CD-Charts Position 1
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A Classic Christmas: the Ultimate Collection of Christmas Classics and Carols

from: EMI Classics

Release Date November 03, 2003
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Rutter - A Christmas Festival

by: John Rutter, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Farnham Youth Choir

Release Date October 27, 2008
This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!

CD-Charts Position 3
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All Over The World: The Very Best Of ELO

by: Electric Light Orchestra

Release Date June 06, 2005
Great original under-rated band and song-writer, buy this if you're quite new to their unique sound and then splash out on the individual fantastic CDs, then try the Travelling Wilburys!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics

by: The Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra

Release Date February 06, 2006
sorry to see that this CD has got a bad review as I think it is wonderful. My son can't go to sleep without it, it really helps him to relax and unwind. I think the fact that it isn't the original version is good, as the tracks are shorter and don't get too loud which is often the case with classical music. I really like listening to it too, I think it is well made!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Handel: Messiah

from: Duo

Release Date May 10, 1993
This is more like it. I bought the Harry Christopher/Sixteen version and was left unmoved by it. This however, was sublime - fantastic soloists, an orchestra and chorus that sounded as if they meant it, a wonderful range of emotion beautifully realised. To me this is what a performance of the Messiah should sound like. The other reviewers got this one spot-on. I can only 'rejoice greatly' for such a recording.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 11, 2002
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Strictly Come Dancing

by: Bruce Forsyth, Tommy Blaize, Laurie Holloway Orchestra, Carol Kenyon, Various Artists

Release Date November 15, 2004
I was disappointed by this CD. It's just as well that it is very reasonably priced, or I would be awarding two stars. I assume that the idea is to provide a compilation of tunes ideally suited to Ballroom or Latin dancing, in versions that take into account the particular needs of dancers. Instead, we have some fairly ordinary versions of the tunes, sometimes at rather strange tempos. For example, Norah Jones' version of "Come away with me" is equally good as a waltz, and musically more satisfying than Track 7. Similarly "Smooth"; the Santana/Rob Thomas version is an excellent Cha Cha and cannot be bettered. This one won't be spending much time in the CD player. I wish I'd simply downloaded the originals from iTunes and made my own compilation. Worst of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Over the Hills and Far Away: The Music of Sharpe [SOUNDTRACK]

from: Virgin

Release Date April 29, 1996
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

CD-Charts Position 9
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Christmas Songs

by: Diana Krall The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Release Date November 14, 2005
Diana Krall offers you an incredible revamp of some of the most famous Christmas classics with her lovingly young voice and the nice band that accompanies her will give you everything you need to spend a great Christmas :)

CD-Charts Position 10
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Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf

by: Dame Edna Everage

Release Date September 29, 1997
I'm 37 years old and this is on my iPod. I love it.