CD-Charts Position 371
Average Rating:

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Harry for the Holidays

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Harry Jr. Connick

Release Date November 22, 2004
This is a stealth classic. If you loved "When My Heart..." You will ultimately come to adore this, but not straight away. This is a far more mature work and the arrangements are challenging to the listener (let alone the trumpets - sheesh! talk about supersonic). What's not to love about Frosty? That'll probably make you smile first time. But by the time you get to the ground-shifting be bop offering of "I Wonder As I Wander", you may be questioning your choice, but stick with it. Once you see where he's coming from you'll be playing this one into February and getting some really weird looks. Mr Connick flits from genre to genre tempting your taste buds with different flavours. I especially dig "Silver Bells": reminiscent of Bernstein and his ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 372
Average Rating:

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Bah Humbug - the Alternative Christmas Album

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

Release Date December 08, 2003
The well established folk record company Greentrax have an absolute winner here. This has been around for a few years, but with its mix of well established folk artists is certainly worth getting.
Eric Bogle's Santa Bloody Claus here is the Australian version complete with ripe language - he has a much tamer European version!

Cyril Tawney has a song from the 60s in There Are No Lights Upon Our Christmas Tree and his unusual take on the Nativity, The Lone Shepherd, is a very different kind of Christmas song.

Those who have seen Robin Laing live will have chuckled as they shuddered at his 'Man Who Slits The Turkey's Throats at Christmas' . Bill Barclay's drunken Twelve Days of Christmas received a fair amount of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 373
Average Rating:

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Joy: a Holiday Collection [Us Import]

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Jewel

Release Date December 23, 1999
Jewel presents a Christmas CD that is both traditional and at the same time new, and is pure magic to listen to.

The first half of the CD is traditional songs, both sacred and secular, performed in a mostly traditional fashion. The beauty of this section is that the arrangements are minimalist and unique, making them seem fresh even if we've listened to other people do them every year of our lives. I especially like the guitar on "O Holy Night." And, as you'd expect, Jewel's voice shines on every song.

The second half gets into more uncharted territory, but it's still great stuff. She does two almost a cappella duets with her mother on "Rudolph" and "I Wonder as I Wander." The first one is great fun. My only complaint ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 374
Average Rating:

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Tchaikovsky - Nutcracker

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Release Date November 05, 2001
Jewel presents a Christmas CD that is both traditional and at the same time new, and is pure magic to listen to.

The first half of the CD is traditional songs, both sacred and secular, performed in a mostly traditional fashion. The beauty of this section is that the arrangements are minimalist and unique, making them seem fresh even if we've listened to other people do them every year of our lives. I especially like the guitar on "O Holy Night." And, as you'd expect, Jewel's voice shines on every song.

The second half gets into more uncharted territory, but it's still great stuff. She does two almost a cappella duets with her mother on "Rudolph" and "I Wonder as I Wander." The first one is great fun. My only complaint ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 375
Average Rating:

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Acoustic Hearts of Winter

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Aly & AJ

Release Date September 29, 2008
I got this Christmas album from Amazon last year after hearing Aly & AJ's original Christmas single "Greatest Time Of Year".

When i got it totally loved it, it's full of classic Christmas songs and 2 original ones.

My favourites are, Greatest Time Of Year, Not This Year, I'll Be Home For Christmas & Let It Snow.

Here's how i rate each track:
1. Greatest Time Of Year: 10/10
2. Joy To The World: 7/10
3. We Three Kings: 7/10
4. The First Noel: 8/10
5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: 9/10
6. Silent Night: 8/10
7. I'll Be Home For Christmas: 10/10
8. Let It Snow: 10/10
9. Deck The Halls: 9/10
10. Little Drummer Boy: 8/10
11. Not This Year: 10/10 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 376
Average Rating:

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The Complete Christmas Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Doris Day

Release Date December 08, 2008
I got this Christmas album from Amazon last year after hearing Aly & AJ's original Christmas single "Greatest Time Of Year".

When i got it totally loved it, it's full of classic Christmas songs and 2 original ones.

My favourites are, Greatest Time Of Year, Not This Year, I'll Be Home For Christmas & Let It Snow.

Here's how i rate each track:
1. Greatest Time Of Year: 10/10
2. Joy To The World: 7/10
3. We Three Kings: 7/10
4. The First Noel: 8/10
5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: 9/10
6. Silent Night: 8/10
7. I'll Be Home For Christmas: 10/10
8. Let It Snow: 10/10
9. Deck The Halls: 9/10
10. Little Drummer Boy: 8/10
11. Not This Year: 10/10 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 377
Average Rating:

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Christmas Memories Are Made of This

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

Release Date November 29, 2004
A few of the tracks on this compilation were recorded at other times, but the main focus is on the fifties and sixties. As well as Christmas songs, this set includes several songs that were hits in the UK charts over the Christmas period. I prefer Christmas music and other music to be kept separate but I'm sure that many people like this broad definition of Christmas memories and I'll admit that the compilers have made some great choices.

The non-Christmas songs include Mister Sandman, Moon river, From Russia with love, Never do a tango with an Eskimo, Swinging on a star (credited only to Big Dee Irwin, this is actually a duet with Little Eva of Locomotion fame), You belong to me, Somewhere my love, Lily the pink, One day at a time and a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 378
Average Rating:

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The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs

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

Release Date October 14, 2008
A few of the tracks on this compilation were recorded at other times, but the main focus is on the fifties and sixties. As well as Christmas songs, this set includes several songs that were hits in the UK charts over the Christmas period. I prefer Christmas music and other music to be kept separate but I'm sure that many people like this broad definition of Christmas memories and I'll admit that the compilers have made some great choices.

The non-Christmas songs include Mister Sandman, Moon river, From Russia with love, Never do a tango with an Eskimo, Swinging on a star (credited only to Big Dee Irwin, this is actually a duet with Little Eva of Locomotion fame), You belong to me, Somewhere my love, Lily the pink, One day at a time and a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 379
Average Rating:

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Berlioz - L'enfance du Christ (LSO, Davis)

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Matthew Rose, Karen Cargill, London Symphony Orchestra, Yann Beuron, Peter Rose

Release Date August 06, 2007
Album Description
Described as a `sacred trilogy', Berlioz's oratorio L'enfance du Christ began as a short piece called Shepherds' Farewell. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus and the journey of the Holy Family as they escape Bethlehem and head across Egypt to the city of Saïs. Unlike many of the composer's more flamboyant works, it is an exquisite and gentle composition scored for relatively small forces.

CD Reviews
`If ever a conductor lived the works of a composer, it's Davis with Berlioz. The London Symphony Orchestra play with delicacy, the Tenebrae Choir are immaculate, and there's an impeccable set of soloists'
Classical CD of the Week

CD-Charts Position 380
Average Rating:

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White Christmas With Grimethorpe

CD-Charts > Music > Christmas Music
by: Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal Band

Release Date January 01, 2000
A great collection of Christmas tunes, no 'overkill' on the arrangements. The only thing I would point out is that, there are very few hymns on this cd, Silent Night, Adeste Fideles, etc are all absent. Other than that a 'must have' cd for Yule Time.