No comments about Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show: Who Stole the Cookies?.

3 comments about Unaccompanied Minors.

1. What a funny film and a great album. Great entertainment and a rocking soundtrack-highly recommended



2. Living in the NYC area, I could really believe that this adventure actually took place! It's a must-see for anyone who is planning to send their child on an air trip, alone.



3. Item was received very fast and was exactly what I expected. A very different Christmas sound. I love it!

5 comments about You Sleigh Me: Alternative Christmas Hits.

1. "Merry Christmas from the Family" is hilarious! I think everyone has someone or something in their family that can identify with some part of this song. I happened to hear it on the radio and I had to have it. Everything on the CD is great, but this one really stands out.



2. This is my favorite Christmas album of all time and that includes "Alligator Stomp, Vol. 4 - Cajun Christmas". The whole CD crackles with wit, warmth and holiday tradition; at the same time it ruffles the hair of convention.

   Most of the tunes are tasty, a generous mix of old chestnuts and new tunes. Everything but the Girl's "25TH December" is a slow and poignant beauty; Donna Lewis' "Christmas Lights" is a synchopated wonder, reminiscent of her now outdated "Always and Forever". The talented Tori Amos breathes new life into the bloated corpse of "The Little Drummer Boy".

   If you're feeling a little wacky this Christmas, give it a try. If nothing else, you'll at least have a bright, shiny new coaster.




3. This is a rather uneven Christmas album. The standout track is the great, funny "Merry Christmas From the Family" by Jill Sobule. There are some other good performances here, but nothing great. The lowlight is the seemingly endless 8 minute long jazz saxophone version of "White Christmas" by James Carter. This CD is almost worth getting just for the Jill Sobule song.



4. Admittedly, this is not a proper review, but I just wanted to convey a quick "thank you" to the person who felt her voice was important enough to meddle with the one recorded version the world has of Tori's Little Drummer Boy.
   
   More from http://thedent.com/sleigh.html#littledrummerboy ...
   
   The Little Drummer Boy was recorded live on November 12, 1992 at a club in Dundalk, Maryland called Steel Town. Tori asked the crowd for silence, saying that the song would be recorded for a children's charity benefit. Of course, there was a woman who had to shout "play it, Tori" in response to the "shall I play for you" line. The bouncers quickly took care of her but, in a way, she had ruined the mood -- at least for some of those in her immediate surroundings...



5. I really like the idea of this album, however it could have had a few bigger names and better songs. Overall though it's a good listen. After the Rudolph opener, Collective Soul does a nice job, the Tori Amos cover is wonderful as expected, and the Juliana Hatfield song is a big plus too. Also worth a mention are the tracks from Victoria Williams and Everything But The Girl, both quite pleasing. The rest is good at the least, and the Jill Sobule song is a great addition. A nice disc for those wanting a cooler Christmas. I also suggest "The Edge Of Christmas" and "A Very Special Christmas 3".

5 comments about Christmas Is Almost Here.

1. This is a beautiful c.d. It's simple and understated in some ways and in some ways it's bigger and bolder than any other Christmas recording on the market. Carly Simon makes music that is "stripped back" and intimate. The miracle, the mystery, the seeking and the celebration are all components that Carly Simon has put in front of the listener.

   The spiritual Christmas songs like "Silent Night", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", are treated with grace and tenderness. The soulful, "Twelve Gates To the City" is a song you'll find yourself singing over and over. Carly Simon's arrangement of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" is just great! The reggae beat along with Ben Taylor, her son, make this a classic remake.

   The Christmas standards "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "I'll be Home for Christmas" are just beautiful. Carly knows how to take a standard and put her stamp on it without taking away from the song. "White Christmas" with Burt Bacharach, again has her stamp on it.

   "The Land of Christmas (Mary)" is a song that Carly wrote and is probably one of the best songs she has written in years. It has all the qualities that you expect from a self-penned song by Carly. It's a great song with lots of emotion and soul. She also wrote "Forgive" which is very simple and beautiful. Andreas Vollenweider plays harp.

   "Christmas is Almost Here" written by Livingston Taylor, "Pretty Paper" a duet with Willie Nelson and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over) are all well preformed by Carly and very enjoyable.

   "Heaven" is the song on this c.d. that brings it all together. Written by Lucy Simon (her sister) and Carly, it sets a tone that puts a "yearning" in the listener's heart to experience the miracle, the mystery, the celebration, the search and the Savior.

   If you're looking for a "over produced" c.d. with all the "whistles and bells" then this may not be the c.d. for you. If you're looking for something that seems like Carly is singing in your living room while music is being played by Willie Nelson, Billy Preston, Burt Bacharach, Andreas Vollenweider, and other great musicians then this is the c.d.!!

   This is a c.d. that will be played and enjoyed for years to come.




2. Carly's peak years were in the seventies, but she still sings as good as she ever did. This is a lovely album, with a mix of slow and mid-tempo songs, including some standards which everybody knows, together with some wonderful new songs.
   
   Carly and Willie Nelson sing a duet - Pretty paper, which Willie wrote and Roy Orbison had a hit with back in the sixties.
   
   Carly wrote The land of Christmas (Mary), while Heaven is a song originally written by Carly's daughter Lucy, which Carly and Lucy rewrote as a Christmas song.
   
   Twelve gates to the city is apparently a very old song, but I don't ever remember hearing it before despite having a large Christmas music collection.
   
   All these songs are brilliant, but perhaps the title track is the best of the lot - it certainly sets the mood of the album.
   
   This is a masterpiece, as anybody familiar with Carly's music would expect. It's probably not one to play during the height of Christmas festivities (there are plenty of other, more upbeat, Christmas albums that serve that purpose well), but rather, this is one that you play when things have quietened down, and you can just relax.



3. At first I was reluctant to buy this CD based on some of the tepid reviews here and the casual manner in which it reportedly was recorded. Boy am I glad I got it. It is very intimate and cozy. Just loved the informal feel to it. Like a good friend singing to you with spirit to spare. I would highly recommend this one.



4. Now that Christmas is approaching I have been listening to Carly's Christmas album with renewed interest and appreciation. The lyrics on her own compositions are heartfelt especially "Forgive" which should set a humbling example to us all. Of the popular covers my favourite is "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" which is one of the best versions of this gorgeous song that I have ever listened to, the vocal arrangement is beautiful and Carly's voice soars in purity. Sadly, I won't be able to see Carly in New York later this month, but any of these songs will work wonders live. I can imagine what a gas seeing "Twelve Gates To The City" would be like performed live, especially if Billy Preston was on the keyboards. A considered album with something for everyone, spiritually and tradtionally as well as the more popular covers.



5. Why are recording artists re-releasing albums with "bonus tracks". I bought this CD the first time only a few years ago. Already a new version?? As a Carly Simon fan, I am supposed to contribute to her retirement fund by purchasing the CD again!? I guess if Mariah Carey can re-release "The Emancipation of Mimi" 3 times each time with additional songs and sell 4 million copies, why not Carly. I think if an artist appreciated their fans, they would release new songs on a CD single or just a new CD. I feel ripped off. I will step off my soapbox now, but not re-purchase this CD. My Christmas CD this year will be from the Lovemongers!!

3 comments about Ultimate St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

1. We're listening to this(along with several other wonderful Irish cds)at our St. Patrick's party, & it will be played several times more as the evening wears on. The faster, marching band type tunes make you want to dance, & the ballads will have everybody singing along while hoisting their glasses of Guiness. A must-have for your party. Toora-loora-loora!



2. I was happy that this CD came in time for St. Patrick's Day. And it is certainly a jolly listening experience. Thank you!



3. Ultimate Celebration is THE ultimate collection of St. Patrick's Day music. All your childhood favorites on one CD. You will find yourself playing it all year long and belting out the tunes.

2 comments about Happy Holidays.

1. Love it. I bought 3 of them. I am going to have to get 3 more! My favorite is "Special Day." Thank you! Love you Vickie, this is so good.
   
   Pam Perry



2. I love Vickies' out the box style. You just kind of never know what your going to get. I really enjoyed the version of Jingle Bells she did with her son, Marvin Winans Jr. Her version of "Mary did you know" is FIRE.
   Kudos Kudos.

5 comments about The Christmas Angel: A Family Story.

1. I received this as a Christmas gift from someone who really likes Mannheim Steamroller. They listened and didn't like the talking. I wasn't that familiar with them although I had heard Deck The Halls before. I found the CD very easy to listen to. I like the music. I wouldn't buy this for the "Family Story". I agree with other reviewers that the "poetry" is terrible, the story itself would be better if it was just told without trying to rhyme. From a Christian standpoint, I did't like the story. Although there is an Angel, the story has NOTHING to do with CHRISTmas. It may represent the unseen battles as stated in Eph.6:12. Aside from that, I enjoyed listening to the music and the talking didn't bother me, it was actually soothing to hear the voice even when I wasn't actually listening to the story. My guess is, if you like the group and only want to hear their music, this isn't the CD to buy. Otherwise its okay.



2. This CD is more suited for Halloween than Christmas. Some of the music is interesting, but overall, the whole effect is just weird.



3. ok this would not be the best review but i just had to tell you i LOVE this CD!!!! the story is really neat and the music, it is the Best!!!
   
   
   P.S. this is RumWomans Teen Age Daughter



4. While I was never very excited about this CD when I bought it, my kids 9 and 6 love it and have done so for the past few years. It has become part of our Christmas tradition. They hope another similar CD will come out soon. I like the story and the music although it is a bit scary for the littlest ones.



5. I have loved all 3 of the first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Albums, so I was excited when this one came out. Unfortunately, "The Christmas Angel" turned out to be a real dud.
   
   For one thing, most of the music is recycled and - even worse - relegated to background music for a "family" story entitled "The Christmas Angel." Despite the efforts of Olivia Newton-John, the story is lame at best and weird, New Age-y and rather creepy at worst. Not only does it do an injustice to the marvelous Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics, it is actually a detriment to, and cheapens the true meaning of these Christmas carols in general.
   
   The only decent, nonrecycled piece on the CD is "Messangers of Christmas" (was the misspelling intentional?) - and even that is dubbed over in the beginning by narration of this so-called "story." I wound up putting this CD into a recycle bin.
   
   Thankfully, Mannheim Steamroller have redeemed themselves with their "Christmas Extraordinaire" and "Christmas Song" albums. I would recommend either of these albums before I would even waste my dollars (and even pennies, nickels and dimes) on this turkey.

5 comments about Holiday Concert.

1. I'd like it to be available on video or Cd too because it's truly one of the best holiday concerts ever by the superb talented trio with all the singers and the children on stage. I always try and watch it on PBS every year and hopefully I'll see it this year.



2. I want more than a video, I want to see the schedule for tours come out sooner than they do. Last summer a date was performed about two hours away from my home, and I didn't know about it until it was over. I have seen the concert in Branson, MO, and I loved it, the days have changed so much since I was a teen in the sixties, and the memories are so good, to hear the songs, and remember all we went through in those years. Our young people today are reaching for the same things we had, but lets hope we don't have to have the same events that made our years so memorable, for them to have what we have had. Please put the tour dates on very soon. Thanks



3. This concert was done in 1988. And was recently show on channel 11 during the pledgement drive they do, I think for every season of the year. So you have Peter, Paul & Mary performing on a stage with fake snow. And performing Christmas songs and other Hoilday songs in the month of December. And they aslo sing non-holiday songs like Puff The Magic Dragon, and Blowin In The Wind. This is a must own if you are a fan of Peter, Paul & Mary.



4. This Holiday Concert is a tradition in our family. Peter, Paul and Mary are such animated PERFORMERS, not just singers. Their tenderness and humor singing for children makes me feel like a child. The singing is excellent, and includes Christian and Jewish music (which I love). The audience are a part of this beautiful concert, because they are shown listening to old favorites and its as if you can see the memories going through their minds. And the children love it all just as much, even without the nostalgia. It is a joyful gathering, and you become a part of the joy.



5. This wonderful holiday concert is hard to find. Used copies are presently available at $50 and up on Amazon Marketplace. It is also available in some libraries. It is a high quality VHS production. It will be loved by both Peter,Paul & Mary fans and by those who appreciate an excellent live holiday concert. The concert runs for 90 minutes of non-stop happiness. Peter, Paul & Mary perform both holdiday songs and non-holiday songs. Some of the songs featured are:
   
   1. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
   2. Puff, The Magic Dragon
   3. O Come All Ye Faithful
   4. Blowin' In The Wind
   5. Silent Night
   6. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
   
   This video is great for the whole family including young children and children from Mary's elementary school perform as part of the concert. The concert can be fully enjoyed at any time of the year. Don't just wait until the holiday period.
   
   For this live concert Peter wrote a special song "Light One Candle" which is just terrific. Don't let the light go out for justice in the world. Somehow justice will prevail. Don't miss this very inspirational and hopeful song.
   
   (Wallingford)
   
   Feedback to:
   
   George Reid
   knowledgebooks@snet.net

No comments about A Christmas Offering.

1 comments about Christmas Classics: Jingle Bells and Twas the Night Before Christmas.

1. Not quite what I expected. I was hoping that it would be as good as the Rankin Bass Christmas programs.