5 comments about Merry Christmas to You.

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



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

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

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

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

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

   Thank you, Reba.




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



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



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

5 comments about Christmas the Cowboy Way.

1. You'll get a real feeling of being out on the prairie or at least knowing what it might be like on Christmas Eve miles away from any town, surrounded by your fellow cowboys and several thousand head of cattle. Some traditional, some more modern, and a few originals are included on this CD. Good for throwing into the holiday music mix.



2. This is a decent Christmas album, done in a Western harmony style that is reminiscent of the Sons of the Pioneers. It's well enough done, but to be honest, I was expecting it to be funnier. There is some humor, but most of the songs are done "straight". And the songs that are "funny" are pretty corny. But if you like that sort of thing, you should enjoy this album.



3. My Mom gave this album for me for Christmas when I was 18 years old. I'm 25 now and I still love it. It has Christmas songs many that everybody knows and some totally unfamiliar, all of them done in cowboy style. I think the choices that the Riders in the Sky, chose for the album were very appropriate. "The Friendly Beasts," is about Jesus being born in a manger and the animals giving their gifts to them. "I'll Be Home For Christmas," was originally a WWII song, sung by soldiers who couldn't be home for Christmas. And the "cowboys" probably chose the song for this album, because like many soldiers, cowboys often don't have a home to come home to for Christmas either.
   
   So go ahead, buy this album. You'll be glad you did.



4. I have a big collection of Christmas music, and this is my favorite album. The song Corn, Water, and Wood is worth the price alone! Each song on this album is unique. The talent and creativity of these guys comes shining through.



5. the title says it all
   
   it's the Riders in the Sky - they are singing Christmas music - what more could you ask for???
   
   a different, fun album - especially if you like cowboy music

5 comments about What a Wonderful World.

1. It is okay. Not great, just okay. I love LeAnn Rimes, and this is not her best. The singing is just ehh, nothing amazing, and she does too much jumping around. It's good if you can add your own touch to a song to liven it up a bit, but LeAnn overdoes it. It is okay if you want a mediocre christmas album. I wouldn't buy it again.
   
   If you are actually unlucky enough to have heard Christina Aguilera's Christmas album and this one, I swear that LeAnn copied off of several of Christina's badly sung songs! It's hilarious. She sings it exactly the same "unique" way, arrangements and all!



2. Now, don't get me wrong, I actually happen to be a fan of Ms. Rimes. I bought this Christmas CD to add to my collection, and totally wasted my money. Her voice on this CD is just atrocious and annoying, and her butchery of "Oh Holy Night" is just plain obscene. Stick with her regular CD's and pass on this one , if you know what is good for you.



3. A great mixture of Classic Holiday songs. With 10 tracks (11 with the Target Exclusive Bonus Track "Santa Baby") this album has 8 (9 with "Santa Baby") 2 brand new song she co-wrote: "A Different Kind Of Christmas" & "Just Love Me" (which her husband, Dean Sheremet also co-wrote with her).
   
   I think LeAnn Rimes deserves a big round of applause for this great CD.



4. LeAnn Rimes is one of my favourite artists. Her voice is amazing and the songs are usually great. This album is quite a good one. Well, the songs are probably too peaceful. I would have wished more rocking songs like the opening track "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". The album is not so good as a normal album but I bet it is great to listen to in Christmas time.
   Stars: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, All I Want for Christmas



5. ...and I've heard Elvis's Christmas album in which he sings "Blue Christmas" like he's having a seizure. I was skeptical when I saw the only religious song was O' Holy Night, which she absolutely massacred to the point of sacrilege. I would be ashamed to put out such a disgusting album. The only song she sang right was "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", but it's still Brenda Lee's song. And what the hell does "What a Wonderful World" have to do with the Christmas holidays? (Though I did sort of enjoy this song in a "Who's that Doggie in the Window" kind of way.)
   
   Leann does have a voice ("Blue" is amazing and her inspirational CD, "You Light Up My Life" had a couple of good songs, so I know she can do MUCH better). There was too much heavy breathing, ad-libbing "oh yeah", for example, and singing monosyllabic words as polysyllabic (I don't know what you call that in musical terms, I just know what I heard was caterwauling). Sometimes it sounded like she was trying to sing in the middle of an orgasm, and I felt like a weirdo for listening.
   
   If you want to listen to "White Christmas", listen to Bing Crosby sing it, if you want to listen to "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", listen to Judy Garland sing it in "Meet Me in St. Louis", which it was actually written for, and, of course, Brenda Lee's version of "Rockin'" is still the best and the only version I've heard in all the Christmas movies I've seen.
   
   I think "Just Love Me" was just about the worst (badly written) song on here. It should have been titled "A Trailer Park Christmas". If I want to hear a redneck, white trash, blue collar "holiday" song, I'll listen to "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"--at least it's somewhat entertaining.
   
   If you want to listen to a GOOD Christmas CD, get Jim Reeves's "The Twelve Songs of Christmas" (which has "Senor Santa Claus" on it--such a cute song!).
   
   Now that I think about it, even though "O' Holy Night" was the only religious song on here, she didn't sing any about Santa Claus either. What's with that?

5 comments about I Wish It Could Be Christmas Forever.

1. This CD is somewhat short, containing only 10 songs from the rich Como catalogue of Christmas work. However, the short time length of this CD doesn't by any means effect the listeners enjoyment.
   
   When this CD was first produced and released in 1989 in was a fine achievement as all the recordings have been digitally remastered and the sources are legitimate (These are Release Master Recordings). This is an exact CD replica of Perry's 1982 album 'I wish it could be Christmas forever', which included 8 songs already available on other Como albums of Faith, Inspiration and Christmas. The 2 most notable tracks on this collection are those that were previously unreleased and were only ever released on this Record album. They have since been released on numerous other albums, but are still hight sought after Como rare treasures.
   
   'I wish it could be Christmas Forever' was composed by Nick Perito and Richard B. Matheson and became another signature song for Perry and was first used as the theme to the 1981 TV Special 'Perry Como's French Canadian Christmas'. The Music, the lyrics and the voice of Perry Como are a perfect matching. The extra special thing is that Perry meant every word!
   
   The other extra specially notable song is 'Christmas Dream'. The second of 2 times in which Perry recorded the main theme song for a film, which was 'The Odessa File'. The song came from the pens of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice abnd was used over the opening credits of the film.
   
   The other 8 songs are taken from 3 of Perry's 12'' RCA Victor Albums - 'I Believe', 'Seasons Greetings from Perry Como' and 'The Perry Como Christmas Album'.
   
   Track notes...
   
   'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire)' is the 1959 version.
   
   'Ave Maria' is the 1968 version.
   
   and...
   
   'White Christmas' is the 1959 version.
   
   This collection is an essential addition to any Perry Como fan's collection. This collection is perfect for listeners who wanted to hear an exact CD replica re-mixed and re-mastered to a high standard of this superb album.
   
   If you love this, be sure to get 'Season's Greetings from Perry Como', 'Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music', and the 2 CD compilations - 'Greatest Christmas Songs' and 'A Perry Como Christmas'. All these CD's have also been digitally remastered to a high standard!
   
   They can be brought from Amazon and Marketplace sellers at very competitive prices. This is a CD that has been honestly produced and a lot of care and attention has gone into it's production. This CD was made in 1989 when Compact Discs were still really in their infancy, although they had been around for some years by then! I guess like with many things, as the years have gone by, quality and decency have lowered in quantity. Cherish this collection like all of your collection. At the moment, all sound quality is just going done rather than up! Collections liek this give a much better idea of how these superb recordings should sound!
   
   Superb Listening from Mr. Christmas - Perry Como!
   
   Matthew Long
   (An enormous Perry Como Fan of a much younger generation!)



2. I heard Christmas Dream the other day and remembered it instantly from when I was a child, and just had to get this! I hadn't heard that song in 19 years but with just a few notes, it all came back to me. My father, who passed away, played this album every year at Christmas so now I will pass this music on to my sons.



3. Once a year, during the christmas season, some ghosts frm Christmas past come to life on radio: Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Nat "King" Cole, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Perry Como. Most of their other (once) popular songs get little or no air time these days, but despite a ton of newer (and living) artists making Christmas CDs; the public seems to want to hear the old masters around Christmas time.
   
   Perry Como, of course, was synonimous with Christmas. He did a television special every year and released more Christmas albums than probably any other artist. His version of "Ave Maria" was well-loved by almost every Italian-American grandmother. He styles his smooth, rich, baritone voice in a way that sounds effortless.
   
   Frankly, I don't see how any Christmas CD collection is complete without Perry Como. Even though this collection has only about a dozen songs, they are all quite nice. I especially like "Christmas Dream" from the "Oddessa File", it's the only version I've ever heard and the only time I think I've ever heard Perry Como try to sing in German. It's got a polka feel with some sad, but optomistic lyrics.



4. Bought this for my mother, she had to have it. We celebrated xmas early and it arrived well before we exchanged our gifts with each other. It arrived quickly and in excellent condition. THank you.



5. The CD was outstanding. I got very fast service, receiving it within a few days after I odered it.

3 comments about Jan Peerce Sings Hebrew Melodies.

1. The Kol Nidrei arrangement by Max Bruch is sheer "heavenly".



2. Descubierto por Arturo Toscanini, como tantos otros notables (recordar al menos al gran tenor español Miguel Bienvenido Fleta), el gran tenor neoyorkino de origen judío Jan Jacob Peerce será uno de los artistas titulares del Metropolitan Opera House de Nueva York durante los años treinta, cuarenta y cincuenta. A pesar de ser una grabación de los años cincuenta, en ella descubrimos a un Peerce en plena forma, con una capacidad vocal extraordinaria, un fraseo y una dicción imposibles de comparar, no creo exagerar con esto, con otro cantante del momento.

   Pero Peerce no era solamente el gran tenor de los escenarios norteamericanos y europeos. Era, probablemente junto con Richard Tucker, uno de los exponentes de un judaísmo agraviado por los acontecimientos recientes de entonces al que se le había dado el don y la gracia para expresar, cantando, el orgullo de su procedencia hebrea. Una auténtica demostración de fuerza interpretativa que es calidad vocal, por supuesto, pero que es también un maravilloso despliegue del caleidoscopio cultural y folklórico del que, afortunadamente para nosotros, se enorgullecía. Es decir, presentes todos los elementos para hacer de éste un registro entrañable.




3. GROWING UP WITH SUCH WONDERFUL MUSIC OF ALL DIFFERENT KIND OF MELODIES HELP CREATE MY LIFE.......................

3 comments about Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. Great Collection for any temptaions fan. How ever some of the song where often heard on other collectors cds. Only a few of the songs weren't played to death on other albums. Also i loved the extra track "Oh Holy Night " i never haerd that song sung quit like that before. I found it very refreshing.



2. I love everything the Temptations have ever done. This was a "must" for my collection. The songs are timeless, done in the mellow and harmonious Temptations style. This is a good variety of classic Christmas songs sung as if they were written especially for this group to perform. All Temptations fans will enjoy this collection!



3. I recieved this cd in November, and I have been playing it almost every day since. The Temptations are wonderful as always. Their Christmas Carols are not borning. It makes you look forward to Christmas. MY 10 year old granddaughter heard the cd and this is what she wants for Christmas. Need I say more?

5 comments about Dig That Crazy Christmas.

1. Upbeat and a fun twist to "not so classic" Christmas tunes. I was able to see Brian Setzer's Christmas concert in 2006 and it was fantastic. If you're looking for something that's fun to listen to and will get you energized and in the holiday mood, this is a great choice.



2. Great CD. Brian and his awesome orchestra strike it rich again. If you loved his first Christmas CD you'll enjoy this one as well. Instantly moved to my iTunes favorite Christmas CD list.



3. Setzer is completely talentless and it totally shows on his ludicrous attempt at a Christmas album. Met him once and he is as lacking in personality as he is in talent. Dreadful!!



4. WOW! I saw The Brian Setzer Orchestra on Nov. 30th at Foxwoods and they were just fantastic. They did a Christmas Show that could knock your socks off. Afterwards I had to purchase this CD. The best tracks are "Gettin in the Mood" which is phenonomal, "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus". Brian's guitar playing is top and the Orchestra is tight. His back up singers are fantastic as well.
   Definitely pick up this one for next Christmas, you won't be disappointed



5. I bought one of Brian's Christmas CD's so I figured I might as well get them both. This CD is fun and festive! I have a lot of Christmas music and this CD is one you can put in and listen to from start to finish. I even like the instrumental songs! Great for family parties, the car while you are Christmas shopping, cleaning the house before your Christmas party, and even one a younger crowd would like to listen to. Money well spent for the season. Would also make a good gift!

5 comments about A Soulful Christmas.

1. Brian Culbertson does a tremendous job on this album of taking old classics and revisiting them without ruining them. Many artists try so hard to be new and creative they do the songs an injustice - not so on "A Soulful Christmas".
   
   As you listen to this album you realize the double-meaning behind the title. Culbertson mixes gospel singers (Joy To The World) with the soaring soprano of his wife (Some Children See Him) to put the attention on the `soul' of man. Note the rest of the tracks included.
   
   He opens with a classical rendition of Joy To The World that swiftly transitions into a rollicking version of the same and keeps the quality at the highest level throughout. Some of the biggest names in smooth jazz collaborated with him in the studio such as Eric Darius, Eric Marienthal, Warren Hill, Peter White, Nathan East and the list goes on. There is not a track I would skip as they flow together effortlessly creating a treat for your family and loved ones as you gather during this special time of year.



2. I loved every song! Especially Jingle Bells and Joy To The World. Michelle has a beautiful and calming voice! Listening to it every year will surely become a part of my family's Christmas tradition. Brian makes it seem so easy! He is truly talented and I would hope that one day, I could play 1/2 as well!



3. Trust me, I know you probably have a dozen or more Holiday CD's. But if you are a smooth jazz lover like I am, you need to add lucky number 13 to your collection. Brian does a tremendous job tickling the ivories on these favorites. The music is crisp, tempo just right, and puts you into the right spirit for the holidays. Just sample it and then either purchase the CD or download it. You won't be sorry.



4. I had contemplate buying this album for some time. Some christmas albums leave you tired. lol Not this one!! I wish that I would have brought it when it first came out.
   
   No one does it better on the keys then Brian Culbertson. This christmas jazz album has everything you need. Joy and happiness. Every song is wonderfully made. My favorites are: Joy to the World and Christmas..by the Man Micheal Macdonald.
   
   
   Buy this album and you'll be playing this over and over and over...
   
   Merry Christmas



5. I've been a fan of Brian Culbertson since 1995 and his Christmas CD is very, very enjoyable. If you get the chance to check out his Christmas concert, I highly recommend it!!

1 comments about Redneck 12 Days of Christmas / Here's Your Sign Christmas.

1. Fine cd, funny, etc. Apparently I read the description wrong because there are only two songs on the cd! OOPS! Well I got it as a combo with another CD so no big but felt a little sheepish when the person I gave it as a gift told me there were only two songs.

5 comments about Celtic Christmas, Vol. 2 [Windham Hill].

1. This cd is very relaxing. The bagpipes are great I recomend this cd to everyone!



2. Beautiful listening but badly named. The only seasonal piece on the album was James Galway's arrangement of the Wexford Carol. There are songs about fish, unrequited love, the Great Famine, defeat in battle... heaps of Celtic stuff well worth listening to, but not if you want holiday music. For midwinter celebration you'd do well to give this album a miss and try Celtic Christmas III instead.



3. I love this music--it is so relaxing--I listen to it all year



4. This 56 minute CD contains beautiful Celtic music. It is not your typical hodge podge of "various artists". This CD flows nicely from song to song. One especially nice feature of this CD is the 8 page booklet with liner notes. This includes the lyrics (and English translations, if needed). The liner notes also list musicians and other credits. I especially enjoyed Muladach Mi Is Mi Air M'Aineol by Capercaillie. Recommended to anyone who enjoys Celtic music.



5. Volume 2 of the Celtic Christmas Series is awesome. If you have any or all of the other albums in this series, you have to get this one. Like all the others, the moods of the album range from mellow to exuberant, from wanting to sit & meditate to wanting to get up & dance. Yet this album in itself is as unique as the rest. It has familiar tunes like the 'Star of County Down' & new haunting melodies like 'The Dove's Return'. It completes the set of wonderous Celtic music found in the series. I highly recommend it.