1 comments about Joy of Christmas With Angela Lansbury.

1. The Joy Of Christmas combines the talent of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square with one of the most beloved stars of film, theater and television, Angela Lansbury.
   
   Some of the songs are sung just by the choir and sections of the choir. Other songs are sung by Angela Lansbury with backup by the choir. Some of the music is performed by the Orchestra without singing. Angela Lansbury does her famous "Beauty and the Beast." She is very charming.

5 comments about Carols for Christmas: Volumes I & II.

1. Christmas carol CDs are soooo hard to pick. They schlop it up with too many opera stars whom you love but don't think of as Christmassy, swirl your favorites into pop tunes which have their own place but aren't all you want, or just plain plump for the most arcane medieval carols in place of the ones you sang from house to house as a child in the snow. This is the CD you want. It has all the best carols and they are beautifully orchestrated and sung. Buy this and you have the one CD you really need for Christmas; then you can toss in those pop versions and opera stars as suits.



2. This recording of Christmas Carols conducted by Sir David Willcocks is a refreshing alternative to all those sugary, syrupy, or pop arraingments of these carols. There is nothing of the "elevator music" element here just simply arrainged, well perfomed carols done the way it would be at home during the Christmas season, one can even sing along without too much trouble. For those looking for a good set of carols to enjoy during the season this is a good set to start with.



3. For years I have searched for Christmas vocal music that would be timeless, straightforward, traditional, and musically high quality. This is the best I have found. It is a huge collection, and it is very, very good. It seems that virtually everyone who makes a Christmas album wants to do something different from "the way it's always been done." Unfortunately, that means virtually no one is doing it "the way it's always been done." This double CD, thank God, is a wonderful exception. Another reviewer complained about the pacing, and on first listening to it I could hear what she or he meant. But by the time I even began to listen to it a second time I was surprised to realize that I no longer noticed that perceived "sameness" of pacing. In fact, I began to realize that the pacing actually varies quite a bit. I think the feeling of "sameness" is more due to all the songs being sung by the same singers, with similar arrangements; but once I even began to get familiar with the CD, that was no longer a minus, and now it appears to be turning into a plus. This double CD is a treasure to me. I really hope they start making more copies again, and soon. I want to buy them for friends and family.



4. I would give almost anything to be able to find a copy of this CD set! Some 20+ years ago I purchased a copy of this recording on audio cassette in the Museum Gift Shop at the Met in NYC. From the first time I listened I was captivated. This is the way Christmas music should be - pure choral sound, simple a capella arrangments, or with piano, organ, and some brass. No big, schmaltzy sound which so many Christmas albums have, and which I hate.

   Over the years one cassette broke and the other vanished. I have never been able to find this on CD. Over the years I've bought lots of available albums - Robert Shaw, John Rutter, etc. hoping to find one I'm as happy with, but never with any luck. I have many I enjoy, but none I've ever loved as whole-heartedly as this 2-volume set. I wish like anything they would reissue it. It breaks my heart every Christmas that I no longer have this music to play. Just listening to the tiny samples on the amazon web site makes me yearn so for the real thing.




5. My father bought this for my Mom years and years ago... It's vital to our holiday season. It really is a cd of PERFECT Christmas carols.
   Like another reviewer said, these are 'how carols should be'.
   They are simple, clean, exquisite.

3 comments about Christmas with the Everly Brothers and the Boys Town Choir.

1. I became interested in this album back in the 80's when I saw the Everlys reunion concert in Minneapolis.In the souvenir book they had a picture of all there Warner Albums and to my surprise a Christmas album. After looking for it for about 15 years in every antique store and record shop around I finally found it online. Now to my amusement its a budget cd. When I first heard this album I was surprised, no chugging Gibson guitars, no country or rock and roll. This album is the closest thing to Gospel with choir and Church organ,that Phil and Don have done. With this album being out of print so long I would recommend it to any one who is sick of the modern secular and christian pop Christmas Albums. Phil and Dons version of silent night alone is
   worth more then the price of the cd. My only gripe is that I had hoped this would come out with some unreleased songs or takes if they exsist.



2. Well, I found this album on record last Xmas - I love the Everly Brothers, and if you're like me, you'll want them singing Xmas songs to you when that time of year comes around. As far as albums go, well, it was probably cut in a few hours - no need to critique it, as far as Xmas albums go in general, this is pretty good fare - not a whole lot of energy in it, and in a way, it's pretty strange to hear their voices singing Xmas songs with a choir behind them - but that alone is worth the price of admission. Probably only for the true fan, or those who want some good quality Xmas music.



3. This cd is of course a new pressing of a very old recording of the Everly Brothers with The Boys Town Choir.
   
   The recording was for that time very good, but the sound of this cd is not as you may expect from its first budget cd release from 2005.
   
   Still it's The Everly Brothers with the wonderfull Boys Town Choir. A true collector's item for the fans of the Everly Brothers and of Boys Town and it's choir.
   
   It's a unique combination. They sing the Chrismas songs as they should be sung. Far better than the commercial Christmas songs from this time!
   
   It is a Christmas to be remembered! A pity that the playing time is only 26 minutes!
   
   Rolf Breemes,
   a Boys Town fan
   from The Netherlands

2 comments about American Chanukah.

1. Several years in the planning stages, Robin Spielberg's collection of Chanukah songs arranged for solo piano is a masterpiece. One of the most elegant and graceful pianists around, Spielberg keeps the arrangements of the traditional pieces simple, letting the melodies sing their messages of hope and peace. With the help of her ninety-nine-year-old grandmother, Jennie Spielberg, Robin researched and arranged songs of Yiddish, Sephardic, Israeli, Ashkenazi , European, and American origin for inclusion in this collection. I'm not Jewish, but love the warmth and beauty of these pieces. Many are rather haunting, but a sense of light and hope prevails throughout. Also included are Spielberg's original "West Bank Serenade", a stunning new piece composed during the weeks of the first suicide bombing attacks in the West Bank, and a fresh new version of "First Night" which first appeared on "In the Heart of Winter" several years ago. Along with the other traditional Chanukah songs are "Sabbath Prayer" from "Fiddler on the Roof", "One" by U2, and the Israeli national anthem which comes from a theme by Smetna. All of the pieces are lovingly arranged and played, and are obviously very close to Spielberg's heart. With the world situation as difficult as it is right now, this album takes on a very special importance and meaning. Very highly recommended!



2. I loved this new album from Robin. I haven't stopped listening to it since I opened it in my mail, today. I found it very beautiful, spiritual and inspiring. Its "ethnic" feel took me away from my often-times hectic life to a place where I could be "in the world, yet not of it", and reminded me of who I am and why I celebrate this Holiday. Thanks Robin, I needed that.

2 comments about Holidays.

1. This album is an awesome collection of new holiday songs that are destined to become favorites. It is perfect for curling up by the fireplace with someone special on a cold December night. Hapa have a rich, flowing quitar sound and as a duo their voices complement each other. There are only a couple of songs in Hawaiian, but you don't have to speak Hawaiian to understand the joyous message of the songs.



2. Holidays, Hapa's second recording, made in 1995, establishes the pattern of their most successful albums-half the songs are vocals, and half are instrumentals. Hapa, which means "half," consists of Keli'i Kaneali'i and Barry Flanagan, a duo that is half Hawaiian, but in their dedication to the sounds of the islands they are a hundred percent Hawaiian. Here their sounds honor the Christmas holidays, with four of the seven vocals being new holiday songs composed by Flanagan.
   
   The album is quiet and mellow, music which captures the holiday spirit without being loud or intrusive. The instrumentals feature virtually every stringed instrument in the islands-from slack key guitar to rhythm guitar, ukulele, electric sitar, and bass. Percussion adds to the rhythm, with Eric Keawe on the claves, Flanagan on castanets, and Larry Leiberman on drums and tympani, where appropriate. Two of the most interesting instrumentals are their version of "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emanuel," which features Flanagan on lead guitar, ukulele, electric sitar, and bass, and Eric Keawe on percussion, and John Lennon's "Love," in which Flanagan plays bass, and the acoustic and rhythm guitar take over. Four of the vocals are new songs by Flanagan, my favorite being "Ke Ku'ulani," a beautiful song in which a chorus emphasizes the loving spirit of the season, and Flanagan plays bass.
   
   As is characteristic of Hawaiian albums, everyone helps out in the recording: Robi Hahakalau ("Sistah Robi"), Lehua Kalima, and Fiji provide the chorus on "It's Christmas Day, Mahi Beamer plays piano on "It's Alright, Christmas Time is Here," and the group thanks the Keawe family and the (Kenny) Loggins family on the Big Island, for their contributions. The only song that doesn't seem to fit the recording is "Lady in Red," which is dedicated here to Mrs. Claus "from S.C.," but which remains a song about a mysterious (and not very "Christmas-y") siren. An interesting combination of vocals and instrumentals, this is a CD which adds immeasurably to the Christmas songbook of the Hawaiian islands. Mary Whipple

No comments about Glory of Christmas.

5 comments about All I Want for Christmas Is You.

1. This is an awesome cd....amazon was the only place I could find it and I had been searching music stores for quite a while. Highly recommended!!!!!



2. The version of the title song she recorded with vince vance is far
   superior to this version.The rest of the cd is just ok



3. Several people have attempted to recapture the magic created by Lisa Layne when she recorded "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Once you hear her sing it, everyone else comes in a very poor second. This amazingly talented lady and this song are unique. Now that she has her own Christmas CD, please know that you will be getting a rare treat when you can hear an entire album of her vocal stylings and that she has other albums available as well. Not only that, she is also appearing live in Branson, Missouri, at the God and County Theatre through 2008! I cannot say enough positive things about Lisa. Not only is she beautiful and talented beyond belief, she is friendly, funny and memorable. Buy her music and see her in person. I promise you will be thrilled! Visit Lisa's website as well at lisalayne.com to find out more and to join her fan club!



4. This is a must CD for the Holidays. I recommend this CD to one and all.



5. All I can say is this CD has that swank country sound that is fabulous and you rarely hear anymore.

5 comments about Christmas in My Heart.

1. When I listened to Connie sing these Christmas songs, I was truly inspired by her singing of joy, peace and love that Christmas means to so many. This CD is a Christmas treasure.



2. The music on this CD is wonderful, but you are better off buying Connie Francis "The Christmas Album" which has 15 tracks. All of the other Connie Xmas releases have 10, 12 or 13 tracks from her Xmas repetoire - "The Christmas Album" has the full 15 tracks so buy that one instead.



3. Connie Francis is probably my favorite female singer as far as christmas music goes. My grandmother and mother loved her and I just grew up listening to it as well. All her Chrismtas songs were just beautiful. I highly recommend it - perfect for this time of year!



4. Connie's Christmas CD, whatever the title, is a classic. A beautiful compilation of Christmas songs sung by this great singer. In Connie's long career, it is a shame that she recorded only one Christmas LP. With her penchant for languages and her international fame and talent, a Christmas CD consisting of songs from around the world would have been a triumph. Just think, Connie singing Silent Night in German, Io Bambino in Italian, etc. Connie's Christmas hit, Baby's First Christmas, was not included in the original Christmas LP as the LP was recorded a few years before the hit. It has been included on some later CD compilations of her Christmas music. I believe the original Christmas LP was recorded in the summer of 1959 at the famed Abbey Road studio.



5. I'm going to start the review like this: if you ever have a chance to get this christmas album from 1959 (released on cd in 1988 but hard to find), CONNIE FRANCIS - CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART, it is a must buy. Here's why:
   
   This is a most beautiful 'crooner styled' christmas album that, like Johnny Mathis's 1958 christmas classic, JOHNNY MATHIS - MERRY CHRISTMAS, goes beyond the walls of just 'crooner' styled christmas music. It's both magical and breathtaking. Connie's voice is the best it has ever been and although I do usually like a few other female voices more, this Connie christmas album is the exception. No other female singer (or even male for that matter) could sing these beautiful songs with their masterful arrangements as great or greater than Connie. In other words, (and perhaps along with the 1966 album, KATE SMITH - THE KATE SMITH CHRISTMAS ALBUM) this is my favorite female christmas album and actually, one of my absolute favorite christmas albums ever. But this is only half the beauty of it.
   
   The other half belongs to a very unknown yet ultra-great conductor and his orchestra, GEOFF LOVE (GEOFF LOVE AND HIS ORCHESTRA are my second favorite orchestra next to JOHNNY DOUGLAS and the LIVING STRINGS). I'm not sure who did the arrangements but man, are they awesome. However, GEOFF LOVE AND HIS ORCHESTRA play the music at it's most beautiful christmas style ever when backing a lead singer (along with PERCY FAITH who did this as well on that JOHNNY MATHIS christmas album mentioned above). From the releases I have by GEOFF LOVE AND HIS ORCHESTRA (all great), he is, like I mentioned with CONNIE'S singing above, at his best here. Everything just works perfectly.
   
   This majectic music from GEOFF LOVE AND HIS ORCHESTRA (similar to the LIVING STRINGS and a bit of PERCY FAITH, but overall, GEOFF'S own) with CONNIE'S perfect voice along with a fabulous chorus (as good as any great chorus) is the recipe for something out of this world in terms of beautiful christmas music. And let me tell you, it is that recipe that you get here.
   
   I mean, every song is great, from one to the next, and this would provide a perfect background for christmas music over the christmas season for yourself and any company you may have over during the holidays.
   
   This cd contains 13 tracks, the 12 track original album and a bonus song for the cd (BABY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS) but luckily, the bonus song remains in the same style (with an added guitar) as the 12 track album so there is nothing weak in this cd release.
   
   As for the songs from the original album itself, I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is my favorite version (along with JOHNNY MATHIS'S version on his MERRY CHRISTMAS album), THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (my favorite all-time version, wonderful backing chorus), WHITE CHRISTMAS (real dreamy), WINTER WONDERLAND (also real dreamy), THE CHRISTMAS SONG, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, and every other song are truly among my favorite versions of each of them.
   
   Four other crooner albums you will want to get if you like this CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART album are both the JOHNNY MATHIS and KATE SMITH mentioned above, PERRY COMO - SEASONS GREETINGS (1959), and JACK JONES - THE JACK JONES CHRISTMAS ALBUM (1964). JOHNNY MATHIS is the closest in style I think, but the three others are about as powerful in their own way and kinda similar too. These are the five essential crooner christmas albums in my opinion but this CONNIE FRANCIS one and the JOHNNY MATHIS one are the most dreamiest and magical. Only the LIVING STRINGS - THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS album from 1963 would be more dreamy and magical and that's out of about 200 or more christmas albums I own. That's it. that's how great CONNIE and JOHNNY are.
   
   So, if you want a very dreamy, magical, and most beautiful and powerful christmas album, then you should really consider this cd. It really is what the title of this review says, a 'christmas 'crooner stlyed' masterpiece.'

1 comments about Snowfall.

1. Sonically, this is one of the most eloquent Christmas releases we've come across this season. Steve Oliver's SNOWFAll is a collection of ten holiday tracks - nine traditional and one original. With more joy than should be contained in just one man, Steve Oliver goes with Christmas like Santa's cookies with milk. SNOWFALL is a tasteful and lovely collection of works from the joyful guitarist/singer. It includes favorite seasonal melodies displayed in stunning Steve Oliver arrangements. In case you weren't totally aware, Steve is a beautiful vocalist. We think he's pitch perfect... In addition to the sparkling and flowing instrumentals, the album features a scattering of vocals. His version of "Silent Night" will move you and he's nothing short of dynamic on his original "Watching The Snowfall." The quality and precision of Steve's voice is on the same level as say, Michael McDonald or Kenny Loggins. Steve is no stranger to the Smooth Jazz arena - he has toured and performed with many format corner stones including the likes of Rick Braun, Peter White, Marc Antoine, Everette Harp, Larry Carlton and may be most remembered as an integral member/partner of Steve Reid's magical ensemble Bamboo Forest. Many like to refer to Steve Oliver as a Rising Star; however, we feel that Mr. Oliver's star has risen with such Smooth Jazz hits as "First View," "High Noon," "Positive Energy," "Chips & Salsa" and his latest, "Good To Go." Add SNOWFALL to your holiday playlist and listen to Steve O shine brightly. ~ SANDY SHORE

No comments about O Come Let Us Sing.