5 comments about Christmas... From the Realm of Glory.

1. I was looking forward to getting some NEW Christmas music this year and Bebo did not disappoint. A great selection of original songs and well known carols given his own rich but understated vocal treatment with a worshipful undertone that's just right.



2. This is one of this year's best Christmas albums, a worthy addition to anyone's holiday collection. Bebo's voice is in fine form and the selection of songs is perfect.



3. I love Bebo Norman's music, and my wife and I love Christmas music - so when I saw that Bebo came out with a full Christmas album, I had to get it for her. We definitely enjoyed listening through the album, there are a few songs that we liked better than others, but overall it is a great Christmas album and a pretty good Bebo album. Wouldn't mind seeing another Christmas release from him in the future. Song number 9, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is probably the best song on the album in our opinion.



4. I was looking for a Christmas album that had both the classics and also some new songs. This CD was just what I wanted. Bebo sings with an authentic voice that touches the heart. We listened to the CD more than any other this Christmas. It is wonderful.



5. FINALLY, A CHRISTMAS CD FROM BEBO NORMAN....UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED FROM OTHER ARTISTS....NOT THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC, AN AMAZING ADDITION TO MY BEBO LIBRARY.

5 comments about He is Christmas.

1. Listening to this album this morning as I add to my wish list, the vast majority of comments here echo my own. This album is fresh every time I listen to it. It stands ups. Timeless. Even the cuts I didn't like the first time grown on you. If you like Take 6, or just very smooth vocal jazz harmony, this will put a star on your musical tree every year.



2. This album is divine. It has the ability to evoke a Christmas feeling that I had years before the album even came out! 'Hark the Heral Angels Sing,' my favourite track on the album, reminds me of growing up, surrounded by family on Christmas Day with a turkey and ham in the oven... thinking "thank God for the joy this day brings."
   
   Vocally they are impeccably harmonized and the genre ranges from STUNNING classical interpretations such as 'Hark the Herald' to a dreamy, bluesy number like 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy'...to jazzy 'God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen'. Like all good Santas, there's something for everyone and yet we can still enjoy all of it. Magical!
   
   Bring the spirit of Christmas home...or back home. Get this CD and then turn the volume up. God bless!



3. I had this on cassette but felt very left out when cassette players went out of style. I bought purely because it is a great Christmas CD. My favs are....well all of them!



4. This Christmas CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.



5. This is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas album ever! I've had it for 7 years now and NEVER tire of it. The arrangements are bold and brilliantly inventive. Their harmonies are as fresh as ever, and I know this music will endure and excite throughout my honkey life. My fav is Drummer Boy. I have all their stuff, and this and So Much 2 Say are my favs. Their other Christmas CD might appeal to more mainstream listeners, whereas this feeds the ears/sensibilities of those wanting excitement - wanting the proverbial chills-up-spine thrills. The cover design appropriately reflects this.

5 comments about A Winter Garden: Five Songs For The Season.

1. This is great to have in addition to her classic "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" CD. This has slightly more "traditional" selections but they are flavored more heavily with the Loreena sound that has become so popular the world over. And for good reason. Even though this CD doesn't contain a large selection of songs, the ones that are on here are amazing. It feels like Loreena and the musicians that accompany her on this have spent years gearing up for this one release. ENJOY!!!



2. Albeit short, this album is a perfect companion piece to Loreena McKennitt's "To Drive the Cold Winter Away", a sparse, classic album of older Christmas /Solstice songs while this presents a shorter, very soothing and lush recording. Kind of like a glimpse into what a full length Christmas CD by McKennitt might sound like if she incorporated the sound she and her band have cultivated over the years. Every Christmas season we look forward to hearing these albums. There just seems to be so much commercial sounding holiday-overload tunes, obsessed with Jesus and forgetting that this time of year is based in an older tradition of the seasons changing and forgetting the wonder of a winter sky at sunset... Even Enya's few Christmas tunes last year (with the exception of the haunting "Christmas Secrets") seemed hollow. This however is a well-thought and expertly crafted EP. It is not long but the songs are quality. If you are a serious fan then you no doubt own this already but if you are interested in Loreena McKennitt or non-traditional Christmas/Solstice CDs then you can't beat this.



3. This woman can SING. This CD, rather short of course since it has only 5 songs, is a wonderful Christmas CD.
   
   Song 1, Conventry Carol, is my least favorite, but that may be because it is a depressing story which is being told about King Herod killing all the babies in Bethlehem.
   
   Song 2, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is a good arrangement of the traditional Christmas song.
   
   Song 3, Good King Wenceslas, tells the story of the good king and how he helped a peasant on a cold day. It too is nicely sung.
   
   Song 4, Snow, is my favorite. I can imagine the snow falling as she sings this song. Archibald Lampman's lyrics are as good at imaging a snowy evening as Robert Frost's are in "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." "White are the far-off plains, and white the fading forests grow" is the first line of the song and it builds from there.
   
   Song 5, Seeds of Love, is a new one for me. I'm not sure it belongs on a Christmas CD as it talks about spring and summer, but of course, the reason for Christmas is love, so I'll let it be.



4. We bought our original copy of this album at a crafts fair, years ago. It quickly became a new favorite. My folks and I look forward to listening to this album all year long. It contains well loved favorites like "Good King Wenceslas," and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Yet Loreena McKennitt also sings two other hardly known favorites like "The Coventry Carol," and "Snow." Her rendition of "Seeds of Love," brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I highly recommend that you add this to your holiday collection. You won't regret it one bit.



5. Being a relatively new McKennitt fan, I had high expectations of this mini-album, especially for God rest ye merry gentlemen (one of my alltime Christmas favorites). The album didn't disappoint, but didn't manage to really blow me away either. Perhaps it has to grow on me, or maybe I'm just spoiled rotten with "A celtic heartbeat Christmas" on the Celtic Heartbeat label.

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 A Windham Hill Christmas.

1. This is my first Windham Hill CD, but I have listened to at least one of their artists (J. Brickman) previously. Every year I shop for new Christmas CDs in November, and this one came out in October, so it's good timing.

   For the most part the songs are smooth, mellow, and very relaxing, taking a pretty traditional approach to the songs. The only exceptions are the "Sussex Carol", which is somewhat fast, and "Christmas is Coming", by Vince Guaraldi, which is quite fast.

   As one fellow reviewer noted, tracks 5 and 6 are switched from the liner track listing. When I first listened to [the supposed] "First Noel" I thought, "What kind of version is this?!" until I listened to the other track and realized the mix-up.

   If you want an easy-listening night by the fire this is a wonderful accompaniment. It should enjoy a long life in my Christmas CD collection.




2. A Windham Hill Christmas is a delightful, calming presentation of seasonal favorites -- perfect for a quiet, cozy eve before the fire. The new or veteran WH listener will find a nice collection of the labels best artists - Brickman, de Grassi, ACkerman (guitar), Winston (piano), Nightnoise (instrumental/vocal) -- as well as the lesser known who lend variety and depth to this collection. A Windham Hill Christmas is a pleasant continuation of the atmosphere created in the label's Winter Solstice and December albums and calming contrast to the pop, rock and new age, electronically synthesized tones for a more hectic pace.



3. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING SOME NEW ARRANGEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC OR EVEN THE OLD STANDARD ARRANGEMENTS, BUT THIS
   IS MAILY PIANO AND GUTIAR AND I DON'T CARE MUCH FOR THAT TYPE OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC. FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THIS TYPE OF MUSIC IT IS A GOOD CD TO HAVE.



4. This CD is "copy protected" and will not work in iTunes or on your iPod. So much for the holiday spirit .. I buy a CD and they won't even let me listen to it on my iPod!



5. 1 Sussex Carol - Brian Dunning 2:22
   2 Angels We Have Heard on High - Steve Erquiaga 4:08
   3 O Holy Night - Jim Brickman 3:34
   4 In Dulci Jubilo - Barbara Higbie 3:59
   5 Christmas Is Coming - George Winston 3:48
   6 The First Noel - W.G. Snuffy Walden 3:48
   7 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Tim Story 3:06
   8 Silent Night - Thea Suits-Silverman 3:38
   9 Christ the Apple Tree/Once in Royal David's City - Alex de Grassi 3:40
   10 Deck the Halls - Liz Story 3:02
   11 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Paul McCandless 3:50
   12 What Strangers Are These - David Cullen 3:20
   13 The Holly and the Ivy - Nightnoise 4:14
   14 Lo, How a Rose - Paul Schwartz 3:55

5 comments about Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Piano.

1. I purchased this for my wife as she loves this music. I must admit that I enjoy it too.



2. This piece is performed by some "tribute" group, not the actual TSO. I cannot believe Amazon charges $0.89 for a track from some high-school-caliber piano players!!!! Watch out for "tributes" and "karaoke" versions of songs, they are ALL OVER the Amazon song download site. In fact, even songs by the original artists are sometimes remakes or non-standard versions. It's hard to even find an actual song by an actual artist with the familiar radio cut. BEWARE!



3. It makes no sense to release this unless you're an average piano player who wants to see just how gullable the public is. Don't waste your time or money.



4. The only people who should be allowed to play Trans-Siberian Orchestra music are those in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.



5. This entire CD is beautifully arranged, performed, and mixed. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a stylish ageless mix of holiday music for your Christmas wedding, party, or event! You can't do better than this! It's oustanding!

5 comments about A Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas.

1. I love Christmas music. Even when I worked retail, and the Christmas music started playing before Halloween, I loved Christmas music. Growing up, we always knew that it was really Christmas time because Dad pulled out the Christmas albums (not pictures -- records. Yes, I'm that old). Perry Como and Elvis, year in and year out. Now I have my own musical tastes, and my own Christmas music. Jazz, contemporary, blues, even a copy of Rock Power Praise's Christmas heavy metal compilation. And somewhere on my hard drive I have Joan Jett singing "The Little Drummer Boy."
   
   This Windham Hill Christmas compilation is much more traditional. But traditional doesn't mean boring -- in fact, just the opposite. These songs are arranged so that you can play them no matter what the occasion -- a Christmas party with friends, a tree trimming party, or just a quick game of "find the mistletoe" with someone special. And next year, you won't be replacing it with something more trendy.
   
   The CD does contain a fair amount of religious music, so those who are easily offended by actual references to Christ may not be pleased. "Angels We Have Heard on High" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas hymns, and I was glad that they chose it to start the album off. There are plenty of non-sectarian songs on here as well, though -- "O Tannanbaum," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are a few representatives that I enjoyed particularly.
   
   Windham Hill fans will find some old favorites on this CD, of course. Liz Story does "O Thou Joyful Day/O Little Town of Bethlehem," Philip Aaberg contributes "Wassail Song," and George Winston and Will Ackerman also make contributions. There are some new faces as well, and I'm sure we'll be hearing more from folks like Jim Brickman and Fred Simon. In fact, Winston's "Cherry Tree Carol" was a wonderful addition, and a song that I hadn't heard very much before.
   
   The only thing that disappointed me, especially after enjoying Winston's fretwork on the final song, is that "Silent Night" wasn't performed on solo acoustic guitar. Barbara Higbie does an outstanding job on the song, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, but I absolutely love to hear "Silent Night" played on the guitar, as it was originally written and performed.
   
   On the whole, listening to this CD was a perfectly enjoyable experience, and a great way to start off my holiday season. If you don't have it, then you need it.



2. This CD is "copy protected" and will not work in iTunes or on your iPod. So much for the holiday spirit .. I buy a CD and they won't even let me listen to it on my iPod!



3. These Windham Hill Christmas CDs are amazing, the first two being my all-time favorites. But the iPod reviewer on here is incorrect (or not doing something properly) because though they may be "copy-protected" they WILL work on your iPod and iTunes. I have this cd on my iPod as we speak, so it will work fine. Enjoy!



4. Windham Hill has a more interesting group on the label than others such as Narada. This has a lovely group assembled. Great Christmas background music or meditative fare if that's what you want.



5. Takes me back to an "ole days" feeling.....it's not Christmas in my home until I play a "Windham Hill Christmas" CD...

3 comments about John Rutter: Music for Christmas.

1. This is just an outstanding collection of choral, Christian selections. The majority are composed by Rutter, who it turns out was led into this field for which he is so well known and loved when in school, he was motivated by a fellow student who was composing a Christimas carol to do the same. Thanks be to God for that motivation!

   Rutter's work simply in this humble reviewer has no other contemporary peer. He is reverent, fresh and excellent theology to boot! This collection has his best, including my favorites: "Shepherd's Pipe Carol, What Sweeter Music, The very best time of year, Angels' Carol."

   To his compositions, added is Kirkpatrick's "Away In a Manger" and of course, Gruber's "Silent Night", both skillfully arranged and performed. Bonus selections of traditional pieces such as "I Wonder as I wonder."

   The City of London Sinfonia conducted by Stephen Layton provides the orchestra background marvelously for Polyphany, the outstanding choir on this work.

   You will be delighted to add this CD to your collection, and it will rise in most collections to near the top.
   Well worth




2. Anyone who truly loves the choral and carol traditions of Christmas cannot miss Mr. Rutter's work. He is truly possessed of extraordinary talent and this fine recording puts it on proper display. The collection here houses the best of Mr. Rutter's original/edited works for the Christmas season, and one can sense the composer's affinity for the spirit of the holidays of which he has written so prolifically and well.



3. Excellent Christmas CD. I especially liked the "Angles Carol" track!
   Would recommend this CD to one and all.

3 comments about I'll Be Home For Christmas.

1. If you don't like this holiday CD you're just not festive enough! If you don't care for the singing and Ronan's interpretation of these classic Holiday songs you really shouldn't be listening to music in the first place!!! Way to go Ronan!!!



2. WOW! What a gift of music this CD is. Once again Ronan exceeds expectation. Had the absolute privilege of watching and hearing him perform this music. It won't be a CD that remains in the case except for Christmas season, I'll play this one all year long.



3. Bought this as a gift for my wife, a long time Ronan Tynan fan. She listens to it a lot.

5 comments about Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits: 1935-1954.

1. I like Christmas songs and I recommend this CD. BY the way if you like Eartha Kitt's excellent version of Santa Baby then I also recommend Madonna's version which is also very good! She did a great imitation of Eartha while adding her own style to it!



2. My kids and I loved this. They are the songs my parents and I grew up with. My kids really liked All I Want for Christmas, and Santa Baby is one I'm especially fond of.



3. This is one a series of "budget" releases covering various aspects of Christmas to be released over the years by Rhino/Wea in conjunction with Billboard, all with 10-tracks each and liner notes in the form of track-by-track comments. Sound quality is generally good to excellent. All have "Billboard" as part of the title.
   
   Some others are: Family Christmas Classics; Top Christmas Hymns; R&B Christmas Hits; Rock & Roll Christmas; Greatest Country Christmas Hits; and Greatest Christmas Hits (1955-Present). Some of the foregoing are also offered in 4-pack and 5-pack editions. In essence, these are the one you have to have if you want to recapture the delightful seasonal sounds of your childhood (assuming you're old enough to recall the periods covered).
   
   This one gives you the original Silent Night by Bing Crosby way back in 1935 with The Guardsmen Quartette and the Victor Young Orchestra. It charted at # 7 and began a long association between Bing and Christmas music including, of course, the immortal White Christmas. a # 1 for ELEVEN weeks the first year it charted (1942), and a perennial hit thereafter.
   
   Three more 1940's classics are Vaughn Monroe's Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! which, with The Norton Sisters on backing vocals, went to # 1 in 1945 and stayed there for five weeks (many years later it would be revived through use in one of the Die Hard films starring Bruce Willis), Nat "King" Cole's The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), a # 3 in 1946 and a repeat hit for years and years, and Christmas Island by The Andrews Sisters & Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, # 7 in 1946 and a hit again the next two years.
   
   Gene Autry kicks in with Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane) which he wrote and took to # 9 in 1947 and saw it repeat many times after over the years, as did his Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, billed to Gene Autry & The Pinafores, a # 1 for EIGHT weeks in 1949 and a hit again over and over. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a repeat from the Country edition, while Spike Jones & His City Slickers bring you All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) which, with George Rock doing the vocal, was also a # 1 (for 3 weeks) in 1948, and would be an annual entry for several years. And you won't want to miss the sultry Eartha Kitt cooing to Santa Baby, a # 4 in 1953 with Henri Rene's orchestra.
   
   Loads and loads of fun and memories.



4. I love this CD. My 8 year old loves the classics listens to this CD often. Would highly recommend everyone having a copy.



5. my early childhood and 'tween' years came dashing back right through the snow. I wasn't expecting that 'rush'. Childhood friends I'd almost forgotten,my first girlfriend, all togather again on the streets of my old neighhood.Lower eastside,NYC.