No comments about I Love Christmas.

2 comments about Hammered Dulcimer Christmas.

1. This is a nice enough collection. The CD itself is quite short, and the songs include only dulcimers. It's not exactly what I wanted, but it will serve.



2. Nice collection of holiday music for the fan of hammered dulcimers. I especially loved God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, which has a particularly rich sound.

No comments about Santa Loves to Boogie.

5 comments about Holly & Ivy.

1. i was givin this cd for pressie and i can say its a classic holly and the ivy and the other tracks are wot xmas is all about please treat urself to this cd honestly u will luv it --jo liverpool



2. With so many Christmas music collections available, some on the cheap, it is still sometimes difficult to find a collection that effectively mixes both sacred and secular music, features great singing and musical accompaniment, and sounds fresh and not hackneyed. Outside of church or the symphony hall, I like my Christmas music on the jazzy side. Well, this collection, which rides on the heels of Ms. Cole's wonderful UNFORGETTABLE album, and which features the same production team, meets all of the above criteria. Ms. Cole possesses a beautiful, round, expressive voice, as well as a stimulating, jazzy feel that's a family legacy, as well as the result of rubbing elbows with some jazz greats in her youth, such as the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald. She is also quite capable of rocking out. All of those assets are put to best use here to create, by far one of the best holiday music collections of recent years, and one that should retain a timeless appeal!
   
   MY HIGHLIGHTS:
   
   "Caroling, Caroling"
   Not an overly perfomed song; beautifully executed here, and featuring a very good youth chorus. Swinging, joyful feel.
   
   Christmas Medley featuring "Jingle Bell Rock" (a terrific, jazzy/soulful version), "Winter Wonderland" (on which the singer really grooves!), "Little Drummer Boy" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (both lovingly and tenderly performed, with a really original, big band arrangement for "Drummer Boy"). Flows beautifully and dramatically from song to song.
   
   "A Song for Christmas"
   Really exudes the warmth and expressiveness that are an innate part of Ms. Cole's singing. "No More Blue Christmases" is in the same vein, and appears to be an original co-written for this set by the contemporary ballad writer, Michael Masser, who's written other tunes recorded by Ms. Cole.
   
   NONE OF MY HOLIDAY SEASONS GO WITHOUT SEVERAL SPINS OF THIS GREAT COLLECTION. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



3. "Thanks to you my Father and my Lord Jesus Christ through whom I can do all things which strengtheneth me. May this music carry a blessing in whatever way He sees fit." ~ Natalie Cole ~
   
   If there's one Christmas song that I enjoy listening to all-year-round, it's the wondrous "A Christmas Song" by Mel Torme and Robert Wells. This beautiful carol was written forty-five years ago and still going on strong. It's timeless and classic. Simply put, it's the epitome of what Christmas is all about. It was the great singer Nat King Cole who first popularized this song. And now his equally talented daughter and chanteuse extraordinaire Natalie Cole sings it so splendidly in this album. This is one of the best recordings of Ms. Cole from my collection.
   
   This is one of the Christmas CDs I would highly recommend. It's a perfect Christmas gift to any music lover. Celebrate the Christmas Season in style and make this CD a constant companion in your car, at work, at home or to any Holiday parties. The choice of material reflects the true essence of Christmas and made more so special with the elegance of Ms. Cole's delivery and renditions as well as the seasoned arrangers headed by Alan Broadbent and the expert musicians who made this recording one of the best Christmas albums of all-time.
   
   You'll enjoy listening to the exuberance of "Jingle Bells," the solemnity of "The First Noel" and "Silent Night," the charms of "Caroling, Caroling" with chorus by the Children's Choir, the majesty of "Joy To The World," the radiance of a Christmas Medley of "Jingle Bell Rock," "Winter Wonderland," "Little Drummer Boy" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and of course the eternal beauty of "A Christmas Song."
   
   "And so I'm offering this simple phrase
   To kids from one to ninety-two
   Although it's been said many times, many ways
   Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you."



4. I ordered this cd from a seller here on amazon and never received the merchandise. My money was taken immediately without thought. Two months after not receiving my merchadise I emailed the seller and one month later I still have not received the cd or a response. I write this statement in March 2007 and I ordered the cd in December 2006. Sellers like this will make one think twice about ordering online again. Otherwise I am assured this is one of the best cd's Natalie has ever recorded and it remains to be a timely holiday classic.



5. Natalie's first Christmas album and probably her best--excellent! Great song selections, both new and old. What a classy lady. Be sure to check the companion PBS special "Holly and Ivy"-it's not available on DVD but you can still find it on VHS. You won't be disappointed!

5 comments about Honky Tonk Christmas.

1. i heard a specific song on the t.v. and couldn't find it in any store around here. it is a wonderful song , very inspiring. i couldn't be more pleased with the service you gave me. norman w.haley,sr.



2. This album is such great fun. I am an Alan Jackson fan and had to add this one to my collection. This is my second purchase of this album as my first simply vanished and I found Christmas without it just wasn't the same.There are some very jolly up beat tracks to get you in the Christmas spirit.I love it! Recommended



3. I am not a big fan of the old fashioned chrismas carols, but i really liked this album. If you ignored the words, you would mistake it for one of alan's best country albums. these are christmas songs with a definate country twist, some funny songs, sad songs, melancholy songs, the whole spectrum of emotion. The only misstep for me was track 9, a duet with the chipmunks. I guess theres nothing wrong with the song, and the kids would like it so i cant complain. I'd rate 10 out of 10.



4. I rarely like all the songs on a CD and this one is no different. I don't feel like I overpaid for it.



5. I love people who actually sing songs with the chipmucks. That is why I picked up this album. My kids love that song.

5 comments about Holy Night.

1. this is a great cd very vocal with not many instruments used, highly recommended for those looking for a good christmas cd, fans of kmax expect the unexpected, as with his other cds always trying new ways to show off his talent, this is really good.



2. Kevin's unique style and graceful voice takes on the favorites of Christmas with his Holy Night CD. Everyone should have this in their Christmas music collection . It is classically driven with Kevin's blend of unequivocal talent. One never tires of listening to the classics and this one will go to generations to come. " Greensleeves", "O Holy Night" and "What Child Is This?" is among the finest in the delivery of his vocals -interpretation and musical instrumentation.
   
   
   "O Holy Night" leaves me breathless.



3. This was another first for Kevin Max. A great CD to add to your Christmas collection. This CD has a lot of the old favorites we have come to know. Kevin Max is from the christian group DC Talk and this is another great album he has added to his solo career.If you like this CD you will like his newest release The Blood,check it out.Kevin Max has displayed a wide variety of music over the years in his solo career.and he is still one of my favorite male vocalist.



4. this cd is awesome! i never really cared about having a christmas cd! but since i love kevins voice i figured having one is a must!! most of these songs i probably songs you have heard soo many times at church! but his voice is worth the buy!!



5. Kevin Max has a truly spectacular voice. I love this CD, but it's important to mix it up with other Christmas music, because he doesn't have a lot of variation. Most of his music has the same type of sound to it.

5 comments about Backstreet's Back.

1. If you are a pop fan, then this is the CD for you! Not only does it have that pop-sound to it, but it has the advantage of R&B and different genres of music mixed into it as well. Also, this is the Backstreet fan's dream CD! Actually, all Backstreet CDs are a fans dream. This CD includes an original song, that is most possibly my favorite on the album, called 'That's What She Said'! It is not only sung by the Backstreet Boys, but was also written by one of the members, Brian Littrell! This CD not only helps to prove that real talent does exist, it shows you that the real talent has a name, and that name is Backstreet!! KTBSPA!
   email me: ...just to chat! Peace!



2. A typical Boygroup-album. Songs about broken hearts and missing somebody and Bubblegum-Pop. But there are at least a few songs that are not that bad ("Everybody", "Like a child", "If I don't have you" and "As long as you love me"). I mean that melody is not that bad so that the songs aren't boring but the lyrics are just stupid.
   So if you like the five cuuute guys you'll love this album. If not: Stay away and don't touch it. This is just kitschy.



3. Um dos melhores álbuns dos BSB. Estão presentes aqui 4 ótimas baladas (faixas 5, 6, 9 e 11), três músicas que os tornaram conhecidos para muitos no Brasil (faixas 1, 2 e 3) e outras que completam o CD sem deixar nada a desejar (faixas 4, 7, 8 e 10).



4. This cd is so great. The backstreet boys are very talented unlike sleezy singers like 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. The backstreet boys can sing so well. When I'm not very happy or in a good mood, I listen to this cd and it just makes me smile.This cd is very special, with such a wonderful song like "that's what she said", which by the way wonderful brian wrote and a very cool song "thats's the way i like it".Those are my 2 favorite songs of this album, but not one of these songs has a bad side to it. I think everyone out there should buy this cd because you'll end up falling inlove with it. I luv the backstreet boys, they are obviously my fave.Buy the cd cause it beats all the others.



5. Well I'm one of the lucky ones who could just go to the cd shop and get this album the easy way (although I also bought the US debut album that was released on the same day as an IMPORT album). This cd is still one of my favorite Backstreet albums. It has a great mixture of uptempo songs and balads on it, and even after all this time (it was released 8 years ago in august 1997) it still is a great album.
   
   A quick guide through the songs:
   "Backstreet's Back" is an uptempo song that is very dancable and catchy. Great song. This isn't the extended version that's on the US debut album, but the radio edit with Nick's vocals still intact (So everybody, everywhere/don't be afraid don't have no fear/gonna tell the world, make them understand/as long as there'll be music we'll be coming back again).
   
   "As Long As You Love Me" is agreat midtempo lovesong, very catchy. This mix is better than the US mix I think. Still my favorite BSB song.
   
   "All I Have To Give" is the same as the US version, ballad.
   
   "That's The Way I Like It" isn't a cover of KC and the sunshine band, but a better uptempo song with the same title. It's catchy, dancable and it has great vocals on it with a good beat, what more could you ask for?
   
   "10,000 Promises" is a loveballad and it isn't a happy one. Perfect song if you have a broken haert, helps you to vent every frustration...
   
   "Like A Child" is another sad love song. This ballad is very touching. And the vocals are just so beautiful!
   
   "Hey, Mr DJ (Keep Playin' This Song)" is also on the US debut album. Catchy dancable song, easy to sing along to.
   
   "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" is a cover I belief, but I'm not sure. Good song, ballad, strong vocals, same as the US version.
   
   "That's What She Said" was written by Brian and it's just the sweetest song on the album. Great song for anyone who likes to hear Mr Littrell sing, for he takes on all the solo parts. It's a ballad about a broken relationship, again a very good song if you have a broken heart. I remenber the live version of this song (at a concert in 1998) as one of the most magical moments.
   
   "If You Want It To Be Good Girl (Get Yourself A Bad Boy)" is also on the US debut album, and I think it's just a great song.
   Catchy, dancable and just so fun to listen to... inspired loads of signs back on the 1998 tour...
   
   "If I Don't Have You" is a loveballad with great ballad. Slowely prepars you for the end of this album.
   
   If you think the 46 minutes and 11 seconds are a bit short, you're wrong. This is an enhanced cd, so if you pop it into the computer, you get loads of extra stuff, like videoclips (so cute), background story and a quiz...
   I highly recomend this album, especially in combination with the European "Backstreet's Back" (make sure you get the one with 16 tracks on it!)!!!

3 comments about Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas.

1. A great performance of traditional Christmas songs played by some of the worlds greatest guitar players. A must have CD to play alone with traditional Christmas CD's during the Holiday season!



2. This is a great album for anyone who has a love for guitar oriented music and a must have for guitar players.



3. The music arrived in time for Christmas and I would say to all who aprreciate good guitar and Christmas music in one to buy it!

3 comments about Christmas in Rome [DVD Video].

1. Well, if you've been hankering for a traditional Christmas, here it is. Spanning the years from the early fifth century, when the beautiful church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built in Rome (where these performances were recorded), to the mid-18th century (when the latest pieces were composed), this DVD celebrates angels and shepherds viewed through the music of the Italian Baroque composers. Composers include Victoria, Palestrina, Frescobaldi, Carissimi, Josquin, A. Scarlatti, Corelli and Vivaldi. Major pieces include Scarlatti's cantata O di Betlemme altera, Corelli's Concerto grosso in G minor op.6 no.1 Christmas Concerto and Vivaldi's Gloria RV 589, performed by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert with Nancy Argenta as soloist. The shorter pieces are performed by the Gabrieli Consort and Players led by a young Paul McCreesh. A short opening fanfare is played by the Renaissance wind band Pifferari.
   
   All of the historically informed performances are superb, as expected from these splendid musicians. The instruments are fascinating in appearance, especially to those unfamiliar with these older, authentic instruments. My favorites are Jeremy West's cornett, which resembles a funhouse clarinet and sounds surprisingly full and warm given its curved shape, and Paula Chateauneuf's 6-8 foot long chittarone (a lute on steroids). The church looks gorgeous: with its gold filagreed walls and columns, mosaic tiled floors, stunning Baroque paintings and frescos, lovely altars, porticos, balconies: the camera simply doesn't know where to pan next. This is a splendid DVD, filmed in performance Dec. 1992. The digitally remastered widescreen picture is crisp and clear, sound in PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 is warm and full. The performances last 102 minutes. The camera is mobile, showing the church in all it's beauty, the performers to best advantage and Rome with all its eternal grace. This is a very traditional Christmas.
   
   If the beauty of a traditional Baroque Christmas celebration is something you've craved, search no more. This is a superb DVD which you'll probably play often during the Christmas season, as well as the rest of the year. Most strongly recommended.
   
   Mike Birman



2. I just got this today, and it's a real treat. I'd like to second Mr. Birman's review. The English College Concert Choir and the Gabrieli Consort do a superb job in artistic interpretation of Christmas music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. It's quite fitting that the concert take place in Santa Maria Maggiore, as many eminent composers, including Palestrina, worked there, and because it supposedly possesses Jesus' original crib. The choristers are always expressive, and the music is a joy to listen to. Even if you can't listen to this on Christmas, this is a great DVD to listen to/watch at any time of the year.



3. I was expecting a better quality of the music and the pictures together. Otherwise I still like the music.

5 comments about I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.

1. Don't buy it - if you are looking for the original version of "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" -- this is not it.
   Various Artists is misleading. It's just some group of kids - not various artists at all.



2. I bought this to surprise a friend who had mentioned hearing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" as a child. It's not a collection I would listen to repeatedly, but it served the purpose. My husband questioned whether the singers were actually children or adults trying to sound like children.



3. I came across this cd and after listening to the song, I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas, I was disappointed to find out it wasn't the version I quite had in mind that everyone has come to love over the years. The CD that has the original version of the song is called "Dr. Demento Presents: Greatest Christmas Novelty CD" and it is available on Amazon.com. I am going to buy this cd tomorrow. It has a lot of cool tracks such as Weird Al Yankovic's christmas song, Cheech and Chong's christmas song, and of course- I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas



4. If you love the original, this isn't it, very disappointing. The sound was not there and the singers voice changed the song from one that got me moving and loving the holidays to one I didn't. Search for the original version with Gayla Peevey.



5. I was looking for the version sung by Gayla Peevy. Ended up giving it as a gift to the nephews.