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 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

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 Christmas on the Mountain: A Bluegrass Christmas.

1. I LOVE this CD. It is the best and really the only real Bluegrass Christmas CD there is. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" that Cyndi Wheeler does will knock you in the floor it is so good. The way the album was recorded gives it a sound that will be around for a long, long time. I give this album a 10 and then some.



2. This CD has it all. Doc Watson, Del McCoury and Mac Wiseman, Jerry Douglas, Ronnie McCoury, Cyndi Wheeler AND the GrooveGrassBoyz. This thing will be a classic and it will be around for a LONGLONG time. Man it's good.



3. This delightfully fresh and new Bluegrass Christmas CD has been in HEAVY rotation since it arrived Thanksgiving weekend. It has it all: Old Chesnuts, new songs, some very funny and clever comedy and outstanding musicianship. This aint no mediocre bluegrass knock-off, this is the real stuff. With the legendary voices of Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Bobby & Sonny Osborne and Del McCoury to newer voices Tim O'brien, Ronnie McCoury and Cindy Wheeler (WOW!!! Who???). This will be sure to keep your cabin a glow with the Christmas spirit wherever it may be. A MUST HAVE!!



4. This is an instant classic. It's one of those rare Christmas CDs that I'll be listening to this summer, just because it's so good.



5. i have about 20 bluegrass xmas CDs, many are wonderful, but this may be the pick of the litter. The 10 songs here are witty, fun, simple without being slight. Kinda like how Xmas should sound.

5 comments about A Rock'N'Roll Christmas, Vol. 2.

1. Okay so it has some great tracks like "Christmas time" but then you get to the Beach Boys! (seems like they are on every christmas complilation these days.) I wish it had more oomph like the first one that had "Christmas is the time to say I love you" Find the first albulm and stay away from this one!



2. "Rock N Roll Christmas 2" is an awesome CD, with tracks such as "Christmastime" by Bryan Adams (How often do you see that one on CD?), and "Run Rudolph Run" by Dave Edmunds, which just happens to be my all-time favorite Christmas song. This CD also has "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" by Bob & Doug McKenzie, which makes me laugh every time I hear it. For these three alone, this CD is worth the money. Also found here are rarities by Chris Deburgh, Angel, and Squeeze. Put them all together, and what do you have? The answer: An AWESOME CD! If you liked "Rock N Roll Christmas" (the first volume), you'll want to pick this one up as well. GET IT NOW!!!



3. Why do we hang a stocking upon the mantle anyway? Because the enjoyment of discovering our favorite goodies and trinkets is instant joy, no wrapping paper to take off, no waiting for your turn, and no dissapointment because it is filled by those who know you best. This comYULEation reminds me of a Christmas stocking. The liner lists a few well known artists playing yuletides which have become Rock`n Roll seasonal standards. If you have listened to vol. 1, continue to be assured those tracks less recognizable will also be compiled from among the best goodies of the 6o`s,7o`s,and early 8o`s. As with most 2nds, you`ll find a wider assortment of sub-generas and a few less ring`ers.Merrily mix~ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and 10 ~~ no bahhumbugs Post Script : As with vol. 1 the load is too short for a five star ranking and no instrumental.***buyit*saveit*sharemost*giveit*donateit***



4. Just as good as the 1st volume. Great cd & would highly recommend!



5. Purchased to get the Run Run Rudolph song, the rest aren't really that good.

5 comments about A Winter Garden: Five Songs for the Season.

1. This is great to have in addition to her classic "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" CD. This has slightly more "traditional" selections but they are flavored more heavily with the Loreena sound that has become so popular the world over. And for good reason. Even though this CD doesn't contain a large selection of songs, the ones that are on here are amazing. It feels like Loreena and the musicians that accompany her on this have spent years gearing up for this one release. ENJOY!!!



2. Albeit short, this album is a perfect companion piece to Loreena McKennitt's "To Drive the Cold Winter Away", a sparse, classic album of older Christmas /Solstice songs while this presents a shorter, very soothing and lush recording. Kind of like a glimpse into what a full length Christmas CD by McKennitt might sound like if she incorporated the sound she and her band have cultivated over the years. Every Christmas season we look forward to hearing these albums. There just seems to be so much commercial sounding holiday-overload tunes, obsessed with Jesus and forgetting that this time of year is based in an older tradition of the seasons changing and forgetting the wonder of a winter sky at sunset... Even Enya's few Christmas tunes last year (with the exception of the haunting "Christmas Secrets") seemed hollow. This however is a well-thought and expertly crafted EP. It is not long but the songs are quality. If you are a serious fan then you no doubt own this already but if you are interested in Loreena McKennitt or non-traditional Christmas/Solstice CDs then you can't beat this.



3. This woman can SING. This CD, rather short of course since it has only 5 songs, is a wonderful Christmas CD.
   
   Song 1, Conventry Carol, is my least favorite, but that may be because it is a depressing story which is being told about King Herod killing all the babies in Bethlehem.
   
   Song 2, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is a good arrangement of the traditional Christmas song.
   
   Song 3, Good King Wenceslas, tells the story of the good king and how he helped a peasant on a cold day. It too is nicely sung.
   
   Song 4, Snow, is my favorite. I can imagine the snow falling as she sings this song. Archibald Lampman's lyrics are as good at imaging a snowy evening as Robert Frost's are in "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." "White are the far-off plains, and white the fading forests grow" is the first line of the song and it builds from there.
   
   Song 5, Seeds of Love, is a new one for me. I'm not sure it belongs on a Christmas CD as it talks about spring and summer, but of course, the reason for Christmas is love, so I'll let it be.



4. We bought our original copy of this album at a crafts fair, years ago. It quickly became a new favorite. My folks and I look forward to listening to this album all year long. It contains well loved favorites like "Good King Wenceslas," and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Yet Loreena McKennitt also sings two other hardly known favorites like "The Coventry Carol," and "Snow." Her rendition of "Seeds of Love," brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I highly recommend that you add this to your holiday collection. You won't regret it one bit.



5. Being a relatively new McKennitt fan, I had high expectations of this mini-album, especially for God rest ye merry gentlemen (one of my alltime Christmas favorites). The album didn't disappoint, but didn't manage to really blow me away either. Perhaps it has to grow on me, or maybe I'm just spoiled rotten with "A celtic heartbeat Christmas" on the Celtic Heartbeat label.

5 comments about Medieval Christmas.

1. This one's superb. I was absolutely thrilled to see it on CD a few years back (I had the LP). "Medieval Christmas" may sound a little...sullen, or something, but ho ho, this one is different. Sure it's early music, one of the best early music CDs I've heard, and I have many, but it fits the spirit of the holiday season perfectly without being preachy, or overtly Christmas-like. I bought a few copies for friends and they say they like it so much, they play it year 'round.

   That's a heck of a recommendation for a Christmas CD, eh? I really don't know what makes this one so special. All that I know is that it's a 5-star production, and the "Renaissance Christmas" I would give only 3.5 stars. It doesn't pack as much of a wallop. So grab this one, folks, and enjoy. From me to you I love this CD!




2. This has been my favorite holiday album since it first came out some nearly 25 years ago. It has *definately* stood all tests of time.



3. A friend gave me this album - on a 33RPM record! - over 20 years ago and it has remained one of my all time favorites. Words defy the magic contained in it. You will be transported back hundreds of years. I cannot laud enough the Boston Cantata's attention to details and professionalism in the playing of original instruments, the old English readings, and the incredible vocals, especially the countertenor on "Gabriel's Prophecy."



4. I was 7 years old and excited as all get out for Christmas when my stepfather brought this album into our family, and it immediately became a classic. This is by far my favorite music to listen to during christmas time. While carols become slightly stale as you grow older, the melodies and performance from this album are timeless, enchanting, historic and carry deep meaning. Now that I'm 33, I appreciate these performances even more, if that is even possible. A true gem. When I discovered it here on CD, I was so excited I telephoned my whole family to let them know.



5. We're bombarded with modern Christmas music at work ALL...DAY...LONG. Or at the mall or at the grocery store. Why would anyone want to bring the same music home with them that only reminds them of work? And yet people do this every year. Get back to the basics. Put on the kettle, light the fireplace, use those flicker flame lights on your tree, turn off all those modern white house lights and then put on this cd and just sit on your couch. You'll be in the 13th century in no time. Leave the Bob Hope specials and Lawrence Welk Christmases to the idiots.

4 comments about King's Singers Christmas.

1. Stunningly beautiful! I deeply enjoy Christmas music - from the ancient, to jazz and pop - and main a diverse and festive holiday collection. While "Maxjazz-Holiday" is my secular holiday favorite, "King's Singers Christamas" is my hands-down, "knock-your-socks-off" favorite among traditional Christmas music. It is unparallelled in sonic beauty and musical expression of the historic Christmas story. I can become totally lost in the sublime beauty of these artists of a cappella voice. One track is more stunning than the next in sheer beauty, tonal blending, vocal textures, and musical expression of the Jesus nativity story. My deepest thanks to the artists who created this deeply moving collection of seasonal music.



2. What else can I say. If you are a fan of Christmas music and of the King's Singers you will like this album. I was originally trying to get CD versions of some older vinyl King's Singers Christmas albums I had purchased while living in Austria in the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, they are not available. This is a fine replacement. I would still like to be able to get the German album in CD form, though.



3. Words fail to rise to the task of describing this collection. The words, melodies and performance are simply transcendent and sublime.



4. The King's Singers bring their mastery of blend and tone together for their latest Christmas album. It's difficult to comprehend how 6 men can produce such an amazing sound, but they do. They sing traditional Christmas music, such as Coventry Carol, Lullay my Liking, and Stille Nacht. This is the King's Singers at their best- exquisite acapella music that is contemplative and will lift up one's spirits. In particular, I recommend listening to their rendition of Bogoroditsye dyevo. If you still have time, I would recommend downloading the MP3s and listening to it for Christmas. If not, this can be listened to at any time of year.

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 Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration (with Christmas Ornament).

1. This Cd was wonderful great songs for the holiday season.



2. This Christmas CD is one of the best that I've heard in ages and it's been an absolute pleasre to listen to from start to finish. The DVD is just as fantastic, I hope there will be more to come.



3. This is without a doubt, one of the most talented group of women singers, that I have ever heard or seen. Each is a superb singer on her own, and together it's like listening to the angels singing. I think the arranger/ leader of the orchestra David Downs is to be commended for his arrangements and the bringing together of this group of singers



4. After viewing this performance on PBS I had to have this CD.
   This is the absolute best choral Christmas Music ever. None of the new type - shouting, trilling or singing in a fashion where one cannot even make out what is being sung. This gets back to performing a song the way it was originally written and enjoyed. I recommend it to everyone.



5. Beautiful; uplifting; pure delight. A very sweet collection, and one I will play every year.