5 comments about Soul Train Christmas Starfest.

1. I love this CD! I bought it twice - (my co-worker stole my first copy) But, from Boyz II Men, to Natalie Cole - you will not regret this purchase. My personal favorite is AZ Yet's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" Their interpretation jams hard, and it will have you on your feet. Of course, as with every compilation, some of the choices will have you asking why - but for the most part - this CD is solid.



2. The best song on this CD is let it snow by boys 2men and Brian Mcknight. It's like when you listen to the words, you and your man just hugging and kissing because the words make you want to do that. While you and your man chilling putting up christmas decorations turn on this song and you're just fall in love with it the first time that you hear it. love and peace Lil clint



3. Grab this one if you want to enjoy good music from some of your favorite R&B artist! It will get you into the holiday Spirit!



4. I love this album En vogue gave a great rendition of Silent Night. most impressive



5. I first bought this CD in 1997 when it first came out. Ever since, it has been one of our holiday traditions to play it during the holidays. Which brings me to this site. I lost it during the move into our first house and now I'm preparing to replace it. This CD is good because it covers a wide range of talent which will appeal to many age groups and also covers a wide range of situational backgrounds. I remember jamming to James Brown during the leaner times and Boys to Men for a White Christmas, etc. I feel that you can't go wrong with this CD, hopefully, they will produce more with different artist.

2 comments about Lump of Coal.

1. This is a very good Christmas album. It features alternative rock acts (circa 1991). Almost all of the performances are good. The Crash Test Dummies version of "The First Noel" is the best version of that song that I ever heard. The Hoodoo Gurus do a great instrumental version of "Little Drummer Boy". Henry Rollins does the creepiest reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" ever. Every other performance is good, with the exception of "Blue X-mas" by Drunken Boat, which stinks. This CD is long out of print, but if you can find a used copy of it, it is worth getting.



2. This is a fantastic CD if for no other reason than Drunken Boat's cover of Bob Dorrough's (remember "Schoolhouse Rock?") "Blue X-mas." It really rocks and is timely even now. Or especially now. I was surprised to see that I could still by other (very rare) Drunken Boat discs on this site. Happy listening.

3 comments about Jazzy Wonderland.

1. This jazz com"YULE"ation from under the Columbia Christmas tree unfolds to the listener better than most other brightly colored packages to reveal it's wonders. Imagine the jewel case and the colorful illustation as the package and each track as part of a surprise holiday cookie assortment found within. With each ear chomp,a different flavor to be discovered and a new American variation on the standard recipe to rediscover.Most tasty Richard Tee's "Jingle Bells" an orginal concoction of seasonal standards most would deem incompatible but truely incomparable, while the liberal liberation of lyrics by a gospel choir in Kirk Whalum's serving of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" leaves the listener a pleasant aftertaste. ....



2. I bought this gem on a whim years ago, and whip it out the first weekend of every December. I'm a big fan of seasonal music, and this is among the first Christmas albums I listen to each year... up until track 9. Then the kitsch sets in, and you'll want to skip a track or two. But those first eight, oh my - nothing revolutionary, but quite enjoyable and, hey, if you wanted something more jazzy you wouldn't want a seasonal album, and if you wanted something more seasonal you probably don't want jazz. If you're happy for some fantastic background music around the house, here 'tis.



3. I have loved and owned this CD since its debut in 1990. I am happy to see that it is available again and on CD. I too cannot wait until the Christmas season to listen to it over and over agian. My FAVORITE track is "Jingle Bells"--mellow and a heartwarming voice by Mr. Richard Tee. "Silent Night" is anything but quiet. It is a powerful performance by Kimiko Itoh and Nancy Wilson.

No comments about Portfolio.

1 comments about Bear's Holiday Celebration.

1. This is a really great CD. My kids have enjoyed it and it is nice that it covers more than just Christmas. We have listened to it for several months everytime we are in the car.

1 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.

3 comments about En la Fete de Noel/O Holy Night.

1. I confess to liking French Christmas carols, and these are performed extremely well by La Petite Bande de Montréal under director Martin Dagenais. There is a lively folk quality to so many French carols, and others are more lyrical.

   A number of the tunes will be familiar to English speakers, of course, such as Sainte nuit (Silent Night), Les anges dans nos campagnes (Angels We Have Heard on High), perhaps Le sommeil de l'enfant Jésus (The Sleep of the Infant Jesus), Jesous Ahatonhia (Huron Carol), Carol of the Bells (a Ukrainian carol, sung in English), and Adeste Fideles.

   There are many typically French carols, such as Noël nouvelet, Ah! Quel grand mystère, Dans cette étable, Il est né le divin enfant, and what I think is the most beautiful of all carols, Bel astre que j'adore.

   Bel astre has such beautiful words, compressed and full of meaning, which cover most of Christian spirituality. I love Bel astre and have sung it many times as a solo. La petite bande de Montréal gives it a smooth and beautiful rendition, and every word is clear.

   The organ accompaniment is restrained and very beautiful.

   If I could give this a Rosette, as in the Penguin Guide, I would. This is a very special disc. The recording is excellent, middling forward in presentation, yet very smooth and natural. The performances are outstanding, very expressive. This group doesn't know how to sing a dull note! A very lovely disc, whether you understand any French or not. This is a must have Christmas disc.




2. EN LA FETE DE NOEL is one of those "why not?' choices that find a way into my music library. It looked interesting and the price was right. Why not take a chance? I'm glad I took the chance because it's worth far more than its modest price.
   
   It's not the most complex recording in the world. The choir La Petite Bande de Montreal under the direction of conductor Martin Dagenais sing Christmas carols, sometimes accompanied by the organ and at other times without any accompaniment at all. Most of the carols are sung in French, and some that do not translate easily into French are performed in English. Each carol is sung with great beauty and the performance allows the simplicity of the carols to bring out the musical and spiritual qualities so inherent in these works. While each carol is performed well, the real treasure of this recording would be the French carols. There are a variety included in the collection such as the well known "Les Anges Dans Nos Compagnes" (Angels we have Heard on High) and favorite of many "Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant" but the set also contains a number not included on most standard collections in English.
   
   Most of the carols are religious pieces, with the exception of "The Carol of the Bells." For me this is a plus. While I do love so much of the music associated with the Christmas season, both religious and secular, I have a special spot for music that is beautiful and conveys the spiritual message of Christmas, and this is something I believe this set does well. Since Christmas recordings can often be as commercial as the holiday itself is becoming, it's refreshing to find a disc that evokes the beauty of Christmas while recalling what the season is all about: the birth of Christ.



3. En la Fete de Noel/O Holy Night: I wanted French carrols with an emphasis on sprituality rather than the lighter Santa Claus emphasis (which I also enjoy). This is a special and beautiful cd and reminds me of my childhood in France.

2 comments about Nick Jr.: Winter Wonderland.

1. If my three year old were reviewing this, her review would go like this:
   "Put on the Dora CD please!"
   
   But my three year old is not reviewing this, I am. This CD has some of the catchiest, most likely to get stuck in your head holiday songs performed by some of the most annoying characters on television. There is not a single un-synthesized instrumental on the CD.
   
   If you like/can tolerate Dora and company plus holiday songs, it's not awful. If either one of those things is likely to make you insane, this CD makes the trip to crazy-town that much shorter.



2. If your children enjoy the programs on Nick Jr., and they are at all familiar with these songs, they will enjoy hearing their favorite characters singing. My toddler loves it, especially when Baby Jaguar sings "rrrrockin' around the Christmas tree."
   
   From a parent's point of view, the songs can get stuck in your head (slightly annoying), but I bought this CD for my son, not myself, and if my son is happy, so am I.
   
   I would much rather my son listen to children's music than the sexually-explicit music played on the radio.

2 comments about The Reason for the Season.

1. This is the best Christmas Album that I have listened to. Not too many traditional songs that everyone else does and they made the ones that they did in their own style. God Bless America this Christmas and Light up all the candles says it all in these times we are living.



2. GREAT CD OF TRADITIONAL SONGS THE BELLAMY BROS VERSIONS
   RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TO ENJOY - THEY ARE THE BEST

5 comments about Heavenly Christmas.

1. Lionna Boyd, Linda Edder, Linda Ronstadt and several more adult artists are found on this compact product.
   Each track fits perfectly with the package.
   This is the perfect MOR christmas product on the market.



2. At last, a pop holiday collection for a more mature audience (though anyone enjoying quality Christmas music will like this
   CD). You can't go wrong with Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt (covering Joni Mitchell's "River"), Eva Cassidy, Manhattan Transfer and the others. The only exception: Michael Crawford, with a voice that takes some getting use to. Pleasant and sophisticated, good music for nearly any holiday gathering.



3. This is a very pleasant CD! A nice taste of various artists, and some of their best work. If you like any of these artists, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this CD.



4. This is a great compulation, with the best recording of Christmas Canon I've heard.



5. Love love love this CD...infact I listen to it throughout the year. Has such a lovely mix of music!