5 comments about Sings Merry Christmas Music.

1. The greatest Christmas Album by anybody ever. Really. My grandmother used to play the original LP version of this album every Christmas. Every time I hear it I think of a warm fire, turkey, ham, dressing and pies stacked to the ceiling, and the thrill of a child to see the presents under the tree. Nostalgia aside, keep your Bing Crosby's, Perry Como has to be the best master of the Christmas Carol in the English language.



2. I remember listening to this album when I was a child. I have always loved it!! I found a copy of the album, and I went to listen to it in December, and it was warped. I am buying the CD so I will have it for this Christmas!! And to the music lover in Canada: I have a 1961 copy of this album, and Santa Clause Is Coming To Town and O Little Town of Bethlehem aren't on it.



3. My parents had the box set of '45s, which may have been the original release in the 1940s, and these were my favorite Christmas recordings to listen to while I was growing up. Our set is missing a few of the '45s, but it does include my all-time favorite "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," which was missing from the later LP release, and now missing on this CD release. It's a swinging arrangement, with Perry doing a voice over - as the Christmas preparations get a bit too hectic, Perry proclaims "I'm going out to get a few haircuts, you cats go ahead and sing, I'll be right back!"



4. Perry truly recorded some of the greatest Christmas music of all time, this album, while not his best Christmas offering, is still better than most. As for the missing songs, I think some may be mistaking this album with A Perry Como Christmas, his best Christmas offering, in my humble opinion, which contains the "haircut" version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and a medley that includes O Little Town of Bethlehem. That said, if you are looking to buy one and only one of Perry's Christmas collections I would go with The Greatest Christmas Songs, a great compilation of his many Christmas albums, although be forewarned - the version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town on Greatest Christmas Songs is not the "haircut" version.
   
   Merry Christmas



5. This album means Christmas.
   
   I remember playing the LP version of these 1940's selections every year. From the beautiful opening rendition of "T'was..." to the rousing closer, this is a collection to remember.
   
   Much has been made of the quality of Como's voice. He was never better than in these sessions. But what truly separates this from all other Christmas albums are the arrangements. From the soft chorals of "Silent Night" to the inspired counterpoint of "The 12 Day...," the musicians blend with Como's warmth and create a texture rare in pop.
   
   As an added bonus, even the 'original' tunes are inspired. "That Christmas Feeling" is certainly not out of place among the more traditional favorites.
   
   As noted, two of the original sides aren't here--but a quick search of itunes can get you those, too, for $1.98.
   
   All of this adds to up delightful holiday listening year after year.

5 comments about Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire.

1. My kids and I love this cd, having been introduced to it by one of our local radio stations.
   
   Where we live we're surrounded by the far-right Christian republicans who have signs on their lawns saying things like, "Jesus is the reason for the season," so to be able to laugh with this cd, despite the guilt-inducing, holier-than-thou contest around us, is quite cathartic!



2. I love all the Bob River's CD's but I think the "Chipmunk song" is one of my all time favorites. I used to watch the "Chipmunks" on TV when I was a kid but I used to think their Christmas album was annoying. Well, Bob Rivers hits the mark with his parody of the Chipmunks. He captures them in all their annoying glory. Thanks Bob!



3. Okay, maybe you need to be a little twisted to enjoy this, and luckily I am. I laughed over and over again till my sides hurt. Start a new tradition at Christmas with a Little Chipmunk roasting on an open fire...... Hilarious!!!!



4. This was the fourth Christmas album by Bob Rivers. It features parodies of Christmas songs and parodies of non-Christmas songs which are turned into Christmas songs. These songs are very well produced; they sound almost exactly like the performers they are imitating. There are songs done in the style of the Chipmunks, Nat "King" Cole, the Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Louis Armstrong, the Carpenters, Bruce Springsteen and others. This is a funny album, with the hilarious title song being the highlight.



5. We purchased the previous Bob Rivers Christmas CD and it was great. This one had nothing to do with Christmas songs and is so off the wall. I would love to return this CD. Yuck!

5 comments about Christmas Means Love.

1. Joan,
   If you're out there--I love you. I followed you through the blues, R&B, Motown, country, and Philly soul. I always said I'd buy a record of you singing the phone book. And I would. But this is too much. Girl, you sing naughty, not nice. Please shout the blues, and leave others to praise the Lord. Amen.



2. What can I say? I LOVE Christmas! The feeling of love during this special time of the year is unmatched and what better way to spend it than listening to great music. Joan Osborne has exceeded all expectations on this CD by creating something that is not your typical Christmas (we certainly have enough of that material!) and given us listeners something that is absolutely fun and poignant to listen to all at the same time. Her vocal chops never cease to amaze me and the selection of tunes is so very cool! Really cool to see John Leventhal on this album (great guitar player!) and it's another fine production from Tor Hyams who also produced her latest album, "Breakfast in Bed. Great job, Joan! I can't wait for the next one,but be sure I will be spinning you and Dean Martin in heavy rotation near the big green tree this year!



3. The simple truth about Joan Osborne is that she is one of the greatest singers of our time! The truth about this album is that it is like no other Christmas album I have ever purchased. It's much, much better. She goes from old spirituals to her version of the Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight" with such grace and ease you'd think she could climb Mt Everest.Then there's her original, "What Do Bad Girls Get" which is a great next step from "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," because, well, frankly, it's a much sexier idea. I love the fact that this Kentucky born soul singer can easily make traditional (and Biblical) songs sound just as festive as the Andrew Sisters-esque "Santa Claus Baby." The absence of all the typical Christmas songs is what makes this CD the perfect Christmas for the modern world!



4. What a nice change from the regular sappy Christmas music out there. "What do bad girls get" is an original written by Joan and it is my favorite. There are only a couple of traditional songs that might be alittle boring but all in all ....great CD!!



5. I just loved this CD! What I think I loved the most about it is the fact that it is something a little different than the "usual" Christmas stuff. Would highly recommend it to anyone searching for something that veers away from standard Christmas fare.

5 comments about Now Is the Caroling Season.

1. This is a good CD to play when decorating and for Christmas parties. Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians certainly knew how to set a mood, and this recording does so with style.
   
   "Now Is the Caroling Season" is the perfect tree-trimming CD. It provides a festive and cheery mood with just the right mix of Christmas songs, hymns and traditional carols. It certainly makes me want to sing along, and I am reminded of all of those times past when I would go out caroling with friends, singing carols to shoppers on a busy street or a crowded shopping mall.
   
   Some reviewers have lamented that the CD is not remastered, and it certainly isn't, having been transferred from the original session tapes. In this case, however, the CD is fine as it is, as the background rumbles (the few that I have heard) merely add to the ambiance of the recordings, something that remastering would take away. The original stereo effect is preserved without any Dolby® processing (which didn't exist when the original recordings were made).
   
   A brief history of Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians, along with the original LP liner notes, are included with the CD.
   
   "Now Is the Caroling Season" is a festive and cheerful CD that should be a part of everyone's favorite Christmas music collection. Five stars!



2. I was thrilled to see this finally available on CD. I grew up with this on vinyl, and it has some of the most beautiful arrangements of Christmas songs not usually included in popular collections. It should be included with every family's collections of "classic" Christmas songs. In fact, 32+ years ago, my High School chorale director was able to obtain some of these arrangements to use in our chorale ensemble, and we were booked constantly through the holidays, often with listeners praising the choices of the arrangements. You will not be disappointed.



3. First, I would like to state that this recording is great, no pops or such and they did do a great cleaning job from the old recordings.
   
   Our family had this old Capitol Recording (MONO too!!) for many years. For some of you ' X-Generation ' - the record companies back in those days offered 2 versions of one recording, one was usually " Hi-Fidelity Mono " and the other was labled " Hi-Fi Stereo " or " Full Dimensional Stereo ", cause you see that was the transitional phase from owners of the old Hi Fi Mono Record players, to the newer Hi Fi Stereo Record players.
   
   Until everyone had bought a new Stereo player this method of offering 2 versions lasted for several years.
   
   I personally place this recording at the top of my Christmas list, along with The Carpenters Christmas, Mannheim Steamroller's/Chip Davis Christmas CD's, The Trapp Family Christmas Album, Merry Christmas - Jackie Gleason Album, Walter Brennan's " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Back Home', Bert Kaempfert's Christmas Wonderland.



4. What can I say about FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS - NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON album from 1957 that others haven't said? This is for sure one of the greatest chorus christmas albums ever recorded and has a nice orchestra backup in some of the songs such as SLEIGHRIDE (perhaps the best version of this song) or SILVER BELLS (again, perhaps the best version of the song).
   
   Then there are just the voices of the chorus in songs like O CHRISTMAS TREE or O COME, O COME EMMANUEL. Of course, as is the norm with FRED WARING'S chorus, these versions are some of the best accapella versions ever recorded.
   
   WHITE CHRISTMAS has a nice and fresh original arrangement of the song and as is customary with FRED WARING, among the best versions of that song. So too is a slower version of WINTER WONDERLAND or a deep and powerful version of THE CHRISTMAS SONG.
   
   Two new wonderful songs for me on this album are NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON and especially, CHRISTMAS WAS MEANT FOR CHILDREN. The latter, CHRISTMAS WAS MEANT FOR CHILDREN, is already a classic for me and I can't believe others haven't recorded it as there were so many other christmas albums that came out in the last few years of the 1950's and so many more in the 1960's.
   
   There are many other, mostly rare, christmas songs on the religious side that make up the rest of this album and they are all strong songs. The style of this album is that of an old-timey or old fashion style with both the chorus and backing orchestra. This album will really bring you back to christmas of yesteryear (the christmas of your childhood, perhaps).
   
   While my favorite christmas album from FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS is their 1961 album, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, this album, NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON, is still almost as wonderful and fully recommended if you like chorus christmas music. I only wish the remastering job could have been better such as on the FRED WARING 2 cd set, CHRISTMAS MAGIC, which contained 2 christmas albums from FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS, one from 1959 (THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS) and the other (the one I mentioned above, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS) from 1961. The remastering still isn't bad but could be a bit better. The original album cover which is kept as the cd cover (minus the COLLECTOR'S CHOICE MUSIC logo at the bottom right corner) is also one of the nicest christmas album covers of all time.
   
   100% recommended for your christmas listening pleasure.



5. Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians were radio and TV stars from the 1930s to the 1950s, and released "Now is the Caroling Season" in 1957. Fred Waring has long been a family favorite of ours for Christmas music. This disc contains 21 songs full of strong harmonies that will put you in a festive mood.

4 comments about Wintersong.

1. I've listend to this on tape in December and January for many years (I'm buying the cd). Its long, melodic soprano sax lines are warming and relaxing without making me sleepy as so much 'relaxing' music does. Tomorrow Is My Dancing Day and Joy are good to dance around to. Great stuff for early winter and the turning of the year.



2. Since I first listened to this album years ago I knew it would rank up there with "Icarus" as one of my favourite Paul Winter albums of all time (also one of my favourite of anybody's music). Recorded in one of his favourite places to play, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, and joined by his long-time friends and collaborators Paul Halley and Eugene Friesen (and others) the songs have that lightness-of-being and beauty that any fan of Paul Winter's has come to expect and will always appreciate. I have to confess that I don't just listen to it in the winter-time; winter just gives me an excuse to play it more often! If you enjoy consummate artistry, music that is uplifting without making you giddy, and want to listen to music that you can never be ashamed of and will want to share with others then get this. This CD goes with me whenever I travel. This year I am purchasing a few to give away as gifts.



3. This music is nothing short of a spiritual experience. It paints so many beautiful pictures. When listening to "Swedish Song" you can almost feel the frost on the leaves as they blow on a winter's day in the forest. It carries you along with it's rich depth. So beautiful. Although an album of "Wintersongs", they are all warm ones, and range from bright celebration to heavenly reflection. Paul Winter has created the most beautiful treatments of these songs the world has ever heard. Background vocals, sparcely used, add to the warmth and incredible harmony of sound on peices like "Beautiful Star". Light some candles, turn out the lights and listen to "Little One" and "Dance of the Golden Bough". The purest Love will fill your being.



4. I was so excited to find this on cd! I've loved it since I first heard it about 20 years ago! My brother actually worked at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine where it was recorded. It is absolutely beautiful and does not neccessarily have to be reserved for only the Christmas season.

5 comments about Windham Hill Christmas: I'll Be Home for Christmas.

1. I have long been a fan of the Windham Hill Christmas collections, all the way back to the original 1985 release, "A Winter's Solstice". That, and all the subsequent CD's, have been successful to varying degrees in providing an easy, relaxing musical antidote to an often hectic holiday season. The stable of musicians has always been first-rate, from guitarists to pianists, from electronic composers to the occasional vocalist. Some releases, of course, have been less impressive than others ("Winter's Solstice on Ice" was a strange misstep). And the current "Windham Hill Christmas" series has been pleasant enough, if a bit bland. But this latest collection has a particularly warm, and yes, homey feel. Consisting almost entirely of piano and guitar compositions, it effectively conveys the peaceful mood intended. Most of the tunes are quite familiar, save the closing track by Samite, "Yazala Abambuti". Philip Aaberg's "Complete Nutcracker Sweet" is a whimsical five-and-a-half piano condensation of Tchaikovsky's familiar ballet music, and Barbara Higbie's rendition of "Angels from the Realms of Glory" (a carol not heard much these days) is sublimely beautiful. George Winston reminds us once again that he can play harmonica ("Sussex Carol"), but frankly, I would have rather heard him on piano. But just about every track here has a luminous and inspiring quality to it, like all the best Windham Hill music has. It's perfect for background, but even better for those rare moments when you can just put your feet up with a glass of eggnog, and watch the Christmas tree lights in the dark.



2. I love this CD, I'm sure I will be playing it all through the holiday season.



3. Played it for 3 weeks. Kept me calm in a hectic season.



4. This is one of my favorite Windham Hill Christmas albums. I really love the "Christmas Time is Here" rendition on guitar - brings me back to my childhood watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - there are also a couple of jazzy interpretations on this very beautiful album.



5. A lovely CD. We listened to it while driving, gift wrapping and tree decorating. Classic Windham Hill, evocitive moods and lovely musical settings.

5 comments about Kermit Unpigged.

1. I am a muppet fan from WAY back, and while I enjoy this CD, I miss the "Henson" touch.

   There is a common theme running throughout, and so there are several Muppet interactions between songs. Pretty Fun.

   The Muppet performers:
   Kevin Clash - Clifford; Steve Whitmire - Kermit, Rizzo & Beaker; Dave Goelz - Gonzo, Bunsen Honeydew; Jerry Nelson - Robin, Floyd; Frank Oz - Piggy, Fozzie & Animal

   It is a must for any muppet collector.




2. Its a fun cd ranging from slower pretty songs to upbeat silly songs just like the muppets have been. The muppets are part of every song but to varying degrees sometimes as observer/commentator or a duet with the famous singer. There is a slight plot and plenty of Muppet humor. Warning the last song gets stuck in your head VERY easily.



3. .... though I have heard two tracks from it--the one with Jimmy Buffett and the famous duet with Miss Piggy and Ozzy Osbourne. And friends, that duet is the very reason I'm writing this review. If you're a fan of "The Osbournes" reality show, .... you need to hear this track.

   Here's why: During the intro and outro of the song, Ozzy has a substantial speaking part, and... YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HECK HE'S SAYING! CLEARLY!

   This CD was recorded in 1995. ....




4. Ozzy Osbourne one of rock and roll's greatest (the inventor I say!), A multiple celebrity, from hollywood to Japan,China and all commonwealth countries, he sets a high standard for the future rock and rollers of this generation. He has large shoes to fill with 35 to 40 years of breaking those shoes in! He amazes me at the different things that he will do and the things he doesn't want to do. Perfect Example, This CD and duet with child star Mrs.Piggy and a re-done Bachman Turner Overdrive, he will do as much humanly possible to entertain all forms of the music industry. Ozzy if you ever read this, GOD BLESS YOU and always remember your fans are always there for you, no matter what!



5. "Kermit Unpigged" isn't a terrible CD by any stretch of the word...but it could have been better.
   
   Let's start with the good. Most of the tracks work wonderfully, particularly the ones with Kermit. The Muppets are matched well with the artists and songs; Clifford was a natural choice for "On Broadway," for example, and the pairing of Gonzo and Jimmy Buffet seems to make sense in some way. Kermit gets the bulk of the tracks here, and Steve Whitmire did a wonderful job with his vocals.
   
   "Bein' Green" doesn't feature Kermit until the end, but that doesn't matter. Don Henley gives us a beautiful version of the song, which is easily the album's best track. This is probably one of Kermit's signature songs, and its presence almost makes up for the lack of a version of "Rainbow Connection."
   
   Mr. Henley isn't an exception, as most of the recording artists did admirable jobs on the tracks here. Vince Gill's vocals on "Daydream" sounded great, and Jimmy Buffet's "Mr. Spaceman" is one of the better tracks on the album. Linda Ronstadt's "All I Have to Do is Dream" didn't impress me quite as much, but her vocals were more than passable.
   
   The variety is a very nice touch here, as the songs range from slower to faster-paced, from serious to silly. It takes away a bit of flow between tracks, but that's probably why the album has its storyline.
   
   Why did I give the CD three stars, then? Several reasons come to mind. The CD is relatively short; this is normal for kiddy CDs, but it would have been nice to have had a few more tracks. There's a lot of dialogue on the CD, and more than I'd like in the songs themselves. It's to help move the storyline along, but the entire story is unneeded. Really, how many CDs have narratives? The tracks with Miss Piggy could have been better; while it's nice to hear Ozzy Osbourne speaking and singing coherently, we did NOT need to hear Piggy's (intentionally?) off-key singing. She's slightly better in "She Drives Me Crazy," but not by much.
   
   My biggest complaint? An utter lack of Fozzie. He was in the intro track (wandering off to go to the restroom) and had a few lines in "All Together Now," but that was it. Even if the CD's running time was meant to be real-time, a forty minute bathroom break is excessive for a bear. Clifford and Floyd get their own songs, so why not Fozzie? He would've been a great fit for a less serious artist, someone like "Weird Al" Yankovic. A track with Fozzie would have been a very nice touch, and would have helped to increase the running time as well.
   
   The lack of Fozzie and the length, along with my other minor complaints, drop my score to three stars. Don't let that stop you from getting the CD, though. Most of the tracks are well done, and the good outweighs the bad enough to make the CD a worthwhile purchase.

5 comments about A Big Band Christmas.

1. This is an awesome Christmas cd. It has wonderful old big band christmas songs on it by the original artists. If you like that old big band sound, you must by this cd! You won't be dissappointed!



2. I've had this for a few years now and it's one I play often. I enjoy it so much I researched the tracks since there aren't any liner notes. Here's some background on this great disc:
   The Christmas Song-Les Brown & Doris Day, this 8/29/46 recording went to #12 on the charts in 1947.
   I Want You For Christmas-Russ Morgan, this Brunswick recording dates from 10/20/37.
   I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm-Red Norvo & Mildred Bailey, this Brunswick single was recorded 1/8/37 and went to #11 on the charts.
   There's Frost on the Moon-Artie Shaw & Peg La Centra, another Brunswick release, recorded 10/30/36, hit #10 on the charts.
   White Christmas-Harry James & Marion Morgan. This dates from 10/22/46.
   Winter Weather-Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee & Art Lund, recorded 11/27/41. Climbed to #24 on the charts in 1942.
   Little Jack Frost Get Lost-Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes, recorded in 1947.
   Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer-Lester Lanin & His Orchestra. Lanin was a leading bandleader for NY/East Coast society affairs. This recording is from his 1959 "Christmas Dance Party" LP for the Epic label.
   Santa Claus is Coming to Town-Sammy Kaye & the Kaydets, this dates from 1952.
   Sleigh Ride-Tex Beneke, this is from a recording made by the alumni of the Glenn Miller band in 1965. Beneke, Ray Eberle and The Modernaires with Paula Kelly all participated, and the album was called "Christmas Serenade in the Glenn Miller Style."
   Christmas Night in Harlem-Lester Lanin, another cut from his 1959 album.
   Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Tex Beneke, another track from the 1965 album.
   Happy Holidays-Elliot & Cathy Lewis with Ray Noble, probably the least likely track to make it to CD. This comes from a 78 album called "Happy Holidays: A Musical Story" recorded in 1947 but not released until 1949. An early concept album it told the story of a couple's romance over the course of 8 sides on a 4
   (78rpm) record set. Elliot Lewis was a major player in radio-actor, producer, director & writer. CBS dubbed him "Mr. Radio." Cathy was his wife, a well known actress herself.
   A good companion disc to this is Christmas on the Bandstand, and that one DOES come with liner notes.



3. You won't find any "overplayed" selections on this CD. However, because most of the songs are holiday favorites, you will feel the coziness of home at Christmas time. A recent liking to winter weather songs earned "There's Frost On The Moon," "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Little Jack Frost Get Lost" and of course "Winter Weather" favorite positions. If you like big band or vintage Christmas melodies, then this is a "must have" holiday CD. One negative aspect of the CD - no liner notes - was taken care of by another reviewer when he posted the recording dates. In addition, although there are no sacred songs, the festive sounds certainly make up for it. If you can purchase this CD for $10 or less, you won't be disappointed! A good bottle of scotch, a roaring fire and this CD will warm you on a chilly winter's night.



4. Arrived on time and as pictured so I would buy from this seller again!



5. Christmas wouldn't be complete in our house without this lovely music from the 1940s. I love the clarinet, the woodwind section, the brass section, and the trumpet and vocals on 'White Christmas' are perfect... It's ALL good.
   Vintage band leaders such as Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw making magic... Doris Day is terrific singing 'The Christmas Song'.

5 comments about Christmas Songs.

1. Anuna has such amazing voices! You will love the richness and blends of the vocals and Celtic rhythms.



2. Anuna has combined the traditional, celtic, and the new age styles of music of Christmas in to a moving mix that will please everyone. The sound of the vocals is an outstanding treat for the ears. This CD is a classic in the making, a great gift for those who enjoy good music.



3. This is almost sensuous in delivery, this is a delight to the ears. Instead of New Age pablum or syrupy sweet and content free, this album comes out with the rich velvet of authentic cream and the delicate spice of pure maple syrup. I don't know if the Celts like maple syrup, but this is just a fantabulous disk for a cold night and a hot fire. Be sure to have some candles or Christmas lights nearby to complete the atmosphere.



4. I had seen Anuna on a PBS special, and was captivated by their gorgeous, haunting sound. In doing some research on the web, I found this early Christmas album by them, and had to get it. It's now my favorite Christmas CD; it barely left my CD player all season! In addition to some of the more traditional songs (albeit unusual versions of them), there are some more rare selections, like the Coventry Carol and the Wexford Carol. Their music brings me back to an ancient time and place, when people of the Earth lived life governed by the seasons and the land, and there was none of the crass commercialism of the holidays that we see today.
   
   This CD is a must for anyone who loves not only traditional Irish choral a cappella music, but more ancient sounding, non-traditional holiday songs.



5. I ran across this when looking for a unique version of The Coventry Carol and after previewing a couple of tracks, I decided to buy the whole CD. It's really great. Simple and beautiful. Very serene, relaxing. Incredibly talented group! The friends I have let borrow it love it as well. Definitely a great way to add some variety to your Christmas music collection.

5 comments about Merry Christmas to You.

1. I LISTEN TO ALOT OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND THIS ONE BY REBA IS ONE I TAKE ON THE ROAD WITH ME AS A TRUCK DRIVER.I LISTEN TO IT ALL YEAR LONG NOT JUST AT CHRISTMAS TIME.REBA TOUCHES MY HEART AND SOUL WITH SILENT NIGHT AND AWAY IN THE MANGER,NOT TO MENTION OH HOLY NIGHT.I HAVE TWO COPIES JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ONE I HAVE A SPARE.WHEN I'M HOMESICK OR LONELY,I JUST POP THIS IN AND CRY FOR MILES....GREAT WORK REBA,



2. I've never come across a Christmas album quite like this - before or since, so it makes this one particularly special. Traditional country singers have often recorded Christmas albums, but they invariably dress them up in some way to make them acceptable to a wider audience than their usual releases. This is understandable, because Christmas often brings together people with different musical tastes, and singers want to appeal to as many as possible.

   Reba recorded this album during her 'traditional' phase in the mid eighties. Like the other albums she recorded around that time, there was plenty of steel and fiddles, but absolutely no compromises to pop crossover - that came later (including her second Christmas album, The secret of giving).

   The first two tracks were recorded for possible inclusion in the brilliant Tennessee Christmas compilation (now available as a bargain priced CD). Away in a manger was selected, while On this day remained in the vaults until the rest of this album was recorded a year or two later.

   In my school days, I used to think Away in a manger was really boring, but it seems to inspire country singers, none more so than Reba and her musicians. Despite stiff competition, Reba's version is my favorite cover of this song. How did I ever think it was boring? There are five other classics here, each very distinctive from any other versions. The other tracks are also brilliant, but the one that sticks in the mind the most is The Christmas guest, a narration co-written and first recorded by Grandpa Jones. For most of the song, it's a real weepie, though the ending is happy. It's very moving.

   Throughout, the musicians are in superb form and help to make this album what it is - one of a kind, and likely to remain so.

   Thank you, Reba.




3. This project recorded before she decided to go "Bubblegum POP" on us, is traditional Reba in fine form!! The production values are simple, yet engaging and heartwarming...like a good steaming cup of cocoa on a cold winter night during the holiday season! Plenty of steel and fiddles on this one. No one can match McEntire when she sings "traditional" because no one else has that "traditional" magic. Her takes on all the songs are first rate.....except one. When she does the recitation on "The Christmas Guest" she doesn't quite master the feel for the story. A little more emotion could have helped her here. But, then McEntire is a "singer", NOT an Actress, and one has to have a "feel" for recitations to make them come off. The perfect example is Donna Fargo's brilliant "That Was Yesterday"....now THAT is a brilliant recitation. Reba's version of "The Christmas Guest" isn't bad, but it could have been better is she hadn't tried so hard. Its the only note of dissension that I have in an otherwise fine collection of yuletide treasure. And this collection is certainly better than her other Christmas CD which is nothing but pure bubblegum pop. This is Reba in her prime element, proving that there is no one who comes after her when she decides to sing what she was Born to sing....TRADITIONAL COUNTRY! Advice to REBA: You're rich enough now!! Stop compromising to do what sells and get back to your roots. There are a lot of us who miss you and want you back!! Quit trying to be something you're not!!



4. This CD is on of the best Christmas CD's around. It has a spiritual nature without being 'preachy'



5. My dad had bought this CD years ago and loved it. I lost it and so I wanted to replace it for him. We had a tradition of listening to the Christmas Guest every yerar on Christmas eve. I ordered it on the 21st of December and got it in time to keep the tradition alive.