. The layered complexity that made their other albums gems is missing. The melodies are so broken apart as to be almost unrecognizable, which for a Christmas album is not a good thing. I recommend skipping this one altogether and getting one of their better albums (e.g. Christmas in the Aire).



2. Excellent start with Hallelujah chorus and then fizzled after that with a few intermittent high points. I just did not like this particular package of songs. Too much new age sound toward the end. Wish I would have read the other reviews before purchase.



3. I purchased this CD for "Faeries" which I had heard on the radio...However, I find the whole CD has become one of my favorite Christmas albums. The Mannheim Steamroller's CD is truly 'extraordinaire'.



4. CD was in perfect condition!
   music is great! Added a different touch to my Christmas collection.



5. I bought this for my daughter for Christmas since I already had one. It is a great CD for Christmas.

5 comments about Let's Sing a Song of Christmas.

1. This cd is very well put together.Many years ago Spike Jones was the rage of the music industry.He actually could play quite well and he usually started his songs out that way however..part way through all heck would break loose.He did crazy things with the music but it was very funny,If you want to get happy play this cd.



2. I HAVE THE RECORD ALBUM FROM MY PARENTS. THE ORIGINAL,FROM 1956. WE ALL LISTENED TO THIS GROWING UP.I JUST LOVE IT. IT IS VERY VINTAGE AND A GREAT CD TO ADD TO ALL THE OTHER TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC.EVERYONE SHOULD GET THIS.



3. Anyone who knows the zany music and antics of Spike Jones and His City Slickers might look at the cover of this album and the contents and say to him/herself "this ought to be interesting, if not a little irreverent." But then you need only read the paragraph on the reverse to know that this is not your typical offering from the clown king of bands.
   
   It says: "Nobody took Spike Jones seriously. With his City Slickers (never instrumentally challenged, their orchestrated chaos took rare musicianship), he had best-selling records in the Forties. But he couldn't sell his "pretty, legitimate music." So in the Fifties Jones turned to Christmas, producing the profane "Jingle Bells", in pig Latin - but also recording the sacred "Silent Night", done a capella with close harmony by a legendary vocal arranger - conductor Judd Conlon. With true, serious Christmas fare, this package presents Jones's two-sided (at least) musical nature. Liner notes by Richard Carpenter of the pop duo The Carpenters."
   
   The fold-out insert covering this original 1956 Verve vinyl album contains a listing of the contents showing the accompanying artists on each track, along with two pages of notes written in 1998 by Richard Carpenter telling us, among other things, how he and his father discovered the original album in 1956. There is also a brief paragraph on the history of the Verve label, and several more photos of Spike, including one with wife Helen and Spike, Jr.
   
   This is just a wonderful collection of Christmas music which alternates between the happy and fun (Jingle Bells medley, My Birthday Comes On Christmas, Two Front Teeth, etc.) to the classic (Silent Night, and the various carols).
   
   Get this and it will be among your favourite Christmas CDs for years to come.



4. I bought this CD for my 6-year-old grandson because he just lost his two front teeth. I thought it would be fun for him to hear this song, and I My grandson loved it! He had never heard of the song before, and had to play it for his mom. He also likes "I'm Getting Nuttin" for Christmas." We all keep telling him to be good or Santa will not bring him anything. His eyes popped when he heard this song, and he laughed at all the bad things the child did in the song. Again, I think the Spike Jones versions are the best. They are full of fun, noisy sound effects and things that appeal to kids. It's a great recording, and I'm glad I found it at a reasonable price.



5. I have been looking for one of these songs for years and am thrilled to finally have found it. This is a great CD

5 comments about First Christmas Record for Children (Exp).

1. I still have my original LP... The reason, most likely, the little Christmas tree selection was left off is that it is heavily influenced by Cold War propoganda. For instance, Santa speaks of his reindeer getting knocked out cold when they fly into an Iron Curtain, and then tells the tree how no one who goes to church can be a member of the party, and only memebers of the party are given ration tickets. Not a number that aged well, but quite a time-capsule.



2. Being a child in the 1980s and 90s, the album was older at the time of my listening to it. I enjoyed listening to it all the time as a kid and just received it as an early Christmas present this year. It is great to have the tunes on CD. However, this album should never have more than 4 stars because "The Little Christmas Tree" by Red Skelton was removed from the album when it was released on CD. That track made the album what it is and so what if there is too much Cold War propaganda in it. Why is a classic 1950s Christmas story with a good moral at the end of it taken off a CD and crappy songs about drugs and sex are left out in the open for everyone to hear on the radio? Anyways, the album is a classic and if you can find the Little Christmas Tree, it will be worth every cent you pay for it.



3. I ordered a Christmas CD, it's a wonderful album that was from my childhood. Although it has been changed from it's original format because of some ridiculous politically correct comitee somewhere (which is a shame because it was the best part of the album, a real treasure that has been lost) the album I'm sure will bring many years of happiness when I play it. It's one of the best memories I have, listening to this album while decorating the tree with my mother. Unfortunately I won't be enjoying it this Christmas because it only got here in January. Very long shipping. I recommend this CD, but order it early. :)



4. Growing up as a kid in the 60's and 70's, this album (originally bought at W.T. Grant's Department Store, for those that remember that far back!) regularly ushered in this "most wonderful time of the year" for our house. Listening to this again after nearly three decades brought back a flood of memories this past Christmas. The album has just the right blend of innocent fun and genuine pathos of a bygone era, without some of the overblown production of many of today's offerings.
   
   I grew up on Captain Kangaroo, so Bob Keeshan's reading of "The Littlest Snowman" was tender and sincere. Rosemary Clooney covers a wide range from giddy childhood mirth in "Suzy Snowflake" to a more heartfelt and spiritual emotion with "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S." Not on the original vinyl but a good fit nonetheless are Mitch Miller's renditions of "Frosty the Snowman" and "Silent Night."
   
   The quality of the mix is very good-to-excellent; clearly they referred to the master recording to clean this up and bring out the nuance of the material in our new digital age. As with other reviewers, the only complaint I had was the absence of the venerable Red Skelton's "Little Christmas Tree", resulting in only 4 stars for the review. Luckily, I got my hands on a digital recording of the missing piece, and after processing it to remove the hiss and snaps and trying to increase the dynamic range of the recording, I was pleased with the result and have added it in my media library as the unofficial 13th track when I play this on my computer.
   
   For those who have fond recollections of this album, I can't recommend it enough. It was a real treat this past holiday to listen to this over and over again, and I could almost smell Mom's sugar cookies baking each and every time! And if you've never heard this one before but are looking for a new tradition to start with your kids and family, look no further than this CD.



5. This was a childhood favorite that my sisters and I listened to over and over again. So happy to find it in CD.
   
   The product was delivered promptly in excellent condition. Thanks so much!
   
   Sorry "The Littlest Christmas Tree" was removed from the album.

5 comments about Christmas Interpretations.

1. At long last, I FINALLY have one of the BEST R&B Christmas CD"s ever made. I have been searching high and low for this one and even saw it on ebay for a very high price. An excellent purchase for BIIM lovers, Christmas song affectionado's and just general music lovers! I've been trying to purchase this CD for 3 years and most stores I've look in don't carry it anymore :-(



2. if your looking for the very best of christmas album
   without all the "cliche'" harmonies? this is the album for you!
   and belive me you will play it year after year! some artist like to
   ( OVER DO IT ) like christina agiulara and others but you know exactly
   what im talking about boys II MEN do it so diffrently and think outside
   the box and come with their own unique style and harmonies to blend mix
   of oh how do i say it "ahhhhhh" just a refreshing twist on christmas
   tunes insted of the "same ol',same ol' which is why we all hated they broke up in the first place.but the memories are a lifetime!
   THANK YOU SO MUCH BOYS II MEN we will definatley miss you!



3. If you are an R&B fan, you don't need me to tell you that this Christmas Album is only second to the Temptation Christmas Album as the best R&B Christmas album of all time. Now it does have all original songs besides Silent Night and Let it Snow... but I personally like that. Do They Know, Let it Snow, This Christmas ... are so good! Basically put the CD in and let it play .. you won't skip a song...and definitely gets you in the Christmas mood.



4. As a traditional Christmas album, it's a disappointment. No "Jingle Bells" or "Holly Jolly Christmas" here. As a romantic Christmas album, listeners will be Merry all season long. A Season for Seduction is what I call it. I love this album!



5. This album came out in 1993 and still sounds fresh and original as ever. My favorite song on here is "Let It Snow" but I enjoy listening to all the songs around Xmas time and even in between the year it's so great! Much love to Boyz II Men and everyone this holiday season, this would make a great stocking stuffer for any music lover.

5 comments about Christmas Eve.

1. This fine recording of ethereal solo piano interpretations of traditional Christmas carols, along with a few originals by Lanz, falls right in the tradition of the classic and trendsetting recording, "December," by George Winston.

   These two titles, along with Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Dave Brubeck Christmas" (both a bit more jazz flavored) are among my all-time favorite piano recordings for the holiday season.

   While they all serve nicely as background music in the workplace or at home, they deserve serious listening, and contemplation, in their own right.

   With all the different artists who feel a need to cash in on the holiday season, it's nice to find a gem like this that still treats the music, as well as the season of Christmas, with respect.




2. This cd has really been a joy to listen to. I puts special emphasis on our most holy songs for the season. This cd is a must for solo piano fans. It is perhaps one of the better Christmas cds around.

   David did a marvelous job with this cd. He knew when to play and when to pause the song. His feel for these songs was real genuine and heartfelt. I feel like David really knows about the meaning of Christmas and the need to perform these songs in a special way.

   The only thing I didn't like about this cd was the original music that David used. I have never been a fan of comtempory music and this cd is no exception.

   Recommendation: I would like to recommend this cd. It really fits the spirit of Christmas.




3. I cannot say that I am a huge fan of the arrangement of the songs on this CD, and that is the only reason I gave it only 4 stars out of 5.
   What I can say is that the recording itself is absolutely superb. You will hear the action of the piano itself, with zero background hiss. This is as good a recording as my DVD-A disks. It is very life-like and warm; you will feel every note, and if you like the piano, this is a must have Christmas CD.



4. I've just recently started listening to his playing and I do wish he would branch out a bit. This is not as good as His "Christmas Album" but he does a creditable job. He does need to branch out more and do some less known work than these old standards.



5. This is a lovely piece of Christmas music. It's all piano -- very soft, almost somber interpretations of Christmas standards plus a couple of originals. I've told friends that if one could hear snow as it fell to the ground, this music is how it would sound. Christmas Eve is a Christmas lullaby.

3 comments about Christmas Moments.

1. This cd has two "terrific" songs: What are you doing New Years Eve? and My favorite things. The other songs are good too, but these two songs are awesome.



2. This cd has two "terrific" songs: What are you doing New Years Eve? and My favorite things. The other songs are good too, but these two songs are awesome.



3. 
   The Whispers are my favorite group. The CD "Christmas Moments" is excellent. I enjoyed listening to it over the holidays and continue to play it.

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 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.