No comments about Christmas Dreams.

No comments about 15 Christmas Music Box Favorites.

5 comments about Kids Sing Christmas Best.

1. I have just heard this CD for the very first time. I am touched and impressed by the very professional job done by these kids. In particular, I enjoyed Travis Clayton's renditions of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Winter Wonderland." Take a listen; I am sure you will enjoy it!



2. This CD is one of the worst I've heard. It sounds like a bad Al Albert's Showcase. A few of the songs are ok, but overall it was not money well-spent. "Winter Wonderland" is by far the worst. The male singer (who sounds more manly than boyish) talks his way through it. My 2 year old daughter and I can't even get through the song. My advice would be to look elsewhere for Christmas music.!



3. I am a music teacher and I just bought this CD for my students to sing along with in class. I can't even bear to listen to the vocals and will not be sharing this one with my classes. I have many other CDs where the chidren singing are in tune, which I cannot say about this one.



4. This is a briliant Christmas CD. Sung by kids it appeals to children. The non professional singing is especially charming. Your kids will love it!



5. I have never written a review of any product before but I just felt it would be criminal not to warn you. Do not buy this CD!!! I should have known to listen to the teacher's review. She is right. These kids can't carry a tune and the arrangements are horrible. My grandkids and I sound better. Here We Come A-Caroling is the only song that I can listen to even part of the way through. As for the rest, the 15 to 20 second preview that you can listen to before you buy is all you will ever want to hear. Save your money!!!

1 comments about The Wayfaring Stranger.

1. "The Golden Years of The Wayfaring Stanger", transfers and production by Geoff Milne (4CD box, 2005 Jasmine Records).
   
   All of these original Decca recordings (made from 1945 to 1953) have been transferred from vinyl yet sound quite clean (despite the odd blip or thud)and have a consistent sonic quality, regardless of whether they were live (on CD4 - the 1953 Coronation Concert in London), on radio (on CD2 - guesting on the Bing Crosby show) or from various studio sessions (on all 4 CDs). Part of the reason for the sonic consistency may be in that there has clearly been a decision made in the noise reduction process to also filter out any frequency above about 7kHz on all the tracks - however the remaining audio is very comfortable to listen to.
   
   I've recently done a couple of my own Burl Ives transfers to CD, including carefully removing each audible pop or click from an excellent condition vinyl LP of "The Wild Side Of Life" - all those tracks also appear on this CD set. I can hear a big difference between my CD and Geoff Milne's. I know that the studio recordings were bona fide HiFi mono, with truly amazing subtleties in musicianship and vocal harmony. The only way to appreciate all that intricate detail is to accept also hearing some surface noise. However I'd still have to say that these productions by Geoff Milne are appealing, even though they have less dynamic range.
   
   I like that all the tracks are arranged in chronological order of performance (rather than of release) and that we are given the actual dates and some other details. Geoff Milne's accompanying booklet includes an informed biography and is a good read.
   
   Anyone who grew up with the albums "The Wild Side Of Life" and "Women - Folk Songs About The Fair Sex" will be happy to know that all those original tracks are here in very good quality.
   
   There are also five versions of "The Blue Tail Fly", but not a dud song in sight. Highly recommended for any Burl Ives fan.

No comments about The Plays the Music of the Rolling Stones.

3 comments about Music Box V. 2.

1. To say this series of music is "CAPTIVATING" is a total understatement. We have enjoyed these immensely for 2 years now and are hoping they will continue to release more composers. These well-told stories will hold the interest of everyone at any age while introducing them to these brilliant composers. My son is a 12 year old AAA travel hockey player and listens to these CD's while going to sleep, every night, without fail! Last week he asked if he could go online to find music and I thought he was looking for something along the line of latest hits. What a surprise to find him looking for more of the Music Box Series. These collections are as valuable to classical music as Harry Potter has become to children's reading! The story of Beethoven is especially poignant, when you realize what he accomplished with his gift in spite of his many challenges. I won't give away the plots of these wonderful stories told in this series, however I will say they will be listened to over and over again! And just like Harry Potter, you can't wait for the next one!



2. My two children, ages 7 and 5 received the Classical Kids Music Box, volumes 1 & 2 for Christmas this year and they can't seem to get enough of it! Each box contains 3 CD's, each on a different composer. Some are narrated by children and tell a story of the particular composer. Their popular compositions play in the background - this way the listener hears a partial biography of the composer as well as some music. Volume 1 contains stories of Handel, Beethoven and Vivaldi, and Volume 2 contains stories of Mozart, Bach and Tchaikovsky. I highly recommend this for all children who listed to music CD's, whether they're musically inclined or not.



3. The stories on CD are well written and very entertaining. I listened through all 3 CDs in one sitting when I got them! What's more, its sound quality is very good. I have other classical music CDs for kids and almost always I'm disappointed with the sound quality. (Violines sound like they have flu!)

   This is a great buy for kids of all ages!!!

No comments about Hymns from Hereford.

5 comments about When It Snows.

1. What a relief to add a new CD to my Blenders collection! I have enjoyed these guys since the beginning back in Fargo, North Dakota. Their music seems to get better and better! I especially enjoyed the peppy re-mix versions of some old Christmas classics. This CD will make a nice addition to anyone's holiday collection, whether they are a Blenders fan or not.



2. When It Snows is a MUST HAVE for your collection! Filled with The Blenders incredible arrangements and harmonies, this CD will make you laugh, cry, and sigh with utter contentment. If you love NOG you will love this CD as well, it is every bit as good and (if my kids' reactions are any indication)even more fun. If you don't own NOG yet, you are totally missing out, you need to buy both of them right away! As an avid collector of Christmas music (a cappella and otherwise) I can assure you, it just doesn't get any better than this!!!



3. I have to admit that I'm NOT a big fan of Christmas albums. But, these guys give it an extra upbeat kick. And their voices do, uh, blend (sorry, had to say it) so well. Had me tapping my feet and singing along the first time I heard it. Very proud of these guys who grew up where I did.



4. If you enjoy listening to ridiculously tight harmonies, and a splash of hip hop every once in awhile, you'll love this CD. A few carols are sung quite traditionally, others are punched up nicely, many are a cappella, many have a pleasant musical accompaniment.

   It will make a nice addition to your Christmas music collection!




5. The Blenders have hit all the right notes. Every time I have played the CD "When It Snows" my friends have wanted to go out and buy the CD for themselves, AND they want to buy a CD for all of thier friends.

5 comments about Andrea McArdle's Family Christmas.

1. I bought this CD the minute I found out about it's existence. Once again, Andrea McArdle has a winner. This time she shares the stage with her daughter Alexis, her brother Michael, and a wonderful childrens chorus. My kids and I have been listening to this CD non-stop for the past two months -- and Christmas is long gone. The selection of songs is fabulous, the arrangements are great, and anything Andrea sings is pure heaven.



2. Andrea McArdle's Family Christmas is a wonderful Christmas CD. The most obvious reason to by this CD is that you are treated to the clear, powerful, beautiful voice of Andrea McArdle. Ms. McArdle's voice is absolutely mesmerizing from the high energy opening "We Need a Little Christmas" to her absolutely gorgeous rendition of "The Christmas Song." Ms. McArdle has the ability to fill a song with an array of emotion. She has complete control of her voice with the skill to go from a breathtaking whisper to an unbelievably strong belt. Ms. McArdle is truly one of the most gifted artists of our time. Not only is Ms. McArdle extremely talented, she is part of a very talented family as well. The music on this CD is beautifully and creatively arranged by Ms. McArdle's husband Edd Kalehoff. Ms. McArdle's daughter Alexis Kalehoff has a beautiful, natural voice that is sure to become even more enchanting as she matures. Michael McArdle, Andrea's younger brother, is very, very good. Michael has several high energy Christmas songs that show off his impressive tenor voice. I would not be a bit surprised if we hear more about Michael in the years to come. I strongly recommend buying this CD. I have owned the CD since December 1999 and I still find myself popping it into my CD player in April! If anyone needs one more reason to look forward to Christmas, well here it is, Andrea McArdle's Family Christmas. This CD will bring you and your family pleasure for years to come and will be an excellent addition to any Christmas CD collection.



3. Andrea McAredle's Family Christmas is a fabulous Cd and a must have for any holiday collection! Her voice is amazing and I belive that she has more talent than most artists out there. Andrea and her family need more recognition than they recieve because they truly have the power to leave you awe-struck and inspired! This Cd will definitly have you rokin around the christmas tree!



4. ...is that Michael, Andrea's brother, is a bit fey. Since there are already two stunning women's voices featured, did we really need what seems like a third? There are some lyrics where clearly it's clearly a man singing, yet it sounds like Andrea's daughter. All I'm saying is Michael could use some testosterone injections.
   
   And it would have been nice had there been one Hanuchakah song added. (My personal choice would be "L'chaim!" from Fiddler on the Roof)



5. I could go on all day about this album, but i don't have the time.It's the ultimate x-mas and holiday album!!!
   and with the fantastic voice of A Mc A how can you go wrong !!
   Henrik

3 comments about Christmas with Roger Wagner: To Catch a Christmas Star.

1. Awesome! The arrangements are fresh and solid and the choral work is breathtaking. I recommend this CD to all my friends. "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," with Steve Amerson, tenor, just about brings tears to your eyes. The rowdy "Wassail song" is superb and "E'en so, Lord Jesus Quickly Come" will melt your heart. This is a must have CD!



2. This group and its conductor definitely deserve their fine reputation. The selections are done beautifully with energy and precision. "No Longer A Baby" has become my favorite "carol" putting the celebration of Christ's birth into its proper perspective. And this version of "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" is right on!



3. This CD is marvelous. REALLY good music, not the same old thing.The singing is right on and of course Roger Wagner's selections are perfect. We need a 2nd one of these from his daughter Jeannine Wagner.