4 comments about Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (ballet suite)/Swan Lake (excerpts)/Sleeping Beauty Waltz/ Bernstein, NY Philharmonic.

1. This is the best composed music I've heard in my life. It is relaxing and enchanting. Everyone should listen to it, at least once in their lives.



2. Crisp and lively! This CD offered all my favorites from the Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake along with Sleeping Beauty. What more could I ask? Sound quality is supurb!



3. I purchased this CD for my six year old grandaughter who was dancing in the local production of The Nutcracker for the second year, and she loved it. It contains the best pieces of the three ballets without being so long as to cause little listeners to lose interest, and is a good quality production as well. We enjoyed it throughout the Christmas season.



4. First let me say, I am a huge fan of Leonard Bernstein. I have some outstanding recordings of his that match no other. He has contributed greatly to keeping classical music alive and to my personal library as well. But I have to say that I have better recordings than these of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Overall, if you listen to this CD it's fine with some impressive sound that you get from a large tight orchestra such as the NYP (after all, Bernstein was the one who directed them to be as closely knit as they are). The overall interpretation is big and loud with swift movement through the pieces. I personally like the music to sound a bit more expressive and intimate. That's not to say that these lack any emotion. But they are slightly off in tempi and expression to my liking.
   
   For the Nutcracker, Karajan puts more depth into it and the orchestra is just as large. As for the Swan Lake, the interpretation by Wolfgang Sawallisch and the Philadelphia Orch. (EMI) is richer and brighter than this Bernstein recording. It also happens to be the complete work and not just the highlights which, now that I have heard it in its entirety, there is no reason to have highlighted excerpts which take away from this phenomenal work by Tchaikovsky. It happens to be a low budget CD which is just an added bonus. So if you really want the highlights version, burn the same pieces from the Bernstein excerpts and there you go! Sorry Lenny.

5 comments about A Renaissance Christmas / Cohen, Boston Camerata.

1. These people are musical geniuses. This is our favorite Christmas album. It is so masterfully done, it is a joy and a rich experience to hear it over and over again. Hear it on a really good stereo for full effect. A true pleasure year after year.



2. Fantabulous! This is millenial Christmas music, the sort that will endure long after the stuff Americans listen to has faded away. If you like real music, have a copy of this. If you like the first art, BC can't be beat. What a job! And, outside of a couple of tiny oversights, the accompanying text is very well done.



3. I have had this Cd isnce it was released and year after year it delights, amazes and fills my family's heart with holiday joy. Like other reviewers have said, I agree that the quality of this CD (along with the companion CDs a Medival Christmas and a Baroque Christmas) is truly a revelation. But what I love most is simply listening to songs that aren't as well known as other carols- it connects you to the past instantly and also makes you feel the real reason for the season. Simply gorgeous and heavenly.



4. There is nothing to criticize on this CD, along with its wonderful companions, Medeival Christmas and Baroque Christmas. The singing is absolutely masterful; the instrumentation is faithful to what would've been used during the time period for additional authenticity. The narration in the various accents, taken directly from the story of the nativity in the Bible, really strings the different songs togheter. The various offerings from around the world connects the listener to two thousand years of Christmas tradition. We are of Catalan descent, so we were especially pleased to find "Tau Garçó, la Durundena," an ancient Catalan madrigal, but my personal favorite is the reverent, perfectly realized "O Magnum Mysterium" (Oh, Greatest of Mysteries), which has to be one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever written. I have heard this song performed by many choirs and madrigal groups, and this CD's version is by far the most beautiful I've ever heard.
   
   The music on this CD is so timeless and rich in quality and history that I actually listen to it year round, but it adds a special sparkle to holiday celebrations in a way that "Jingle Bell Rock" can never hope to achieve. :) This series is a real gift to the music world and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.



5. My mom bought this years ago and I still think it's wonderful music for Christmas. Definitely buy this album.

5 comments about A Statlers Christmas Present.

1. Had an old recording of this, and liked it, and this is nice too.



2. Can't complain when the Statlers sing...humor, harmony, and the holidays. It doesn't get any better than that.



3. I gave this as a present, and the recipient seemed pleased. If you're a Statler Brothers fan, you'll probably like it!



4. Was very happy with the speed of delivery. Love the Staters and the cd were in perfect condition



5. This is a great addition to my Christmas collection. I love the Statlers & never missed their show on TNN when they had it. This brought back many memories of those shows. Thank you.

5 comments about Christmas in the Caribbean: Holiday Songs Performed on Steel Drums.

1. I really enjoy listening to Xmas classics on the steel drums. It really is 100% steel drums on many songs, with no vocals.
   
   I would give this item 5 stars if the recording quality were great. Unfortunately, it sounds rather old and thin.
   
   Even so, I'd buy it again knowing the way that it is.



2. It may just be me, but I was disappointed in this album when I received it. It just wasn't what I hoped it would be...most of the songs sounded similar and I believe I could have made a better choice. I guess I was looking for a little more "Buffett" in my Caribbean than I felt like I received with this selection...to each his own.



3. I gave this to my aunt for christmas and she raved about it. It's a great fit for tropical christmases. We don't see much snow in south florida and steel drums add a nice flair with the tropical setting.



4. This is the perfect album for those who find traditional Christmas carols a bit on the gloomy side, or are just tired of the Same Old Thing playing in the background. The irrepressably happy sound of steel drums and those catchy Caribbean rhythms reshape familiar holiday songs in a fun new way. One warning, though: You may find yourself wanting to put a little umbrella in Santa's glass of milk!



5. If you love steel drums you'll love this. Reminds me of sitting on the beach w/ a Corona....like the commercial!

5 comments about All Wrapped Up in Christmas.

1. Tracy has taken classic Christmas songs and made them fun again. With his smooth voice and lively tone the old becomes new again. He has also include three new songs that give this album his personal signature, and each is sure to be a new hit. In addition, he has included two songs requested by his daughters that make this album fun for all ages.



2. If ever an album came along that was so perfect for the holiday season, it's THIS one, folks! Tracy Lawrence's voice and personality breathed a refreshing new life to our classic holiday favorites and his new songs will undoubtedly will now be among them. A real treat for anyone and everyone. Go get yours now!



3. It seems that by now we know to expect every Tracy Lawrence CD to bring some suprises. And this one does. How does one take a country voice and make it smooth and classy? AND manage to keep the country in it? Not sure how he does it but that is exactly what Tracy has done with this CD. He challenged himself with old classics and proved that he can take any song and make it his own. And speaking of his own, the 2 new songs encourage a little laughter to deal with the stresses of the season. Even non-drinkers can understand the heart of Cold Beer and the title cut All Wrapped Up In Christmas? Well lets say it speaks for its self. I promise this is one CD you just might find yourself "all wrapped up in".
   So when you pick up a copy for yourself, you might want to grab a couple of extras. You know---to hand to friends and family who sometimes ask to borrow yours?



4. What another Great CD from Tracy Lawrence. You will LOVE it. Get one for everyone on your Xmas list.



5. What an amazing Christmas CD. What more can you expect from a wonderful artist such as Tracy Lawrence. He's taken Classic Christmas and made it his own. A must have this Christmas Season.

5 comments about Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa.

1. I am not going to write a bunch of text here. I love the reviews, and I LOVE THIS CD. Chicago's present line-up is 5-star, across the board. I do not take part in the Scheff v. Cetera, Imboden v. Seraphine, and Howland v. Kath debate - but today's Chicago plays as a unified team, more than any other in its history. You always had the sense that Dacus, Pinnick, and Bailey were not true believers; deOliveira was there for the Caribou Sound. And with each passing album, Peter Cetera sounded more and more like he didn't want to be there.
   
   THIS Chicago is awesome, so much so that I would not replace any of them with any other prior Chicago member. Who knows - Terry Kath might have pulled a Bailey and bailed if he didn't like the direction? It's all speculation. All I know is THIS sound works, and every album since Night and Day is a joy.
   
   Keith Howland's a keeper.
   
   OK, I'm starting to write a lot.
   
   Buy this album. Enjoy . . . and Merry Christmas!



2. This edition, featuring 6 new songs at the time of issue, was previously issued as Chicago 25 in 1998. It wasn't a huge seller but gained steam year after year as certain tracks gained radio airplay and through word of mouth sales. In 2003, this version came out and now it's spreading holiday cheer even more than before! You will still find the original version on Amazon, but the 6 new tracks make it worth it to get this one.
   I support just about every song from the original album, and you should get this record just based on how good those songs are. Here are some new thoughts:
   
   The Good: The first Christmas album in `98 started out with Little Drummer Boy; this time that song comes in on track #4. This song set the tone the entire album before, and is the best song on the whole CD. What a great version! This time, the opener is the first of the six new songs, "Winter Wonderland." Not a bad move and not a bad version by the boys! "This Christmas" led by Jason Scheff is done very well, with a crisp sound. "Bethlehem" is an excellent song, very pretty with a great melody. Great vocals by multiple members, keeping a Chicago trademark going. "Sleigh Ride" and "Rudolph" are amazing. `Jolly Old St. Nicolas' is an original by the group; it's not bad but has a little too much guitar neat the end - this focus on guitar will probably satisfy many folks at the holiday parties who are gobbling the goodies while sipping the egg nog and having coffee chasers.
   
   The BAD: The two tracks with the kids singing have (gladly) been pushed to the back of the track listing (Numbers 18 & 19, out of 20 songs) for this new release. Sorry kids, but these tracks have a wonderful 100% success rate of falling victim to the "next track" button on the CD player. Besides these two tracks and a slightly sub par Jolly Old St. Nicolas, this album is a wonderful holiday treat that captures the Chicago sound and warm spirit.
   
   Overall, this is a great Christmas album. There are excellent and comprehensive liner notes, with the story behind the album and breakdowns of each song. Check out the neat retro Christmas gift tags on the inside, on the right side. The guys still have a great sense of humor after all these years.



3. Next to my Elvis Christmas CD, this is my favorite Christmas CD. A great band performing great songs. It seems the traditional songs were written just for Chicago.



4. I have many Xmas albums and they are all starting to sound the same. This is Xmas music with a Chicago flavor. I just got it and find myself going back to this album over and over again.



5. I like it a lot but I like Chicago 25 better. A must for Your rock and roll Chirstmas.

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