2 comments about Sounds of the Season, Vol. 2.

1. This rendition of familiar and not so familiar carols by hammered dulcimer and other accompanying instruments is nothing if not pleasant. It is particularly effective with respect to the older compositions to which it gives an historic quality, and creates a slightly different but very enjoyable sound. Looking for old wine in different bottles? You've come to the right place.



2. Sounds of the Season and Sounds of the Season II are my absolute favorite Christmas CD's; I never get tired of hearing them and they always brighten the season for me. I highly recommend both CD's.

1 comments about Smooth Jazz Christmas.

1. Etta James singing "Please Come Home For Christmas" is fabulous. Earl Klugh & Stefan Dickerson do a great job on "We Three Kings". There are no bad songs on this CD, just good smooth jazz. Very definitely holiday mood music.

   There are no liner notes to speak of, so I don't have much more information than this. The CD is 45 minutes long. Some songs have no vocals. All the selections are from Windham Hill.

   Here's the song listing and artists:

   1) Feliz Navidad (Spyro Gyro)

   2) This Christmas (Jeffrey Osborne)
   3) The Gift of Your Love (Tom Scott)
   4) We Three Kings (Earl Klugh & Stefan Dickerson)
   5) Spirit of the Season (Hiroshima)
   6) Santa Lucia (Ray Obiedo)
   7) Please Come Home For Christmas (Etta James)
   8) I'll Be Home For Christmas (Tom Grant)
   9) It's That Time Of Year (Double Scale)
   10) Magic (Chieli Minucci)

   Some of these songs appear on at least one other CD, Jazz Noel, so you might want to check your collection. If you like contemporary jazz, this is a worthwhile CD. I'd take away a star for the lack of liner notes, but I'd have to give it back because of the great price.

2 comments about Kindercore Records Christmas 2.

1. so groovy. kindercore basically is the bees knees and this compilation lets you know it. sure its based on christmas but dont let that fool you its indie rock and it'll nearly knock your socks off.



2. 1. Dressy Bessy - "All the Right Reasons"
   2. Busytoby - "Hyun's Snowy Night"
   3. I am the World Trade Center - "The Rockefeller Tree"
   4. Kings of Convenience - "Deilig er Jorden"
   5. The Sixth Great Lake - "Always After Christmas, Boring"
   6. Six Cents and Natalie - "Secret Santa (You Could Be the One)"
   7. The Four Corners - "My Gift to You (It's Me)"
   8. The Ladybug Transistor family and friends - "Christmas Extravaganza"
   9. Kincaid - "Summer is Half a Year Away"
   10. Vermont - "Santa Claws"
   11. The Essex Green - "Deck the Halls"
   12. Of Montreal - "Christmas Isn't Safe for Animals"
   13. Richard Davies - "Feed the World"
   14. Ciao Bella - "Christmas Time"
   15. The Wee Turtles - "Benjamin, Santa's on to You"
   16. Triangle Park - "Christmas Lights"
   17. Junior Varsity - "Don't Believe in Christmas"
   18. Masters of the Hemisphere - "Pierced by a Stranger's Heart"
   19. The Gwens - "Christmas Love"
   20. The Boyish Charms - "The Chipmunk's Song"
   21. Boys Eat Books - "Not a Pine Tree"
   22. The Mendoza Line - "Fox in the Snow" (live)
   23. Lunchbox - "Christmas Time is Here"
   24. Vic20 - "A Marshmallow World"

2 comments about Danish Christmas.

1. Out of nearly a hundred Christmas music recordings, this one is one of my all-time favorites. The lyrics are all in Danish - of which I understand not a word - but the effect is pure Christmas. Beautiful voices and exquisite melodies combine in an unforgettable manner. The overall effect is very soothing and gentle. In fact, many pieces seem to be lullabies. I would suggest sampling several of the songs to see if these gentle sounds appeal to you.



2. This is a fine recording of Danish christmas carols from Danish composers, and traditional carols. This is the first time I had heard a collection all in Danish and I find it an excellent addition to my collection of Christmas music. The choir is outstanding! Shirley R. Honore'

2 comments about Kismet (1963 Studio Cast).

1. This I think is a lesser known version of "Kismet." But why it is lesser known, I know not. The music and the singing are not bad; in fact, it's more than above average. I think this will add to a nice collection of musicals. I fell in love with this music around twelve years ago, having heard it from the radio. I requested the station to play it again, and that was how I got to record it in cassette. Years later, a kind man by the name of Mr. Art Hilgart from "Broadway Revisited" informed me that the CD is available. But alas, I was too late: I tried looking for this treasure all over Amazon, Footlite and other online retailers, only to be told that all copies had already been sold out. Fortunately, here again is Decca's re-release.
   One of the strong points of this recording is that there are no miscasts, every character sounds as he or she should be. Listen to "Stranger in Paradise," and you will immediately feel that these are young people singing (Adele Leigh and Kenneth McKellar, and how they did it very very well! Bravo!!) Another strong point is that the singing has verve, and playful when it's called for. This is very essential because people need to imagine the songs, as they are not in the theatre watching the play. The third strong point is the splendid cast, they all sing magnificently. Listening to Regina Resnik's Lalume, you will imagine that if this were a real show, she'd be stealing it. Ian Wallace's Wazir is more than up to the lyrics of "Was I Wazir," sinister and comical at the same time. Now, some say that Bob Merrill's baritone (the character Hajj) comes out as syrupy and too correct. I don't think that's the case at all, and.... who cares?? Listen carefully and you will realize that the cast had fun recording this, and they all fit together nicely. The fourth strong point, as you might have guessed, is Mantovani and his orchestra. Listen to the orchestration, it's top rate!! There is nary a false note to be found anywhere. And finally, (now this may sound silly,) the music reverberates. Could this be the effect of Phase 4 Stereo? Tip: If ever you listen to this recording, turn up your bass and treble a little higher than usual.



2. This "Kismet" conducted by Mantovani probably shouldn't be your first or only "Kismet" because numerous small (and some not-so-small) changes are made to the score, but it has many excellent elements. Fans of the score who already have one or more recordings of it may find this an enjoyable addition to their collection.
   
   This 1963 recording was part of London's Phase 4 series. Those recordings featured ostentatiously spectacular sound that sometimes bore little resemblance to what would be heard in a live performance.
   
   Mantovani conducting theatre music may sound odd, but he had started as a pit conductor in London musicals and revues. His orchestra certainly plays beautifully and he achieves some gorgeous effects. Of course, he uses a far larger orchestra than you'd hear in the theatre, but that's mostly a positive in this score. If there are moments when you notice the orchestra more than you do on other recordings of "Kismet," most of the time it's pleasing rather than distracting. Exceptions occurs in "Stranger in Paradise" and "And This Is My Beloved," where additions to the score that show off the Mantovani strings (with engineering representing Phase 4 at its most unnatural) destroy the mood that the singers (and the orchestra up till that point) have created.
   
   Of the five featured singers, three cover both a principal role and one of the smaller roles. Kenneth McKellar sings the Caliph and the opening "Sands of Time," while Regina Resnik sings Lalume and the "Zubbediya" solo, and Ian Wallace sings "He's in Love' in addition to the Wazir's music. This isn't a very theatrical choice (on what isn't a very theatrical recording), but getting to hear such superb voices in those numbers has its rewards. And the quality of the singing is what really makes this recording.
   
   Robert Merrill may be the second-best Hajj on disc, after Alfred Drake. Merrill probably has the best voice of anyone who's recorded the role (which is saying a lot). To a greater extent than you might expect from an opera singer, he phrases the lyrics with naturalness and seeming spontaneity. Despite the splendor of his voice, he sounds like a bit of a doofus, but that makes some sense for the role. Drake's Hajj, in comparison, sounds like a brilliant guy who should have found his way out of poverty a long time ago. (Of course, Drake is still supreme in the role.) Merrill's diction is occasionally sloppy, he's a bit too low-key at points, and his Brooklyn accent sometimes comes through, but his strengths outweigh his weaknesses.
   
   Some fabulous theatre singers have recorded Lalume. Resnik can't surpass the best of them, but she holds her own. She has more voice than any of them, and (even more than with Merrill) her words come across well and her phrasing is idiomatic.
   
   Adele Leigh is not my favorite Marsinah on disc, but she's very good. She sometimes really pulls the vocal line out of shape, but given how lovely the results tend to be, I can't complain.
   
   McKellar sings the Caliph's numbers very well, if not as passionately as some other singers who've recorded it. Where he really shines is in "Sands of Time," which is perhaps the best on disc. Rounding out the principal singers, Wallace delivers a "Was I Wazir?" that beats everyone except Henry Calvin (on the original Broadway cast recording and the Lincoln Center recording).
   
   The chorus performs very well, and their words come through clearly. And despite a couple of moments of slight distortion and a few annoying stereo "effects," the sound holds up well (except for those two sections when the strings sound totally overblown).
   
   I do wish this disc had a more theatrical feel and that fewer changes were made to the score, but the general vocal and orchestral splendor suit the score. I'd still go with the two Alfred Drake recordings ahead of this one, with the original Broadway cast first and the Lincoln Center recording second. I'd rank this one about equal to (although very different from) the more theatrical and complete Sony recording with Samuel Ramey's strongly sung but somewhat stolid Hajj and a generally good supporting cast
   
   The most complete recording is the TER/JAY recording, but despite good conducting, the cast generally ranks behind the others, except for Judy Kaye's terrific Lalume.

5 comments about For Christmas.

1. There were ten songs on the original LP...at least the one that I have. But it's only right that the CD version should allow for more because the CD holds more music than an LP...though they could have filled it up a lot more than with one extra song! Little Drummer Boy, Carol of the Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Let It Snow-Let It Snow-Let It Snow, Rudolph, and the CD extra Hallelujah Chorus all come from the Mercury album Sounds of Christmas. Jingle Bell Rock, Do You Hear What I Hear, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and The Lord's Prayer all come from the Columbia album Give Me Your Love For Christmas. This CD is a good mix of the two albums, but there are some wonderful songs on the originals that would have been worth including.



2. This is a wonderful cd for the holidays. Mr. Mathis version of "Do You HEar What I Hear" is amamzing. I also think his "Little Drummer Boy", "Lord's Prayer" and the rare "Calypso Noel" are top rate. Buy this cd or give as a gift. It will be enjoyed year to year. A. J. McCall - Lowville, NY



3. This is an enjoyable CD, but I caution anybody who already has some Johnny Mathis Christmas CDs or plans to buy more than one to be careful. This one contains a combination of songs from other releases. It is not an original album. So check the song list against other CDs you own or plan to buy to avoid getting duplication.

   I enjoy listening to this CD, but it's not his best Christmas CD. If you are planning to buy just one Johnny Mathis CD, buy Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis. That is the one that contains the Johnny Mathis holiday hits you hear most often on your radio.

   The songs on this CD are pleasant enough. I like his slowed down version of Let It Snow, Let It Snow. It's a nice change from the perkier versions, which I also like. However, I must admit, if something happened to my copy of this CD, I wouldn't bother to replace it.




4. My old copy got lost, and this CD is very hard to find. So I bought two copies! It is my kids (4 and 7) favorite, as it has Hallelujah and Little Drummer Boy. Last year they made my wife and I keep playing it in the car well into August. Nothing like driving around in 80 degree weather singing about Santa Claus. This is a complilation record and is his best one.



5. As noted above, this 1989 release is actually a compilation of tracks culled from two previously-released Mathis Christmas albums.
   
   "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen", "Carol of the Bells", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", and the "Hallelujah Chorus" are all taken from Johnny's 1963 album THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, which was subsequently re-issued in 1972 as CHRISTMAS WITH JOHNNY MATHIS and is still available on CD under that title.
   
   The balance of the tracks are taken from 1969's GIVE ME YOUR LOVE FOR CHRISTMAS. This album, too, is available on CD is its entirety.
   
   There are no tracks here from Johnny's first (and best) Christmas album, 1958's MERRY CHRISTMAS, or from 1986's CHRISTMAS EVE WITH JOHNNY MATHIS. While everything on FOR CHRISTMAS is worth hearing, Mathis fans would be better off getting the original albums (or, if a more well-rounded compilation CD is desired, checking out THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC OF JOHNNY MATHIS: A PERSONAL COLLECTION).

3 comments about Big Night.

1. Ok, ya got you tree, the stockings are ready to hang and the kids are making lists (and checking them more than twice!). Now what you need is some atmosphere. There are plenty of country Christmas cds to pick from, but how many versions of Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night with strings can folks own?

   Me, I wanna shuffle around my tree and the kids fall asleep listening to some to the tripe that comes out of Nashville these days. Thank goodness itself for Steve Ripley and the Tractors. This new album, "The Big Night" is everything that those production line Nashvile albums are not. Real music with soul. Good players laying down licks with an icy helping of Santa spirit to boot. This is the only Christmas disc you need to shovel out any dough for this year. Save the rest for the kids lengthy lists and the Ripley solo album!




2. Let's face it, it was a long difficult summer in the U.S.; plenty of bad stuff came down the pipe. So what could be more in order right now than a great new foot stompin, boogie woogie Christmas album by the band most able to produce it: The Tractors. The Big Night delivers 110%, from rockers like Boogie Woogie Santa Clause and I was a Bad Boy This Year, to the more pensive tones of Bells are Ringing and Mary's Baby. It's a great stocking stuffer, one bound to bring good cheer this holiday season. We can sure use it.



3. I own all of the Tractor CDs and this is the best yet. As another reviewer stated, if you don't own another Christmas album, make sure you purchase this one. Makes you want to dance, cry, and remember the reason for the season. If you like big band, blues, country, and the Tractors, this is the one!

5 comments about Christmas Album.

1. I can't say enough about this collection. The production, music, vocals, etc. are top notch. Mission Bell at high volume will give you goose bumps. This CD includes the very best version of Silent Night ever recorded. There is so much passion and purity in it. All the old crooners would agree. Tiny Rules!



2. Tiny Tim was a National Treasure. God bless his soul. And this cd proves it! He's at his best when signing falsetto and when he's not, he sounds like Cher, except better. I've never heard a better cover of "The Christmas Song" followed by the sacred "Holy Night. And how could you go wrong with a 13 second cover of a Shirley Temple Christmas song from the film "Stowaway"? Huh? Yeah, yeah, you get his usual preachy sermons in some cuts and at the end of the cd he goes off in a tangent that even I couldn't figure out. This is one of my top 10 Christmas cds that's right between Phil Spector's "Christmas Gift For you" and Bach's " Weinachtsoratorium". Don't pass this one by.



3. Tiny Tim was in my opinion a very talented individual but his talent seems sorely lacking in this rather sad collection of Christmas songs. The less serious songs are fun and entertaining but the more traditional songs are about as enjoyable as a root canal without painkillers.

   If you want a Tiny Tim album get one of his better efforts such as Girl or the import God Bless Tiny Tim.




4. My pilgrimage to Tiny Tim consisted of 3 pivotal moments: A radio announcer followed a Karen Carpenter Christmas Song with Tiny's White Christmas, then had the effrontery to ridicule what was clearly the more heartfelt and moving of the two; I met Tiny toward the end of his career when he was working as a clown in a 3rd-rate circus playing the remote corners of the earth (my hometown of Kenosha, WI) and judged him utterly sincere; I discovered the melodramatic music of Bing Crosby in the early 30's along with an epiphany about the source of Tiny's musical inspiration.

   I do agree with a previous viewer that having Tiny do "novelty" songs is at best redundant. But on serious material, he invites being taken as seriously as he takes the material. The style may be different, but as far as I'm concerned he's in the same league as Al Green and Wilson Pickett when it comes to the feeling.




5. This Christmas album was recorded by Tiny Tim in 1993. Tiny does Christmas songs in his unique style, backed by a band called His Majesty (although a few of songs are Tiny solo with his ukelele). A lot of the songs are rather sloppy, and some of the arrangements don't really work, but Tiny's singing is always heartfelt. The highlight is probably the epic "O Come All Ye Faithful Medley", which is unfortunately marred by Tiny having a coughing fit in the middle of the song. Still an amazing performance, though. If you are interested in Christmas music that is "different", this may be the CD for you.

5 comments about Hymnody of Earth.

1. Anyone who puts Wendell Berry's poetry to music has a heart that is full! The boys choir voices bring Wendell's words to a whole different experiential plateau. Sounds from heaven!



2. I have bought at least six copies of this cd to give to friends. The dulcimer accompaniment is lovely, but it is the vocal arrangements of the "hymns," both the poetry of Wendell Berry and some original lyrics by Dalglish, that make this music soar. Our college library owns an earlier version recorded with a boy's choir that I like even better, because the voices are even lighter, and I had visited this site hoping to find that it was being reissued, so that I could have BOTH versions to listen to. The pieces on this album have great beauty as well as depth and subtlety. One of my favorites is "Lay Me Low," a lament for the souls of the children (old and young) lost at Hiroshima. There isn't a sentimental note on the whole album. This is not your mother's new age muzak.



3. I have had a copy of this CD for a couple of weeks purchased through this site. I have enjoyed the hammered dulcimer artistry of of Malcolm Dalglish for some time and took a chance in purchasing this offering. My first impression was that it was sort of unusual but had a certain delight in the rich harmonies which reminded me of a group called the Free Design I listened to years ago. But, it also has hints of "Shape Note" style singing which, to some who do not know it's history, can be a bit irritating as this type of hymn singing prefers vocal strength to purity and beauty. The CD comes with liner notes and words to songs and is best enjoyed by listening and reading to get a better interpretation of the themes and messages. This will make the whole album come alive. Once in a while one finds a gem and this is definately a gem.



4. I sang two of Dalglish's pieces in my choir, and they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!



5. I have owned this album for a number of years and never tire of it. The hammer dulcimer is lovely and the young voices of the Oolites soar. How can you not be moved to tears by "Paradise?

1 comments about Christmas.

1. Like Colin James, I'm a musician living in Vancouver, and his sometime bassist Doug Elliott also plays with my band, but that's not why I recommend this album. "Christmas" is the latest in a long series of Little Big Band projects stretching back to 1992, and Colin has a deft way with the jump-blues guitar-horns-organ format, which he revived long before Brian Setzer.
   
   What that means is this album, though it contains both traditional chestnuts ("I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Let It Snow," "Baybe It's Cold Outside") and some swingin' alternatives ("Cool Yule," "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus," the gospel-style "Go Where I Send Thee"), is remarkably refreshing in the sea of sappy-sweet versions you hear this time of year. Colin swings and shimmies and leaves a smile on your face. If that sounds up your alley, pick it up.