5 comments about Monster Ballads Christmas.

1. I am giving this CD 5 stars, not because it's one of the greatest albums of all time, but because it achieves exactly what it aims for, and delivers. It is a really fun compilation of Christmas tunes by 80's hair bands. Plus, there are actually a few true gems included! I received this as a gift, didn't really think I would listen to it, but I enjoy it!
   
   My only beef with this release is that there is NO liner note information at all, except which band/person the song is from. It would have been nice if at least the specifics of the artists who were with each band when the song was recorded, what year recorded, that kind of thing, was included-- I am sure this CD was culled from various existing recordings for the most part, which is fine, but I would like to know some basic details!
   
   The standouts are:
   -Danger Danger's "Naughty Naughty Christmas"-- obviously by the title is a nod to their biggest hit, but it's suprisingly not a rehash, it's actually one of the few original tunes on the disc, and it's a really good song, sticks in your head!
   -Winger's "Happy Christmas (War is Over)"-- remake of the John Lennon classic. A really nice interpretation of the song, complete with a good solo, I am positive that's Reb Beach on the solo. (as should be)
   -Dokken's 12 days of Christmas-- this song, more than any other, comes across as an attempt to redo a Christmas classic in the also classic sound of the band...it sounds like something pulled right from Tooth and Nail or Under Lock & Key, except it's a Christmas song! They totally Dokkenize it, it's actually over the top, but still fun. I am pretty sure this was recorded during the period that Goerge rejoined the band, b/c it's definitely him, and it sounds like his playing was on the 1st Lynch Mob release exactly-if you know please drop me a line! (yes I love George Lynch :)
   -Lastly, Tom Keifer's Blue Christmas-- Tom does it up in heavy bluesy rock style, just as Cinderella started to do more so with each release. He provides a great feel for this track, and though his classic rasp is present, he keeps it toned down to just the right level...just a really good version of the song by a great musician, love it!
   
   The rest of the CD is good too, as listed, you can see what you get. Couple of footnotes, just as FYI:
   -the Skid Row is sung by the new guy, not Sebastian
   -these are not all ballads, less than half, I realize this is part of the "monster ballads" collection...
   -the Billy Idol track sounds pretty new, not sure why he always gets lumped in w/ the hair bands alll the time!
   -the Queensryche song is good, but their fan base probably won't be thrilled by it, just seems kinda out of character to me...
   -the Stryper tune is a live recording, the only live one in the collection
   -the Faster Pussycat song is good, sounds like Marilyn Manson though!
   
   
   Happy Holidays and if you've like what you hear based on what I've said, you oughta pick this one up! Merry Christmas and Rock On!!!!



2. I won't take up your time with a long winded review.
   I purchased this CD last week and I must tell you, it's a complete riot. The songs are extremely catchy and it's great fun for the holidays.



3. Tired of "Gramma' Got Run Over By A Reindeer" and "Silver Frickin' Bells?" Have a little attitude this x-mas. Monster Ballads X-Mas is a welcome change to the traditional christmas album. Something for just about everyone on here. I would rate it higher but, there's not enough screeching for me. Even from Tom Keifer. Imagine that. "Makes a great X-Mas gift."



4. I am a big fan of xmas songs. so when i came across the hair bands of the 80's had xmas songs i had too get it!!!!!!!!!!!! well i love it !!!!!!! it is one of my favorite xmas album yet. I have over 20 xmas cd's.



5. awesome collection of 80's hair bands renditions of christmas songs.
   a must have for any rockin' christmas music lover....

5 comments about Kiri Te Kanawa - Ave Maria.

1. I LEARNED TO PLAY CHOPSTIX AND THE RIGHT HAND PART OF BLUE MOON FROM MY FATHER WHEN I WAS LITTLE. I LEARNED TO SING FRERE JAQUES FROM HIM TOO AND WE SANG IT TOGETHER IN ROUNDS. I KNOW WHERE MIDDLE C IS ON THE PIANO AND THIS IS THE EXTENT OF WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MUSIC. SO YOU EXPERTS CAN JUST GO TO THE NEXT REVIEW IF YOU LIKE AND I WONT BE OFFENDED. I AM A KNUCKLEHEAD BY YOUR STANDARDS AND I WOULDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO ME EITHER IF I WERE YOU. BUT FOR THE REST OF YOU, LET ME SAY THAT THIS WOMAN'S VOICE IS LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER HEARD. THE MUSIC SHE CHOSE TO SING FIRST OF ALL, IS BEATUIFUL, JUST BEAUTIFUL. YOU'LL GET GOOSEBUMPS. BUT HER VOICE IS THE THING. IT'S LIKE GOOD COLD SPRING WATER. IT'S CLEAN AND CONFIDENT, NO FUZZY EDGES OR BIG SHOWY SWOOPS. IT'S SOFT AND STRONG AND BIG AND TINY JUST WHEN IT SHOULD BE, I THINK. YOU WILL JUST FIND YOURSELF LISTENING AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL JUST BE HOLDING YOUR BREATH, HARDLY BELIEVING YOUR GOOD LUCK THAT YOU ARE HEARING THIS. I ACTUALLY SHUSHED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM TO STOP TRYING TO TALK TO ME WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID I WOULD MISS SOMETHING. I LOVE A GOOD VOICE AND/OR A GOOD SINGER. THEY AREN'T ALWAYS THE SAME THING. SO I WILL ADD THIS WOMAN AND HER MUSIC TO MY COLLECTION OF FAVORITES THAT INCLUDE THE MUSIC OF JANIS JOPLIN, NINA SIMONE, JONI MITCHELL, CECILIA BARTOLI, MARIAH CAREY, MR. PAVOROTI AND SOME OTHER GOOD GIRLS AND GUYS. AND POUR YOURSELF A GLASS OF WINE THE FIRST GO AROUND...



2. I don't know where this comment belongs, but I have a correction to make:
   Track 2 is Laudate Dominum from Vespearae solennes de confesore (K.337) and not Vespeare de Dominica (K.321) as the listing says.
   Both Mozart's arias are beautiful, though.



3. Dame Kiri's voice shines in these beautiful sacred pieces, and as her biographer David Fingleton, in his excellent liner notes for this CD points out, that going back to her youth and first voice teacher, who was a Sister of Mercy, church music has always been a part of her repertoire, even though she is mostly noted as an operatic soprano.
   Favorites include Gounod's exquisite "O Divine Redeemer" ("Repentir"), the two Mozart pieces, "Laudate Dominum" (from "Vesperae solennes de confessore" KV 339), and "Ave Verum" KV 618, and the luminous performance of Schubert's popular "Ave Maria".

   Track # 11, Purcell's "Trumpet Time", is a trumpet solo by Crispian Steele-Perkins, and there is also a good and jolly trumpet on track # 11, Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" from "Samson", which is the piece Dame Kiri sang in St. Paul's Cathedral for the Prince and Princess of Wales, at their wedding in 1981, and has become one of her most often requested songs.
   This recording was made in 1984, at the All Saints' Church in Tooting, England, and the sound is not great but quite adequate. The boys of the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral sing like little angels, and the English Chamber Orchestra is led by Barry Rose. Total time is 47:40.
   This would make a nice change of pace CD during the Christmas Season, and for fans of this wonderful soprano, hearing her voice is a joy any time of the year.




4. Kiri Te Kanawa voice never fails to inspire me and uplift my spirit. Her rendition of "Ave Maria" is just so beautiful and moving that its effect on the listener can not be expressed in mere words. Kiri's voice and intuitive nature of delivering the inner strength and emotion of each selection on this CD is just inspiring.



5. What a great collection, many real sacred classics, all delivered in very heartfelt, but simple way, and Kiri's voice is just so beautiful. And I like the fact that there are many different moods, there are some songs which are very soothing, slow pieces but also different ones, and the the final songs are Let The Bright Seraphim which is so uplifting and bright and Let Their Celestial Concerts. They are both from Samson, it's refreshing to hear these tracks instead of the usual pieces from Messiah.
   My favourite songs are Bist du bei mir and especially Mozart's Ave Verum, so perfect when sung by Kiri, I know so many different versions but these are probably the best I have heard.
   Mozart's Laudate Dominum is done very nicely, good tempo and such great singing. Kirir has a great trill! Panis Angelicus is good too, I wish Kiri would do something else instead of this worn classic, but her version of Schubert's Ave Marias on this album is actually very good. This is a great, refreshing collection overall, well put together, with very tasteful arrangements. There is also a nice chorus, they only sing in few pieces but they sound really good.
   There is a small problem with the sound level on this album, it's true, but Kiri's voice still sounds beautiful, just crank up the volume a little bit, so you can hear her better. Maybe the bright seraphim will hear her too!

5 comments about Halloween, Vol. 2: Creatures Collection.

1. I always expect the best from Manheim Steamroller - but this surpassed my expectations. It is wonderful! And it is a lot of fun to listed to. You will love it!!!!



2. This has 3 discs. 2 of the discs aren't worth the waste of a disc. However, the music disc is very enjoyable. I don't like the packaging either.



3. Not what I expected based on having heard the first one, which had more of a genuine "oooh, spooky" Halloween feel to it. This second one seemed more like what they would have done on their Christmas albums, which were really good for Christmas, but not for Halloween. It was still good...but lacking.



4. The spooky songs on the second disc are the best spooky sounds I have ever found. They are very creepy and disturbing! Perfect for background noise at a party, haunted house, or trick or treating!
   
   Also, the Remixes of Creatures on the night on Disc Two is very cool, exactly the kind of party Halloween music I was looking for.
   
   The music on the first CD is for the most part too "Mannheim Steamroller" to really be good for an adult Halloween party. I think it would be fine for kids. There were a few songs that I did like though. The Dark Shadows and Psycho theme songs sounded cool.
   
   Overall, I recommend this CD to anyone who is collecting Halloween music. There is enough on here that you might not easily find somewhere else to warrant you purchasing this Cd.



5. There are three cds in this package, but they are not identified as 1, 2 and 3, so it is easy to mix them up. Each has some good music and some hokey or kinky tracks. It would have been much better to deliver the good classical stuff on one cd, so it wouldn't be interrupted by the less attractive music. I like about one third of it, but it is mixed throughout, so, I probably won't listen to it often.

4 comments about Memories of a Winter's Night.

1. Personnel: Dave Koz (alto saxophone); Gigi Worth (vocals); Ray Parker, Jr. (guitar); Michael Thompson (guitars); Doug Pettibone, Phil Parlapiano, Bruce Watson (acoustic guitar); Paul Jackson, Jr., Tony Maiden (electric guitar); Jeff Koz (nylon-string guitar); Jim Culbertson (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); Eddie Miller (Hammond b-3 organ); Brian Simpson (keyboards); David Piltch (acoustic bass); Bill Sharpe, Alex Al, Fernando Perdomo (bass guitar); Gerry Brown, Stephen Theard (drums); Brian Kilgore (percussion); Brian Culbertson (drum programming); Ester Nicholson, Sandy Simmons, Bridgette Bryant (background vocals). Additional personnel: Brenda Russell (vocals); Peter White (acoustic guitar); Rick Braun (trumpet); David Benoit (piano); Kelly Sweet, Kimberley Locke (background vocals).
   Good music ability by Dave as he expresses his ability in the Christmas songs.
   A little too predictable and...a product of mass Christmas destruction...
   It's light jazz to sell his stuff...That's pure commercial music.
   Why is this talented guy following Kenny G's footsteps ?
   Funny enough: he started so well with a great album titled Off the Beaten Path....
   Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby
   Smooth Jazz Christmas
   December Makes Me Feel This Way
   Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun



2. Like his last Chritmas cd, Dave Koz repeats a few songs instead of letting go and creating an album of unrecorded performances. "December Makes Me Feel This Way" is a fine album of carols, his Christmas follow-up "Smooth Jazz Christmas" features songs from his live show, basically a studio soundtrack featuring vocalists Kenny Loggins and Brenda Russell performing repeats from the first disc, two sides from that cd, "Little Drummer Boy" and "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" are here and truthfully they serve no purpose. I think Mr Koz is in search of the perfect Christmas cd and will keep trying until he gets it right so expect more releases, maybe enough to fill a "Best Of" holiday edition similar to Kenny G's and Dave will have what he's pining for, the perfect cd. About this cd's overall performance, it is classic Dave Koz.



3. We saw Dave for the first time in December - it was a Christmas show. It was one of the best concerts we have seen in y ears. This cd is great!!!



4. I love the way Dave Kozz handles his music; it is well constructed and very honest!

5 comments about The Christmas Album.

1. Terrific! I had this on cassette tape and then when I changed cars I had a CD player only so I ordered this on CD. Neils choice of songs is perfect. My daughter even likes it!



2. Yes Neil is Jewish, and that matters how?
   He has a terrific voice and he sings these songs GREAT!
   If you dont like Neil Diamond or you dont like the fact a "jewish" person is singing them THEN DONT BUY IT!
   Everyone else, this is a GREAT CD... gets me in the xmas spirit every year. Even my kids like it!



3. Dating probably back to when Irving Berlin wrote "White Christmas," there's been a tradition of popular Jewish artists recording Christmas songs. Having seen his contemporary New Yorkers Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow record Christmas songs at various stages in their careers, in 1992 Neil Diamond interrupted his decade-long descent into irrelevant schmaltz by producing this somewhat uneven but overall entertaining collection of holiday music. He wisely begins with "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," with an arrangement a bit reminiscent of "Kol Nidre" from "The Jazz Singer, but that's about the only concession to his Jewish tradition Neil makes on this album. He employs choirs on several of the most spiritual Christmas songs ("We Three Kings," "Silent Night," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Holy Night"), and for the most part he offers an enthusiastic if not exactly soulful interpretation. He does a really nice number on "Little Drummer Boy," making it sound unlike any other interpretation.
   
   He hits a rough patch with several songs that already have definitive versions and would've been better left alone. Neil comes nowhere remotely close to the raw power of Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," and it would've been a much better idea to just have done the traditional Sinatraesque rendition instead. Neil's "Christmas Song" isn't likely to make anybody forget Nat King Cole's classic interpretation. For reasons which boggle the imagination, he then launches into "Morning Has Broken," which isn't even a Christmas song and which was definitively done by Cat Stevens years ago, and then even more amazingly, he tackles John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)."
   
   Neil redeems himself handsomely, though, with a "doo-wop" version of "White Christmas," followed by a barbershop quartet take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." His "Jingle Bell Rock" is okay, too. He launches into a "Crying In Your Pretzels" country twang on "Silver Bells," which if nothing else offers up that classic Neil Diamond cheese we all love, where he stops in the middle of a song to reminisce about those Brooklyn roads he grew up on. The only song on the album, though, that ever gets any airplay these days is the one he'd previously recorded on the "Primitive" album in 1984, "You Make It Feel Like Christmas."
   
   All in all, a decent enough effort, and popular enough that it led to a second volume in 1994, which is not only a much better showcase for Neil's talent, but in fact is one of the best Christmas CDs of the past 20 years.



4. It's almost impossible to find a low point on this cd, and that's because they're all low points. This one is a travesty; an album so bad, so melodically vacuous, so uninspired and derivative, it deserves a special place in the pantheon of bad Christmas music (or the trash can, take your choice). Hear Neil "Three Note" Diamond savagely butcher such standards as Silent Night and The Christmas Song. Hear John Lennon spin in his grave as Neil treats Happy Christmas (War is Over) with all the delicacy and grace of a charging rhinocerous. And let's not forget the virtual note-for-note rip-off of Bruce Springsteen's Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. And to think, this guy put out another collection of anti-holidy cheer only a few years later. Play this one on Halloween instead and scare all the kids away.



5. this cd isn't a gift its an award, kinda like the nobel peace prize. only given the people who are deemed worthy of such an honor. the diamond realy feels chirstmas like know one else can. his passion for the season is showing though with such classics as "little drumer boy". the way he sings it, he must have been there for that experence, or "you make it feel like christmas", after listening to that one i feel like chirstmas, if you know what i mean. so don't give this to friend, award it to them and then celebrate chistmas everyday the diamond way!

5 comments about The Christmas Song.

1. Nat has passed away some years ago and Natalie his daughter must be mid 30's by now and she's good.....but I like songs sung by the original writers and composers/arrangers and Nat fits the bill with great easy listening for anyone.....a man truly one of a kind and I miss him.



2. This is a classic Christmas CD that will get a lot of play for years to come. This ranks right up there with our Perry Como Christmas CD's. If you want great music to have playing Christmas morning as you open the gifts around the tree let this be the CD to play.



3. 
   
   Having this as background for my holiday parties is a real plus. It adds to the holiday atmosphere. Also, some folks sang along with it. Some songs we knew and others we'd forgotten but they all enhanced this year's holiday memories.



4. A lot has been written about the quality of the music on this classic so I won't comment but suffice to say that if you are a fan of classic Christmas music, this should be in your collection. I am a fan of high quality sound and early CD transfers were notoriously poor in sound quality. I often find it hard to purchase a new CD that I already have based on "digitally remastering" but this is such a classic and the sound quality on the original CD that I have was so poor that I decided to purchase it. I immediately noticed a difference in the sound quality and felt that it was defiantly worth the upgrade.



5. If you don't have this already, what are you waiting for? My all time Christmas favorite.

5 comments about The Rose.

1. This group is simply phenomenal, and this is the best of their amazing output. It is gorgeous, ravishing, creative, original, inventive, and a whole lot more. But it is too short. It could be twice the length and still be too short!!
   
   The music is hard to pigeonhole, but I would call it "contemporary", but strongly inspired by the spirit, rhythm, and melodies of medieval music (but one could easily switch the terms "contemporary" and medieval in the above sentence and still be equally accurate). All the songs are evocative and transporting, but Dringo Bell is the apogee of the disc.
   
   This disc is also a celebration of the glory of the feminine. Truly so in an aural sense. But a quick visit to the website of the group shows this to be as true visually. For that reason also, the Baebes are unparalled.



2. I really REALLY love this CD. I've been listening to the Amazon.com music clips for weeks and finally bought it. It is a gem. The music is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
   
   This is music (with the possible exception of DRINGO BELL) that you could let your grandma listen to and she'd think they were sacred songs.
   
   But keep grandma away from the lyrics! My goodness--these sweet and innocent sounding women are singing some very sexually graphic words but they are cleverly disguised in foreign and medievel languages. THE SOUR GROVE is all about female genitalia and the first song they sing is I AM EVE--a fact which they seem to be quite proud.



3. Soaring vocals, period (correct for the time) instruments, and more as you would expect from this group, but a wider range of music and tempos than is usual for one of their CDs. This Cd gives you a good overview of the styles and voices that Medieval Babes is capable of, but is *not* a consistant album, more like a sampler.
   Buy any one of their albums, any one at all, and you will be hooked. Any group that can manage to get me, and my husband!, singing along to a medieval tune in Latin has really got something going for it.
   This was the second album of theirs that I purchased, the first being Mistletoe and Wine. A much wider array of music, obviously, than their seasonal Cd, The Rose is not one of my favorites of their albums, but even so I recomend it!



4. I bought this for my husband for Christmas. He loves their music!



5. I heard one song "Blow Northern Wind" on XM Satellite Radio and fell in love with it. It had a bit of a familiar sounding as to that of The Celtic Women styling. I decided to make the purchase and hoped most of the CD's other songs were comparible. I didn't hear what I expected in the least, but now I have found myself a new love for this new music. The CD has all the words to the songs (both in old mediaval English circa 1300 - 1500 A.D. and it's translation to todays current speaking English) so I actually got a bit of a history lesson along with great music.

5 comments about Christmas Offerings.

1. GIFT TO FRIEND, SHE LOVED IT, I LIKE THIRD DAYS MUSIC AND SHE SAID THIS WAS A GREAT CHRISTMAS CD



2. I have a big stack of Christmas CDs and this is one of my favorites, keeping in mind that what I like in a Christmas album is rock versions of traditional favorites. That's mostly what you'll find here. All the traditional carols are very solid on this disc, and very upbeat.
   
   As is usually my opinion, the original songs are the weaker ones on the album. Christmas Like a Child is completely forgettable, but not to the point that you want to skip it and Merry Christmas goes for the sappiness jugular. It will likely either bring tears to your eyes or cause them to roll so far back in your head it hurts.
   
   The old favorites more than make up for the new tracks and I will be listening to this one all season, and for many more to come. Overall, a great CD.
   
   Amanda Hamm, author of Dear Jane Letters



3. Christmas Offerings is absolutely an amazing and personal Christmas journey with Third Day. It respresents all that is and all that is hoped for, it is definitely one of the best! Third Day is truly one of the greatest artist in music!!



4. This is one of the best Christmas albums I have ever owned. I'm a contemporary worship leader for my church, and it can be very difficult to arrange Christmas songs with a contemporary edge. Third Day does it beautifully, and without compromising the heart of the original songs. Not only did I enjoy listening to this album, but I used it as a blueprint for many of our arrangements this Christmas season. Their original songs on this album are also very good. This edges out MercyMe's "Christmas Sessions" as my favorite Christmas CD because of how true they stayed to the original versions, with a Southern rock twist of course! Get this CD, you won't be disappointed!



5. I normaly buy 1 CD of CHRISTmas music each year. This one is tied for #1 for my all time favorite CHRISTmas CD's, which is saying allot since I have about 25 other CHRISTmas cd's. Well worth the price...

5 comments about A Christmas Together.

1. This is the only Christmas Album that I will listen to during the holidays. My brother and I burned through 2 vinyls of this and I have been trying to lay my hands on the CD for years.
   
   This album has some of the most beautiful original Christmas music as well as funny and good versions of classics. Recommended to anyone who has children or who watched the Muppet Show as children.



2. I grew up listening to the "John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Together" CD and have always loved it. This year I couldn't find mine so I decided to order a new one. While I was at it I ordered a few extras for my daughter to give them to her little friends as Christmas presents. Well, they arrived quickly, the price was great, but I was somewhat disappointed when I realized this CD is missing some of the original songs-some of my favorites. I'm not sure why they aren't on this disc, it was a really short cd without them. So, the songs that are on it are great-I would give them 5 stars, but the length of the CD and the missing songs are what make me give it only 3 stars.



3. John Denver and the Muppets is one of the best christmas CDs out there. It is focused on the under 10 audience, but it definitely can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages.



4. I have had this in various forms since in my late 20's (am ever so much older now) and it still remains one of my all time favorites. I used to sing my now 27-yr. old daughter to sleep with some of the songs, and trimming our tree wouldn't be the same without it. It contains the only version of 12 Days of Christmas that I can tolerate...



5. I grew up with this album. It is the best. I am so glad that I was able to "upgrade" to the cd, my cassette tape was so warbly. John Denver had such an amazing voice. Christmas is a time to come together, and the story of the Christmas tree are my favorites along with Miss Piggy singing the Twelve days of Christmas.

5 comments about Silent Nightclub.

1. Richard Cheese never fails. If you don't own this one then buy it right now. I love this guy.



2. If you like Christmas music and dance to the beat of a different sort of drummer then this is for you!!!
   The CD is almost like having a lounge act right in your living room and the songs will get some laughs at your next Christmas Party..



3. Richard Cheese is a character played by Mark Jonathan Davis. He is a parody of a sleazy, cheesy lounge singer. Most of the humor on his albums comes from hearing cheesy lounge versions of contemporary songs, which frequently have dirty lyrics. This particular album is a Christmas album, although less than half the songs on it are actually Christmas songs. The rest of the songs, many of which have appeared on his earlier albums, aren't Christmas songs, but at least they have vaguely Christmas related words in the titles; like "Virgin", "Jesus", "Naughty" and "Trees". This is a pretty amusing album, although it is a very short one, clocking in at 25 minutes long.



4. The perfect album for every holiday party. It's a better deal here on Amazon, but if you absolutely have to have everything Cheesy, be aware that this version doesn't include a bonus track (Holidae In) sometimes found elsewhere.



5. This is a great collection of Cheese-ified songs. Some Christmas classics as well as newer music are included. The letter from Santa printed inside the CD sleeve is a real laugh!