5 comments about Season's Greetings from Dean Martin.

1. Nifty little (only 25 minutes) cd for your holiday collection. Holiday and just plain winter time classics crooned only the way Dino could do it.



2. Dean Martin's "Season's Greetings" is the only Dean Martin album I own--a friend got it for me after being shocked that it was not part of our Christmastime CD collection. I have been really very pleasantly surprised by it. What an incredibly smooooooth voice this native Ohioan was blessed with, and how skillfully he uses it! The album opens with "White Christmas," on which Martin conveys regret and longing beautifully. The very next song--"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" is a gorgeously boppy, finger-poppin' Rat Pack rendition of this classic Christmas tune. Martin sounds as though he's holding a martini and a cigarette while he's singing, and that's part of the fun. What can I say--the guy was the epitome of cool!

   On the underused "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Martin tries to convince a cadre of female singers to stay inside with him ("I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice")--I know I'd be convinced! "Winter Wonderland" incorporates sleigh bells, smooth violins, and oohing-aahing background singers to evoke a fantasy winter snowscape. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" never sounded as good and as swingin' as it does here in Martin's capable hands. His voice is so mellow, so rich, so inimitably smooth that every song is a delight. Highly recommended!




3. Buy the Capital release entitled "A Winter's Romance", and get an ORIGINAL with all 13 songs, not 10. This CD is a CHEAP RIPOFF!



4. Collecting Dino from back in the Jerry days (50s). Have this timeless
   christmas songs from first "A Winter Romance" and so "Holliday Cheer" LPs.
   This is a well done RR BUT it's NOT the cover you see pictured on the
   product In my case it was o.k. as I dont have this one ever but
   it's very inportant for a collector that what you see is what you got.
   Roland



5. From Dean Martin's years with Capitol records, comes this collection of Christmas songs (There are many other repackagings these songs; all are pretty much the same). This is a warm, smooth and varied Christmas CD. Dino is quite capable on old Christmas standards like "White Christmas" and "Let It Snow", but "Christmas Blues" also reveals that the Dean can also sing the blues. Dino's comedic talent is also put to good use in his version of "Rudolph" and "Baby It's Cold Outside". Although only a little more than a half hour of music, Dean Martin's "Season's Greetings" should be an essential part of your Christmas library.

2 comments about Schütz: Christmas Vespers / McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort and Players.

1. This fine recording continues the tradition started by the Consort with their Praetorius Christmas recording released several seasons ago. The organ sound is rich and impressive, and the choral sound is, as usual, impeccable. Charles Daniels is an effective evangelist in the Schutz Christmas Oratorio, though he is not as sonorous as John Mark Ainsley on Hyperion. This as close as I come to a cavil regarding this very fine recording.



2. First of all, I was enthralled by the singing and the organ sound: very rich and musical in every way. The congregational singing, specifically, is superb, and the CD is worth buying for everything that comes before and after the Christmas Historia.

   The historia, though, is an edition that is disconcerting to me. Perhaps I have heard versions that are less "authentic" than this one, but there are enough differences between the McCreesh and other versions I have heard that I must assume others will be affected the same way.

No comments about Les Jours Tranquilles.

5 comments about This Is Christmas.

1. The songs are not your typical carols, but are yet about Christmas. These are mostly songs I never heard Luther do, but am glad they are recorded for posterity. I always loved the Christmas song or two I heard on the radio during Christmas recorded by Luther and have longed for an entire album. They are love songs, with his typical styling, beautiful lyrics and vocalizations. I wish he were still around and could do a series of them.



2. This Christmas CD is so relaxing to listen to. You can feel Christmas in your heart as Luther sings the lyrics. This is a must to add to your collection, you won't be disappointed. My absolute favorite song is "Every year, Every Christmas".



3. I had gotten the cassette a long time ago, but needed the CD. I love all the songs and know them by heart. This the best Christmas CD I have and no one comes close to Luther. Please don't wait to get this. You'll enjoy it all year long.



4. This product is a re-released version of Luther Vandross's 1995 Christmas album "This Is Christmas." In the mid-90s, it seemed that every high-profile R&B act was releasing Christmas albums for a quick buck, but this is truly one of the very best. With ten songs, seven are originals written by Luther, so it makes for a very memorable listen among a sea of generic albums with nearly identical tracklists. "This Is Christmas" does not explore the Christian side of Christmas (the only song that even mentions Christ is his performance of "O Come All Ye Faithful"), but songs are split between one of two types: the slow Christmas love ballads and the upbeat Christmas party tunes. Production is wonderful throughout, often simple and consisting of well-written piano parts. The songs are both well-written and often catchy, quite memorable, which in my mind are all great signs of a good Christmas song. Guests are minimal, only one duet exists among the tracklist. I highly recommend "This Is Christmas," one of my favorite Christmas albums.
   
   The disc opens with "With a Christmas Heart," a slow and dramatic piece about the power of love at Christmas. He delivers a truly inspiring performance here. The title tune isn't quite as good but is another keeper, slow and thoughtful. You'll love "The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)," a fast and funky party-starter that reflects Luther at his best. "Every Year, Every Christmas" is a classic ballad about a man's Christmas feelings after a breakup, it's excellent. He sings his own upbeat interpretation of John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things," then moves into a wonderful version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." My favorite song on this album is "I Listen to the Bells," a cleverly written pop duet with Darlene Love. The two trade off lines over a fast, soaring track about a Christmas breakup. Clarence Clemons of E-Street Band fame makes an appearance on saxophone. "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "A Kiss for Christmas" don't stand out quite as much, but are both pretty good, and his performance of "O Come All Ye Faithful" is just short of stunning, with old-fashioned production.
   
   This album gets non-stop rotation from me every year around Christmas, and it's a really fun holiday record. I highly recommend it to those Christians who love Luther and 90s R&B.



5. Wonderful Christmas album! Luther VanDross always added a special touch to anything he sang, and made the ordinary extraordinary.

2 comments about These Ghoulish Things: Horror Hits for Halloween.

1. Fantastic fun collection of some old classic light-hearted horror songs. All the songs are from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Despite their age they sound very crisp and clear as if they were recorded yesterday. The "Munsters Theme" version on this cd sounds the closest to the original than any other version that I've heard. This cd has 25 catchy songs, making this a perfect disk to hear in the background during any party or gathering during October. The inside jacket is also packed with 19 pages worth of information on the different bands as well as pictures of all kinds of horror genre material; stills taken from movies, movie posters, a cover of a Munsters comic book ect. You will get your moneys worth with this cd. Also check out Monster Bop & Horror Hop.



2. A throwback to when Halloween was a REAL thrill (no candy xray necessary)! Fun, kooky party tunes sure to get you in the SPIRIT of the season. . .my personal favorite: My Son the Vampire!

5 comments about Mr. Snowman.

1. After having John Michael Montgomery's Mr. Snowman cd in my possession for two weeks and just getting a chance to listen to it today, my only regret is that I have missed out on two weeks of absolutely incredible music. From the first song (Winter Wonderland) you start yearning and reminiscing of the holiday season. By the time you hear O Holy Night you will be amazed and astounded by the powerful voice and talent that this man has. That talent, combined with the big band and jazz sound will make you wish it was Christmas time year round. This cd is one of those that should be considered a classic (in the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis) and a must for all music lovers, not just country. "My Christmas Wish" is that John Michael writes, sings and produces more albums in the near future that are as awesome as "Mr. Snowman" is.



2. The country content lies almost entirely in Montgomery's rumbling voice, enveloped in thumping, piano-heavy, big band-ish arrangements and swooping pop-vocals strings'n'horns. But he is well-suited to the style, with a smoky, relaxed delivery and a comfortably delivery that lets him stretch out and melt into the lyrics. If you like corny poppish holiday albums, this one's pretty good. The original songs on this album include "December, 1943," about a soldier's holiday on the European front line... It's sappy and pleasantly compelling.



3. i shall not harp on too much...the old traditional songs are very nicely sung and orchestrated....JMM's voice as ever is wonderful...but there are a few more things that make this record so special..."december 1943" is such a great storytelling song....the string arrangement on "o holy night" is colossal...and his co written finale "a daddy's prayer" rounds off with his own kids singing "jesus loves you"

   not a long record at just on 39 minutes..but its quality stuff!!!




4. I've always been a big fan of John Michael Montgomery so I was very excited when he put out a Christmas album. His vocalizing lends well to Christmas songs although he doesn't sing them as well as a John Berry or Martina McBride. "December 1943" is the story of the American and German soldiers taking a break from the fighting in World War II. Most of the rest of the songs are classics. This is a very good album to put on while writing out your Christmas cards, baking cookies or socializing with friends.
   
   by Karen Claffey



5. This is true John Michael Montgomery. It's full of beautiful, and traditional Christmas music.

No comments about Christmas in Old Austria.

No comments about Rhapsody in Blue.

5 comments about ABC: A Holiday Affair.

1. Because we watch these soap opera stars on TV, we enjoyed the CD very much. It was fun guessing which star was singing.



2. This CD was amazing I had no idea how much musical talent there was on the three Soap Operas.
   
   I enjoyed the CD very much and hope that they will all do another one in the future



3. I have enjoyed this CD and I know I will enjoy it next Christmas since I received it late in the season for Christmas of 2006. It is great to hear the soap stars I watch everyday sing the Christmas songs, and do a great job, too. They all have great singing voices and I was surprised how professional they sounded. The songs they chose really brought out a part of their personality I wasn't aware of.



4. THE SONGS REALLY PUT YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT. THE PERFORMERS ARE EXCELLENT. A WONDERFUL GIFT FOR ANY SOAP OPERA FAN



5. For a group of soap opera stars/actors, this CD is a winner! I was very happy with my purchase, and very impressed with how well the stars sang on this CD. I highly recommend this CD!

5 comments about Hipsters' Holiday: Vocal Jazz & R&B Classics.

1. You don't need to be a jazz or blues fan to adore this album as I do--there are tracks here that everyone will enjoy. It's an album worth owning just for Eartha Kitt's sultry "Santa Baby" and the three tracks featuring Satchmo. And I always laugh when I hear Pearl Bailey's "Five Pound Box of Money." Full of fun (and sometimes funny), these tunes range from swing to cool. If you're planning a party, this album will be a big hit shuffled in with your other favorites.



2. What more can I say, this is one excellent compilation. The Louis Armstrong material is exceptional. My favorites are Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" and the Tim Fuller Experience's 'lounge lizard' rendition of "Silent Night." You gotta buy this cd. Play it year round.



3. This is a collection of jazzy Christmas songs. But don't be scared, it's vocal jazz, which is more accessible than instrumental jazz (some of the tracks actually lean more towards R&B than jazz). There are a lot of cool songs here. But I have to question why Tim Fuller's "Silent Night" from 1989 is here, when the rest of the songs are from the 40s, 50s and 60s. It seems a bit out of place here (it's good, though). I also should mention that the sound quality is not that great on a few tracks, which sound like they were recorded from scratchy old 78s. Despite that, this is a fun collection which should inspire you to have a "cool" Christmas.



4. This is my first review ever, that should tell you how much I love this!! This is a great nostalgic cd for any age. I've had this for 10 years and it is still my favorite holiday cd.



5. I love Christmas albums and I have them all from Mathis to Motown, Sinatra to Connick and Buble, Phil Spector's epochal classic to Whitney and Luther Vandross etc.,but this is the most fun Xmas music ever. Louis Armstrong is the undisputed star of this collection with not only 3 great tracks but is also the cover boy on the CD artwork. One thing this relentlessly joyous, ebullient music captures well is the dichotomy of Christmas-the mass consumerism mixed with partying and tree decorating and oh yeah, the birth of Christ! Eartha Kitt has probably the best known track here with her kittenish "Santa Baby" but is topped by Pearl Baily's "5 Pound Box Of Money" and Mile Davis' uber cynical "Blue Xmas(To Whom It May Concern"). There is zany over the top scat singing and nonsense lyrics like Leo Watson's inimitable (literally) "Jingle Bells" and "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie" by Lambert,Hendricks and Ross. My favorite has to be Big John Greer's "We Want To See Santa Do The Mambo". This song pops up in my head at the most inapropriate times all through the year. Insanely infectious stuff. I wore this out on cassette in the mid 90's and lost a Cd copy in a breakup with a girl who loved this album as much as I did, but now I have my new Cd copy and we will never part ways again! This music is how I see and hear Christmas.