5 comments about Christmas Comedy Classics.

1. I found this record very funny the first time I heard it. After that it was mildly amusing. It is okay in moderation. However, My eight year old son got a hold of it and he loves it. I can't get him to stop playing it. As you can imagine, it gets incredibly annoying after a while.



2. The number one Christmas cassette in our family and circle of friends is "Christmas Comedy Classics" various artists. Gets us in the mood for Christmas. We clean, we cook, we talk, we laugh and we sing along. Very up beat. And we SHOP! All to the music from this cassette.



3. ...you can be sure those are Tiny Tim Chestnuts roasting!"

   My belief in Christmas comedy started about the same time as "me and Grampa"'s belief in Santa. Like many others, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" was for me love at first listen. It is one of several guaranteed laugh-magnets on this CD.

   Another great track is the (more sketch-like than anything else) "Green Christmas" by Stan Freberg (see the title of my review). In it, an Ebenezer Scrooge who is overly obsessed with Christmas-commercialism tries to explain the greener side of the jolly holiday to a Bob Cratchit who is all about celebrating a Savior's birthday. This is the only track on the CD which represents the true meaning (or at least what ought to be and once was the true meaning) of why we have this holiday. And even this track will draw plenty of laughs.

   Clearly, not every song on here is intended to draw laughs. Some of the songs are simply classic children's songs, such as the Chipmunks' "The Christmas Song" (not to be confused with Mel Torme's song of the same title). At least one song is more or less a mix between classic children's Christmas and comedy, such as "Nuttin' For Christmas".

   One of my personal favorites is Yogi Yorgessons's "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas". I especially enjoyed his classic line,

   On Christmas, I hug and I kiss my wife's mother.
   The rest of the year, we don't speak to each other.

   Most Christmas CDs are intended to leave the listener with a nostalgic feeling of Christmastime. The only problem is that the concept of "Christmastime nostalgia" can be interpreted in over a dozen different ways. But, make no mistake, this CD will also provide that/those nostalgic feeling(s).

   All in all, this CD will make a very unique and entertaining addition to anyone's Christmas collection.




4. Every year when my mother would bring out the Christmas decorations, she would also bring out all of our Christmas albums. Out of the ten CD's we had, we always ended up listening to this same cassette over and over again. I'm hoping to upgrade it to CD soon so that it will last forever since I absoulutly LOVE this album. It's good for a few laughs or just to feel good. But mainly I enjoy it because of the history I have with it. So in short...I reccomend it STRONGLY!



5. This is a decent collection of Christmas novelty records. It contains my personal favorite, Stan Freberg's "Green Chri$tma$". Other highlights include Freberg's "Nuttin' For Christmas", Yogi Yorgenson's "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas", two songs by Mel Blanc and the rarely heard nowadays "The Happy Reindeer". But I do have some criticisms to make. Instead of the hit version of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy, they use a poor cover version by the Irish Rovers. And instead of the hit version of "Monster's Holiday" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, they substitute Lon Chaney, Jr.'s inferior cover version (which does admittedly have a cool ending, with Chaney turning into the Wolf Man). And how exactly is "Auld Lang Syne" by Guy Lombardo a "comedy classic"? But this is still a pretty good, inexpensive CD.

5 comments about Christmas Album.

1. This is, unequivocally, one of the most enjoyable Christmas albums ever produced by a pop/rock outfit. The first seven tracks, which constituted side one of the old vinyl album, is for all practical purposes a Christmas symphony: It fuses together shorter and longer renditions of traditional Christmas songs (most being nonsecular), with appropriate orchestration and the Seasons' incomparable vocal magic. Check out Frankie's soaring falsetto over his bandmates' midrange harmonies on "Estelsis Deo"; it'll send chills down your spine. "What Child Is This" is a beauty, as a previous reviewer noted, and the other three group members get to shine on a cheerful take of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Too many little treasures here to list 'em all. The second half of the album is arranged a bit more conventionally: Six songs more spaced, with more straight pop instrumentation not unlike many of the early Seasons classics. Herein lie the two tracks which get played on the radio at Christmastime: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"--but equally notable is "Jungle Bells," a genuinely fun song that your kids'll go ga-ga over--and so will you! There's not much here in the way of liner notes, not surprising given the cd's very budget price--but really, the music's all the liner notes you need. We were out cruising in the snow the other night, and I turned a couple friends on to this album who had never heard it before, and they both loved it. Frankie, Mick, Tommy and the obscenely underrated talent Bob Gaudio produced a real slice of holiday magic on this album, and especially at this bargain basement price, you cannot and will not go wrong buying it.



2. My children grew up listening to this album. We always had to play this while we were trimming the tree. I had no idea that both of my children considered this album part of our "Christmas Tradition". I finally found it on CD and this year my daughter asked to borrow my CD for my 5 year old granddaughter. She fell in love with it. My son's 4 year old daughter begged to hear Jungle Bells over and over. Needless to say, I ordered both granddaughters a CD of their own. I'm quite sure their parents are enjoying it too.



3. I use to listen to the record album when I was a child. So glad I found the CD on line so that my kids can listen to it too. It's a fun holiday album!



4. The Four Seasons put out a Christmas album that simply was one of the best Christmas albums out there; and it remains very beautiful music even in our times. The quality of the sound is very good and we get that great Four Seasons sound!
   
   "The Merry Christmas Medley" gives us The Four Seasons singing and harmonizing; but you can usually hear Frankie Valli's voice pretty clearly just above the others. The musical arrangement is lush and very beautiful. I really like "What Child Is This" sung to the tune of "Greensleeves;" The Four Seasons deliver this flawlessly and the harp adds a lot to the arrangement.
   
   "The Excelsis Deo Medley" features more great harmonizing and they never sounded better! If Christmas is your holiday you simply won't want to miss this number.
   
   "Little Drummer Boy" uses the brass and drums very well and The Four Seasons sing this with all their heart and soul. They never miss a note--it's all THAT good. I was also impressed by their rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." This classic ballad gets an early `60s flavor to it and it really rocks! The falsetto and the much lower pitched voices of the others make an excellent contrast, too.
   
   "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" also gets an early rock and roll treatment from The Four Seasons; again we hear Frankie Valli leading the vocals and the harmonizing in the background works well, too. The rockin' beat from back in the day still serves this ballad well.
   
   The album ends with The Four Seasons delivering a grand version of "White Christmas." They never sounded better as they perform this melancholy ballad; and I predict that you will enjoy their interpretation of "White Christmas" very much.
   
   The liner notes really aren't there; but the cover artwork is very nicely done.
   
   This bargain priced Christmas album by The Four Seasons truly gives you a lot for your money. The Four Seasons sing with all their heart on this album of thirteen tracks and it's a must have for fans of The Four Seasons and anyone else who enjoys that sound of early rock and roll.
   
   Thank you, Four Seasons!



5. i really like the 4 seasons and this album, for me, is a winner! since seeing the jersey boys i have become an ardent fan so this album resonated with me.

5 comments about Christmas Cookies.

1. This CD is fantastic. I love the Christmas Cookies song, and Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing is hilariously true. Of course, I am a long time fan of the Oaks, but they sound so good together even a newcomer would find themselves listening repeatedly.



2. The Oak Ridge Boys really know how to warm the heart. Over 15 years ago I had one of their Christmas cassettes and made copies for our girls. Over time the tapes wore out and each year the girls would sing those songs from memory and recall how great that music was. Everyone thought back to those trips to the grandparents each year listening to those heartwarming tunes. I was able to recreate those memories through Amazon and obtain that "old" music on CD, AND got thier latest Christmas works this past Christmas, now life for our kids who are now grown up may enjoy those "new" memories for many more Christmases to come ! Thanks Amazon ! Larry G. (Georgia)



3. I wanted this cd after hearing "Uncle Luther Made the Stuffing" on radio. It is such a cute song. The other songs are a good mix of traditional and original. The Oaks do a great job on everything they sing. Love it!



4. I ordered this CD because of the song Christmas Cookies but was delighted with all the songs on the album. It will be one we listen to at holidays in the future. I think anyone listing to the song Christmas Cookies can relate to it. I was also surprised to find a recipe included for Jan's Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. Will be trying it soon. Add this CD to your Christmas listening.



5. The Oak Ridge Boys continue to get better and better and this Christmas CD shows they've still got it! There are some traditional Christmas carols and lots of new songs. The harmony is wonderful and there are solos from each of them. It's February and I'm still playing it in my car!

1 comments about Home for the Holidays.

1. This albulm is a mixture of differnt sounds from diffrent eras. This is avalible rather cheaply at amazon, i bought a used copy.

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 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.