4 comments about Britten: A Ceremony of Carols.

1. This is the best version of the Ceremony of Carols available. It is sung completely by trebles and is accompanied only by harp, which is how it was written. Trebles = boys. I thought it was out of print and I am very happy to see that it is not. The only problem with this version is that it is very quiet, and needs to be turned up to double the usual volume, but it isn't a major problem. In case you're not familiar with this piece, it is a very beautiful set of carols written in old English (even though it was written in the 20th century). The songs are very complex, especially my favorite "This Little Babe" which has 3 sections of the choir singing the same lyrics a beat apart... very difficult, and very exciting. There is also the beautifully dissident "That Yonge Child", and practically everyone's favorite "Balulalow". The harp interlude is also very popular. I highly recommend this CD.



2. I have to agree with other reviewers that this is the best version of "A Ceremony of Carols" available. The piercing purity of the treble solo voice on "Balulalow" brings tears to my eyes nearly every time I listen to it, and the quality of the rest of the album matches that performance.
   
   These are exceedingly well-trained children; I often get a little concerned when a choir approaches "This Little Babe," but this choir tosses off the difficult challenge with an ease that lets me forget the notes and instead be shaken by the poetry of young boys singing a fierce war-cry about the hero Christ-child who, in his naked, infinitely vulnerable infancy, is humanity's shield against all hell.
   
   This is not "pretty" music - yes, it's just boys and a harp - but it's powerful, lulling, agressive, disarming. I can't stop talking about this recording to my friends and family.



3. I just purchased this CD, and the performance of Ceremony of Carols is absolutely ravishing.



4. This collection of holiday choral music by Benjamin Britten and the fantastic choir of the Westminster Cathedral is a real treat. It is a nice change from the more popular holiday choral music. Chorus members will love listening to it and will appreciate the work that goes into creating such beautiful sounds.

5 comments about Christmas with the Chipmunks, Vol. 1.

1. This CD version of an original 1963 vinyl LP (the original cover is shown on the reverse) came out at the dawn of the CD age and, at the time, was eagerly grabbed up by fans of David Seville (born Ross Bagdasarian on January 27, 1919 in Fresno, California.
   
   He had been cutting records since the mid-1950s, scoring in early 1956 with The Trouble With Harry (# 44 Billboard Pop Top 100) under the billing Alfi And Harry, and inspired by the Hitchcock film of the same name. Then, from late 1956 to 1959 he registered six more hits under the billing The Music Of David Seville, the most successful of which was 1958's The Witch Doctor which hit # 1 on both the Pop and R&B charts.
   
   But after he came in time for Christmas 1958 with The Chipmunk Song, billed to David Seville And The Chipmunks (Alvin, Simon and Theodore - named after Liberty Records execs Alvin Bennett, Simon Waronker and Teodore Keep) a whole new industru was born. Numerous hits would follow, a few more related to Christmas, and so when that first LP was released it was gobbled up by fans.
   
   But this CD version has long since been surpassed by releases with many more tracks and far better sound quality (on this, the voice of David on Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, is barely legible). Also, there are no liner notes at all.



2. I got a vinyl record that has volume 2 on it. It has some of the songs from this CD, as well as some that are not listed on the volume 2 CD. Curious, eh?



3. Please note to get instead the new great sounding Capitol 2007 release which has ALL 24 songs (includes both Volumes 1 & 2) plus one bonus and is very reasonably priced. This is the disappointing 10 song abbreviated version. The 2006 version has a recording flaw. This is a classic Christmas album that should be FULLY enjoyed and the 2007 is the best version out there!



4. Everything was wonderful with this product.The product is excellent and the shipping time span was good....Very nice to deal with this type of seller!!!



5. I remember this from when I was little----and now my 4 yr old loves it, too!---even with the new movie out this Christmas!

5 comments about A Mary Mary Christmas.

1. I'm a HUGE Mary Mary fan and I was NOT disappointed by this CD. I enjoyed this CD from Track 1 to Track 11. It's a Christmas CD done in true Mary Mary style. The traditional songs still hold their traditional sound, but have a different vibe and I like that. During the holidays you hear so much of the same holiday songs, most of them sounding the same...that you appreciate when a musician comes along and makes a song their own. If you enjoy Christmas music, you'll like this CD.
   
   As for the song "California Christmas," I think they were sharing their Christmas with us. Most Christmas songs are about snow and it being cold, well where they grew up/live, there wasn't any of that. I'm an East Coast girl and all I know is snow and cold, but this song opened my eyes to Christmas in Cali, sunny and warm. Christmas isn't about the weather and they are letting you know that no matter the weather, CHRISTMAS is CHRISTMAS!



2. For such a wonderful group this went right into the tank. Some bizarre combination of unintelligible lyrics and no rhythm or discernable beat. A total waste.



3. I love Mary Mary, but I have to say that I was very disappointed with this cd. I was all hyped thinking they were gonna do that thang, NOT!
   
   But, all in all, I'm a fan and I will cop their next project. This one just didn't get the job done.



4. This is christmas cd that you can listen to year round. The cd have your fast paced shuch songs and your calm and ministering ballads. If you purchase this cd you will not be disappointed.



5. Mary Mary should give a refund to everyone that purchased this cd. It's awful. I am a Mary Mary fan from the very first cd they put out, but this one is garbage. Come on now. I was shocked how sorry this one was.

5 comments about Bear in the Big Blue House - Halloween & Thanksgiving.

1. My son was a massive Bear fan until Bob the Builder, but we still watch this video about every other week (even when halloween and Thanksgiving are no where to be seen). It truly helped him understand halloween and to not be afraid of the costumes. The video did an outstanding job of explaining things to him. Even though he was only 2 months short of his second bday last halloween, he loved it and loved the scary costumes of those older children. This year he wants to be a 'green scary man' (to parents in the know this has turned out to be Spooky Ooky from Rolie Polie Olie's halloween show).
   Definite must have for parents and their little ones, it's entertaining.



2. A great way to familiarize children with two great holidays. Particularly with Halloween (the first half), there's theme decor galore, cute graphics, and cleverly worded songs. Not as much action in the Thanksgiving portion, but still very entertaining and reminds kids that family and friends are what's important during the holidays. Sure to please any Bear fan.



3. Love the bear and this is another great video. My 20 month old son loves the songs!



4. "Halloween & Thanksgiving" is a "Bear in the Big Blue House" VHS release featuring two "Bear" episodes --- "Halloween Bear" and "The Best Thanksgiving Ever." For a video production, the quality is pretty top-notch --- both episodes are close-captioned, the sound is hi-fi and the recording mode is SP.
   
   "Halloween Bear" features the kids of the Big Blue House dressing up in Halloween costumes in going trick-or-treating. For some, it's their first time and Treelo doesn't understand the concept at first and gets scared by what he thinks is real, but is in fact only a costume. Very cute and with some great songs from the kids, Bear, and Shadow.
   
   "The Best Thanksgiving Ever" - The episode above was nice, but I think this is the standout here. For Thanksgiving at the Big Blue House, Ojo decides to take charge of the decorations and pageant, hoping to make it the best Thanksgiving ever. But her plans all go wrong, with some very comic results --- but not so comic for Ojo. This features two awesome songs --- "So Much to Be Thankful For" (Bear solo and entire cast) and "Thanksgiving With My Friends." This second song is a sweet duet between Bear and Ojo and is truly heartwarming.
   
   This video came out before the current heyday of DVD, meaning that the only sort of special feature was some promos for "Dragon Tales" on video and DVD (a very nice promo) and other "Bear" releases on video. That's okay, though --- VHS really isn't expected to have special features and the program is worth it alone. I sure hope that this will eventually be released on DVD though.



5. hi i am here to tel you about a taoe this is fantastic my girlfriends alexa adriana aunt dawn mrss campigla mrss c abnd gabrela kristin hanna christina colien broke giana lindsy brown
   mis zeck all wached that with me there are my sisterss they would say that this was grait if i were you

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).

3 comments about Aquitania.

1. Aquitania was a rich part of the medieval world. It was the land of the troubadours and of the admirable liturgical chants. It was the world of the first medieval troubadour, Guilhelm IX, Duke of Aquitania and grandfather of Eleanor, the powerful queen. This CD evokes this legendary place, its myths and its art of the 12th century. All the CDs of Sequentia are marvellous. Words are not enough of describing the sensitive work of this ensemble. I have heard Dante and the Troubadours, Aquitania, with Christmas Music from Aquitanian monasteries and Shining Light. These three CDs give us a powerful view of the aquitanian spirit. I feel the vibrant culture of that part of a medieval world, when I am listening the troubadours songs and the music from aquitanian monasteries performed by Sequentia.



2. 'aquitania' is the second collection of 12th century musical pieces from Aquitanian Monasteries performed by sequentia, or the 'Ensemble for Medieval Music' comprised of a chorus of male voices, a chorus of female voices, and an instrumental ensemble.
   
   Not being a professional musical antiquarian, the very best I can say about this recording is that it is better than the first collection, 'shining light'.
   
   Oddly, my biggest problem with both collections is that nothing on both recordings does anything whatsoever to evoke Christmas for me. I say that because there are some buyers who may be on the lookout for some unusual Christmas music and they just may be disappointed by what the do NOT hear on these recordings. That caveat aside, this collection is very, very good in its variety of male, female, and instrumental voices.
   
   What some tracks do evoke is an oddly Celtic sound, especially in some of the instrumental tracks. All the vocals are in Latin, meaning they were all written to be performed for and by the monks and nuns of the monasteries in the Christmas season.
   
   There is simply nothing here sounding remotely like 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', even in Latin.
   
   If you want a portal into the world of very old music, I can think of nothing better. It is certainly more diverse and more interesting than the otherwise excellent 'Anonymous 4' recordings of old Christmas music.
   
   Highly recommended.



3. Aquitania by Sequentia is a wonderful, exciting Christmas CD for connoisseurs of early vocal music. These early Christmas Latin songs of the 12th century has a total time of 73 minutes. This is a fantastic, rewarding CD for all those looking for something else than the usual Christmas favorites. Sequentia is simply music of the highest rank. Barbara Thornton and Benjamin Bagby are geniuses in that field. Moreover, you simply cannot go wrong with this CD at Amazon's price. Far from expensive, I bought their other CD Shining Light. Before they fall into deletion, hurry to get both at once. I invested every penny for them and I never regretted it.
   
   - Maurice Canada

5 comments about Merry Little Christmas.

1. Linda Ronstadt's "Merry Little Christmas" is worth buying for "River," penned by Joni Mitchell, alone, although there are other gems, such as the songs Ms. Ronstadt sings with Rosemary Clooney and with the Tucson choir. But it's "River" that I play over and over.



2. I got this right around the same time as I purchased another 70's diva's Christmas record--namely, Donna Summer's CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. Perhaps not too surprisingly, both albums contain versions of what have become holiday standards. But did they have to be the same ONES? "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire); "White Christmas; "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Where's the originality?
   
   Well, actually, there is a fair amount of originality on both releases. Just maybe not with their selection of Christmas standards. But nearly every holiday album by popular artists is a mix of the secular and the sacred, and the trick is in the balancing. Interesting that in both Ronstadt and Summer's cases, they start off with the popular standards and then somewhat more gradually (Summer) or quite abruptly (Ronstadt) shift to the more religiously themed material.
   
   In either case, the mood would be totally altered if the listener were to switch to random select. In Ronstadt's case, especially so. The first four tracks are the standards, and they are basically a holiday version of American Songbook recordings with Nelson Riddle. Some reviewers (see below) have found these tracks rather perfunctory, or worse. Fans of the Riddle period recordings though should welcome these takes.
   
   Ronstadt's duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" is an implicit tip of the hat to the greats of an earlier era. (Who better to do it with, after all?) As with many such duets, what makes the track interesting is the singers' different approaches. By this point in her career, Rosie was all about phrasing. Linda seems to be trying to smooth out any rough edges by singing extra pretty. Oddly enough, it works. Or maybe it's not so odd. Opposites attract, and opposite singing styles complement each other. At least, here they do.
   
   One reviewer below perceptively noted that the inclusion of Joni Mitchell's "River," with its musical quote of "Jingle Bells" and the passing reference to Christmas time, adds a note of holiday melancholy to the proceedings. One might argue that that same emotion is evoked in the holiday standards included here as well. After all, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" was, as I understand it, a WWII song, with the emotional capper being the closing line ('...if only in my dreams"). And is there a better example of Christmas melancholy than "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" ("Someday soon we all will be together if the fates allow"). Even "White Christmas" is about yuletide nostalgia. By the time we get to Ronstadt's take on the Joni Mitchell classic, we should be pretty much overcome with the holiday blues.
   
   So where to go from there? Back to the true meaning of the Christmas holiday, I guess. So bring on the choirs. Yes, much of the rest of the album consists of Linda singing (and blending in--with precious little soloing) with choirs from Tucson and Los Angeles. It's an abrupt change of pace, and it pretty much works. But fans will probably be nonplussed by the lack of soloing--or even momentary bits of Ronstadt coloration.
   
   I love choral singing myself. And I won't argue with Ronstadt's (or her producer's) artistic decision here. I guess there could be truth to one commentator's contention that the album was a quickie done more for contractual reasons than artistic ones. On the other hand, sometimes even rush jobs can come together in unexpected ways and make a significant statement. Ronstadt's musical journey on this record from the secular to the sacred, from the personal to the communal, is a fascinating one. I won't say it's 100% successful. But like Summer's record (which gradually moved from holiday standards to a full gospel testimony), this is a record which actually brings the listener along for a very interesting--and perhaps inspiring--ride.



3. "Silent night, holy night
   Son of God, love's pure light
   Radiant beams from thy holy face
   With the dawn of redeeming grace
   Jesus, Lord at thy birth
   Jesus, Lord at thy birth." ~ Silent Night ~ Franz Xaver Gruber
   
   Linda Ronstadt's "A Merry Little Christmas" is an absolutely beautiful collection of some of the best-loved Christmas songs of all-time. How can you not include this with your collection of Christmas music? There are so many reasons why this CD should be in your Christmas collection.
   
   Firstly, Linda Ronstadt's vocal artistry is impeccable.
   
   Secondly, the choice of material is great - it's a combination of some of the most popular traditional Christmas carols and some of the least recorded songs yet remarkably meaningful.
   
   Thirdly, Rosemary Clooney, a great singer herself graced this album on a duet with Linda Ronstadt as they sing Irving Berlin's "White Christmas."
   
   Another good reason to love this CD is Ms. Ronstadt's interpretations. She sings so effortlessly and with such gracefulness and dedication to each song.
   
   One more justifiable reason is the musical arrangements - they're sublimely done. She's surrounded by a long list of talented musicians headed by Peter Matz and Jeffrey Haskell who have their respective line-up of musicians, and not to mention the backing of the Choirs from Tucson and Los Angeles.
   
   In addition, some of my favorite Christmas carols are included here - "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," not to mention the great versions of "River," a Joni Mitchell composition, and "I Wonder As I Wander" featuring The Choir from Los Angeles. I love the beautiful performances on traditional songs such as "Away In A Manger," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming."
   
   Lastly, this is one beautiful Christmas CD that I will strongly recommend for your Holiday's listening pleasure.



4. It's always great to hear Linda, whether on Christmas songs, folk, pop or singing the phone book. Too bad she only appears on about half the tracks...



5. I find my assessment of this CD ranges somewhere between the reviewer who gave it one star to the one who assigned four. The opening four tracks are, quite simply, some of the nicest renditions of those four classics you will find anywhere.
   
   After that, well, as one reviewer accurately states, her marvelous voice becomes swallowed up in chorale arrangements. Also, I don't know about you but I never did particularly like Christmas compilations that offer up obscure selections [tracks 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 in this instance].
   
   In lieu of liner notes what you get are the lyrics to each selection, along with names of the composers and details of the backing artists/chorale groups.
   
   For the most part we only haul these out once a year for about a month, and in doing so I think most of us like the familiar tunes done by our favourite artists. I was a bit disappointed.

5 comments about The Haunted Mansion: Haunted Hits.

1. After seeing the movie, I really enjoyed Mark Mancina's score, but was disappointed to find that the only CD only came with the overature. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great piece, but I don't really like or appriciate rock and pop.
   I did find it halarious to find the singing busts version of Grim, Grinning Ghosts. I enjoy listening to this song every now and then because it makes me laugh and reminds me of the old Disneyland Sing-a-Long movie I used to watched.
   If you're looking for the score to this movie, I'm sad to say that I think this is it. Just get it from the library or borrow it from a friend. Unless it's really cheap on sale, I doubt I'll ever buy this CD.



2. I am A haunted mansion fan as well as a haunter. (Extreme halloween dude.) I can only say that who ever thought that it was a good idea to put this crap on this cd should be fired. This is the worst cd I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping through and then wanting to set on fire. The one, and I mean THE ONE AND ONLY reason for my one star is for the beautiful score by mark mancina. Although, they should have just put a cd full of the music out of the movie, but no! They had to make him do something else! DON'T BUY THIS CD IF YOU ARE A MANSION FAN! It is a big let down.



3. I agree w/ all the other reviewers that we sought this soundtrack to hear the gorgeous score not these "hits." Why are marketing people so dense and out of touch w/ the targeted demo? Hopefully but not promisingly a reissue will make the score available. It's one of the best things about the movie.
   
   Boo.



4. I'm a big fan of novelty Halloween songs and most anything with a spooky theme, from songs from the 50's right through to modern gothy/punk versions. This CD fits right in with my collection but I also like it because it's the only one of it's type that's sort of hip hop. It makes for a nice change. So I don't get all the negative reviews here except that people can't figure out what they're getting from the decription Amazon has up. Plus the song clips are now gone. The score from the Haunted Mansion movie is rather obviously sold here as a different disk.
   
   Track 1. Superstition by Raven - a decent Stevie Wonder remake
   2. Grim, Grinning Ghosts - the Barenaked Ladies version of the song from the movie and, apparently, the ride (which I haven't been on is years and can't remember too much from it)
   3. Somebody's Watching Me by Morris Day - personally I like this better than the original by Rockwell, which I never liked much to begin with
   4. Spooky by Conti Bros. - can never be as good as the Classics IV original but okay
   5. Things That Go Bump in the Night by JACK - no idea who this Disney-type girl band is and it's totally not what I would normally listen to but, darn it, if I don't end up singing this super catchy, upbeat tune for hours after hearing it
   6. Right Place, Wrong Time by Brian O'Neal and the BusBoys - a slower version of the Dr. John song
   7. Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo - now I love this song and am a long time Oingo Boingo fan but this song doesn't exactly fit in here and it's on 50% of all Halloween type CD's, so it's a little boring here
   8. Man with the Hex by Atomic Fireballs - fast & hard swing music, love it!
   9. Monster Mash by Brian O'Neal and the BusBoys - another downbeat cover by someone I've never heard of but okay
   10. The Boogie Man by the Jackson 5 - from the time with Michael Jackson was fun to listen to
   11. Tombstone by Suzanne Vega - good to hear from her again with this minimal, jazzy number
   12. I Put a Spell on You by Calvin Richardson - a Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover, also jazzy and scaled down with discordant piano, R&B vocals, and little else
   13. Grim, Grinning Ghosts by the Singing Busts - from the movie but the BNL's version is better and you only need one version on the album. I rarely listen to this and usually stop the CD here
   14. Overture from The Haunted Mansion - I guess they wanted to tie the CD closer to the movie but this Disneyfied classical piece is totally out of place, typical of every other movie they put out, and is a lame way to end the album
   15. So Long by the Singing Busts - only 24 seconds long and exactly what the title implies



5. I normally read the reviews before I buy this time I did not. If your looking for the score to the movie forget it. I cannot express in words what a total piece of worthless garbage this CD is.

5 comments about It's Christmas Time.

1. If you are looking to try collecting cds, that Elvis Presley is singing Christmas songs, you can start with this. If you an Elvis Presley fan, and looking for a short album, this is the cd for you. The cd runs 23 minutes and 15 secends. I know that it is not Chirstmas time, but do you really need to wait until Chirstmas to start listening to Chirstmas music? There are 10 songs, on this cd, and they are Blue Christmas, Silent Night, White Christmas, Santa Claus is Back in Town, I'll Be Home for Christmas, If Every Day Was Like Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane), Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me), and Mama Likes the Roses. The last one (to me) doesn't seem to have anything to do with Christmas. So that is why I am giving this a 4. Also, track #8, doesn't know have much to do with Christmas, but a town. But all in all, a still good cd for Elvis Presley fans.



2. They've been on budget releases for years now but these songs in this order are an essential part of Christmas. Everyone should have this cd in their collection. It's as American as apple pie. Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit more than Elvis' Blue Christmas.



3. This is the 1970 edition of the Elvis Christmas album just re-packaged with a new cover and name. The original Elvis Christmas Album was released in 1957 and included 8 Christmas songs along with 4 Gospel songs from the "Peace In The Valley" EP. His original Christmas album was repackaged and re-released in 1970 with the 4 Gospel songs being replaced by "If Every Day was Like Christmas" (which was originally released as a single in 1966) and the non-Christmas song "Mama Liked The Roses". The 1970 edition was then re-packaged and released on CD as "It's Christmas Time" a few years ago.
   
   Elvis' performances on the songs here are excellent! Several of these recordings have become Christmas classics, still receiving significant radio airplay nearly 50 years after they were recorded!
   
   While this was a great album in its day, it has since been superseded. All the songs on this album are currently available on the Elvis "White Christmas" CD along with the 4 Gospel songs and every song from his 1971 "The Wonderful World of Christmas" album. I would recommend that you spend a few extra bucks and buy the Elvis "White Christmas" if you can still find it or the "If Every Day was Like Christmas" CD instead. You will get a lot more Christmas cheer!
   
   I do have one complaint. It is more about how RCA/BMG is mis-managing Elvis' library of releases than anything else. The 1970 edition of the Elvis Christmas Album is Elvis' single biggest selling album in the US with sales certified by the RIAA in excess of 9 million copies. Why on earth did RCA decide to repackage the album under a new name and release it as a different title when they were less than a million short of Elvis receiving his first Diamond award for sales in excess of 10 million?!? Sales of this CD, "Its Christmas Time" have exceeded 2 million in the US according to RIAA! If they would have just kept the original title and cover, Elvis would have had his first Diamond award!!!! Makes no sense to me!



4. Let me start off by saying by saying that I just bought this cd, and it is the first Elvis cd I have ever bought. Im 18 years old, and i'm a metal head.
   
   Now why do I like Elvis? Well it's simple, Elvis is the man, he's the king. This is A very good cd, It is a little on the short side. There is only 10 songs and none of them are over 3 minutes. So the cd will be pretty much over before your done washing the dishes from your Christmas dinner. But even still, I picked this cd up at Target for $5.99. It was well worth it.
   
   I like almost all the songs on this cd. Almost...I'm not a fan of "O Little Town of Bethlehem". But the rest of the songs I enjoyed alot. My favorite being "If Every Day Was Like Christmas".
   
   This cd quickly got me in the holliday mood. And its a great way to help you get in to the holliday spirit. I hope you enjoy it like I do.



5. I was interested in a particular Christmas song and this cd had it, as well as others that I like.

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!