5 comments about Peace.

1. Jim Brickman's second holiday CD, not just an incredible work worthy of a Grammy nomination, will also carry with it his patriotic efforts, as fans remember his farewell shows for the USO and CD distribution to the departing troops. Kristy Starling, who sings "Sending You a Little Christmas" and Jeff Timmons (of 98 Degrees) joined Jim for several farewell shows for deploying troops during the holidays. The USO named that song as its theme, CDs were distributed to the troops, and many soldiers and their families seemed pleased with the sendoff.

   Jim's beautiful renditions of traditional favorites like "We Three Kings", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "Away In a Manger", "O Holy Night", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Rejoice" lend such beauty to the season. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with Tracy Scott Silverman's electric violin and Anne Cochrane's lovely voice ... if you've ever seen them perform this live in concert, well, it's a very special treat."

   The title track, "Peace ... Where the Heart Is" is superbly performed by Colin Raye, who vocalized on "The Gift" with Susan Ashton on Jim's previous holiday CD. The Blind Boys of Alabama do a nice job of "Let It Snow"

   Having seen Jim's live performances (and some are available on DVD: My Romance, and Love Songs and Lullabies), the CD is a wonderful way to close your eyes and re-live that show.

   "Early Snowfall" was a favorite of mine ... original and accoustically descriptive, as Jim's native Ohio background sparks his creativity. "Blessings" was exactly my feeling about this collection ... each song was a blessing to enjoy from "America's Newest Romantic Piano Sensation"




2. This is an all-time great Christmas album! It is almost perfect. The best song is "Rejoice" - probably the most ethereal, beautiful 4 minutes of music you can find! Jim Brickman has a real knack for making classic songs sound new and fresh but without going over the top. Perfection!!



3. Wonderful music. Simple joy just listening to it. This man knows how to play piano. Loved it.



4. Decided to "surf" for CD that I wanted to purchase. Went to Amazon for the first time since I was told by friends that it was an easy site to use. WOW! Were they ever right!!! Finding what I wanted & purchasing it were easy & quite refreshing after having stood in many a line at Xmas for other purchases. I will certainly be using your site in the future!



5. These are not really the traditional arrangements you may be expecting. I have really enjoyed this album over the last couple of Christmas seasons. It is a great CD to have playing in the background while you are entertaining guests or enjoying other holiday activities. It's a great stand alone album for when you want to get lost in the music but also works well for ambiance when you don't want the music to be the main point of focus. This has some old favorites, some new spins on old favorites and some new surprises.

4 comments about Scary Music.

1. All I can say is wow- kitschy and delightful in a way. Though the "Thriller" is disturbing. But how can you deny the "Killer Tomatoes"? I mean, how can you??



2. The title of the CD is "Scary" but don't be fooled. The only thing frightening is that someone might be suckered by the reputation of the conductor and some fond childhood memories into spending good money for this crud.
   
   While there are a couple of admirable tributes to classic horror theme songs, the cheesy vocals on Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Beware of the Blob and Thriller relegate this disc to the trash bin.
   
   Instead of this, I'd recommend Nosferatu (James Bernard), Chiller (Cincinnati Pops), Fantastic Journey (Cincinnati Pops, also - more SciFi than horror, though) and Classics From the Crypt (RCA Victor). All available here.



3. I though I owned all the Halloween music to be found. But this one has some new ones and old ones done differently. I highly recommend it.



4. So dissappointed in every single track. I was looking forward to 'better than TV' sound quality. Yes, that is about all you get. The arrangements are overblown and goofy, like a stereo cartoon soundtrack. If they had stayed with the orignal arrangements of all the themes this might have been a decent disc. Do not buy this expecting to play it on Halloween.

1 comments about Halloween A Go-Go.

1. I just picked up this cd this evening after I heard it playing in Fye. Had to buy it! This is a cool cd that is just filled with fun, quarky songs. The cd is Halloween themed but this is a disc that can be listened to at any time because the songs are solid and are very good. And the flow is perfect. The songs just flow smoothly from one to the next. This is a very nicely put together cd. I like it and I think you guys will too.

5 comments about Boney's Funky Christmas.

1. It's one of those cd's that makes you bounce and makes the holiday season more enjoyable. Boney James is good... period!



2. This is absolutly the very best X-MAS music I have enjoyed since the Drifters " WHITE CHRISTMAS ". I played this CD far into the New Year, an will continue to listen to it far into next year.



3. This is great! But I love Boney James and thought it would be fun to have a Christmas album by Boney, especially when the radio stations started playing several songs from it during the holidays. My absolute favorite is "Sleigh Ride". I just love his interpretation of one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. He's just so cool and very smooth in his music, and it shows - not only in this Christmas CD, but in all of his work.



4. One word describes this CD (other than the subject line)...FANTASTIC!! From start to finish, Boney blends upbeat and smooth jazz sounds to your favorite Christmas songs. My favorites are "The Christmas Song", "This Christmas", and "What Are You Doing New Years Eve". ...And guys, if you turn down the lights and punch up song #3, it's all over ;-) My only complaint is that Boney didn't put enough songs on the CD. Pick it up. You'll be glad you did!



5. This is, by far, my most favorite Christmas CD. I was hooked the first time I heard it. My friends all have this CD because they have borrowed mine and not returned it. Boney's Funky Christmas is a smooth jazz classic!

No comments about We Call It Christmas.

5 comments about Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas.

1. I can't think of any woman in country music -- even pop music -- whose voice can compare to the lyrical quality and emotional depth of Patty Loveless. Combine that with holiday music and you have nothing short of high art. This work, like all her others, showcases not only the flawless voice, but the import of each individual composition as well. When I consider what today has to offer with respect both to music and to artists, I take safe haven in the voice of Patty Loveless and her ilk.



2. ...with all of the glowing reviews posted here. This is one great, great album, and now dirt cheap too. If you like country music at all, buy it!



3. Awesome CD! Great mix of traditional Christmas songs plus addition of several new ones. Great use of vocals, instruments and guest artists.



4. Being from Eastern Kentucky and now living in Houston, this album literally took us "back home".
   Patty's return to her roots in Bluegrass are evident in this album as was the case in her excellent "Mountain Soul" album released a couple years ago.
   This album has already become one of our all time favorites in a fairly vast assortment of Christmas albums. It is fabulous!



5. Ran across this CD on the website, listened and fell in love with it. My husband is more into bluegrass than I am but this CD is great for everyone. This rendition of Carol of the Bells is one of the best cuts on the CD. Her version of "Little Drummer Boy" is great as it's not the usual hum-drum sound. Also, Christmas Day At My House, really puts you in the spirit. Great CD.

1 comments about NOW Essential Christmas.

1. This CD suxs and you would be better off to buy the now christmas 1,2,3 because not only are they 2CD sets they got better music on it. this is a waste they should of release now christmas 4 . Oh well someone will want this. this suxs sorry

5 comments about A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 4.

1. The Windham Hill series (Winter Solstice) fhas been outstanding, featuring a sampling of their artists. You get a wide range of performers (Nightnoise, Turtle Island String Quartet, etc.) that you might not run into otherwise. The result is a superior collection for the holiday season, but not so overtly Christmas that you can't play it at other times.
   I particularly like Øystein Sevåg's contribution. I can't rave enough about the beauty of these pieces. It's wonderful to play while entertaining, or to get you in the Christmas-card-writing mood, or just sit and soak it up while gazing at your twinkling tree lights.



2. Continuing in the beautiful series of Winter's Solstice music, this CD contains traditional and non-traditional Christmas music. However, it should be played year around for its soothing and beautiful sounds.



3. Windham Hill artists have a long tradition of coming up with very relaxing, chill renditions of holiday favorites as well as their own original seasonal music. All the music on this album brings to mind the most peaceful images of the winter season - a warming fire away from the bleak chill of winter; a snowy winter wonderland; simply being with the people you love most. This album is perfect for a quite evening away from anything and everything.



4. This is superb music, and that it is supposed to be "Christmas" music is almost beside the point. Yeah, it wouldn't be Christmas without it, but for me this disc can be a salve against the hostilities of an uncaring world. Such "therapy" need not always take place in December.



5. Our family loves the Windham Hill Winter's Solstice series, and my son says this is his favorite. I don't know if I can choose a favorite, but Barbara Higbie's We Three Kings on this CD is absolutely gorgeous and makes this CD worth purchasing almost by itself. Of course, the other selections are beautiful as well. I recommend this CD without reservation--you will love it.

5 comments about Necronomicon.

1. This is the perfect companion for sitting down and reading the works of Lovecraft. It makes for wonderful ambience! Excellent.



2. In this, the second CD realease from Nox Arcana, the focus is on Lovecraft and his works. The music explores the deities that roamed the earth when men lived in darkness and served these Gods as slaves. The listener is taken through a musical journey that explores the visions of Alhazred, the Mad Arab. The mythos of the Necronomicon takes you to the realms of Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, Dagon, and Cthulhu.
   
   I highly recommend this for anyone who has a healthy respect for myth, and can appreciate the dark musical talents of these gifted people. I certainly do.



3. A "Must Have" for any Lovecraftian fan, afficianado...Or even if you just like creepy background music. Amid the haunting scores are several well done quotes from the fabled Lovecraftian tome, a chant to Nyarlathotep and the infamous "Ia Cthulhu Phtagn" passage done with 'proper' reverence and fanatascism. Definitely a "mood music" CD but one that sets the mood it intends very well



4. Good background for a theme occasion... I got it for Halloween to freak out trick-or-treaters, lol



5. I bought this item as a gift for someone who is an avid player of Dungenos and Dragons. It was right up their alley. I was pleasantly surprised by this music. They composers have made a delightlful blend of classical and Gothic music, that sounds like a track from a classic horror movie. This is not something I would normally listen to, but I found it rather enjoyable. I bought this along with a selection from Midnight Syndicate, which is a similar style, and equally enjoyable.

5 comments about Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD].

1. The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

   The DVD gives the feeling that you are in the church with the other worshippers. It literally sends chills up and down my spine. I highly recommend this CD/DVD combination Special Edition while it is still available.




2. This is an very high-quality gift for that traditional Roman Catholic person you can't seem to please. (ANYONE would be captivated by this DVD/CD combo, but especially an "old school" Catholic!) Some traditional Catholics feel abandoned by their Church these days, but this beautifully rendered production will thrill them. LISTEN to the tracts, and you'll think of someone who would love it - maybe even you!



3. I was greatly moved by this CD. It was just right for Christmas and this holiday season, when emotions and beliefs are usually high! I especially liked the cover and the lyrics of all the songs in the cd. I would recommend it.



4. This CD/DVD is great. Timeless music and prayers invites the listener and viewer to appreciate the tradition, the humility, and the human desire to communicate with God. Listening to Ave Maria and Sancta Maria inspires reflection on the relationship of a devoted mother, an approachable intercessor, and her role in the plan of salvation. Panis Angelicus explains the Eucharist as the great equalizer among humans, which offers insight to the great sacrifice being offered in the Mass. The songs celebrating the sacrifice of God incarnate, demonstrates God's Grace and God's invitation into an intimate relationship. The CD/DVD allows the listener to reflect and meditate on the human desire to be in communion with God.



5. This CD/DVD combo is a huge bargain and sounds as though the music was coming directly from heaven. The Church in which the concert was held is beautiful, with vaulted ceiling. Highly recommended for serious lovers of sacred arias.