5 comments about Christine: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Score.

1. John Carpenter's Christine is one of the best soundtracks available. The music is errie and atmospheric,still provides some good jolts and jumps. All of the oldies songs are not here but so what! Carpenter's score is essintle for any collection, the only problem with the cd is it's too short, but hey at least it's available. Buy this now , perfect for driving around at night.



2. For anyone who LOVES this movie, listening to the soundtrack will totally take you back....and make you love your car more than anything!! Poor Christine only loved Arnie the only way she knew how...she killed for him, too! Hey, jealous girls, you know what I'm talking about. The first time EVER I've been able to relate to a CAR. LOVED IT!



3. This is not a disc of the classic rock of the film, but of Carpenter's typically minimal score. It's not one of his best, but it's good for the sad Carpenter addict (like your humble reviewer).
   
   He makes good use of a few cues, more like his earlier scores but he adds some simple textures elsewhere. Not as memorable as Halloween or Escape from New York and not as good as The Thing disc (with a lot of Morricone's leftover music) but decent enough.
   
   With the recent Special Edition DVD they should put together a combo of the score and the rock tracks, though I wouldn't bet on it soon.
   
   Some good tracks include the simple, driving cue heard when Christine runs down the despicable Moochie Wells, and also when Christine chases the rest of the 20-something high school delinquents in the film. Not the best Carpenter flick, far from his worst, that's about where the score is. Definitely Carpenter, but could have used fatter, fuzzier synths.



4. Christine is the best soundtrack John Carpenter has ever created (second comes Halloween III). It is the sounds of the obsessive. Forget about all the oldies songs in the movie, here you will only find the background music which can be heard throughout the movie.
   
   All songs are excellent made and very chilling to listen to late at night. It's haunting and obsessive sound will create an atmosphere never heard before in a Carpenter soundtrack, not even The Thing (in my opinion) has those scary moments like Christine has.
   
   I am a long time fan of John Carpenter's soundtracks and own them all, and I must say this is definetely his best work so far and I have heard all his works many times over & over. What JC has to offer here is a really scary/haunting soundtrack, so you better get ready and run because Christine is on the road and is willing to kill anyone who doesn't treat her well.
   
   My advice would be like this. Buy it if you liked the movie, and even if you havn't seen the movie you should buy it anyway. This could easily be listened to without seeing the movie first!
   
   Highly Recommended!!! Buy it!!



5. Like many of your other reviews on Christine sound track,I was dissapointed to find that the fifties music was,nt there.I do have a cassette of Christine (thought i had lost and have now found)Original motion picture sound track(not score).I have now put this to cd using EZ tape converter.

5 comments about Now Is the Caroling Season.

1. This is a good CD to play when decorating and for Christmas parties. Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians certainly knew how to set a mood, and this recording does so with style.
   
   "Now Is the Caroling Season" is the perfect tree-trimming CD. It provides a festive and cheery mood with just the right mix of Christmas songs, hymns and traditional carols. It certainly makes me want to sing along, and I am reminded of all of those times past when I would go out caroling with friends, singing carols to shoppers on a busy street or a crowded shopping mall.
   
   Some reviewers have lamented that the CD is not remastered, and it certainly isn't, having been transferred from the original session tapes. In this case, however, the CD is fine as it is, as the background rumbles (the few that I have heard) merely add to the ambiance of the recordings, something that remastering would take away. The original stereo effect is preserved without any Dolby® processing (which didn't exist when the original recordings were made).
   
   A brief history of Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians, along with the original LP liner notes, are included with the CD.
   
   "Now Is the Caroling Season" is a festive and cheerful CD that should be a part of everyone's favorite Christmas music collection. Five stars!



2. I was thrilled to see this finally available on CD. I grew up with this on vinyl, and it has some of the most beautiful arrangements of Christmas songs not usually included in popular collections. It should be included with every family's collections of "classic" Christmas songs. In fact, 32+ years ago, my High School chorale director was able to obtain some of these arrangements to use in our chorale ensemble, and we were booked constantly through the holidays, often with listeners praising the choices of the arrangements. You will not be disappointed.



3. First, I would like to state that this recording is great, no pops or such and they did do a great cleaning job from the old recordings.
   
   Our family had this old Capitol Recording (MONO too!!) for many years. For some of you ' X-Generation ' - the record companies back in those days offered 2 versions of one recording, one was usually " Hi-Fidelity Mono " and the other was labled " Hi-Fi Stereo " or " Full Dimensional Stereo ", cause you see that was the transitional phase from owners of the old Hi Fi Mono Record players, to the newer Hi Fi Stereo Record players.
   
   Until everyone had bought a new Stereo player this method of offering 2 versions lasted for several years.
   
   I personally place this recording at the top of my Christmas list, along with The Carpenters Christmas, Mannheim Steamroller's/Chip Davis Christmas CD's, The Trapp Family Christmas Album, Merry Christmas - Jackie Gleason Album, Walter Brennan's " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Back Home', Bert Kaempfert's Christmas Wonderland.



4. What can I say about FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS - NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON album from 1957 that others haven't said? This is for sure one of the greatest chorus christmas albums ever recorded and has a nice orchestra backup in some of the songs such as SLEIGHRIDE (perhaps the best version of this song) or SILVER BELLS (again, perhaps the best version of the song).
   
   Then there are just the voices of the chorus in songs like O CHRISTMAS TREE or O COME, O COME EMMANUEL. Of course, as is the norm with FRED WARING'S chorus, these versions are some of the best accapella versions ever recorded.
   
   WHITE CHRISTMAS has a nice and fresh original arrangement of the song and as is customary with FRED WARING, among the best versions of that song. So too is a slower version of WINTER WONDERLAND or a deep and powerful version of THE CHRISTMAS SONG.
   
   Two new wonderful songs for me on this album are NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON and especially, CHRISTMAS WAS MEANT FOR CHILDREN. The latter, CHRISTMAS WAS MEANT FOR CHILDREN, is already a classic for me and I can't believe others haven't recorded it as there were so many other christmas albums that came out in the last few years of the 1950's and so many more in the 1960's.
   
   There are many other, mostly rare, christmas songs on the religious side that make up the rest of this album and they are all strong songs. The style of this album is that of an old-timey or old fashion style with both the chorus and backing orchestra. This album will really bring you back to christmas of yesteryear (the christmas of your childhood, perhaps).
   
   While my favorite christmas album from FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS is their 1961 album, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, this album, NOW IS THE CAROLING SEASON, is still almost as wonderful and fully recommended if you like chorus christmas music. I only wish the remastering job could have been better such as on the FRED WARING 2 cd set, CHRISTMAS MAGIC, which contained 2 christmas albums from FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS, one from 1959 (THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS) and the other (the one I mentioned above, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS) from 1961. The remastering still isn't bad but could be a bit better. The original album cover which is kept as the cd cover (minus the COLLECTOR'S CHOICE MUSIC logo at the bottom right corner) is also one of the nicest christmas album covers of all time.
   
   100% recommended for your christmas listening pleasure.



5. Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians were radio and TV stars from the 1930s to the 1950s, and released "Now is the Caroling Season" in 1957. Fred Waring has long been a family favorite of ours for Christmas music. This disc contains 21 songs full of strong harmonies that will put you in a festive mood.

5 comments about Rock 'n Roll Christmas.

1. Lets just get this straight right now, there is only one Dion; and that is Dion DiMucci!
   
   In 1993, Dion successfully brought his Bronx sound to the Christmas season. This CD has a great mix of songs that range from the hip version of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", rolls on "Jingle Bell Rock", puts Christ back into Christmas in "Silent Night" and hoofs it on "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".
   
   This Christmas CD has a song for everyone in your family to enjoy. It's a 'must have' for your holiday collection.



2. Dion's 1993 CD still makes a joyful noise 14 Christmas celebrations later. His take on "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" sets the pace with Jamie "King" Cotton's wailing sax solo, "Everyone dancing merrily in a new old fashioned way!" "Jingle Bell Rock" puts a smile on my face with this nouveau doo-wop version, "Jingle bell time is a swell time to go gliding in a one-horse sleigh." Dion adds a rap into to "Santa Claus Is Coming Town" and then bops out with a rollicking version. "May your days be merry and bright," Dion howls on a midtempo version of "White Christmas." Phil Spector's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is polished with the pretty melody sounding delightfully classic. "Please Come Home for Christmas" gets a soulful reading from Dion with a slow smoking 50s-style arrangement. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sounds like he was flying low over Jamaica at the time they recorded this track. "Merry Christmas Baby" smokes with delightful relish, "Haven't had a single drink this morning, but I'm all lit up just like a Christmas tree." After a rock & roll blowout, Dion closes with the religious "O Holy Night" done to a catchy beat and full of backup chorus voices. "Rock n' Roll Christmas" by Dion remains a classic holiday set. Enjoy!



3. Obviously, this is a Christmas album by Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci. There are no new songs on it. All the songs are well known classics that have been recorded many times, but Dion does manage to put his own spin on them. The songs are done in the classic Dion style, and sound like they could have been done in the early '60s, although they were actually recorded in the early '90s. All the songs are very good. This album should appeal to fans of early rock and roll.



4. This is a modern Xmas album that rocks. If you enjoy that early 60's sound, than this is the perfect Xmas album for you. Highly recommended.



5. Dion has some musical abilities and a pleasant enough voice when arranged decently. But he has also made a bunch of throwaway CD's since his R & R success phase dimmed. Speaking of throwaways that is precisely what I did with this CD after listening to the first three tracks. Shallow pap.

5 comments about Christmas with the Smithereens.

1. It's already beginning to look (and sound) a lot like Christmas with the Smithereens "Rockin' Around The Christmas tree" on their own "cool yule" holiday album. And they really do rock the house here. Listen to Dennis "The Little Drummer Boy" Diken "bash away, bash away all" during the intro to the Smithereens' own version of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" while Jim Babjak's electric guitar decks the halls with reens riffs, Severo's bass pumps along at full "thrilla throttle" and Pat DiNizio croons in maximum rock `n' carolling mode. This is obviously not your average piped-in holiday music at the mall snoozefest.
   
   There is much to enjoy on this Christmas album beginning with its majestic opener "Waking Up On Christmas Morning" written by lead guitarist Jim Babjak. It is one of three Smithereens originals on this CD that also includes "Christmas (I Remember)" and a rerecording of their song "All Revved Up" that's been re-revved up and revamped as "Christmas Time All Over The World". The Smithereens also add their own holiday dressing to some Christmas classics and semi-rare covers. Pat contributes some exuberant harmonica playing to Elvis' "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" while the guitars chug along like a runaway "Polar Express" train. The Smithereens also surf the yule tide with an excellent cover of the Beach Boys' "Merry Christmas, Baby" and do a really rollicking version of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run". The album later takes a side trip to Who-ville when Jim Babjak sings "Christmas" from the Who's "Tommy" album "and you know that can't be bad" when the Smithereens joyously revisit fab four territory with the Beatles' "Christmas Time Is Here Again". They even salute the Ramones with a catchy punk vs. Motown re-arrangement of their holiday song "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)". The band also rocks in the New Year with their Christmas carolers on steroids version of "Auld Lang Syne".
   
   "Christmas with the Smithereens" delivers a much needed kick in the Christmas balls to an often tired and tiresome holiday music industry. It's the perfect antidote to overly treacly Christmas "pap music" and sugar shock inducing holiday elevator music. If you like your seasonal music "sugar free" rather than piped-in and played-out, then you should spend your "Christmas With the Smithereens".



2. It seems like every season we come to accept the force-fed nostalgia of Christmas originals we've heard a zillion times or worse, treacly covers of these same done by "contemporary" artists (you know who you are - paging Sting,Celine and you "American Idols"). Not since Ray Davies and the Kinks snuck "Father Christmas" under our proverbial tree has a set of holiday tracks rocked this hard -- and good.
   
   What if there was a Christmas record that you actually wanted to listen to for more than just teary-eyed nostalgia? Sure, there's nostalgia here with the boy's own covers of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Ramones, and Beach Boys Christmas tunes. But there are also some nice originals and surprises: a cover of the Who's "Tommy" set piece and their own take on the Beatle-fan-club-only "O.U.T. spells out" Christmas sing along. All this and great guitar riffs, thumpin' bass, killer drumming, and a chance to hear Pat and the other Smithereens show off their vocal chops.
   
   If you are a Smithereens fan, or just a fan of great straightforward pop a la the aforementioned Kinks, the Who, Beach Boys, Phil Spector, etc. you will enjoy this record. Speaking of Phil, his other recent troubles not withstanding, he should watch his back: the Smithereens have arrived with a collection of holiday tunes to rival his '63 classic.



3. Every year, we hear the same Christmas songs and although we know them and love them, it's always nice to hear new and rare versions of even the most loved favorites. The Smithereens are giving you both new and rare! Along with Pat DiNizio, we also get Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken taking over the vocals on a few songs.
   
   Just when you think you've heard every version you ever wanted to hear of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"....the Smithereens deliver their electric punch flavor of the classic. I love their version of Auld Lang Syne. It starts with acapella then turns into a full blown rock song. The new original songs along with the classics really make this well rounded. There is a little something for everyone on this "classic in the making" Christmas CD.
   Simply put, it rocks!



4. The Smithereens have been one of the most consistent and genuine no frills rock bands for over 25 years and have now produced a Christmas album in keeping with tradition of quality. In many ways, "Christmas with The Smithereens" can be considered a tribute to the rock legends that the group admires and by whom they have been influnced. But there are also 3 brand-new Smithereens songs that reflect their own unique blend of styles.
   One thing to keep in mind is that while The Smithereens are covering well-known versions of past Christmas classics they are not attempting to best the original hits. From start to finish they are simply having fun doing their own takes on songs. You'll hear songs originally done by the Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and The Ramones (you can tell the group has a real affection for the original punk band. There's a cover of the rare Beatles song "Christmas Time is Here Again" and if you've already heard The Smithereens Beatles tribute ("Meet the Smithereens") you'll know how well they cover the Fab Four. There's also a nice surprise in their sharp cover of The Who's "Christmas" from the rock opera Tommy. It's amazing that this song hasn't become a rock yule tradition--until now.
   As for the three original songs, The Smithereens make use of their own personal memories of Christmas and create songs that are lively as well as sentimental. These are not sing-songy compositions but they'll grow on you with repeated listenings.
   If you're looking to break from the usual tradition of well-worn holiday covers then "Christmas with The Smithereens" is a great NEW tradition to start.



5. Remember the two types of Christmas albums that you listened to as a kid? There was the 'reverential' album of devotional songs and hallelujah stuff. It was the one that you put on late at night during a soft snowfall and looked at the Christmas tree and remembered Christmas past.
   
   Then there was a the album that captured the fun and the joy of the holiday. You know what that was. It was the album that you put on when the cousins came over to visit. The one that you reached for automatically when the party started. The one that captured the fun and the excitement when the family was all together and the kids went one way and the parents went another. The album that was on when the kids would wonder what they would be getting when the presents were opened later on.
   
   Christmas With The Smithereens captures perfectly the feeling and the memories of that time and makes it fresh. The Smithereens bring new life to the old classics. You can tell that they aren't just going through the motions but actually enjoying themselves as they play common Christmas tunes like 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' and not so common Christmas tunes such as their take on Art Carney's version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'. You can HEAR the Christmas Spririt Of Fun in these recordings. The band must have been smiling all the way through the recording sessions.
   
   As I write this we sit on the edge of summer. So what? What law says that you can't play Christmas songs past the 'Christmas season'? Who says that you can't rock out for the summer to The Smithereens playing Christmas tunes? Do you only play 'Autumn Leaves' in autumn? Do you only play 'Riders On The Storm' when it rains? Do you only play 'Here Comes The Sun' when it's sunny? No! You don't.
   
   Indulge yourself! Get 'Christmas With The Smithereens' NOW!!

5 comments about Blue Yule: Christmas Blues and R&B Classics.

1. Well, let's see. As I write this review, the date is December 8th, 2004, and it's another two weeks and three days till Christmas finally arrives on the 25th. Since virtually every place in Creation started playing Christmas music on November 1st, you've had 38 days to become thoroughly SICK of the same dozen songs played over and over again from every radio station and retail establishment. Want some relief? How about an album chock-full of great Christmas BLUES music, that truly sounds more like blues that like standard, overplayed holiday ditties? Well, folks, get this CD!! It's nice and long (18 tracks) and only one or two numbers are overly familiar (and one of those, Charles Brown's immortal "Merry Christmas Baby," is usually considered the top Christmas blues recording of all time!) Standouts include Canned Heat (Their song is straightforward blues, not the novelty track they spun with ALvin and the Chipmunks), Detroit Junior with his hard-driving boogie "Christmas Day", the Pilgrim Travelers and their delightful, close-harmony doo-wop gospel classic, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and the always-irrepresible Louis Jordan with "Santa Claus, Santa Claus." There's not a bad number in the bunch, but the pick of this holiday litter must go to Edddie Campbell and his delicious take on the Junior Wells masterpiece, here titled "Santa's Messin' With the Kid". So don't delay! Order today, there's still time to get it rushed to you by Christmas. Do it, and the best yuletide blues and r and b will be home to you, if not by Christmas, then by New Years night.



2. Blues musicians don't record Christmas songs that often, but Rhino Records managed to find 18 Christmas blues songs for this CD. Charles Brown's definitive recording of "Merry Christmas Baby" is well known, but the rest of the tracks are pretty obscure. There are a lot of good songs here, with my personal favorites being the ones by Eddie C. Campbell and Canned Heat. If you have any interest in the blues, this is the Christmas CD to get.



3. I've had this CD before. There are quite a few blues christmas albums out there. This is definately one of the better ones. Allot of older blues christmas tunes. If you love the blues, this one's for you



4. if, like me, you make bizarre anthologies of Christmas music, this is a great addition to your library. Raucous and gutsy, a lot of these songs will shake up your celebration and possibly offend the people you want to bother. Some of them belong right alongside my long-time favorite, "Marry Christmas from the Family" by Robert Earl Keen, which is available on Tinsel Tunes, another excellent collection on Sugar Hill (which means it's mostly bluegrass/acoustic).



5. Score one more for Rhino. This label really does know how to find obscure cuts and bring them into standout various artist collections. The only gripe I could have is this disk sounds a bit monaural in a mix, but I'll still use it--it's fun to mix up a little blues with the typical sugary Christmas sentiment.
   
   What can I say about this collection that has not been said? Just add Lightning Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat and the rest of the crew in and you've got a mix that'll make your season funky.

5 comments about Give Me Your Love for Christmas.

1. I am sorry that only a few of the songs on this CD can be previewed. Trust me when I say that this is a wonderful, heartfelt album. The ones you don't get to preview are the best. "The Lord's Prayer", will bring you chills. No one can ever duplicate Johnny's talent with THIS song. "Calypso Noel", such an upbeat, fast tempoed, get you in that Christmas Spirit, song. "Do You Hear What I Hear" I can't even begin to describe it!! Don't pass up this chance to own one of the best Christmas CD's out there! Hopefully it will be the beginning of a new Christmas tradition in your home, like it has in ours for over 30 years. Merry Christmas! Sit back, relax and enjoy.



2. I owned this album as an 8 Track many years ago and have been looking to replace what I felt was one of my best Christmas albums. I feel so lucky to find it again. There is not one song on this album that is not worth hearing.



3. 
   Christmas Music is part of the American Way of Life. Year after year, American people get full of joy and the pleasure of listening to Christmas Music becomes a must.Also artists from many different styles and their labels are very conscious about it. It is rare to find an artist from the traditional pop scene who has not recorded at least one Christmas Album.
   
   Unfortunately, this Christmas tradition in American music scene is fading away among young artists though sales keep hot in the season. This proves traditional pop artists have got a market niche which maintains year after year even selling the very same album that has been recorded many decades ago.
   
   Repertoire is basically the same and this is another peculiar facet of Christmas Music. This is an indicator of the traditional `American way of buying music'.
   
   It is commonplace in the USA that many different traditional pop artists record the same hit song in a season. For instance, I remember that `The Shadow of Your Smile' has been recorded by Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, and even Astrud Gilberto, besides its sensational OST by Johnny Mandel. This shows Americans like to listen to that same song or repertoire as recorded specifically by their favorite artists.
   
   It is different than the music industry and customers in Brazil, for instance. If an artist records the same songs as other one does, he is minorly categorized as a `cover artist'. This is a bad category which labels the artist a minor artist, lacking creativeness as for Brazilian market parameters.
   
   It is very interesting, anyway, to listen to the same repertoire as recorded by so many different artists from so many different times under so many different arrangement concepts. Comparison arises inevitably. Somehow, a delicious comparison. What's the best `Jingle Bells' from Johnny Mathis to Diana Krall? Who's recorded the most creative `Silent Night' - Wynton Marsalis or Nat King Cole? There is a killer `Jingle Bells' recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra under arrangement by Michel Legrand and with Jean Pierre Rampal on flute. Ooooh God!
   
   Year after year, those albums are made available by continuous reissuing or not. Some even keep in the label's catalog on and on even out the Christmas season.
   
   This is the case for this `Give Me Your Love for Christmas' recorded by one the most important stylists of American song and arranged by the great Ernie Freeman. Recorded nearly 30 years apart from the Mathis' longtime hit 'Merry Christmas' album, this new effort from 1989 still shows the great voice which is a treasure of the Great American Songbook.
   
   Some uncommon and some common Xmas songs make up the program. Never mind. Mathis' style imparts each song a particular touch, highly inspired, emotionally crafted, technically perfect.
   
   This album consists more of uncommon Christmas songs, considering it is his third album on the theme. Here you'll find Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'My Favorite Things' from 'The Sound of Music' and Burt Bacharach's 'Christmas Day' from 'Promises, Promises'. Also a delicious 'Jingle Bell Rock', which could be taken as an atypical item in Mathis' regular material.
   
   A beautiful Christmas album by Johnny Mathis. Someone said his is the voice of Christmas. This third album in his Xmas series confirms it. I'm willing to agree.



4. My parents used to play this record back in the 70's at Christmas-time each year and it's been a family favorite ever since! We still have the original LP in storage for safe-keeping, and I bought this CD when my cassette finally gave out! LOL Johnny Mathis is one of those timeless Sounds of Christmas that you just can't do without, so do yourself a favor - if you've never heard it, buy it! If you have heard it and want to take a trip down memory lane or share his sultry voice with the younger generation in your family, buy it! Enjoy... :)



5. JOHNNY MATHIS continues to shine with this, his third christmas album. From 1969 and arranged and conducted by ERNIE FREEMAN, GIVE ME YOUR LOVE FOR CHRISTMAS is another example of great 'crooner' christmas music.
   
   GIVE ME YOUR LOVE FOR CHRISTMAS is not as powerful as his 1958 christmas album, MERRY CHRISTMAS, or even his 1963 lp, THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS (released on cd as CHRISTMAS WITH JOHNNY MATHIS) asit seems to lack that 'grabbing you' attention the other two had with their powerful styles, but this 1969 album still has a decent amount of old seasonal filled atmosphere to give it 5 stars and a high recommendation by me.
   
   JINGLE BELL ROCK starts off with a very 'big band' inspired version that is loud and very 'happy' filled. A perfect way to get the listener in a quick christmas mood. Also, my favorite song on the album.
   
   HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a deeper, softer, and slower but nice paced version of the tune. Again, continues with a wonderful christmas mood setter jsut as JINGLE BELL ROCK did.
   
   MY FAVORITE THINGS continues with a nice christmas sound as does a slower than normal but very lush version of SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN.
   
   The song, CHRISTMAS DAY, which while isn't as powerful as JACK JONES definitive version from 1969, MR. MATHIS still does a great and powerful version which does justice to the song. This may be the most powerful song on the album.
   
   All in all, this a another JOHNNY MATHIS christmas 'crooner' recording that I would recommend with his other two christmas albums I mentioned earlier in this review. It really is beautiful and despite being recorded in 1969, it sounds as if it was recorded in the early 1960's and so it keeps that traditional old 'crooner' christmas sound which is always a great thing.

5 comments about A Gala Christmas in Vienna.

1. I read all the other reviews and just had to add my thoughts. This is still my favorite Christmas album after listening to it for 5 seasons now. I can hardly wait for next Christmas so I can enjoy it all over. Sarah Brightman is wonderful of course - wish I could find a separate recording of - First Of May - , wow! If you like good Christmas music and the spirit of Christmas you will enjoy this album.



2. Beautiful concert, with a lot of Spirit, Sarah Brightman voice is wonderful, this 4 singers give soul to the concert, is great for christmas time, I love this CD & also the DVD amazing..



3. I am a great fan of Helmut Lotti. This particular recording is one my husband I already own and enjoy. We purchased this one for our adult daughter. Each of the performers on this disk are first rate and the recording as a whole is well worth adding to one's holiday pleasures.



4. Excellent Christmas music with some very good vaiety of voice and composition.



5. FOUR FOR THE PRICE OF ONE; BUT WHO NEEDS IT!?
   
   Herein we have four skilled vocalists who by themselves are most enjoyable, especially Brightman and Domingo. But together singing songs that are wildly different as are their voices is just painful.
   
   Of course, we all know the reason: the commercial money-making powers that be are interested only in doing just that. And their logic we know is that four will sell better than one. NOT ALWAYS TRUE!!!!In fact, there are no two voices on this disc that blend well and somehow the Christmas Medley mixing 'Child in a Manger' with 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' I find downright offensive.
   
   Buy it if you must,but I am certain that each of these singers have individual discs that are much more flattering to their voices.

5 comments about Memories of Christmas.

1. I'm dead serious - nothing comes close to this album. It is, without a doubt, the best Christmas album there is, and the best there ever will be. Elvis had one of the best voices of all time and it shows on this record. The highlight though, is the Christmas Message from Elvis:
   
   "I just want to thank you for listening, and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."



2. Although shorter than the 100% compilations of his Christmas songs, I love this CD the best. I love I'll Be Home on Christmas Day (not to be confused with I'll be Home for Christmas). This was a new song in 1971 when Elvis recorded this album and the song is not just one of his best Christmas songs but it one of his very best songs. But what really makes this cd is the unreleased original master studio jam of Merry Christmas Baby. It's a song you can enjoy in December or in the middle of summer. It's just that good. The expected classics are also here - like Blue Christmas. It's just a neat set that I've enjoyed for years now.



3. this is one of the best christimas albums of all time...period...now that i've gotten that out of the way, let me just say that it is ludicrus to believe that any elvis christmas album (no matter how long or short) could compare to this one...the almost 9-minute version of 'merry christmas baby' is a priceless gem that every music lover should own (and is not found on any other compilation), plus, another 'memories' exclusive is the message from elvis...you can just tell that, even though it may seem like a hap-dash project, elvis enjoyed this one...and, even though the running time isn't much, he clearly took his time on this one, making it the most enjoyable christmas album you'll ever hear...have a blessed one everybody...



4. This is another low-budget Christmas compilation. It is not bad, but there are better ones available. It includes 3 songs from his classic 1957 Christmas album, 4 songs are from his 1971 "The Wonderful World of Christmas" album, and the 1966 single, If Every Day Was Like Christmas. This CD has some really good songs on it, but it only has 8 songs. The only reason to buy this collection would be to get the extended version of Merry Christmas Baby. But I think most fans would be more satisfied by spending a few extra bucks on the outstanding "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" CD which contains every Christmas song that Elvis recorded!



5. Purchased this album for my mother whom is a huge Elvis fan
   but didn't know this album existed. She was in awe
   at how much she loved a couple of the songs she had never heard.

1 comments about Christmas... A Time for Joy.

1. The styles are varied in this wonderful show, but the quality always high, with renditions of familiar classics along with a few original songs, with some numbers that are truly thrilling, among them the opening song, a bluegrass flavored "It's a Time for Joy" with Karen Peck and New River, the Gaither Vocal Band with David Phelps doing an exquisite tenor solo on "The Christmas Song" (and Mark Lowry doing Johnny Mathis !), "Children Go Where I Send Thee" with The Bishops giving us harmonies from heaven, the country rockin' sound of "Go Tell" with The Martins, and best of all, "Mary, Did You Know ?" (music and lyrics by Mark Lowry and Buddy Green), sung by the Gaither Vocal Band featuring an emotionally stirring solo by Mark Lowry. The words, melody, and interpretation of this song fills my eyes with tears when I hear it...the disc is worth it for this number alone.
   
   The music is so inspired, I probably would have preferred less humor...one segment in particular isn't that funny and has a "secular entertainment" feel to it, but that is a minor quibble when compared to the overwhelming spirit of this disc, which I'll enjoy any time of the year, with the musicians and singers giving 100% of their talent, and moving one to praise and worship the Lord, in the true spirit of Christmas.
   The show was filmed in the Alabama Theater, a lovely ornate theater in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2001, and total running time is 90 minutes.
   The DVD extras include an interesting piece titled "Project Spotlight" with people like Joni Eareckson Tada, and subtitles are also available.
   Track Listing:
   1: Program Opening
   2:"It's a Time For Joy", Karen Peck and New River
   3: Comedy featuring Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither
   4: "Listen to the Angels Sing", The Martins
   5: "Angels We Have Heard on High", The Hayes Family
   6: "Good News", The Hoppers
   7: "White Christmas", Jake Hess
   8: "The Friendly Beasts" (just one verse) Jeff and Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie
   9: "Sweet Baby Jesus", Jeff and Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie
   10: "The Christmas Song", Gaither Vocal Band
   11: Comedy with Aaron Wilburn
   12: "Children Go Where I Send Thee", The Bishops
   13: "Winter Wonderland", Sam Levine on Saxophone
   14: "Hope of the Ages", Tanya Goodman Sykes
   15: "Merry Christmas, My Love", Allison Durham Speer
   16: "Go Tell", The Martins
   17: "I'll be Home for Christmas", The Florida Boys
   18: "Glory to God", The Talley Trio
   19: "Piper's Night Before Christmas" story by Mark Lowry
   20: "Holy is Thy Name", Legacy Five
   21: Narrative by Zig Ziglar
   22: "Five Little Fingers", Stephen Hill
   23: Narrative by Gloria Gaither
   24: "Ordinary Baby", Amy Rouse
   25: "Mary, Did You Know ?", Mark Lowry and the Gaither Vocal Band
   26: "The King is Coming", Gaither Vocal Band

5 comments about When My Heart Finds Christmas.

1. 
   This CD has been a family favorite for years. I have given it as a gift many times and it is always well received.



2. We bought this back in the early nineties, and it is a good blend of old classics and a few songs you will always associate with Harry Connick, Jr. (and his version of "Winter Wonderland" is classic already). Since then we have been disappointed by his offerings. "Harry for the Holidays" features seemingly uninspired songs by comparison, and the drunken-sounding duet with George Jones is enough to make me turn that one off.
   
   Especially since it has come down in price so much, this is the Harry Connick Jr. Christmas album that you want.



3. Best Holiday Christmas CD Ever. Takes me back to my childhood with my family, great food and a warm fire. The selection of songs is excellent nice variety not the same old stuff.



4. This was recorded years ago, but the recordings still work and sound fresh. An excellent Christmas album.



5. I bought this cd because I was looking for music for my bridesmaid to walk in. Cliche I love Ave Maria but I didn't want to use to simple and originally version so I heard Harry Connick Jr sing it and it was absolutly melting. So of course we used his version for my maids of honor.