5 comments about Halloween Party Music.

1. This is not the best Halloween Party music, butI guess it's ok. I just don't think that you should buy this CD, you won't get your money's worth!



2. Not only are none of these the original recordings of the songs in question, but they aren't even decent remakes! The TIME WARP is an especially poorly butchered piece.



3. Ditto to what everyone else said. The songs are all remakes, (poor ones at that) and many of the songs on this CD do not belong on a halloween track. I wouldn't buy it if you are looking for a good Halloween CD. But it's decent if you like Disco.



4. First of all, these songs are all remakes, and not very good ones at that. Second, where did anyone get the idea that "Macho Man", "Let's Go Dancin'", and "Disco Inferno" are Halloween songs? All in all, I was very disappointed in this cd. Save your money- this is not worth it.



5. I bought this a couple years ago. Half the music on this CD has nothing to do with Halloween. Whatever happend to 'Thriller', 'Werewolves of London' and other timeless classics? They are not on this CD.

5 comments about Christmas in Concert-John Denver.

1. Christmas without John Denver? Not in my house. We always have John's Christmas music playing during the Holiday Season, along with other favorite artists. Now I am building a collection for my car, so I won't have to "borrow" from the house.
   Granny Di
   Georgetown, TX



2. This is a fabulous concert. I am not a christian yet I enjoy listening to the CD tremendously.Sadly this was John's last christmas. The traditional christmas songs on this CD have John's special awsome rendition. His stories that he shares with the audiance are heartwarming. One of my very favorites on this CD is Falling Leaves(the Refugees); his introduction to this song is very sincere. A must buy for anyone who admires JD or anyone intersted in the christmas spirit. I wonder why this CD is not broadcast on the nation's radio stations during the christmas season???



3. This is the ultimate Christmas album. Even if you did not know John Denver, the songs themselves invoke this very special sseason. There is such a spirituality to the words and music, even the sweet and funny songs. But then of course, this is John Denver singing these words to that lovely music. And that is where a Christmas album which was already good becomes wonderous, soaring, and so very beautiful. John's voice is so pure, so clear, that every sound pierces your heart. You can just picture him singing on a crisp winter's day as an eagle soars over his beloved Rocky Mountains. My favorite song is Christmas for Cowboys. Well, I just love this album.



4. Such a beautiful CD and John Denver's soft voice has you listening to this CD year 'round.



5. My favorite Christmas album and one of my favorite JD albums. I have most all of them - his voice is beautiful and clear - my favorite track is 24 - Falling Leaves, but Christmas for Coyboys, and A Baby Just Like You are favorites as well. He does a terrific job with the Christmas carols. This is a perfect addition to any JD collection! John Denver at his absolute best!!

5 comments about Christmas at Home.

1. I just bought this cd this Christmas and fell in love with it. Donny doesn't get enough credit for his beautful voice. I could not stop listening to "Soldier's King". "Kid In Me" is such a fun and true song for so many of us. Kudos to Donny for this cd. He's still got it!



2. I love Donny Osmond songs and had heard this was a good CD. I was very impressed. I'm a traditionalist with Christmas songs. He had a spiced up flair but was not over the top. I usually don't like any version of "O Holy Night" if it is jazzed up, but Donny's was wonderful. This one is definitely a new favorite.



3. What a great CD. Donny's voice is beautiful and what a great selection of christmas music. Donny truly puts you in the holiday mood. Highly recommend this CD. This makes a great gift too.



4. The holiday music is very enjoyable but I purchased this CD to download to my IPOD and it will not download to iTunes and you cannot burn a CD from it.



5. I bought this CD several years ago. The first time I listened to it I was like a dog with it's head tilted to the side, because Donny puts a new twist into some old favorites. But, now I wouldn't be able to trim the christmas tree without this CD playing while I do it. Some songs are playful and upbeat (Kid in Me; I've Been Looking For Christmas; Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas) and others are hauntingly beautiful (Mary, did you Know?; A Soldier's King). If your don't get teary listening to A Soldier's King, then you don't have a heart. This is not the run of the mill make-over of oldies Christmas music. The arrangements are fresh and refreshing to listen to. I LOVE this CD and recommend it to everyone.

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 Winter's Knight.

1. If you are in a holiday mood, but are heartily fed up with Irish (or even worse: Mariah Carey!) Christmas songs, then you might want to consider this album. It is not a soundeffect album, nor is it program music. A final touch is that it is not cheaply produced, as some more traditional holiday albums.
   The music conveys a feeling of cold, dark, and immensly lonely winter. The Christmas is there, but there are undertows of older and more sinister rituals, and whispers call the more unwary listeners to join in...
   This album could be a very good way to spice up the celebrations.



2. I am very satisfied with this product and recommend it to anyone who likes instrumental and haunting melodies.



3. Winter's Knight is the fourth album released by Nox Arcana and it is sure to become a favorite album for anyone who is tired of the overly played traditional music of the Christmas season. Considering malls start playing it sometime in November, by the time Christmas actually rolls around that's pretty much everyone. But rejoice! For Nox Arcana has given us this delightful present to enjoy. Winter's Knight tells the tale of lost souls who wander the earth at this time of year seeking redemption and one spirit in particular; said to haunt ruins on the edge of the Ebonshire Forest. This spirit only appears one night each year, the night of the Winter Solstice, to warn anyone who comes near to change their ways so that they do not share his lonely fate. He speaks a tale of hope and redemption, of dreams and spirit of this wonderful season. Once again the music is spectacular. "Crystal Forest" brings to mind going outside to dance under the falling snow; "Evening Star", with it's choral vocals accompanying the piano, is a stirring track; "Past Time With Good Company" is reminiscent of old time caroling parties, when people went around spreading good cheer to their neighbors. This album is sure to delight fans of Nox Arcana and would make a great gift for anyone with a taste for unique and quality music. Nox Arcana, Bless Us Everyone!



4. This is a great Cd for those of you who are sick to death of the traditional Christmas music played in malls. Every track is fun to listen to. This album is highly recommended.



5. Before I start on this beautiful album, I have just one question.
   Why, oh why does everyone listen to the overplayed Christmas music that you hear in the shopping malls? There has to be a reason why people would like such a thing. It's sad to listen to overplayed Christmas music, when you know that there is no substance in any of the songs you hear. Why do people listen to the overplayed Christmas music at the malls, while at the same time, ignoring Nox Arcana's "Winter's Knight" album? That is a veryy sad world we live in.
   
   This album by Nox Arcana is the most beautiful Christmas album I've ever heard. When I hear this, the music shows me how the world would be when we play this wonderful album. We wouldn't have to deal with overplayed Holiday songs at the mall, and nor would we have to put up with emotionless songs that have no substance when the holidays come around. Reason why? because this music by Nox Arcana has no saccharine lyrics, and no sugary, Pop-flavored singing on it. Every song on this beautiful Cd is packed with emotion. Just sit back, relax, grab a bottle of Sparkling Cider, and listen to this wonderful album with your friends and family around the fire when the Christmas season comes. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Scrooge: The Musical (1992 Birmingham Cast).

1. This is rather a labored effort. Anthony Newley is not well-cast. The extra songs are nothing else but extra and take away from the story.



2. For all of you who carry the memories and the magic from the 1970 original musical film of Scrooge, this "production" will destroy that magic. Anthony Newly is indeed, wrongly cast, and is an absolutely horrendous, egotistical and overdone [his style] obscenity to the gorgeous songs of Leslie Bricusse and to Albert Finney's characterization of such.



3. The reason for all the negative reviews isn't necessarilly a reflection on the Birmingham cast. It's because the FILM was so wonderful and the songs were spectacular and memorable as done by THAT cast, and everyone is looking for a recording from THAT!!!
   
   Unfortunately, unless you get the DVD and hook it up to make your own bootleg recording, there isn't any soundtrack from the film available.
   
   This version isn't misleading - it clearly identifies itself as the STAGE soundtrack. But most likely, it isn't what you were looking for.
   
   Let us all know when the Albert Finney film cast version is ready! It's long overdue for release.



4. Scrooge the movie is my absolute favorite Christmas movie. Apparently, you can't get the soundtrack on CD because of some kind of legal hangup. Until they make a real version of this CD, go to http://falalalala.com/?p=129 and make your own Scrooge the movie CD! That website has everything you need in one place. If you love the movie, like me, go download it now. Then life will be fine, good, and just as it should be.



5. I bought this CD originally because my 7 yo son was cast in a local production. I figured it would help him learn the words. For that reason, the CD did its job. It's turned out to be one of his favorite Christmas CDs.
   I must admit that the Albert Finney version of Scrooge has always been my favorite, even as a child. I had to listen to it a few times to digest it. Eventually it grew on me. First off, Track 1, A Christmas Carol only played for about 1 minute and then would go to track two. That was a disappointment because as someone else said, the first song is wonderful. I liked all the songs and the added one, Good Times, that the Cratchit family sings.
   What surprised me was the quality of some of the voices. Some of the ensemble actually go flat (off key)in a few of the songs, especially in the Entr'acte (I Like Life Reprise), Bob Cratchit in Good Times, and some Cratchit Family members when they all sing with Tiny Tim in The Beautiful Morning.
   Anthony Newly does a great job on some of the songs where there's talking and singing like in I Hate Christmas and It's Not My Fault. I find I don't like when he sings the higher or sustained notes in some songs such as I'll Begin Again or A Better Life. I feel he uses too much vibrato at the end, instead of having a full and solid voice.
   Overall, I would recommend this to others.

5 comments about A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High.

1. One of the top CDs in my collection of Holiday music. Shaw delivers with an excellent program of fabulous music.



2. This has become my favorite Christmas CD. It has many less - common carols which is very refreshing to me. If you like music that is more towards the classical style, you'll love this CD.



3. I love this CD. I have enjoyed Robert Shaw chorale for 40 years. The quality is excellent and the price was great. I played it all during the holidays. I adore choir music.



4. I sang many of these songs in public high school in the late 60's. I enjoyed singing them then, and I enjoy listening to them now. (And, yes, I sing along although I've forgotten some of the lyrics and parts.) A cappella music is difficult to sing and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers do an amazing job of it.
   
   Enjoy this music at anytime of the year as many of the songs aren't seasonal (such as Alleluia). Many others are seasonal but it doesn't make any difference, so just enjoy.



5. You simply cannot go wrong with this wonderful collection from a disciplined and masterfully-led chorus. If you want to hear Christmas choral standards in all their glory, no disappointment here - beautiful men's chorus version (original) of Beibl's Ave Maria, and the treble voices also get play in the Ceremony of Carols.

5 comments about The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album.

1. This music could be played at any Dentist or Doctor's office just to take the edge off. It's not a masterpiece, but it is relaxing.



2. this was a very nice cd for quiet listening, but it did not inspire any emotional feelings.



3. I was really looking forward to this cd! I always listen to music as I sleep, it helps to drown out outside noises, but this CD was damaged! It skipped terribly and I basically threw it away. I know I should have returned it but my way of handling things of this nature, unless they are quite expensive, are to simply not use the store where I purchased it again! Therefore, I will not be using this establishment again!



4. This is a great, relaxing Christmas CD. I was looking for a Christmas CD to turn on when I put my baby to sleep. This was the PERFECT one!



5. This album is just what it says -- Ultimate Relaxtion. The sound is good, the music selections are well done and well chosen. Just turn out the lights, turn on the tree, and put this music on. You'll be relaxed as can be in no time!

5 comments about Barenaked for the Holidays.

1. I ordered the CD for one song. I did not think the rest of the Cd lived up the quality of the one song.



2. I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my 19-YO grandson at his request and he loved it!



3. This may not be the best ever Christmas album, this may not be the best ever BNL album, but if you like the band, have a sense of humor, and want a great album for the holidays, this is for you. The first season, I listened to it well into February (and, no, my tree wasn't still up.) I like that it covers Christian and Jewish celebrations, I like that it sings Happy Birthday to Jesus, I like the silly and the somber mix of songs.
   
   I love BNL, and I really like this album.



4. I got this befor previewing it. It was a letdown for me. I am a big BNL fan, I love most their stuff but this was just not that good. You can always pick it up as a novelty album.



5. Undoubtedly my favorite Holiday CD. It has some goofy tunes that are total BNL style, and it's a must-have for any fan. I love the non-traditional versions of many of the songs!

5 comments about Halloween: 20th Anniversary Edition - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

1. I have been a huge Halloween fan for a long time and every year on Halloween we dress up as Michael Myers. This cd will be what we play in the background. The scores are great and I really like how they have actual dialogue from the movie. If you dont want any dialogue, get the original soundtrack not the anniversary cd. Hope this helps!



2. I bought this Soundtrack along with the Original one because I noticed this had a bunch more tracks.
   
   Ugh, the tracks are just a few snippets of dialogue from the movie. You will probably listen to them once and never again.
   
   The sound, there is something not quite right about it. The piano doesn't sound a crisp as it does on the Original Soundtrack. I played this disc about 2x and put it away forever.



3. The inclusion of memorable dialogue from a film's soundtrack on an OST album is common, and I've no argument with it. If implemented properly, said dialogue can add a bit of color to the musical proceedings, and evoke memories of the film in question.
   
   The 20th Anniversary Edition of the "Halloween" OST takes this concept miles too far; some tracks consist of the soundtrack audio of entire scenes from the movie, in which music is sometimes only used sparingly for incidental effect. I'm as fond of Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers and "Halloween's" cheesy dialogue as the next John Carpenter fan, but this audio loses most of its' interest when divorced from the visuals. If I wanted to hear whole scenes of the film, why wouldn't I just watch it and enjoy the entire experience?
   
   That aside, the "Halloween" score never needed to be reissued in the first place. Varese Sarabande's original OST sounds great and while it lacks a few cues that can be found here, said cues only recycle motifs that are repeated exhaustively in all the major themes featured on both albums. Another reviewer mentioned that the sound quality of the original album is superior to that of this one, and I agree. While the original album was recorded from master analog tapes and this one is apparently remastered, the music doesn't possess the same clarity here; it simply isn't as crisp. Varese dropped the ball when it released a pair of substandard albums for Carpenter's "Escape From New York" and "The Fog" scores, both of which were later reissued via two excellent albums by Silva Screen. That isn't the case in this instance.
   
   If you want to hear Carpenter's "Halloween" score, go buy it, because it's still in print and costs as much as this does. If you want to watch the movie, there have been many fine editions of it released on both VHS and DVD that are cheaply available. Both will provide more enjoyment than this bland, embarrassing mess.



4. The music alone is excellent,
   exactly what one would expect
   from a score composed by John Carpenter,
   creepy atmospheric minimalism.
   
   
   My reason for the "4 star" rating is
   the recording includes too much dialogue
   and other sounds from the movie.
   Sometimes over the music!
   
   Hello producers; we soundtrack listeners
   purchase the musical score for the movie
   because we want to hear the MUSIC.
   In the case of a movie with great dialogue
   ("Casablanca", for example) that is acceptable,
   but not this film.
   
   If I want the film experience, I'll watch it.
   
   Some of it is alright, such as the children's
   voices regarding the Boogie Man and Trick or Treat.
   The one great track where the sounds of the
   terrorized woman accompanies the music is great.
   
   A very good score from John Carpenter.
   Highly Recommended.



5. Although the music is extremely simple it is amazingly creepy. From the first time I watched Halloween I knew I needed this CD. I own many different Horror movie soundtracks and thus far Halloween has the top nomination, I would highly recommend this soundtrack.