5 comments about In The Christmas Spirit.

1. At first this may seem like a silly idea for a video, and to be honest, I bought a copy mainly out of curiosity. After giving it a chance, though, I found it to be very enjoyable, and a lovely tape to have running in the background for Christmas parties, or anytime you'd like to add some holiday cheer to your living room. I disagree with the former reviewer who seemed to think that the same 4 houses were being shown over and over again. Yes, there is SOME repetition of images, but c'mon, the video is an HOUR long, and I don't think most people are going to sit down and devote their complete attention to something of this nature. My only complaint of this production is the inclusion of a Willie Nelson vocal on the soundtrack to an otherwise almost-instrumental score,(except for Mahalia Jackson's classic vocals on "Silent Night"), but this is more a personal preference than anything else. It just seems a little out of place of me. The orchestrations are very well done too, much better than other tapes of this kind that I have seen on the market. Yeah, this will most likley go back on the shelf come January 1st, but in the meantime, it's a nice mood-enhancer.



2. Maybe it's because I'm from New England, where we actually see snow during the Winter months, that I really hated this DVD. Sure, there were plenty of Christmas lights to see, and some fairly decent music to listen to (Willie Nelson should have been left off this disc) but there is NO snow!! No SNOW!!! I saw maybe 2 seconds of snow falling beside I street light, and that was it. No kidding! All the yards and ocean scenes and everything had NO SNOW...just grass and brown leaves! It did NOT feel like Christmas at all!

   The only Christmas DVD I've really enjoyed, that truly captures the feel of Christmas, is "The Sights and Sounds of Christmas."




3. This disc was a majoy letdown. Not only did it seem like I was being taken around the same house and neighborhood (just from different angles and distances) but there was NO snow anywhere! No snow!!! Sorry...I'm from New England, and the light displays on grassy and leafy yards just don't emit that warm, colorful, reflective glow as on snow. The Christmas spirit was definitely lacking on this disc. One reviewer hit it on the head by saying "...but if you play this DVD while decorating your tree or opening gifts, only a Grinch would dare to complain." EXACTLY!!! As long as you DON'T watch it, it's decent (except for the Willie Nelson song...UGH!!!). So, tell me...why not just buy a MUSIC CD instead???

   I feel Sights and Sounds of Christmas FAR exceeds this DVD on every level.




4. I read reviews where people were dissapointed by the lack of snow in the video. But being from Southern California...I wouldn't even have noticed. I think thie video is really cute. I love watching it. AND...I like the Willie Nelson song!!!



5. Love this DVD. Great to put you in the Christmas spirit. If you want to feel warm and snuggled at home or anywhere, this is the DVD for you.

4 comments about Merry Christmas From London.

1. Add this disc to your holiday collection. Morgan's vibrato is out of touch on some of the tunes, Silent Night w/Wynette; some tunes are hokey, St. Claus Mountain; but others are winners. Her turn of the Rogers and Hammerstein's Favorite Things from the Sound of Music, is spacious with lusciously orchestrated strings. On the whole this is worth a couple spins of the turntable during the Yule season, especially at this sale price



2. This is an almost-perfect CD for any Lorrie Morgan fan. I have everyone of her CDs and this Christmas selection certainly lives up to my expectation of her incomparable vocal abilities, with one GLARING mistake/problem. "Up on Santa Claus Mountain" is a good enough song when she is SINGING, but when she tries to "editorialize" and speak dialogue, she fails miserably. Let me repeat, I am a HUGE Lorrie Morgan fan and I think she is one of the finest vocalists ever, but that one example is why I can't rate this album with 5 stars like I would have liked to.



3. I recently ordered and received a Lorrie Morgan tape-with great service-coulen't have been better...



4. Lorrie recorded this album with a London orchestra as backing musicians, so whatever else this album is, it ain't country. Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and Tammy Wynette all make guest appearances, though you could easily miss Tammy's contribution if you don't listen closely. Lorrie didn't need all those guests to make a wonderful album, but their willingness to be guests demonstrates their respect for her.

   The set opens with a rendition of My favorite things, which did not originate as a Christmas song but has become an occasional feature of Christmas albums. Lorrie then sings a delightful medley of Christmas classics, mixing up carols and festive songs. It begins with Joy to the world, followed by Deck the halls, God rest ye merry gentlemen, Hark the herald angels sing, The first noel (with Tammy), Silent night, Jingle bells, ending with O come all ye faithful.

   The remainder of the album mainly concentrates on festive songs although Lorrie also includes fine versions of O holy night. Little snow girl (with Andy), Up on Santa Claus mountain, Let it snow, Blue snowfall (with Johnny), Toyland and Sleigh ride are all great songs that should bring you plenty of Christmas cheer.

   This is a brilliant Christmas album with a great selection of songs - plenty of standards but not too many obvious ones. It should therefore please you whether you only buy the occasional album or whether (like me) you have loads of them.

2 comments about Tamia's Christmas.

1. The moment I saw that Tamia had released a three-track Christmas single, I went ahead and ordered it. Previously, the only Christmas track I had of Tamia was "The Christmas Song" from Jermaine Dupri's 12 Soulful Nights of Christmas, which coincidentally is one of the three tracks (completely redone, however) on A Gift Between Friends. I personally prefer the previous version (recorded about ten years ago) to this newer version, though her voice is much more polished today. The newer version has a real tropical Latin flavor, which may or may not suit your holiday taste. Either way, it certainly is a unique twist on the classic song.
   
   The first track is a medley consisting of "Let It Snow," "Winter Wonderland," and "O Holy Night." The jazz band instrumentals to the first two provide a real cool, laid-back groove, which allow Tamia's beautiful voice to shine through. "O Holy Night" is essentially just her voice backed by a light acoustic guitar, and later on, she's joined a choir. Well-sung, though not nearly as full-sounding and moving as I feel she is capable of.
   
   The second track, Donny Hathaway's classic, "This Christmas," is done to a completely new beat, along with a nice vocal backing. Shep Crawford, a close friend who produced all three tracks, took the song in a completely new old-school direction, though I prefer versions mirroring the original closer.
   
   Though it's disappointingly just three songs, it is nonetheless a beautiful collection from the fabulous Tamia. It's a great addition to your Christmas music library or even to your complete Tamia collection.



2. Tamia, Tamia! I wish she would have done a full Christmas CD, but I udnerstand her reasons (I heard her explain...in an interview). Nonetheless, for the price, these three songs are well worth it!!! Not to mention, that the length of them are long enough too!

5 comments about In the Spirit: A Christmas Album.

1. Yes, this is not your typical holiday cd.
   And thank you Michael for that. It has
   alittle something for everyone. A few
   holiday standards, some blues, some jazz,
   some gospel. The only problem I have is
   his beautiful voice on the softer songs
   makes me want to hear more. The hilights
   for me are Peace, On This Night and
   the uptempo Everytime Christmas Comes Around.
   But, it is his version of Kenny Loggins new
   classic, On Christmas Morning that is worth
   the cost of the cd alone. When he sings
   "you hold me in your arms, we watch the
   snowflakes fly" --well you just have to
   hear it yourself. Thanks Mike, Thanks Kenny.
   Get this cd!



2. Really, Really enjoyable holiday music! Can listen to this all day!



3. When I first heard of this album, I was a little weary of getting it. Michael's my favorite singer, but the thought of him doing original holiday tunes didn't sound real appealing to me.
   
   What a nice surprise I got when I finally did hear this album. This contains some of his best songwriting ever! In fact, I think a lot of the stuff on here sounds like some of his Doobie Brothers' music. This is really a good thing. Even though I've enjoyed most of his solo albums, most of his solo stuff hasn't sounded like his Doobies' stuff.
   
   It sounds like Michael was very inspired in his writing and singing on this album. There's a lot of passion to be heard on this one. It's definitely one of his best albums.



4. What do you say when you discover an instant classic? This is what Michael has given us in this collection. I discovered this disc Christmas of 2003 and being a huge fan of Michael's since his days with the Doobies, I bought it without ever hearing any of the tracks. What I found was a collection of songs that best conveyed the true meaning of Christmas.
   
   With songs like "Angels We Have Heard On High," "To Make A Miracle," "Children Go Where I Send Thee," "Peace," "One Gift," "World Out Of A Dream," and my personal favorite, "On This Night," Michael eloquently reminds us all that there would be no hope of "Peace On Earth" without the Promise and Gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
   
   Also, with songs like "Everytime Christmas Comes Along," "White Chrstmas/Winter Wonderland" (how cool is that blazing blues guitar on Winter Wonderland!), "House Full Of Love," " and "On Christmas Morning" Michael reminds us that our family and friend relationships help to make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.
   
   By focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, Michael has created a classic that will endure for many, many years. I have spent many hours listening to this wonderful music all year long.
   
   Michael, I want to thank you for such an inpirational recording. It has moved me to tears of gratitude and joy many times because of the awesome Gift that God gave us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Your gift is also a gift from God that we are so grateful that you chose to share it with us. I pray that God will richly bless you for your willingness to share your heart and that you were not afraid of what the "PC" crowd might say, but that Jesus is the "Reason For The Season."



5. I ordered a CD from Froggysflix, but I ordered the wrong one. They took it back with a great attitude and found me the one I wanted very quickly. Nice job!
   Also got a CD from FBShaw and also had a wonderful experience.
   You guys rock!
   
   JK

5 comments about A Christmas Album.

1. I always have and still do love this CD! I used to have it on cassette, then had the CD. This Christmas, I couldn't find it anywhere, so I had to order a new one!



2. I was given the cassette many years ago and it has been a favourite ever since. I'm glad I can now get it on CD as my cassette has just about had it!
   Let the music and words wrap you in the magic of Christmas! A must for any Christmas collection.
   
   Home for Christmas



3. All the songs on this album were great, it'll be the perfect idea to use in the show at my school that's coming up real soon.



4. This Amy Grant Christmas cd is really fantastic and it one of my absolute favorite Christmas cds. It has a great mix of uplifting and inspiring songs as well as some classics. My favorite is "Love Has Come" and Tennessee Christmas. This is a great cd for any collection and Amy's voice is fantastic.



5. This is simply my favorite Christmas album. Keep in mind this was 1980's but the production still holds today and the arrangements are superior. Amy Grant never claimed to be God's gift to singing but she does a great job of delivering just what the songs needed. An essential CD to own if you love Christmas music. It helps to be a fan already.

1 comments about Annabelle's Wish.

1. the song friends like us is the best song in the world and it totally talks about me and my friend aj thank you for the wonderful song cause when i here it it makes me so happy

2 comments about All-Star Country: Christmas Collection - 20th Century.

1. The record label (Hip-O) who released this collection also released the four volumes of Country superstar Christmas, so this is really part of that series, albeit with a different title. This particulatr collection only has four standards, so is particularly interesting to those who like a lot of original or less obvious songs.
   
   The Randy Travis track which opens the set is not taken from his Christmas album, but was newly recorded for this compilation.
   
   Tracy Byrd has (as far as I know) never recorded a Christmas album, but he also recorded Christmas like Mama used to make it, a song included on the first Country superstar Christmas collection. Here, Tracy sings No room. The Rhett Akins version of song can be found on volume two of the series.
   
   Christmas to Christmas is a song that I first heard sung by Lee Greenwood. It is also the title of Toby's own Christmas album.
   
   Overall, this is an excellent collection which should help to get you in the festive spirit.



2. I love this CD! I am a huge Gary Allan fan so his song is the only reason I even bought the CD - and I play it all the time even though it's not Christmas time yet. But the entire CD is wonderful and I am glad I bought it.

3 comments about Southern Rock Christmas.

1. I would never have thought of either the blues oriented Canned Heat or Foghat as being "Southern Bands," just on the basis of their sound without bringing up they are from, respectively, the West Coast and the British Isles. That being said, "Southern Rock Christmas" is a nice collection of Christmas rock songs with an emphasis on the guitar as a instrument of holiday joy (e.g., Steve Morse on "Joy to the World"). The dozen tracks collected here go all the way back to the Sixties and include offerings from definitely Southern bands including Lynyrd Skynyrd ("Run Run Rudolph"), Charlie Daniels ("Christmas Time in Dixie"), and Alabama ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"), although clearly the rock part is as optional as the Southern. But I gave up on taking the hyperbolic titles of hit collections seriously a long time ago. Elvin Bishop gets bonus points for coming up with the most rocking version of "Silent Night" I have stumbled across to date, and you will be surprised to hear "Came Upon a Midnight Clear" as offered up by BR5-49. The Fabulous Thunderbirds doing "Winter Wonderland" is worth the hearing as well and if you do not have George Thorogood's "Rock and Roll Christmas," then this is a good way of picking it up. If you are not troubled by mixing blues and country with the holiday rock, then the other serious complaint is that there are only 12 tracks and less than 40 minutes of music.



2. Amazing !! Any man who respect himself should have this cd. Have'nt you be bored with the soft and sweet versions of Christmas songs? Yoy can't have a Christmas party without this cd.



3. YOU WOULD THINK A CD CALLED SOUTHEAN ROCK CHRISTMAS WOULD BE SOUTHERN BANDS. I GUESS FOGHAT MIGHT BE FROM SOUTH ENGLAND, AND CANNED HEAT COULD BE FROM THE SOUTHERN WEST COAST. YOU THINK WHO EVER PUT THIS CD TOGETHER MIGHT HAVE HAD A LITTLE MORE MUSIC INFORMATION.

2 comments about Celebrating Christmas.

1. If you like Hillsong, you probably know how wonderful they produce their studio albums and if you like Christmas music this album will be a plus. I personally think their first album is a little bit better simply because they did more classis carols that I like but this album is by no means bad.
   
   1. Angels we Have Heard on High with Gloria
   - Gloria is part of the Chorus and is from Reuben's first solo album. This song is upbeat and a great opener for the album.
   
   2. Joy to the World
   - This is a gospel grovey upbeat version and Hillsong gets down. Hillsong gets down very well.
   
   3. Christmastime Again
   - this has a poppy boy band feel and it's lead by the Berrry and the other guy singers from God He Reigns!
   
   4. O Rejoice
   - This is an original sung by Darlene. It's ok but I like their orginal Christmas songs better from the first album
   
   5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
   - This is a purely instramental track with mainly guitars. It's beautiful but I love it when Christmas songs aren't funked with too much!
   
   6. O Little Town of Bethlehem
   - This is a simple voice led version sung by Mrs. Holly Watson it sounds like but I don't have the credits in front of me. As always this song is beautiful because Holly sings beautifully.
   
   7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
   - I love this song. Hillsong does it all jazzy and big band style. They are very good at it. This will be your favorite song off of the album!
   
   8. Hark The Heral Angels Sing
   - This was done on the first album but this version is led by Tuele or someone that sounds like him, and has a much slower smoother sound.
   
   9. Emmanuel
   - This is the version from You Are My World, sung by Tuele.
   
   10. What Child Is This?
   - This is a good version, I don't know who sings it. It's got a good contemporary feel.
   
   11. Can You Hear?
   - This is a Hillsong orginal sung by Steve Mcpherson. He does a great job, it's a happy christmas song great to listen you as you are decorating your tree.
   
   12. Savior Christ the King
   - This is a good worship sung sung by Miram Webster



2. Found "Celebrating Christmas" to be not of the caliber of "For All You've Done" or the TV Shows. Too "Hip-Hoppy", too "Boy-Bandy" for me -- and not enough Darlene. Help yourself, if you prefer those sounds, but if you're looking for more of "For All You've Done", recommend you move on -- there's some, but nowhere near a complete album.

5 comments about Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters.

1. I'M LOOKING FOR THE VERSION OF GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS PLAYED ON THE RADIO IT WAS SAID TO BE ON HER STAR BRIGHT CD BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT VERSION CAN ANYONE HELP ME FIND THE RIGHT VERSION



2. On my list for Christmas is to own the Christmas CD Collection of Vanessa William. Her single "What Child is This" is her best! Her voice is in good true form. As well as her background jazz musicians. She is the best!



3. I lost this CD in the process of moving and simply had to purchase it again. Christmas wouldn't be the same without the voice of this angel.



4. Love it, Love it, Love it!
   This is the second time I have purchased this CD, and it was worth every penny. Vanessa Williams has taken traditional Christmas songs and infused them with a blend of R&B, gospel and jazz. One of my favorite tracks is her version of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing . A gospel choir accompanies Williams and really jazzes it up a notch or two!
   Starlight, Starbright is a silky lullaby, that showcases her smooth and pure voice. From start to finish, every track on this CD fills me with the true spirit of Christmas.



5. Had this CD years ago and had to get it again. I love her flavor on the Christmas classics. Has me humming and bumping in the car.