No comments about The Night Before Christmas, Vol. 2.

2 comments about Winter Wonderland.

1. Ferrente and Teicher have really excelled themselves - I have been shopping with Amazon for the past few months - best place on the internet I have found out - and am buying the CD's to replace my LP's - lots from years ago. Getting ahead of Xmas so I am sure to have my special ones.



2. Every sound you hear on this album was made by Arthur Ferrante - of Ferrante & Teicher but without Teicher. Using synthsized keyboards, he recorded the rhythm tracks, brass, reeds, bells etc and finally the only "real" instrument: his Baldwin piano (recorded in two stages to sound like twin pianos).

   Like all of Ferrante's albums, the synthesized sound gets to be a bit much after a while. However, the sound is much better here than on his first solo Christmas album, FERRANTE & KRIS KRINGLE, from 1989.

   Of course this doesn't compare with the old Ferrante & Teicher recordings with the full orchestra. As the popularity of "easy listening" has dwindled, it is no longer economically feasible to record with a full orchestra. Even Ray Conniff started to cut back before he died.

   Compared to other easy listening recordings from the 1990s by Ferrante and other artists, this deserves no less than 3 out of 5 stars. Since it is an improvement over some of Ferrante's earlier efforts, I give it 4 stars.

4 comments about Trav'ling Home - American Spirituals 1770-1870.

1. The outstanding Boston Camerata introduces the listener to early american religous music, which is quite different and much more exciting than the bland, uninvloving tunes in the hymnals that are sitting in church pews these days. Anyone interested in American cultural and/or musical history needs this!



2. This CD is absolutely amazing; the first time I listened to it, I was lukewarm and contemplated returning it. However, the second time around, I was crying throughout. The first song is a jewel, and my heart breaks upon each listen. The women vocalists are angels, and the male voices are earthy, yet just as sweet (and Anne Azema, I need hardly mention, is a goddess, as always). The acoustics are also delightful: the sound is just as if they're singing in a little church out in the middle of "nowhere," much like the church on the cover (I adore that cover photograph).

   Some CDs are good "homework" music; this one is not. You cannot listen to it without paying rapt attention. I am in the habit of putting on headphones and turning it on sometimes when I go to bed, and just lying there in the dark with the exquisite harmonies and poignant lyrics wafting through my ears. Buy this now, and try it. It will bring tears to your eyes.




3. When I mention shaped-note singing to most people, they think of the most raucus form of gospel, which may be fun, but which has little beauty to it. Far from it, true shaped-note is an American, energized form of the medieval and renaisance music of Europe, and the Boston Camarata's background in early music does so well to bring out its madrigal qualities. In addition, the recording itself is of such clarity, that the nearly three-dimensional effect of its antiphonal singing is better represented than on any other early american album I've heard



4. This very enjoyable CD is an anthology of notable American religous music from the end of the 18th century to approximately the end of the Civil War. It concentrates on the so-called shape note and related traditions. Drawn heavily from old hymnals and song books, this CD features a number of lovely pieces, including some by the remarkable Boston composer William Billings. Some pieces are presented in parallel with the secular songs and music used to develop the sacred music. Beautifully performed.

1 comments about Christmas in Vermont.

1. This is the best new choral Christmas CD I've heard in years.
   
   Counterpoint is a twelve-member choral group based in Vermont, directed by Robert De Cormier, who had a long and successful career with recording artists and groups like Harry Belafonte, Peter Paul and Mary, and the New York Choral Society. Since retiring to Vermont, he's kept busy with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra chorus and this small group of top voices. This is their fourth CD, all of which reflect De Cormier's eclectic taste, with wide-ranging influences from around the world.
   
   The longest and most important selection is Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata in three short movements. Pinkham, who died last year, was one of America's most prolific composers in the last century, though he's best known for works focused on holidays and weddings, and his Christmas Cantata is probably the most popular. I first heard it performed by my high school choir in the 60s, and have loved it ever since, it's one of my favorite pieces of Christmas music. Showing the influence of his teacher Aaron Copland, it's full of warmth, mystery, occasional dissonance, and great joy. I have about 5 recordings of it, and my favorite has long been that of the Robert Shaw Chorale, but this new one has now taken the top spot. By using just 12 voices, Counterpoint delivers a sharply-focused performance that makes every word and note clear, which is usually not the case with larger groups. Sort of like a madrigal group performing a big choir piece, it really brings out all the great harmonies and latin text.
   
   The rest of the CD is equally well-performed, and ranges from traditional Christmas carols to spirituals, and songs from Haiti and the West Indies, England and latin text tunes I've never heard before that sound quite old. There are also selections by the brass quintet alone that are very appealing.
   
   If you like choral music at Christmas and are tired of the old standbys, this is a great new alternative. I've had mine on the CD player since I got it a few days ago, and am not tired of it yet!

No comments about On This Christmas Night: 20th Century Masters.

3 comments about Asalto Navideño, Vol. 2.

1. What can I say? Classic Hector and Willie christmas carols... accompanied by the beloved Yomo Toro, renowned cuatro master. For many years these tunes were the most popular xmas music around. Now everyone is doing it to its style and flavor. It has become a part of our cultural history. Anything less that a 5 star rating would be unreal. You'll no toubt find at least one of the three xmas cds in every puerto rican's home.



2. I personally think that this second volume is actually better than the original. And I've written that the original is "the best christmas album of all time". So sue me. This is just great music people. Hector Lavoe had a "jibaro" ting to his voice. Willie had the trombone mixing it with Yomo Toro's cuatro. They made history. Dona Santos, Cantemos, La banda, these are not just great songs. No. They are classics. Buy this and vol 1 together. Then judge for yourself.



3. A must have for every Salsa fan! I grew up listening to Salsa especially Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe. My Dad has both these records and I was so happy to find them on CD. There is nothing like the classics.

2 comments about Musical Christmas Tree.

1. What a wonderful album. Morton Gould's arrangements and tasteful conducting never disappoint. Too bad this CD is buried on this site under Xmas instead of Christmas. I had a hard enough time trying to find this CD on Amazon, until I tried Xmas! There isn't any filler on this album....but get it while you can, because I'm sure this thing is out of print. Great late night music to have in the background for the holidays, and a wonderful alternative to the schmaltzy new age inflected tunes put out by today's so called artists.



2. If you find it cheap, snatch it up. This cd is excellent. The musical arrangements are wonderful. This is a rare gem.

5 comments about A Very Special Christmas.

1. While some of these videos are great (and some decidedly mediocre), it is notable that the audio is in mono. The special olympics website about the DVD has artists' names spelled incorrectly.
   
   While it is a worthy cause, this is NOT a great product and my suggestion is to avoid it until something better is available. Stereo tracks for all the audio is clearly available, so to release this collection in mono is baffling.
   
   I plan to try to return my copy to Amazon, as this is clearly subpar.



2. I know this was a compilation for a charity, but it was too varied for me. My suggestion would be to do one in a mild version and one in the hip-hop, wilder version. I could not show this at my Christmas party because of the wilder nature of some of the video!! After all, it is Christmas, not Spring Break!!



3. hey guys,
   I love it.For any Jon fan it's a must have.I really enjoyed the U2 video too.GO OUT AND,GET THIS FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS!!
   Thank you,
   Sheila Lance



4. a very interesting dvd - but i think there a too less songs. there are so much more xmas songs and a dvd would offer more place.



5. I bought this DVD because one of my all time favorite Christmas carols is Eric Clapton's version of "Christmas Tears." Since this performance exists only on this DVD (and the CD, of course) I ordered this disc the moment I knew it was available. Watching his performance still leaves me in awe. I can't argue with the other reviewers critiques of this disc -- the sound could have and should have been better. Further, I own all of the Very Special Christmas CDs and my choice of performances would have vastly differed from those compiled on this disc, but, again, the Clapton song makes this disc worth the price. If you are a Clapton fan, buy it.

No comments about A Wright Christmas.

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.