CD-Charts Position 11
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Cool Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 30, 2006
I was thrilled to buy this CD from Amazon a few years ago, having worn out my copy on cassette. There are well-known standards (Kirsty and The Pogues' 'Fairytale') here mixed with lesser known gems, but everything is well worth the listen. Stina Nordenstam's ethereal voice is totally suited to Christmas songs, whilst Tom Waits' bass growl is perfect for his tale of a jailed hooker. Everyone who has heard this CD has said "Wow, that's great. Where did you track that down?"

CD-Charts Position 12
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Mario Lanza: The Ultimate Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
from: RCA

Release Date January 22, 1994
A superb collection of some of Mario Lanza's finest recordings. Considering some go back to 1949 - 1958, the recordings to CD are excellent. You'll never walk alone, sung as it was originally intended by the great Mario Lanza. A perfect collection for new comers or fans looking for the best of Mario Lanza. A track for every occassion.

CD-Charts Position 13
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Various: Russell Walton - Reprise

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
from: Universal Classics

Release Date November 18, 2002
I have already reviewed REPRISE but I just had to make comment on the new U.S. version. It is WONDERFUL . RUSSELL has co-wrote 4 NEW songs. They are IMMENSO SOGNO,TUTTO SEI PER ME, ALL OR NOTHING and DID YOU EVER. The "VOICE" is sensuous and intimate and every time I hear these songs I am in absolute BLISS. If it was on sale in the U.K. it would be flying off the shelves. If you get the chance buy it ,you will not regret it. The 4 new songs are worth the price of the CD. alone. THIS is RUSSELL at his very best..... Sandy.

CD-Charts Position 14
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Nightmare Before Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Various Artists

Release Date September 04, 2006
The score for the film The Nightmare before Christmas is brilliant in its own strange way. Both the music and the lyrics are written by Danny Elfman, and he also sings the main character of jack Skellington.
The songs are delightful and variated, and you discover something new in the arrangement, every time you listen to them. Besides, the instrumental tracks are beautiful and melancholy, a nice contrast to the humourous and often lively songs. If you like the film or are just a little bit interested in music, you should definetly buy this CD. It has so many great tunes, and the orchestration is just perfect. All in all, a soundtrack quite out of the ordinary.

CD-Charts Position 15
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Greatest Hits: Chapter 1/Slide Pack

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Backstreet Boys

Release Date October 01, 2007
After spending ages waiting for MTV to have a BSB special in order to see their older vids I was ecstatic when Jive decided to release this DVD. Finally you can watch whatever BSB vid you choose at the click of a mouse without having to record or download the thing. The only disappointment is that the european version of I'll Never Break Your Heart isn't included (the american one is) and the video for Drowning is also not present. Other than that, a top notch buy!

CD-Charts Position 16
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Angel Voices Vol.2

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: St. Philip's Boys Choir

Release Date August 12, 1996
The St Philips Boys Choir - better know these days as 'Libera' - have a unique sound. Inspired by the genius of Robert Prizeman, these seven to fourteen year olds have the ability to reduce the strongest of upper lips to jelly with a single chord. Play this CD and you will tap your foot, sing along or weep whenever they wish you to. As an example, in consecutive tracks, you will hear the most moving version of 'Abide With Me' followed immediately by the most stirring version of 'Jerusalem'. The use of a 'close-mike' with Liam's breathtaking voice makes Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Close Every Door' my favourite track but it's a close call. Each and every track is a masterpiece which leave the listener begging for more. Buy this CD and I guarantee that, like me, you ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 17
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Christmas Crooners: 50 Yuletide Classics from a Golden Age

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 10, 2005
I would disregard the first review of this CD and skip straight to the second. This CD is wonderful. For those that want a more traditional, classic Christmas this is the one to get. Sit by a roaring fireside under the twinkling lights of the christmas tree, mulled wine in one hand, mince pie in the other and this music playing in the background. Truly magical!

My favourites on the 2 CD's (bargain!) are Dean Martin's "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", Louis Armstrong's "Zat you Santa Claus" and Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

The quality of the music is as good as you can get when the recordings are so old. It's not crackly and inaudible however, just full of charm.

You really can't go wrong purchasing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 18
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Vaughan Williams: Vocal Works

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
from: Hyperion

Release Date July 01, 1994
This is a splendid disc! The Serenade to Music is performed in its original version for soloists which is quite different (better?) than the subsequent choral version. The soloists present a marvellous account and the orchestral textures provide a ravishing counterpoint. Of particular note is the violin solo at the beginning which ably sets the scene for this account.
The Mystical Songs (text by George Herbert) are wonderfully sung by Thomas Allen and yet again are accompanied with great sensitivity and skill. The orchestral texture in Love bade me welcome is particularly fine as is Allen's performance which captures the tentative steps of the narrator into relationship with the Divine with an understated passion.
Nabuko Imai's Viola Solo at the beginning of Flos Campi ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 19
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Celtic Woman - A New Journey [2002]

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Celtic Woman

Release Date June 04, 2007
This is a beautiful concert with the lit castle as the background. There is the addition of Hayley Westenra - a Kiwi who sings the best version of "Are you going to Scarborough Fair" that I have ever heard. The other singers also sing beautifully (Lisa Kelly is my favourite). Again, their version of Enya's "Orinocco Flow" is better than what Enya can producxe because it is played with real instruments and a beautiful backing choir.
Like their first DVD, it is great and I hope that they will make many more because I will buy them all.

CD-Charts Position 20
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The John Rutter Christmas Album

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
from: Collegium

Release Date November 04, 2002
I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!