5 comments about A Very Special Acoustic Christmas.

1. My best friend talks about this CD almost everyday (and it's June!) and so I finally sat down and listened to it. First of all, it is amazing that all of the money goes directly to the Special Olympics. I love country music and I love Christmas music - when Christmas comes I know this will be playing in my office!

   In fact - my friend listens to it when waiting on the phone! Needless to say, she has been moved to carry strong opinions about the Special Olympics since hearing it.




2. If you want an upbeat Christmas album for that holiday party your throwing, this might not be it. This is a great album for those relaxing nights next to the fire with those you love. Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, and Patty Loveless highlight this album. If anything, buy the album for Alan Jackson's cut of "Just Put a Ribbon in Your Hair." A version that is so good, could ultimately become a Christmas classic. A true gem. Radio! Play this song!!!



3. Great CD! Some great new Christmas songs, not just a rehash of the old traditionals. If you are looking for a fresh Christmas CD this is it! Some great blues possibilities on this CD. I am really blown away by Alison Krauss' "Only You Can Bring Me Cheer". I never ever even imagined her being able to sing rock/blues. I wish she would release a whole CD like this!!!



4. This set has been out for several Christmas seasons, but has just come to our house this year. It's a lovely set with consistency and variety. Reba McEntire opens with a lovely version of "Silent Night" with twang in her voice. Arif Mardin produced Willie Nelson's aching version of "Please Come Home for Christmas," "If not for Christmas, by New Year's night." Alison Krauss has written a romantic Christmas song with a modern flare titled "Only You Can Bring Me Cheer," "Hey, how about you stay? We could spend the night together. We could rock the night away." Marty Stuart's got swagger in his stocking on his self-penned "Even Santa Claus Gets the Blues," "What I wouldn't give for just one silent night, just me & Momma Claus by the warm firelight." Ralph Stanley's "Christmas Is Near" is a homey tune that speaks to the joys of family being nearby during the holidays. Patty Loveless does a gorgeous version of the traditional "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Sing choirs of angels, sing in exaltation. Sing all ye citizens of heaven above." Sam Bush's mandolin makes a joyful noise of the lovely melody "Let It Snow!" Ricky Skaggs' voice expresses wonder on the beautiful traditional melody "Away in a Manger." Ronda Vincent's self-penned tune "Christmas Time At Home" makes you want to start heading home for the holidays. Tift Merritt's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a slow-burning version, "The Lord is my shepherd, so I know I'll make it through; Baby, keep on praying because it's all that we can do." Norah Jones ends the set with a slow song called "Peace" that has a lovely melody and Norah's piano hauntingly echoing the chorus, "Peace is for everyone." This is a good Christmas set with some new songs and a few traditional favorites. Enjoy!



5. I guess this isn't what I was expecting - this is mostly the serious side of Christmas, not really any upbeat fun country stuff.

5 comments about Amahl and the Night Visitors.

1. I'm currently studying the role of Amahl's mother, and I got this recording by the luck of the draw. Kaspar is horribly flat throughout, which is a shame. It was a difficult recording to listen to once, I dread bearing it the number of times I will need to over the next two months.

   I'm going to try to return it this afternoon.




2. Gee - sorry to those who like this modern recording but I like the 1951 recording the best.I have both the LP which is quite scratched by now and the CD which is quite good except for the pauses between tracks. I recommend the 1951 version available from Amazon (or at least it was in 2001).



3. If you know the opera by heart, have performed it countless times, then you know that no recording is as good as the orginal 1951 recording. I find it difficult to listen to any other. I wish that it would be released again!



4. This recording (produced in 1986), directed with the help of the composer, Gian Carl Menotti, is the most perfect piece of music I have encountered in many years. Amahl's (James Rainbird)voice is of such sweet clarity and nuance that it brings me to tears. The orchestra (Covent Garden Symphony) is beautiful and multi-layered. Each time I listen to it, I discover some other little piece of phrasing by another instrument that adds to the complex tapestry of the over all musical score. I have purchased several copies of it for friends. I have listened to other versions of Amahl for over 50 years, and this is, by far, the best I have ever heard. For pure listening pleasure of a treasured Christmas classic, I cannot recommend it highly enough. I even listen to it throughout the year, regardless of the season. I simply do not understand other people's criticism of it. Perhaps I am musically naive, perhaps they are musical snobs. It is pure musical bliss in my book, and I can't get enough of it.



5. The music is beautiful, and this is the definitive Christmas opera, but the original recording is much better. This is an almost too polished version. Every sylable is just so, and each part is so perfect it is almost boring. The child in the original is much better because he is not so polished that it seems affected.

5 comments about What a Wonderful Time.

1. I am very dissapointed that I never received this order in the mail..the post office says it was delivered to my box but it never was.When I choose shipping I was never given the option of having it insured so I'm out about 60.00 for this order.Very sad as I don't feel able to order anymore I can't risk it..these items were christmas gifts.Carolyn Elliott



2. I thought that Yolandas singing was fantastic.I don't like so much when the songs are highly produced or made to try and sound commercial but her voice transcends all problems with that issue.



3. Yolanda ceases to amaze me! I really dont know what to expect from her! She is so gifted. I think i know her but then she amazes me all over again by doing the unexpected. This cd is simply amazing!!!



4. Very nice holiday collection with the bonus of inspiring music you can listen to all year long. Another fabulous job by Yolanda.



5. Oh My God! This is the best CD I have ever heard! Move over Boyz II Men "Let It Snow." Make way for Yolanda Adams and "My Favorite Things." AWESOME!

5 comments about More Twisted Christmas.

1. These songs at least sound similar to the original performer. The jokes are still juvinile and lame.



2. I have all of the Bob Rivers' "Twisted Christmas" CDs, and the original "Twisted Christmas" and "More Twisted Christmas" are still the best. Rivers and his gang do hilarious parodies of actual Christmas songs, rather than just making up funny Christmas songs.
   
   Some people might consider Bob Rivers irreverant, but those of us here love him!



3. Read other reviews about this album as "a great alternative to the same ol' Christmas music" and couldn't agree more. I listen to it throughout the year. Love it.



4. Really, really good imitations and impressions of famous stars doing Christmas songs. I was amazed.



5. This is the weakest of the many Bob Rivers Christmas albums. There are the usual parodies of Christmas songs, which aren't quite as funny as usual. And then there are the parodies of non-Christmas songs, which are transformed into Christmas songs. They do sound a lot like the performers they are imitating (the B-52's, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix), but the jokes aren't half as funny as they think they are. One peculiar one is a parody of the Rolling Stones' "Get Off of My Cloud", but it is done in the style of Frank Sinatra. Still, it is a moderately funny album. And I do like "There's a Santa Who Looks a Lot Like Elvis".

5 comments about American Christmas.

1. The Boston Camerata is the foremost group dedicated to early music performance in the country ... This recording is one of my favorites, and it always gets heavy rotation around the holidays. The tunes are all American, taken from 18th and 19th-century sources, and definitely remind modern audiences of the religious heart of Christmas. Some of the tunes are familiar ('Joy To The World'), and some have unfamiliar texts ('The Watchman' and the evocative words sung to 'Adeste Fidelis'). Many of the tracks feature the beautiful harmonies of the shape-note traditions. The performances are, of course, stunning. Don't miss the terrific liner notes by Joel Cohen, calling Americans to reclaim our musical heritage from the classical and ethno-musicologists.



2. There are many delightfully refreshing tracks on this CD. While I'm not a fan of soloists, there are many tracks with a chorus. Many of these selections have a real Civil War-era sound to them. I especially like track 18: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, done in the form of a round. I've become addicted to track 24. This is a CD for all seasons.



3. A note to non-early music fanatics (as, contrary to the Mr. Cohen's notes, this CD mainly attracts early music fans):

   This album is decent provided you don't listen to the entire CD in one sitting. It is a nice break from the run-of-the-mill Christmas music, whether it be of the "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" or "Jingle Bell Rock" variety. However, the arrangements become tedious after a while. There are only so many open-fifths one can hear... Most people will find themselves gritting their teeth 2/3 through the disc. The non-early music fanatic would do well to listen to several tracks at a time.

   The classical enthusiast will not be pleased with Mr. Cohen's notes as he tends to disdain most "classical" music as pompous, "stuff shirt" nonsense. He seems to believe that the music on this disc is FAR better than that of, say, Handel's Messiah, simply because it is the music of lower/middle class (18/19th Century) America. He laments the Europe's influence on American music; after all, we should not be following the horrible examples set by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, etc. Good four part writing, where--gasp--the tenor parts are not constantly following the sopranos?? And--Beautiful, full, varied instrumentation?! Counterpoint?!?! Hpmh!...what unmitigated gall! What sheer snobbery!

   ...Please don't misunderstand me. I respect both Mr. Cohen's expertise (his sentiment is a different matter) and this music, and I do agree that the music presented on "American Christmas" is an enjoyable break from "Santa Claus is comin' to town. And, yes, SOME of this music deserves more credit than it is given nowadays (it sure beats anything sung or written by Britney Spears...) But lets be realistic: Handel's Messiah this is not.

   So, with that said, buy this CD... and remember, extreme moderation is the key to enjoying this album; if this sort of music was played as often as that oh-so-awful "music of reindeer," as Mr. Cohen puts it, you (provided that "you" are not an early music fanatic or Mr. Cohen) would find yourself desperately longing for the return of "Santa Claus is comin' to town."




4. While some tracks may be a bit tedious, there are some real gems here - enough to make you wonder why they remain mostly forgotten. The performaces are spectacular.



5. I happened to hear this in an mp3 newsgroup and immediately bought it for my folks and several other people. It is an incredible performance and unlike anything usually heard around Christmas . I listen to Classical music all day while working and yet I've never heard this before . Everyone who received it loved it.

5 comments about Cowboy Christmas.

1. No exaggeration, this is my favorite Christmas album of all time (and I own about 100). The selection of songs is perfect--some traditional, some familiar, and some new. The instrumental is just outstanding, as you would expect out of one of Michael's albums. The grouping of numbers into different aspects of a cowboy Christmas is unique. And then, of course, there's Michael's vocals, which are unlike any other. While it's all great, my favorite number is a duet with Suzy Bogguss on "Two-Step 'Round the Christmas Tree". This album is one-of-a-kind and completely enjoyable. I highly recommend it.



2. This is the single best Christmas CD I have ever gotten. I originally bought it becasue I wanted one song on it, but fell in love with all of the songs. It is a refreshing changed from people rehashing all of the old Christmas classics.



3. A treasure... yes there is a difference between country and western, and this is all classic western. We look foward to hearing these songs every year... they are captured in a easy sing a long not fatiguing way, love songs, dance along, you name it... full of imagery. A must have to round out any collection.



4. I am a long time collector of Christmas music, everything from classical to cowboy. Cowboy Christmas is my hands down favorite of the 250 or so Christmas albums I own. I own two copies, one for home and one in the car. I highly recomend this album.



5. Michael Martin Murphey nails what Christmas in the country is all about. I love the songs. This is my favoite Christmas CD.

5 comments about An Old Time Christmas.

1. I received my item in a very timely manner and it was in excellent condition. I enjoyed listening to it very much during the holidays.



2. I previously owned this CD but it got scratched up somehow and some of the songs would not play right. It liked this CD so much I threw the scratched one away and ordered me another one. I was able to enjoy it this past Christmas.



3. I love this CD. If you are a country music fan then this Christmas CD is for you. Randy Travis is a classic and doesnt dissapoint on this CD.



4. Randy Travis lends his smooth voice to this collection of original "Old Time Christmas," "A White Christmas Makes me Blue," and classic Christmas carols. It makes a great CD for those cold December days wrapping presents. The CD is on the short side, but you like what you hear.



5. Very hard to find CD but one of the best country Christmas CD out much better then his newest one.

5 comments about Acoustic Hearts of Winter.

1. this cd is awesome i liked it so much i started listening to it 3 months before christmas! u can listen to it every christmas it will never get old. aly and aj have such beautiful voices and combining classics tunes along with some new ones was a great idea. i cant wait till their next album hits stores!



2. I got this cd on Christmas day,so I enjoyed it all day! I kept listening to it well into January. Although, I wish the cd had more up-beat songs. I thought their re-makes would be edger, but it help capture the true meaning of Christmas. They even wrote two of the songs on this album, " Greatest Time of Year" and " Not This Year" this song is about how it's okay not to be in the Christmas spirit when something really awful happens to you, you can cry. You should get this cd!



3. I was very critical of Insomnia (feeling they sold out their values to pop culture). However, this Christmas CD is, in fact, a solid Christian production. Get it without reservation to celebrate the LORD and SAVIOR that Aly and AJ speak about in the thanks section and song lyrics.
   
   Kenneth Clifton
   -author of The Christian Superhero Training Guide



4. These girls are absolutly wonderful. I would recommend them to ANYONE! They blow me away. This Christmas album was absolutly fabulous! It brings holiday cheer with classic non-religious songs, but then really hit it home with the TRUE meaning of Christmas with Christian Christmas songs. It truly shows Aly & A.J. for what they really are: good, Christian, talented, beautiful, strong young ladies. This would be a very ideal Christmas gift. I recommend this album highly and Aly & A.J.'s other works. Keep it up Aly & A.J.! Don't go all "Lohan" or "Spears" on us!
   
   FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worst)
   bad language - 0 there is no bad language
   sexual content - 0 there is no sexual content
   violence - 0 there is no violence
   adult content - 1
   1. one example of adult content is that it may offend people that there are Christian songs on there, but, no mean to be rude, if you're not Christian, or trying to become a Christian, what the heck are you doing listening to a CHRISTmas album?
   
   Overall, this is another example of the beautiful work Aly & A.J. do!



5. this is a christmas cd, (duh) that has christmas songs sung by aly and aj!! also they wrote two songs, the greatest time of year and not this year. its a cool cd! i got it in may though....no one said you have to celebrate chritmas in december...or did they?

3 comments about Maluhia.

1. Hawaii and Christmas typically are usually placed in the same sentence for the novelty and humor they lend to each other. Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sister's "Mele Kalikimaka" or the hapa-hoale "(How'd You Like to Have) Christmas on Christmas Island?" are the typical Hawaiian Holiday tunes most listeners are exposed to. Funny, silly and Wow! No snow-it's a coconut palm sort of world! Wacky!!
   
   Plenty of local Hawaiian and Hawaiian-inspired artists have released collections of holiday music. Rejecting novelty (well, most of the time...) local musicians have created holiday music that includes the Hawaiian language, the Protestant missionaries musical foundations and the melding of musical forces from all over the Pacific.
   
   The George Winston-produced and distributed Holiday Slack Key collections successfully bring gentle island melodies to the most frigid of environments. Some artists, like Hapa and Na Leo, have released recordings for the holidays that are warm embraces of aloha and holiday cheer. Keali'i Reichel's holiday offering, "Maluhia," mixes the familiar with a twist-"Silent Night" sung in English and Hawaiian, "Merry Christmas, Darling" with a male chorus and slack key guitar and "O Holy Night" as a non-tour-de-force rendition but rather a gentle retelling of Christ's birth with 'cello. All these new takes on the old work well because, like all other superior holiday musical releases, Reichel mixes the familiar with the novel in a way that stays true to the original intent of the songwriter but exposes another facet or truth in the composition.
   
   Unlike previous releases, Reichel does not offer any traditional Hawaiian chant or hula. The bracing, nasal yowl of a voice that Reichel would unleash in a chant and then temper in a Beatles's cover (See his version of "In My Life" on his debut album, "Kawaipunahele" for a moving example)is gone on this release-and probably rightly so. Reichel 's voice is soothing, folksy, and above all, warm. "Remind me of Home" and "Till the Season Comes 'Round Again" are nostalgic and longing memories that display an uncommon and sweet grace whether the listener is in Kahala or Kansas. Dan Fogelberg and Kenny Loggins are probably wishing that their A&R guys had found these wonderful songs first for their Christmas albums.
   
   Reichel's unabashed love and pride in the Hawaiian language are right up front. "Nu 'Oli," the opening track, a 19th century Protestant hymn and "Ke Aloha Kalikimaka," a new composition, are gorgeous sonic portraits of the spirit of Christmas. It is the new Christmas carol by long time Reichel collaborator and University of Hawaii professor Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier, "Ke Au Maluhia" that will most likely move you to tears. One can imagine this song sung in the snow or the sands, always with love and reverence for family.
   
   You won't go around working the room to this music. "Maluhia" is an album that invites you to read and reflect on the lyrics in the collection and the meaning of the season. Christmas and Hawaii are treated as partners on a journey-not polar opposites. And with Keali'i Reichel as your guide, you could not have a better journey. Be sure you have your Streisand, Crosby and Williiams CDs-but this year when you're cleaning up after the holiday dinner or perhaps setting up the tree alone, put on this CD and remember the joy and loss and be glad for this mele and aloha.



2. I got a sample of his music in a Hawaii travel book, and listened to it about a month after returning from Kauai. I was immediately transported back to all that I love about Hawaii. In addition, his music brings together many things I like about music - melodious, caring, inspiring, relaxing. I just feel wonderful when I am listening to it.
   
   This album is a great combination of that wonderful Hawaiian feeling plus some of the traditional Christmas music.
   
   Enjoy!



3. The Maluhia by Keali'i Reichel CD was a nice holiday product. Having never heard Keali'i Reichel before I was pleasantly surprised by the natural vocal and rhythm of the music. He has great talent and I will be looking for his next release.

2 comments about Cantate Domino.

1. I used to have this LP years ago, and it sounded amazing on my old Thorens turntable. Well, now it sounds amazing on my Denon player through my Vandersteen speakers! It's an all-time favorite audiophile recording, and no decent hi-fi store is without a copy. Musically, it's a very satisfying album as well. Beautiful Christmas music, great vocals and organ playing, superb acoustics. Even if you're not into Christmas (I'm not) or into choral music, get it for the sheer realism, inspired performances, angelic voices and mighty organ playing.
   
   Eugene Spoconi



2. This is one of the best albums in my music collection. It was recorded in a church and you can feel the air that is not easily attainable in normal studio recordings. The performance is also one of the best IMHO. If you're a true music lover, I'm pretty sure that you will appreciate this beautiful classic for years to come!