5 comments about Handel - Messiah / Harper, Watts, Wakefield, Shirley-Quirk, LSO, C. Davis.

1. The Philips Classics series has many appealing features, not least of which is good value. This series typically offers two CDs for the price of about one-and-a-half. They feature top-rank and often legendary performers. Finally, they are digitally remastered recordings from the sixties and seventies, many of which rank as standard-bearing readings of the classical canon.
   
   This 1966 London Symphony Orchestra performance of Handel's incalculably beautiful MESSIAH is robust in the old-school, English, big-voiced, fully-orchestrated, modern-instrument manner. This is the MESSIAH that first put the lump in your throat and made you wonder at how regular folks stood when 'Hallelujah' came up.
   
   I find it almost breathtaking to sit here - again - among the speakers and come to grips with the fact that the pure sound emerging is from a recording that took place *four decades* ago. Harper, Watts, Wakefield, and Shirley-Quirk are in marvelous voice.
   
   Do yourself a favor. Break the Messiah-at-Christmas routine (though *do* listen at Christmas), buy this CD, and sit down with it for an evening at some atypical time of year, say, when an autumnal nip is in the air.
   
   Handel's uniquely musical hearing of a Christian retelling of the biblical prophets and their adumbration in the New Testament that was conventional in its day is a work for the ages. Resonant, effortlessly intertextual, energized by both faith and art, MESSIAH is one of Christendom's jewels.
   
   It is nearly a fool's errand to review Messiah in a few paragraphs, even more when the reading is question is that of Sir Colin Davis and a throaty English cast.
   
   Simply impeccable.



2. I must say that the "Messiah" was very off-putting to me for a very long time when I first started collecting and listening to classical music, as I had only ever heard a couple excerpts from it, and those with deadly frequency, like the Hallelujah Chorus, which I "hated", so I stayed away from it like the plague.
   
   This recording,(other than the Hallelujah Chorus, and one or two other bits), was my first exposure to this great work. I researched for a long time to find the "best" recording available, and at the time (late 60's) this was IT!
   
   It still is, although through the years my favorite "Messiah" has "graduated", become more "brilliant", become more "soft", more "strident", more "original instrument", more "chamber-like", etc. I have loved and revered many recordings since discovering this one. Currently, the John Butt on Linn records truly is the best recording I've ever heard, followed closely by the Renee Jacobs. (See my "Messiah" Listmania list, by all means.)
   
   BUT, this review is of the Colin Davis recording, and I will get back to it.
   
   This recording is like an old "school friend", and I come back to be with it very often. I still treasure this effort on the part of Colin Davis and his soloists, truly a "benchmark" recording. I see here that this has been remastered on the "Philips 50" series, and I am sure that I will seek out this new pressing for my shelves, as I will ALWAYS want a copy of this old friend nearby.
   
   Whether you are coming to the Messiah for the first time, or have many recordings of it, by all means pick this great treasure up for your collection...you will discover a truly great Desert Island disc. Happy Listening! ~operabruin



3. This classic recording still stands the test of time. Sir Colin Davis leads his small ensemble of singers and players in a polished and clearly articulated rendition of this often heard oratorio. Every voice and every instrument is heard in a perfect blend. No massive chorus and orchestra with a muddy sound on this recording. I have owned this version since it came out on a LP recording when I was in college. It is still the best.



4. Maestro Davis employs modern instruments, a relatively small chorus and orchestra and first rate soloists in a performance that's not wacky, weird or wayward. Sincere expression and tasteful ornamentation are emphasized-there aren't any life and death struggles going on here. Yet the spiritual elements are not slighted-consider for example, Heather Harper's wonderful "I know my Redeemer liveth.." She sings with great purity and no artifice. The chorus has good diction and is vigorous when it needs to be. Sir Colin's conducting flows and allows the listener to get "caught up" in the performance. He doesn't impose any particular interpretative viewpoint but allows this masterpiece to speak for itself. For forty years this has been a top choice.



5. From the opening Sinfonia, this Messiah is far too subdued. While it may be nuanced and even, it lacks passion, grandeur and any sense of the sacred, and has little narrative drive. The Choruses, except for the Hallelujah Chorus, have little majesty. There is also something wrong with the sound mix. I can't quite put my finger on it but somehow the bass-treble balance is just off. I tried the special anniversary 24 bit rerelease and found that the sound of it was, oddly enough, even worse. I would instead very highly recommend Sir Colin Davis' other recording of The Messiah, with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra. It is a bit difficult to find but just spectacular.

5 comments about Please Come Home for Christmas.

1. Being from New Orleans, this song always reminds me of Christmas. Charles Brown's original rendtion of this song is my favorite by far. This song has been covered other more mainstream artists like Aaron Neville, Don Henley and Jon Bon Jovi. But none match the same soulful plea as Charles Brown does when he sings, "please come home for Christmas."



2. After spending entirely too many years giving in to my Mother's desire to listen to Judy Collins' insipid Christmas album, I brought home this album for her. The songs are beautiful, bluesy and delicate in classic Charles Brown style, and it just makes for such a nice change from all the old standards. This album is truly wonderful and every Christmas library should have it.



3. If you want the best christmas CD out today, This is the one. Charles Brown has been bring the Soulful sounds of christmas to this household since the mid-sixty's, And the sound is good. This CD is #1 and the first to be played at Christmas time in this household.



4. Wanted this CD to remember the days of old and it really helped. Great
   music.



5. It's nice to see 10 other 5-star reviews, as this is a classic and under-appreciated Christmas album from a blues giant. Charles was in a slump and largely forgotten by the record-buying public when he recorded this in 1960-61. The original hit version of PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is here (Charles wrote it with Gene Redd), and you can't really find it anywhere but on this King release and other King releases "Charles Brown Sings Christmas Songs" and "The Very Best Of - Original King Recordings". (There are re-makes on several CD's including Rhino's Christmas Classics - shame on them).
   
   I recommend the King CD "Charles Brown Sings Christmas Songs", because it features the original 12 song album (see note below), without the Bill Doggett instrumentals, and it also features the original album art. However, it is much harder to find.
   
   Collectors note: the original 1961 LP featured a song called "My Most Miserable Christmas". The LP was available in mono and stereo. It was later reissued with a 1968 re-recording of "Merry Christmas Baby" replacing the "Miserable" track. The CD versions feature "Merry Christmas Baby" - "My Most Miserable Christmas" has never been on CD.

4 comments about 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection: The Best of Loretta Lynn.

1. Here's a great Christmas present for country fans, Loretta Lynn's classic 1966 album COUNTRY CHRISTMAS is back in print on CD!! This album brings back special memories for country music fans around the world for all the many years families have played it during the holiday season. Of note of the four Loretta originals including the excellent title song and two with classic Loretta sass "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus" and "I Won't Decorate Your Christmas Tree." Loretta does a fine job too on "Silver Bells" and "White Christmas" (two songs rarely recorded by country stars on their Christmas albums), the moving "Christmas without Daddy" and the church Christmas pageant staple "Away in a Manager". She also tackles kiddie Christmas favorites "Frosty the Snowman" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with charm. This 39-year-old album is sure to win over new fans who have never heard it before and for the veteran fans, it's like a long-unseen loved one coming home for Christmas.



2. This is a hard to find CD, and it was great!



3. It was years I was looking for this cd - to no avail!
   Christmas just wasn't Christmas without Loretta Lynn's classic tracks, but all I had was a worn out cassette recording of my parent's original record.
   Christmas without Daddy was our song when Daddy when to Vietnam and then to the Sinai desert; Blue Christmas was the song my big sister sang when she was broken hearted; Country Christmas was the spirit of our tradition, with all our family gathered round that pretty Christmas tree...
   I'm so excited I ordered 4 copies: one for each sister.
   Have a very merry Christmas!



4. This album was originally released under the title COUNTRY CHRISTMAS in 1967. It features an equal mix of traditional Christmas songs and new Christmas songs. The originals are good, especially the nostalgic "Country Christmas" and the humorous "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus". And Loretta sings the traditional songs well, too. A solid Christmas album the Loretta Lynn fans will love. But it would have been nice if Loretta's rare 1974 single "Shadrack, the Black Reindeer" b/w "Let's Put Christ Back in Christmas" had been included as bonus tracks.

5 comments about Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas.

1. When I was a kid growing up my dad bought this album on 8-Track tape and I must have played it till the tape broke - O Bambino and The Twelve Days of Christmas just to name a couple - all of the songs are wonderful. I'm so glad I found it again, now my children can enjoy it too (Tradition!)



2. This is a 24 Karat Gold CD, so it costs more than the average CD. I honestly can't notice any difference in sound quality between gold CDs and regular ones, but maybe that's just me. But gold CD is the only way this album is available, so it's that or nothing. It's a decent album, with Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra and his three kids. Three songs are sung by the whole family, with "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas" being the best one. Frank sings two songs, "Whatever Happened to Christmas?" and a remake of "The Christmas Waltz", both of which are very good. Nancy sings two songs, which are pretty good. Tina sings one song, which is okay. Tina actually sounds a lot like Nancy, but with an untrained voice. Nancy and Tina also sing a duet together, which kind of sounds like Nancy with her voice double tracked. And then there is Frank Jr., who sings the okay "O Bambino". This isn't the greatest Christmas album ever, but it's certainly passable, and Sinatra fans will probably enjoy it.



3. This album is really a treat for those of us who can't get enough of Sinatra during the holidays. If you don't fall into that category, you may still enjoy it. The truth is, you probably already know if you'll like it or not just by looking at it. I got it last year, after hearing some of the cuts from the album on 2004's Christmas Collection. Some would contend that the best of SFWYAMC is sampled on that collection, but I feel the concept works better as a whole. I like the play between family members on the joint efforts, and most of the songs are pleasant. Most people think this is the definitive version of the Christmas Waltz - I disagree (I favor the Jolly Christmas version). Save this for last in your Sinatra C-mas purchase list, not because it's extremely inferior, but simply because if you don't like Frank's higher profile efforts, you certainly won't like this. I'm not sure how long this is going to be available. It's on limited edition gold disc right now, and like other reviewers, I don't hear the superior sound quality that's supposed to bring. I think it's safe to say this album has a decicated, if small, following. Grab it now if you think you might want it, the new and used prices for it seem to inflate from year to year. Of course, if you're of an old-school mind, there are vinyl copies available from Amazon as well. If you like Frank at the holidays, GET IT NOW, and make up your own mind. I recommend this cd.



4. I bought this CD because I listened to it for most of my childhood. My mother had it. I had to purchase it on CD because technology sure has changed, however, the quality and beautiful songs have not. I will listen to this CD every Christmas from now to eternity. My daughter, hopefully, will pass this selection on as well. It is lively yet mellow at times. The songs really make you think about family and togetherness and prepare you for a great Christmas season.



5. This is a beautiful gold cd of the lp by the same name. I highly recommend it to all Sinatra fans & Collectors.

5 comments about Elvis' Christmas Album.

1. This was Elvis's first Christmas album, recorded in 1957. It's a certifiable classic. Side one featured Elvis doing secular Christmas songs. "Santa Claus is Back in Town" is an awesome blues song that features D.J. Fontana's best drumming ever, arguably. "White Christmas" is a fine performance that owes a lot to the Drifters' version. "Here Comes Santa Claus" is a cool rockabilly style performance. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is a good ballad. "Blue Christmas" is Elvis's best Christmas song, and it made everyone forget the original Ernest Tubb version. Side one closed with the original pop rocker "Santa Bring My Baby Back". Side two of the album featured religious songs. However, only two of the songs are actual Christmas songs. The last four songs are taken from the previously released "Peace in the Valley" EP. But when the songs are as great as these four are, why complain? I highly recommend this CD.



2. When Elvis' christmas recordings were reissued on CD, there was apparently some mixing and matching going on. While I totally love this CD, it is not the same one I listened to that my mom had on LP when I was little. It has several additions and omissions from that one, most notably the lack of "If Everyday Was Like Christmas". That song can be found on a CD of the same title, but the track listing of another one called "It's Christmas Time" by Elvis looks more familiar as the one I liked as a kid. Elvis' stuff is always great, though, so I still recommend this one, too.



3. This is the original Elvis Christmas Album as released in 1957. It was considered very controversial when it was released (as were most Elvis releases during that time), but it was still a huge hit commercially, hitting number 1 on the Billboard album charts (before they created a separate category for Christmas albums).
   
   Eight Christmas songs were included in his original 1957 Christmas album along with the 4 Gospel songs from the "Peace In The Valley" EP. His original Christmas album was repackaged and re-released in 1970 with the 4 Gospel songs being replaced by "If Every Day was Like Christmas" (which was originally released as a single in 1966) and the non-Christmas song "Mama Liked The Roses". The 1970 edition was then re-packaged and released on CD as "It's Christmas Time" a few years ago.
   
   Elvis' performance on the songs here are excellent! Several of these recordings have become Christmas classics, still receiving significant radio airplay nearly 50 years after they were recorded!
   
   While this was a great album in its day, it has since been superceeded. All the songs on this album are currently available on the Elvis "White Christmas" CD along with "If Every Day was Like Christmas" and "Mama Liked The Roses" and every song from his "The Wonderful World of Christmas" album which was released in 1971. Unless you just want to buy this CD for its historical significance, I would recommend that you spend a few extra bucks and buy the Elvis "White Christmas" album instead. You will get a lot more Christmas cheer!



4. To reviewer Bon Jovi Fan a bit of history. This CD release contains the exact songs that appeared on the first Elvis' Christmas Album, released in 1957 on RCA Victor LOC-1035. The one you recall with the same title was released in 1970 on RCA Camden CAL-2428, containing a mix of some of the earlier tracks with new ones, including If Every Day Was Like Christmas. Written by Red West, it was recorded on June 11, 1966 in Nashville and first released that year as a single b/w How Would You Like To Be?
   
   As another reviewer points out, this one, when first released, became the target of that element of society self-righteously "scandalized" by the "vulgar hip-swinging degenerate" who was "corrupting our children" led by the son of C&W legend Hank Snow, one Jimmie Rodgers Snow, the most pious of them all. In other words, those yabos who were doing all they could to kill R&R at birth. Of course, the R&R DJs, when playing anything from the album, had zeroed in on tunes like Blue Christmas (which actually dates back to 1949 by Ernest Tubb, Russ Morgan, and Hugo Winterhalter) and Lieber & Stoller's driving Santa Claus Is Back In Town.
   
   Only when they eventually heard his mellow tones on White Christmas and I'll Be Home For Christmas, the carols Silent Night and Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem, and the four gospel tunes included (especially Take My Hand, Precious Lord), did some of them - not all, mind you, but a few - admit that they had perhaps over-reacted. Snow, thankfully, just faded into obscurity.
   
   The sound reproduction is excellent, and although there are no liner notes with the insert, you do get nine pages of vintage colour photographs of Elvis. No collection of Christmas music is complete without this one.



5. What can I say that hasn't been said before about The King? His voice, the arrangement of the songs, his musical directors, song selections are all outstanding. Elvis is right up there with Mozart, Bach, and so on. The CD is the CD issue of Elvis' first LP. Nice to hear clean recordings and what an easy way to play the recording. There is a bonus on the CD that many have missed and that should be noted. The bonus is not available on Elvis' original LP. The Christmas song, White Christmas, includes studio chatter. The studio chatter White Christmas is available only on this CD.

5 comments about Yule B Swingin'.

1. A great collection of upbeat, happy and swingin' tunes from (my guess) mid -to- late forties to fifties. Even if you are a "modern" rock&roller, this is definitely a "hip-o" record for the holidays. No sad songs here, but Lous Prima swinging with Santa, Louis Armstrong having fun in New Orleans, Kay Starr swinging with the Santa man, etc. It's funny, but all ages of hipsters really dig this album (very rare with everyone's diverse tastes). No joke, buy this one.



2. My husband and I picked up the CD a couple of years ago on the sale rack. What a find! We love it, and I am buying it to send to my mother this year for Christmas. This one will please multiple generations - our kids love it too!



3. This retro album never gets old. Many of the artists seem to be winking at the listener, almost making fun of the whole idea of Christmas music. Kay Starr's Everybody's Waitin' for the Man With the Bag sounds like the kids are waiting by the chimney for their drug dealer.

   If you like upbeat holiday music, this is a great choice. The only song that isn't cheerful is the sad, haunting What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? by Nancy Wilson. So have a cup of Christmas cheer and dig this crazy Yule CD.




4. 14 clear tracks. Our favs are Louis Prima & Louis Armstrong, #1& #2. They're upbeat, fast & different. Then it bogs down. Kind of loses the "Swingin'" concept and moves into a jazzy feel. But, still a good listen if you find a copy cheap enough.



5. One reviewer ventures a guess that these songs emanate from the late 1940s to early 1950s and in that assumption is partially correct. But the opening tune by a young Louis Prima dates all the way back to 1935/36 when he was billed as Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang. It can also be found on the CD 1935/36 by Louis.
   
   What passes for liner notes (a two page listing of the selections and that's it)provides dates for only three, but from that list we discover that track 8 by Kay Starr goes back to 1959, while tracks 13 (Nancy Wilson) and 14 (Dean Martin) date from 1963 and, again, 1959. I would venture a guess too that the Pete Fountain cut (track 10) is from his early 1960s heyday.
   
   I do know that the Glenn Miller version of Jingle Bells, with vocals by Tex Beneke, Ernie Caceres (relating a hilarious experience with Christmas in Mexico), and The Modernaires was a # 5 hit in 1941. As for the rest, your guess is as good as mine but I agree that they do have that late 1940's/early 1950s feel to them.
   
   Whatever, this is a happy little album sure to bring sheer delight to both young and old during the holiday season. Grab a copy now.

5 comments about Holiday Classics.

1. I have been listening to James Last since I was 4 years old ( I am now 31 ).All his music is brilliant and this xmas cd is no exception . James Last is a great person with a wonderful outlook on life and this comes through very clearly in his music .Beautiful music that will leave you with the feeling that life truly is magical and playful despite all the problems the world seems to be experiencing .Sit back and let a musical genius entertain you with his amazing orchestra .



2. If you like beautiful Christmas music this is the cd for you.All of these songs are lush and also have Christmas bells in them.A lot of these got played on WKTZ in Jacksonville Florida last Christmas.Their website is jones.edu and you click on the wktz icon to listen.This is the kind of Christmas Music you use to hear on beautiful music stations.You don't hear this type of Christmas music on most radio stations anymore except for Wktz in Jacksonville Florida and Sunny XM'S Beautiful Music Channel 24.Wktz and Sunny has most of the instrumental Christmas artist like Last,Faith,Lex De Azevedo,Ingman,Chacksfield,Mancini and others.I highly recommend this cd if you like beautiful Christmas music.



3. In the review of this CD, Bill has his history correct, and Jeff and Murmick have their recommendations correct. The JL genius comes through again. It's an invitation to queue it up and decorate your Christmas tree!



4. My wife Pat, had this music originally on an 8-track tape from many years back. No 8-track players around now, for a good number of years, and we had looked high and low, but could not find it. Finally found it on Amazon.com. Really GREAT CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! and we are listening to it now, as I type this review.
   Thank You.



5. This Christmas CD will get a lot of play this year around my house during the Christmas season. The mixture of religious and other Christmas music seems to be a perfect mix. If you like European Christmas music, this CD will be perfect for you. Well done music, typical (and masterful) James Last style.
   
   These are full-length songs with a good medley featuring "White Christmas" as well.

3 comments about Christmastime Is Here / Kunzel, Erich & Cincinnati Pops.

1. While listening to XM (XM Classical Christmas), I heard selections from this album, and was impressed. True, this is more of a compilation album, but the quality is very good. Most of what I mention below are the singers, because the orchestra (Cincinnati Pops, Erich Kunzel directing) can be summed up as bright when they need to be, quiet when (I assume) Kunzel doesn't want them to overpower the singers.
   
   It starts with a bright medley ("Good King Wenceslas/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/We Three Kings/O Little Town of Bethlehem/Away in a Manger/What Child Is This/The Holly and the Ivy/Wassail/I Saw Three Ships/We Wish You a Merry Christmas"), with the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers.
   
   The next song is "Precious Moments", written by John Williams, from the movie Home Alone. On one hand, listening can bring memories of the movie, but if you listen to the words, it evokes the joy and memories of Christmas. It is sung by School for the Creative and Performing Arts Childrens Choir. The kids who sing it are clear and on the note, I don't hear any discernable lagging, these kids are definitely our future singers.
   
   Following that is the classic "I Wonder As I Wander", sung by Ann H. Calloway, whose voice is operatic, yet soft. I've heard some operatic singers whose voice can get a little rough on the outside, but she brings a sense of wonder to the song, like a person really thinking about the Messiah's birth. The orchestra in this is big, but goes quiet (woodwinds and bells) while she sings.
   
   Bringing back the children's choir is Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime Is Here", from the classic Peanuts animated special. The orchestra adds some big-band jazz feel, but then goes quiet while the children sings.
   
   Another famous Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", bringing back the I.U. Chorus. Similar to their first track, the chorus does a great job of hitting the notes on time, and the words are clealy heard.
   
   In their only song on this CD, the Kings Singers bring us Silent Night, sung in German (Stille nacht), with small orchestra and harpsichord. The men's harmony and the subdued orchestra (mainly just strings).
   
   The first orchestra-only song is The Little Drummer Boy, written and made famous by the Harry Simeone Chorale. The melody is intact, but the harmony is Maurice Ravel's BOLERO, which fits perfectly. Plus, the arranger used the same instrument progression as in Ravel's piece, and it ends with a huge orchestra again similar to Bolero.
   
   While many songs are simply written for the season, or for a movie, the next track is "We Need a Little Christmas", from the musical MAME (Jerry Herman). This one brings back the I.U. Chorus, fast-paced but still invokes memories of the haste of getting ready. There are also a few bars of a couple Christmas songs (not sure if that is in the original song - no biggie).
   
   After that bright rendition, the orchestra and Tony DeSare bring out "The Christmas Song", which was first written by Mel Torme (made famous by Nat King Cole). Many people know the voice of "The Velvet Fog", while Mr DeSare sounds like a younger Torme.
   
   Like the first track, we have another great medley, this time sung by the childrens chorus (mentioned above). In this one, the kids do a spectacular job of singing "Here We Come a Wassailing/Over The River and Through The Woods/Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella/Pat a Pan/Jolly Old St Nicholas/I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". I know I would trip trying to sing "Over the River..." as fast as they did! Ending the medley, "Jolly Old St Nicholas has a grand big-band finale. The trumpeters even threw in a horse's nay (sp) during that song, implying a fast sleigh ride to Grandma's house.
   
   Another orchestra-only song is "Jingle Bell Rock", but the orchestra - with a piano and banjo - becomes a Dixie-land band, then moves into a 70's rock sound. I've heard a couple other songs with the Dixie-land style, and Kunzel does a great job of bringing the feel to those type songs.
   
   During most wars since World War II, men and women serving overseas wish they could be home with family. The song that says this is "I'll Be Home for Christmas". The song is sung by Tierney Sutton and the I.U. Chorus, not as bleak as many versions may be, but she brings a caring voice to someone wishing their relatives will be home.
   
   Famous more for being a flautist for John Philip Sousa, and writing the musical "The Music Man", Meredith Willson wrote "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", also sung by the IU Chorus. Some words may be out of date, but like all their other songs, they do a great job of singing. In the middle of the song, again Kunzel brings out the Dixie-land style, then going back to the jazzy and big marching band styles.
   
   Ending the CD is the famous song from "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1950) is John Pizzarelli with the chorus (backup) singing "Silver Bells".
   
   Overall, everything makes this CD a great Christmas addition! Some may find recording/mixing flaws, but in terms of the Cincinnati Pops, both choruses, and the soloists, over the years have made a great CD. Most people would buy a Christmas CD and keep it stowed away until next Christmas, which is fine. I do the same thing. But, this is the perfect musical backdrop to Christmas morning, the childrens chorus implies the children in us that should enjoy the holiday, while the power of the orchestra and IU Chorus implies the "reason for the season".



2. I am far from a music critic but I know what I like for Christmas music and this CD is outstanding. The Singing Hoosiers are excellent in their performance.



3. This disc has quickly become one of my favorite (if not the favorite) Christmas disc in our collection. The songs are so upbeat, cheerful...they just seem to perfectly fit the season. Many are unique interpretations of classic christmas music, yet they still sound traditional. Very strongly recommend you add this one to your collection!

2 comments about One Special Christmas.

1. Fabulous, lush performances of Christmas music that will lift your spirits. David Clydesdale's orchestration is simply amazing. We purchased this CD because it is the exact musical recordings played at Disney's EPCOT theme park as accompaniment to their dancing fountain and "Lights of Winter". Highly recommended, if you can find a copy.



2. This album feature the best rendition of "Do you hear what I hear?" that I have ever heard. It sends chills up my spine every time I listen to it.

1 comments about Winter Wonderland.

1. I'll say it again ... it isn't Christmas until Johnny Mathis' Christmas music is played. His wonderful smooth as cocoa voice makes every winter a wonderland, and every Christmas special.