5 comments about Making Spirits Bright.

1. This compendium from Martin's Capitol and Reprise years provides Christmas cheer aplenty. Dean does Elvis proud with his version of I'll Be Home For Christmas, gives Bing plenty of competition on White Christmas and scores on Blue Christmas as well. There are no misses on this cd.

   Dean was given choice material on both his Capitol and Reprise Christmas albums so this cd is not burdened with some of the insipid junk that Dean was forced to perform during his recording career (especially at Capitol).

   Two of Deans least known but best numbers are a treat to hear again. Winter Romance and Christmas Blues. The former will have you imagining yourself sipping eggnog around a roaring fire with that special "someone", while the latter captures the forlorn feeling of a breakup during the holiday season.

   Turn on this cd, start the fire and trim the tree!




2. Lovely collection of Christmas music. I especially enjoy the songs we don't hear over and over on typical Christmas albums, such as "Marshmellow World" and "Winter Romance." In my ever-growing collection of holiday music, this is one that gets played over and over again. Pity Christmas comes only once a year.



3. Dean may be gone, but he's still the coolest thing around. This is the music of Christmas. Of my 50 or so Christmas albums, this is the one I played over and over and over. Buy it...Dean won't let you down.



4. As a longtime Dean Martin fan, I have had this CD and Seasons' Greetings for a few years and everytime I listen to Making Spirits Bright I get chills. That man could sing with such an ease and charm you do not get today. His witty way of having fun with a tune as in Jingle Bells, his voice in I'll be Home For Christmas and Blue Christmas make me want to cry for Christmases past that were missed. His Rendition of White Christmas is right next Bing Crosby and his Silent Night can make you picture yourself in an old beautiful church decorated for the season listening. It was 10 years ago this Christmas Dean Martin left this earth, but he left us a totally lastly legacy.



5. If there is one word that describes Dean Martin's singing style, it would be "smooth." This wonderful album contains fifteen Christmas songs, all given that great Dean Martin sound. Most of the tunes are upbeat, such as Let It Snow, Jingle Bells, and A Marshmallow World, but there are some more mellow ones, like Blue Christmas, I'll Be Home For Christmas and The Christmas Blues.
   
   (The fifteenth track on my CD is Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! But, it is a different version than track one.)
   
   Overall, I think that this is great Christmas album, one that sounds excellent when the lights are turned off and the Christmas tree provides all of the light. If you want a great Christmas CD, then this is the one to get. I give it my highest recommendations!

5 comments about Maybe This Christmas.

1. This is by far the most hideous compilation of Christmas songs I have ever heard. Besides tracks 9 and 15, the rest are pathetic at best.
   
   My Dad came how saying nothing but good things about the Barenaked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Marry Gentlemen, I decided to think about getting it for him as a Christmas gift, but after listening to Vanessa Carlton butcher Green Sleeves, my favorite Christmas song, and Jack Johnson sing the worst version of Rudolph the Red nose reindeer, I decided this would be the worst Christmas gift ever. I then proceeded to listen to Phantom Planets attempt at a rock version of Winter Wonderland which was just as bad as the other songs.
   
   In short I found very few, if any, good songs on this CD, and would not buy it even if they payed me to take it.



2. Yet another Christmas compilation, but this one stnds out thanks to the unique choice of songs and performers. Most of the songs on this album are traditional for the holiday season: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" performed by Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sung by Jack Johnson with his trademark beach sound, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Coldplay, and many others. But it also throws in a few new songs: "What A Year for a New Year" by Dan Wilson, "Snow" by Celtic songstress Loreena McKennitt, "121/23/95" by Jimmy Eat World," and "Bizarre Christmas Incident" -- which is a bizarre little story -- by Ben Folds, among others. This is a great addition to the holiday music catalog, bringing a fresh update to older songs and introducing quite a few new ones.



3. I really like most of this christmas album. The Barenaked Ladies take on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is already a classic. Likewise Jack Johnson's Rudolph, which is my favorite version of that song by far.
   
   The two gripes, GreenSleeves is not a christmas song. It's a traditional english song about rejected love, rumored to have been written by Henry VIII about Anne Boleyn. Nothing christmas-y about it. The song What Child is This, which is sung to the same tune, is indeed a christmas song. But that's not the song that's included here. I think the compiler confused the two, and assumed that, if it sounded like What Child is This, it must be a christmas tune. Nevertheless, I don't skip that song when it comes on. The one I do skip is Ben Folds' jarring Bizarre Christmas Incident. This is a relatively mellow, melodic cd, with a positive vibe. That song is both jarring and decidedly negative. It doesn't work here (though it may well work in other compilations) and I always skip over it.



4. This compilation album features Christmas songs by alt-rock performers. The songs are more mellow than you might expect. This is kinder, gentler alt-rock. Around half the songs are originals, with the other half being familar Christmas favorites. All the originals are at least decent, with my favorites being Ron Sexsmith's charming "Maybe This Christmas", Ben Folds' humorous "Bizarre Christmas Incident" and Dan Wilson's New Year's song "What a Year For a New Year". The traditional Christmas songs are all well performed, with Sense Field's cover of John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" being particularly excellent. This is a solid Christmas album, with some of the proceeds going to Toys For Tots.



5. i was excited to listen to this album from the moment i read the track listing and artists. i must say that some of the songs take time to grow on you (and some never will). but all in all - it was a fantastic album. "God rest ye merry gentleman" by the barenaked ladies and sarah mclachlan was beyond perfect. the voices and styles blended wonderfully. coldplay's rendition of "have yourself a merry little christmas" was chilling and beautiful. phantom planet added thier touch of playful seriousness to "winter wonderland." it was a great listen. jack johnson, sense field, and ben folds also brought their full-on style to the mix. and the last track worth mention was "blue christmas" by bright eyes. this song was a glorifed version of the one you hear in a diner around the holiday season. it was dark but still kept that countryesque charm.
   
   i would recommend this album to anyone trying to mix it up with regards to holiday music. enjoy (i know i did).

5 comments about My Holiday.

1. I GET MOST CHRISTMAS CD'S EVERY HOLIDAY...GOT JOSH GROBINS AND WYNONNA'S AND A COUPLE MORE...WELL THE BEST ONE WAS MINDY'S ..GREAT ALL THE WAY THRU..BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND ARRANGMENTS..BASIC AND TO THE POINT...LOVED IT..



2. Outstanding!!! Vocals are pure and moving. It is a lovely collection of favorites but not trite -at all... Great with the volume up or for dinner background music. I have everything Mindy has ever done and this is an added treasure.



3. I bought a batch of good Christmas albums at the end of 2007, and this one really stood out among them. Most artists fall back on covering the holiday chestnuts (and Ms. Smith does record Mel Torme's "Christmas Song"), but Mindy Smith breaks the mold by having more original songs than covers on "My Holiday." Ms. Smith does indeed make it "her holiday" w/such fare as the adorable and sweet "Santa Will Find You," the fervent "Follow the Shepherd Dog," and the stirring "Come Around," among others. As one native of Long Island to another, I salute you, Mindy Smith!



4. Mindy Smith has a beautiful voice. This CD is definately worth adding to your Christmas music collection!



5. 
   I actually heard this CD while visiting my grandchildren over Chrustmas. My 10 year old granddaughter was lisening to it. I loved her songs. They weren't the typical and familiar Christmas songs.
   Mindy smith has a beautiful smooth tone to her voice. I liked her so much I purchased another non-holiday CD.

5 comments about The Christmas Album.

1. Not only is this my favorite CD, but it is one of my most treasured belongings! I LOVE this music collection, which greatly warms my heart at this favorite time of year.



2. I bought this cd the year is came out after seeing the Christmas special on t.v. It has been my favorite Christmas cd ever since. This is the cd that gets me in the holiday spirit. I have a copy in my house, my car and at work. I play it all the time during the season. It's really enjoyable to play while wrapping my Christmas gifts. A true treasure. Thank you Mr Foster was this wonderful Christmas cd.



3. This is by far my favorite Christmas CD - it makes me want to get up and dance to the Carol of the Bells! Its my happy go to song - thank you!!!



4. I saw this special on tv and thourogly enjoyed it, but it was Michael's performance that was the sole reason I watched this in the first place! Michael's "O Holy Night" made me forget about the rest of the special. Michael's song with the perfect symphony orchestra was a concert in itself alone!!!
   
   I did have this Christmas Album on audio cassete back in [...]shortly after the concert. I bought it just for Michael's "Oh Holy Night"!! I lost the tape somewhere, and on a whim, looked it up on Amazon!! Although I do not plan on purchasing the album on the CD as shown, it is reccomended for anyone who saw the special on tv, and would like the songs from it to hear.
   
   This tape/ CD is actualy the special but without usage of a TV to watch!You hear everything on this tape that you saw on the special! A good variety of singers. Except for Michael. He is not good--he is extremely gorgeous!!!
   
   If you loved Michael's performance on this as I obsessively do, you can also buy it on Michael Christmas CD which needless to say I ordered when it was first released!!!! I don't need this Christmas album if I have his Christams CD!!!!
   
   I enjoyed the piano piece of Carol Of The Bells too!!
   
   If you wanted to see the special, but missed it, this CD is the next best thing. You will get to hear everything you missed when it aired.
   
   And if you buy it just for Michael's vocals as I did on audio tape back then, then be prepared to cry when he hits those "NOEL'S"!!!! Actualy be prepared to cry throughout the whole song!!!!
   
   Enjoy!



5. The rest of the album is good, but David Foster's version of Carol of the Bells is the best.

5 comments about Boogie Woogie Christmas.

1. Pleasant and fun Christmas CD. A good holiday listen for fans of big band/swing/boogie woogie, etc. Good companion piece to the superior WE THREE KINGS by Reverend Horton Heat. YEA!



2. This was the Brian Setzer Orchestra's first Christmas album. The orchestra features guitar(Brian), bass, drums and 13 horns. They play swing music with a touch of rockabilly mixed in. On this album, they play older Christmas songs, plus Brian's nice original "So They Say It's Christmas". This songs are played in a fun, swinging style. This is a highly enjoyable Christmas album.



3. While I agree with a previous reviewer that Brian Setzer's voice has not been well-preserved, this album is just irresistible. He even takes a turn with his own version of the Nutcracker melodies, and is for the most part, successful. Worth every penny if you like upbeat Christmas music.



4. I got this CD for my 11 year old son. He plays the clarinet and he has become a big fan of swing. He loves the new twists on old Christmas classics.



5. This CD is fun and festive! I have a lot of Christmas music and this CD is one you can put in and listen to from start to finish. I even like the instrumental songs! Great for family parties, the car while you are Christmas shopping, cleaning the house before your Christmas party, and even one a younger crowd would like to listen to. Money well spent for the season. Would also make a good gift!

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 Celtic Christmas: A Windham Hill Sampler.

1. Nice variety of Celtic songs for the Holidays and all the days after! Perfect for playing in the background during dinner and a bit louder during clean-up!



2. A very nice, relaxing cd and one that can be played all year long.



3. The good thing about any of the Celtic Christmas CDs is that they don't feature any traditional, commercialized Christmas Carols. Therefore, you can play them as soon as Fall comes around and continue until the last snow melts.



4. An excellent collection of Celtic music from many contemporary Celtic artists. There's not a bad track on the CD. If you're looking for "christmas-y" music in the vein of Mannheim Steamroller, look elsewhere. This is the real stuff, from solemn, to joyous, to reflective. I can't recommend it enough.



5. I bought this cd thinking it would be nice to listen to for Christmas and it is nice but not what I thought it would be.

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 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 Marie Osmond's Merry Christmas.

1. This was a very inexpensive DVD to add to my collection. It was funny "admiring" the "big" clothes and "big" hair of that time! Just to think...man, we had nerve to believe we looked great! haha! Kirk and Candice Cameron were silly too - ok; that moonwalk leaves nothing to be desired! haha But they were two very popular actors during that time. And I never did see this when it hit the airwaves back then. I gave it 3 stars because it didn't hold my attention in one sitting. But it is a good holiday video to have if you're a Marie fan or Cameron fan. Though the Cameron's aren't on very long.



2. This is fun and clean entertainment. I have purchased lots of Donny and Marie DVDs.



3. This was a great addition to my DVD collection. My wife and I grew up with the Osmond Kids and we really like Marie so this was a perfect and great addition to our DVD collection.



4. "Marie Osmond's Merry Christmas" was Marie Osmond's first prime-time special since her short-lived 1980 variety series, "Marie" (without Donny). This special was made in 1989 that featured 'then' teen idol Kirk Cameron of "Growing Pains" and country music guest Lee Greenwood (who later becomes well-known for his patriotic song "God Bless the USA").
   It's a nice heartwarming special reminicent of the good-old "Donny and Marie" shows and specials of the 1970's. If you're looking for some good hard-to-find holiday specials, I would recommend this one that's good for families of various generations to watch.



5. Marie Osmond's Merry Christmas This was an ok DVD. Very scenic and cute. While watching this christmas special i felt like something was missing then it dawned on me, no donny no osmond brothers. It just didnt feel like christmas without the whole family. Something i found to be very distracting for me was the constant costume changes. Everytime the angle of the camera changed, marie was wearing a different outfit. It felt more like a stage production than a downhome christmas special. In one scene, Lee Greenwood made an appearance, sang a song then went and sat down in the audience. 5 minutes later he jumps back on stage to perform another song and he was wearing a new outfit. what he do undress and change in the audience? Marie's son Steven, then 5 yrs old was very cute and sang a cute little christmas song. The Utah scenery was very beautiful. All in all, I became bored half way through the show. Marie, however, was as beautiful as ever and although Im now 49 years old, that same envy i had of her beauty back as a kid, came rushing forward as I watched her on this show. Some people have all the breaks lol. Although i became bored with this special, I think Marie fans will still want this DVD for their collection