5 comments about One Wish: The Holiday Album.

1. We have several Christmas CDs. This one is by far one of the better Christmas CDs. This is not just your normal re-hashed Christmas music. This cd is funky and has a great gospel sound. This is a must buy!



2. Whitney may have some personnal issues but her voice is still in tact! She has added a twist to every song and it works only for her. This is a wonderful Cd to have on while entertaining for the holidays or just relaxing by yourself. She captures the holiday spirit in every song thaty only she can do!



3. Firstly, I love Ms. Whit Whit. But this CD is just borders between bad & OK. None of the songs she sung were great. She completely OVER SINGS. Holding notes way to long. I don't need you to take me through the entire octave - minus the really high notes, just to belt out one word. I also don't need you to hold one note for 5 hours.
   
   It's extremely R&B/Gospel which is NOT bad but I've always believed that Whitney has a pop voice. My favorite Christmas CD's are Temptations, Yolanda Adams & Ms. Patti. But Whitney just can't do that style very well. So, all this soulful, holding notes for 15 minutes, with a raspy voice ruined some of these classics for me. You can tell her voice HAS changed and that she's a smoker, former drug addict and current alcoholic. Sounds harsh but when you listen to this CD, you'll understand. All the rave reviews must be coming from family, friends and die hard Whitney fans. If you want Classic Whitney, this ain't it.
   
   Just be prepared to want to return this CD.



4. I bought this album in spite of the lukewarm reviews. I was not disappointed, however, Whitney's voice certainly struggled a lot on the high notes. This is not classic Whitney (talentwise), "Saving All My Love for You", "The Bodyguard" soundtrack, etc...Whitney of the 80's/very early 90's or when she made everyone cry when she sang "The National Anthem" at the Superbowl...way back when. But if you love Whitney the artist then you can overlook her career setbacks and appreciate this album which I did.



5. It is great easy listening Christmas C/D, will be looking forward to the next one.

No comments about Christmas Spirit.

5 comments about Heart Presents a Lovemonger's Christmas.

1. One of the best holiday Cds I've heard in a long time, with fresh new Christmas music. Most of the songs on this Cd were written by Ann and Nancy. I highly recommend this one!!



2. This is an excellent album. Ann Wilson sings most of the leads and does her usual outstanding job. The lovemongers sing 2 leads and do an equally great job. The last Noel is a melancholy take on the first Noel, sung beautifully by a male singer of the lovemongers. Nancy Wison leads on "Christmas waits", which sounds like a Dione Warwick song. I think there are no weak cuts on this cd. Very original and there seems to be a "Renisance" theme. Oh Holy Night is done occapella style and you hardly notice that there is no musical backing because it has such a full, rich sound.William and Rose is a nostalgic piece about love coming home for Christmas as families get together for Christmas.If you like heart, especially their accoustic, mellower stuff, you'll love this cd.



3. I am always wary of rock and roll Christmas albums. They are usually hit-and-miss at best. Ann and Nancy Wilson prove that they are far above the rest with their (originally titled) "Here is Christmas" by their band, Lovemongers (not Heart). The album is filled with beautiful melodies, new ("Here is Christmas" and "The Last Noel" my favorites) and old (Ann's vocals on the adapted "Ave Maria" and "O Holy Night" are among her best--truly stunning). "The Last Noel", with lyrics, music, and vocals by Frank Cox, is one of the best new Christmas songs I've heard in the past thirty years. I can't imagine a Christmas without this CD. BUY IT! It's a wonderful gift, even for yourself. Get yourself in the right Christmas frame of mind with Lovemongers.



4. In 2001, Heart released their eighteenth album entitled, HEART PRESENTS A LOVEMONGERS' CHRISTMAS. Yep, you guessed it, a Holiday album. But there is a twist to this album. Back in 1998, Ann and Nancy, with their side band, The Lovemongers, released a Holiday album entitled, HERE IS CHRISTMAS. Well, HEART PRESENTS A LOVEMONGERS' CHRISTMAS is the re-release of The Lovemongers' Christmas album. But Ann and Nancy decided to have the album go under a Heart name as well. This is a joyful Holiday album
   
   HERE IS CHRISTMAS
   Great way to start off your Holiday album.
   
   BALULALOW
   A beautiful Holiday song, that sort of separates itself from the usual Santa Claus concept and goes into the Jesus Christ sound. This is a beautiful song displaying the real reason to why Christmas is celebrated. Not only is this a beautiful song, but it is also sung by both Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, who both take the lead vocals position on this song. Beautiful song.
   
   CHRISTMAS WAITS
   Great Holiday tune.
   
   WILLIAM AND ROSE
   Not bad.
   
   AVE MARIA
   It's on to the traditional Christmas classics.
   
   HOW BEAUTIFUL
   Great.
   
   THE LAST NOEL (Performed by Frank Cox of THE LOVEMONGERS)
   This song was actually song by Frank Cox, who is a member of THE LOVEMONGERS. A very nice Holiday song.
   
   IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME
   Great.
   
   OH HOLY NIGHT
   Another Christmas Traditional Favorite.
   
   BRING A TORCH
   Great.
   
   This is one the greatest Christmas Presents any Heart fan could receive. Make sure to put this on your Christmas list, and remember one thing: "...They're making a list, and checking it twice, Heart's gonna find out who's naught or nice. Heart is coming to town..."



5. If you love Heart then you will want their very first Christmas cd and yes it has the classic this is christmas so go out and get you an copy of Heart presents a lovemonger's christmas and sit back and enjoy.
   
   Rondall Banks

5 comments about A Christmas Together.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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...



4. 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. I originally bought this CD off one of those cardboard stands in a grocery store, but it turned out to be one of my all time favorite Christmas albums and I went back and bought several more copies to give away to friends. I continue to stock up now and then and pass them along to friends who will enjoy it. :) Who knew it was such a fun album?

5 comments about How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music.

1. From "Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb" to "Amazing Grace", this CD is packed with glorius gospel spirituals and terrific talent. Highly recommend to music lovers of all faiths!



2. My daughter gave me this CD, because, while I'm not religious, I'm a long time fan of gospel music. The first pass through the record, I found myself wandering off to other tasks. So, the second time I put it on the player I forced myself to sit completely through the record. I'm not familiar with Chanticleer, so I had no idea whey she thought I'd like it, but she's is right more often than not. This would be one of the "not" times.
   
   I guess this as an attempt to make gospel music "hip." With songs like "Jesus Hits Like An Atomic Bomb" and "What You Gon' Do When the World's On Fire?" the lyrics are like walking a American urban street being threatened by strangers. Far from being uplifting, the songs are decidedly unfriendly. The feel of the music reminded more of the howling noises I suffered as a forced member of my parent's Kansas Methodist Church than the sweet, honest sounds of real gospel music. That intangible thing I get from listening to gospel music that is heartfelt and painfully honest, even if deluded, was nowhere to be heard in "How Sweet the Sound." Instead, the music is chant-like, monotonous, and cold.
   
   I would not recommend this record to anyone outside of the Midwest. If you miss the sterile sounds of a Midwestern protestant church in full howl, this might be your cup of weak wine. If gospel music is what you're looking for, look elsewhere.



3. This is the Best Chanticleer CD yet. I have listened to it dozens of times. Money well spent. I have even given copies to several of my friends.



4. I'm not a huge fan of gospel, because I find it to be led by emotion, and musically undisciplined. Rousing, yes - but a little goes a long, long way. I've also found most gospel recordings to be sonically challenged. Almost as if microphones were incapable of capturing the music with clarity. None of this holds true for "How Sweet the Sound." This is a beautifully recorded cd, and every tune is both musically precise, and emotionally resonant. It is, however, a little hard to listen to in one sitting because of the "sameness" of the arrangements. That's a small quibble - who says any cd has to be experienced all at once - and "There is a Balm in Gilead," alone is worth the price of admission.



5. On this standard red book 16-bit CD we are offered that rare and special invitation: Come now, pilgrim - take yet another good step forward in gospel praise or supplication. How can we progress in our individual and collective spiritual journeys towards whatever transcendent glories ground us, revive us, and lead us on despite life's challenges, unless we sing?. Are you having set backs? This CD is good medicine, and it is both a worthy addition to the gospel music shelf and perhaps just the sort of musical medicine that turns out to be good for you, on more than one level of body, mind, and soul. Not a bitter root aftertaste, nor a nagging fishy oil payback in any of this welcome elixir. I guess that is why we call it, Good News.
   
   The arrangements of new and old gospel standards have been set by counter-tenor Joseph Jennings - a leading Chanticleer member of long standing - intently drawing upon both the florid improvisations of the soloists and gospel groups climbing ever so dazzlingly into the fiery chariots that sacred texts say carried off the prophet; and yes, rooted as well in the impeccably crafted close harmonies and inwardly solid strength of gospel quartets and ensembles like Fisk University's Jubilee Singers and many other exemplars.
   
   So, when you listen to this one you will be immediately surrounded by that amazing and great, gathering could of witnesses. The messages are familiar: Keep your hands on the plow. Surely God is able. There is a balm in Gilead.
   
   Like the famous vocal work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, his Serenade to Music as written for a star-crossed group of well-known British soloists of the era; so this gospel outing brings the small male ensemble Chanticleer to the fore - both as a vocal group and as a fabulous collection of solo voices who are prodigiously gifted vocal stars in their own rights. Capping off Chanticleer as an embarrassment of riches is a guest turn by San Francisco's own Bishop Yvette Flunder. She is the real deal, too, as both an ordained minister whose leadership in black churches has blazed fireworks in celebration of melding religion with social justice, and a Jen-U-Wine good news singer who can preach and pray and moan with the best of them.
   
   Only the superhumanly perfected intonation of their cappella group singing, as well as the superb blend and polish of the Chanticleer dozen, will remind a listener than this group is as famous for its Flemish medieval polyphony or its unerring Purcellian clarity, as any other ensemble of twelve voices now appearing before us.
   
   So, forget all the categories and musicology boxes which would seal off gospel music from pre-Bach cathedral masters of polyphony. With this CD we can just revel in the mysteries of good music, regardless. Yeah, Josquin, I'm talking bout you - Sit down servant, there's plenty good room.
   
   Five stars. Highly recommended.

No comments about O Holy Night.

1 comments about Coolest Kidz Bop Christmas Ever.

1. My granddaughter just loved this for Christmas. It was easy to find and easy to Order. It was delivered early.

3 comments about We All Live Together, Vol. 3.

1. Just like all of the other Greg & Steve albums, this one is outstanding. "Piggy Bank" was a favorite of my first grade class. Greg & Steve provide wonderful, fun music for children of all ages.



2. I'm a substitute teacher and I used "the shapes" song to review shapes with a kindergarten class. The kids loved standing up and sitting down when their shape was called. They asked me to do again and again.
   
   Also "the disco limbo" is good to do around the room on a rainy day. Kids had a blast!
   
   I gave it 4 stars because there aren't many other songs on this Cd that involve movement like the first two volumes.



3. This album is a Story Time staple due to Greg & Steve's version of "If You're Happy And You Know It." Other than that, this album was released in the 70s, and the duo throw out some wild disco moments which, while entertaining for me, probably leave the kids uninterested. The disco version of "Simon Says" is pretty awe-inspiring, as is "Disco Limbo" and "Dancin' Machine." "Rock 'Round The Mulberry Bush" has an irritating chorus, but I'm sure the kids would love it due to the opportunities for participation during the verses. Not the greatest kids album out there, and definitely not a priority purchase, but a good album to have if you can find it cheap. Recommended for kids with a retro leaning, if such kids even exist.

5 comments about To Drive the Cold Winter Away.

1. This is an amazing CD. It is very sparse yet beautiful and seems to capture the mood of a winter's evening perfectly. Loreena's voice and musical offerings through the years have increased in complexity and multi-cultured flavorings.....a wonderful evolution for a deep artist. But on returning to this album you get a very stripped down Loreena, lotsa tracks with just her and maybe 1 or 2 instruments while she sings very old Christmas/Solstice songs.....Strangely, this is not only my favorite Christmas/Solstice CD but also my favorite album by her in general. It just,,,,,speaks to anyone who has spent Christmas/Solstice in the quiet countryside and witnessed the true miracle of the season....the stillness and beauty of winter in the country.



2. This is not my favorite of Loreena's CDs but it is still worth a listen. The songs were somewhat alike, and nothing really stands out like some of the cuts on An Ancient Muse or Live in Paris and Toronto. If you are a Loreena fan, however, you will definitely want to add this to your collection.



3. I've had a couple of copies of this; the first one the ex took upon separation, the second went for a forgotten birthday present just in the nick of time. Anyway, this is an atmospheric cd, having the feeling of hearing music in an open hard wood environment, which is pretty much as it was recorded. It has a sharp quality to it, but I've liked that characteristic of the recording ever since hearing it, and of course tone controls can taylor it to your liking and room environment. This is a recording that(my perspective) can be enjoyed during not only the Christmas season, but during the dark, dreary cold days of winter. It has a classic quality to it that doesn't meet any conventional descriptions, with Lorenna's sharp, rich voice and the open chamber quality of the recording making it unique.



4. This one is just as good as all the others I have. Her music is so peaceful and wonderful to listen to. If you haven't bought any of her works, then do so, you will enjoy it also!



5. Every year has a Christmas; I don't think "to drive the cold winter away" will disappear in the future.

5 comments about A Holly Jolly Kids Christmas.

1. So glad I grabbed this CD now before it's sold out! It's perfect! I'd been looking for a CD that has all the classic Christmas songs to share with my kids. And I wanted the ORIGINGAL songs - none of those annoying renditions that you hear around Christmas. Turns out this CD is the real deal! I put it on today while starting to cook for Thanksgiving and my 4 year old is already learning the words to "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer"! Perahps the best part about this CD is that I don't have to listen to The Wiggles this holiday season! Merry Xmas to ME!



2. Finally a kids CD that doesnt drive me INSANE! These are actually songs i know and the versions i remember from growing up! I love this CD. I hope they make more like these.



3. It's hard to argue with most of the tracks collected here, all but one (Raul Malo's rendition of "Marshmallow World") are bona fide Christmas classics. And as new holiday albums pile up each year, you'll be surprised at how fresh some of these chestnuts can sound to your ears. Sure, you'll hear Bobby Helms "Jingle Bell Rock" and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' About the Christmas Tree" on oldies stations, Elmo & Patsy's "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" could use a rest, and this year's Alvin & The Chipmunks movie will bring back their "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)." But the Jackson 5's "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is as charming today as it was when first released in 1970, and Ella Fitzgerald makes "Jingle Bells" as hip as a Christmas song could possibly be. Mavericks lead-vocalist Raul Malo appears here in opportunistic cross-promotion of his recent Christmas album, and while his track is fine, it's not the time-tested classic of the other nine. These selections are sure to keep kids humming and won't tax the patience of adults, but at eleven tracks that run only 28 minutes, this is too short to keep a holiday party going. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]



4. My 15 month old loved this CD. It says for 2 years plus but I gave it a go. We loved it also (husband/ I). The only thing is that my baby still points to CD player and wants to hear it. So we will be listening well after Christmas now, he likes to sway back and forth to it. Get it and enjoy next year!



5. I bought this CD for my 4 year old son, who LOVES it. The songs are fun and catchy and done by the original artists. I personally don't care for songs being re-recorded in a cutesy "kid style". No complaints whatsoever about this collection. It's my son's favorite CD and he was quite upset when we had to put it away after the holidays.