5 comments about Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings.

1. Gene Autry is the second most important recording artist of all time when it comes to Christmas music (Bing Crosby being #1, of course). He introduced three songs that went on to become Christmas standards ("Here Comes Santa Claus", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman"). This CD collects every single one of the Christmas songs he recorded for Columbia Records. This is classic stuff. Almost all of these records are great, even the ones that nobody ever heard of. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who loves Christmas music.



2. Everybody knows that the biggest Christmas hit of the first half of the 20th century was Bing Crosby's "White Christmas." Now, the question is whether you know that Gene Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" comes in second on that list (no idea what is third, sorry). The story is that Autry only recorded the song because his wife told him to. The singing cowboy had already had a major holiday hit with "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" and would have another with "Frosty the Snowman" to cement his reputation as the Christmas Cowboy. Autry had a rather large catalogue of Christmas songs, as this collection amply proves. Autry recorded from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s and on this album I absolutely guarantee you will find some Christmas songs you have never ever heard before unless you were weaned on Autry's music, such as the Autry originals "He's a Chubby Little Fellow" and "I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa Claus."
   
   The "Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings" provides just what the title indicates: all 27 songs recorded by Autry for Columbia. That makes this the best Autry Christmas collection available by virtue of its completeness. Once you get past the three biggies pay attention to the other songs written by Johnny Marks, who wrote "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," namely "If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas Day," "When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter," "The Night Before Christmas Song," and "Everyone's a Child at Christmas." Marks was almost as prolific a writer of Christmas songs as Autry was a singer of same, and as you can see not all of them are novelty songs. This is a perfect coupling of songwriter and singer, so pay special attention to these particular songs. Other than that the novelty songs certainly stand out, as amply proven by the immortal, "(Hard Rock, Coco and Joe) The Three Little Dwarfs" (they help Santa, in case you were wondering, Joe is a girl, and the song involves yodeling).
   
   I also learned thatGene Autry was the first person to put pictures on a record sleeve to help sell his image and his music. No wonder the man ended up owning the Los Angeles Angels (who became the California Angels, Anaheim Angels and several other permutations thereof). The songs have all been remastered so that they sound great; you will probably forget that they were recorded a half-century ago because they simply do not sound that old fashioned any more. The collection tries to end on more of a spiritual note with "You Can See Old Santa Claus (When You Find Him in Your Heart)," but clearly Autry is a singer of secular Christmas songs. The "Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings" constitute nostalgia and not kitsch and if you want to recall when Christmas was a simpler time (and nobody complained about calling it Christmas), then listening to these songs might do the trick.



3. This is great!! I had been looking for one song for years 'Poppy The Puppy". A fond memory from childhood, my Aunt & Uncle had given me the album when I was little and somehow it got lost and now "Poppy" and I are reunited! Also the resto of the album is wonderful too.



4. This has to be one of the best Christmas recordings ever made!!! Gene Autry's voice sounds great singing the Christmas classics. There are many songs on this recording that will appeal to the child in all of us. Two of my favorites are "If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas" and "He's a Chubby Little Fellow." This is definitely a must have for any Christmas music collection. I bought extras to give as gifts.



5. I had been hunting for this music for years in the store with no luck. I tried Amazon and got it quickly. I remember listening to this music as a little girl with my father. It brings back so many memories. Even if you are a younger person, the songs are such happy tunes I am sure they would be enjoyed.

No comments about The Traditions of Christmas.

5 comments about Christmas.

1. Rebecca St. James has created a reputation for orchestrating a symphony of guitars, electric or otherwise, drums, strings, synths, and producing an almost girl-punk sound, but for this album, added a small amount of seasonal cheer to old Christmas tunes. A new version of "O Come Emmanuel" with powerful bridges gives the old a new meaning. John Lennon's "War is Over (Happy Christmas)" couldn't be done any better, and I had never even heard "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" until I bought this CD. Surely one of Rebecca's best! If you love to rock, and you love Christmas and you love to buy good CDs, maybe you should think about maybe getting ahold of one of these before next Christmas.



2. Rebecca St. James' Christmas cd is neither sappy nor traditional. It has crisp lyrics and smooth beats. Songs are well paced and distributed, neither all fast nor all slow. Will appeal to pretty much anybody who has any bit of sentimentality for the Christmas season past or present.



3. A fan of Rebecca St. James, I found this album to be disappointing in the end. I originally loved the album and enjoy her takes on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "O Holy Night," but the loud, head-banging selections on nearly every song on this album make it a near headache instead of a worshipful experience. St. James could have done better with her album. Those who are fans of her album "God" will enjoy this album. Those who prefer the techno-driven "Transform" over the heavy-rock inspired "God" would probably have a hard time listening to "Christmas."



4. Rebecca St. James is my number one gospel rock artist, and this Christas album is like music in her most famous album "God". She sings beautifully and there's great melodies. Of course, Iäm little disappointed in "Silen Night" because it is too long. Still, there's 8 great Christmas songs and two not-so-good ("Jesu' Joy of Man's Desiring" is the worst song in this album"). I always love to hear new versions of the classic song "What Child Is This". How ever, the best songs in this album are "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "O Come All Ye Faithful". This is a perfect Christmas album for them who liked the album "God". There's even a peaceful song "A Cradle Prayer" which is made by Rebecca!
   Stars: O Come All Ye Faithful, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, One Small Child, What Child Is This



5. I agree whole-heartedly with one of the other reviewers. This CD is definitely going for the "ethereal" and coming out with eerie. Very disappointing from Ms. St. James, and not a good mix with her already unique (and usually beautiful) voice. Give me the traditional any day.

1 comments about Judy Garland Christmas Album.

1. Judy is Judy. I am glad now I have some Christmas holiday music of hers to play. What can I say? It is a bonus to my Judy collection and it will be worth every penny to add it to yours. Go ahead and buy it. You won't be sorry you did. You will wish you had more to buy.

5 comments about Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas.

1. Our Heart's Desire, masterfully and lovingly sung by the great all-male group, Chanticleer, is the one Christmas album I wouldn't want to be without. The content, covering a broad range of styles spanning several centuries, includes some music to make almost anyone happier at Christmas. The blend is superb, the arrangements are innovative but true to the music, the intonation is nearly perfect, and Chanticleer sings as though the music means something to them. An hour spent listening to this album will unwind you from the crinkiest pre-Christmas blues and tensions. Don't be without it!



2. I first owned a tape of this in 1993, and went out of my way to purchase the CD last summer. I never get tired of this CD. Of course, there is nothing more healing than the Biebl Ave Maria, which grows more and more beautiful everytime I listen to it. Chanticleer introduced this beautiful piece to me, I've had the good fortune of having it sung at my wedding, and being able to sing it last year in the Cathedrals, Abbeys and Basilicas of France! The rest of the CD is just as superb, and yes, those really are men singing those most amazing Soprano sections in Go Tell It On the Mountain. Other favorites are the Mouton that opens the CD, There Is No Rose, and O Come Emmanuel. A wonderful addition to anyone's Christmas CD collection, and one that you can play year round!



3. The all male, A Capella choir Chanticleer includes songs of many styles on this recording, but one in particular has always shined the brightest for me. The "Ave Maria," written by Biebel, includes introductory passages of traditional Gregorian chant, which lead into lush choral passages of neo-classical style, richly colored by impressionism. The sound is sonorous, fluid, and radiant, and communicates a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment. The "Ave Maria" text has been set numerous times in history, but this rendition seems best to capture the delicate longing and pleading for intercession between humans and the Virgin Mary. It is a quiet comment on the human condition, as we turn to the heavens to find order both in our lives, and in the world around us. If there is a heaven, it must sound like this.



4. This is lovely music, which I bought because the completely performed E La Don Don and Riu Riu Chiu are so difficult to find , but I just didn't think the rest of the CD justified the enormous price. A lot of the songs are too alike for me to be able to distinguish. Beautifully performed, but too expensive for what it is.



5. After listening to samples of Chanicleer's new Christmas album, "Let it Snow," I realized how far the group's standards have fallen over the years. It's sad. Given the reception of "Let it Snow," it's puzzling why they even released it, rather than re-release "Our Heart's Joy." In other words, by this CD if you can get ahold of it; it's a recording of fantastic, deeply spiritual music that shows Chanticleer at its best. From the first track to the last, "Our Heart's Joy" gives you sublime Christmas music to enjoy this holiday season. My personal favorites are "Riu Riu Chiu," a rollicking Spanish carol, and Franz Biebel's august "Ave Maria." On a personal note, I had the opportunity to sing both of these songs in high school, and felt it an honor to sing the songs that I had heard Chanticleer perform so beautifully. So if you're looking for beautiful music, exquisitely performed, buy "Our Heart's Joy." You won't be disappointed.

5 comments about Willie Kalikimaka.

1. Willie K is one of the greatest musicians in Hawaii. This Christmas album is truly unique and for those of us who live in Hawaii - it tells the story of Christmas the way we live it.



2. I bought this purely on impulse last year at Kilohana in Redondo Beach...and it beat the pants off every other Xmas CD I've heard...Willie K's enthusiasm and delight in the holiday spirit are contagious. This year it's definitely going to be our company's holiday hold music ;-)



3. Excellent source for powerfully performed Hawaiian Christmas music.
   
   Especially O Holy Night



4. I first heard Willie K's version of "O Holy Night" four years ago when visiting family in Hawaii and immediately fell in love with it. It has always been my favorite Christmas song. I also enjoy Willie's regular Hawaiian music and to have the two combined was a joy. His version of this song gave me chills (or as the Hawaiians say "chicken skin") and brought tears to my eyes. I loved this whole CD, but I would have bought it just to have "O Holy Night".



5. This is the best Christmas album ever. Willie K has the most amazing voice since Elvis.

No comments about Boots and Stockings.

1 comments about Soulful Sounds of Christmas.

1. This compilation features R&B Christmas songs recorded between 1985 and 2000. Contemporary R&B isn't really my bag, but this isn't bad. Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis" is a classic, of course. Dru Hill does a very good version of "This Christmas". Whitney Houston's version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is quite good. And Take 6 does a great a cappella rendition of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". The other songs are ok, but the ones I mentioned are my favorites. If you enjoy modern R&B, you will probably like this CD a lot.

1 comments about Dr. Goodsound's Halloween: Twisted Circus of Horror Sounds.

1. My only question: Who is Dr. Goodsounds?? No, wait. . I don't want to know (I think). I originally got this cd advertised as Twisted Circus double volumed cd collection with this one labeled "The Amazing Fright Night Funhouse", and the other as "Creepshow" which is also good.
   There is no story or binding tale to string the various tracks, but they all stand on their own scary organ play.
   There is a fun narrator to get both shows on the road, but after that you are free to listen to swell effects, spooky musical backgrounds at your halloween fright night leisure. The effects are pretty cool, and tracks last 5 to 8 minutes long, so there are no unwanted short track effects.
   Music is used when needed, but the main attraction are the screaming sounds, bouncing chains, demon laughter, and victims of horror.
   Amazon also has another Dr. Goodsounds halloween cd called "Halloween Haunt-O-Tron."

2 comments about It Won't Be Christmas Without You.

1. Ronnie Dunn is a brilliant singer while Kix Brooks is merely a good singer, but Kix has an outgoing personality that more than compensates for any vocal imperfections. These characteristics are demonstrated clearly in this excellent collection of Christmas songs old and new. Ronnie's style is more suited to the laid-back songs while Kix really lets rip on the up-tempo material. Although Ronnie normally sings lead on the majority of the duo's songs, this album is different. Ronnie sings lead on It won't be Christmas without you, Blue Christmas, The Christmas song and I'll be home for Christmas, all of them ballads and all superbly performed.
   
   On all the other songs, Kix sings lead and his enthusiasm shines through. If Rocking little Christmas doesn't get those toes tapping, nothing else will. For absolute perfection, it might have better if Ronnie had sung lead on White Christmas, but Kix does a fair version of the song and I cannot fault him elsewhere on the album.
   
   The five original songs are all of a high quality while the six covers are all well known classics. This is a hugely entertaining album that can be used as background music but will also appeal to anybody who wants to give it undivided attention.



2. I love Brooks & Dunn and their Christmas CD is an awesome addition to my Christmas music collection.