Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

ASIN: B0000C23CV

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
This breathtaking recording is graced with angels and full symphonic orchestral sound - melodies to fill you with gentle peace and healing energy while drawing you inward and upward, like a soft heavenly breeze. David Young's unique approach of playing two recorders in harmony offers you an invitation to take a journey to the deepest, most precious place inside yourself. Capture the spirit of the holiday season with these original arrangements of traditional carols while the dreamlike sounds of harp, guitar and recorder create a magical backdrop for the hoilday season - beautiful renditions of your favorite Christmas music!

Tracks:

Silent Night
All I Want For Christmas Is You
O Holy Night
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
Joy To The World
Jesus Born On This Day
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis..
Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child

Amazon.com

She's been hailed for her multi-octave vocal range--a tool that sometimes detracts from her pop recordings, but actually works quite beautifully in the context of this charming holiday collection. Fans will surely approve of Carey's renditions of slinky secular songs like "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" and a nicely subdued "All I Want for Christmas Is You." But where she really surprises is in her unadorned delivery of a passel of traditional carols, highlighted by "Silent Night" (which she sings quietly, avoiding the temptation to wail those high notes) and "Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child." A must for diehards, and a pleasant surprise for the unconverted. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

Still the Best!.......2007-03-01

This continues to be my favorite Christmas CD. Merry Christmas showcases Mariah Carey's true talent. Her version of O Holy Night is often imitated, but never duplicated. This cd is filled with songs that will bring the best memories back to life when listening. Don't miss another year without this cd. You will be so glad that you added this to your collection, Christmas or not!

The Best.......2007-02-13

The Best Christmas CD ever!!!!! Of course, Mariah hardly ever disappoints. Well the old Mariah anyway.

classic.......2007-01-09

the album contains the essential classic songs for Xmas. Has not aged at all since it was originally released.

LOVE IT!.......2007-01-09

I love this CD. I bought this one for a friend because she loved mine. It's such a happy, upbeat album, with some serious Xmas carols also.

THE CHRISTMAS DIVA HAS LANDED.......2006-12-22

Do you want Mariah at her very best? Do you want a Christmas CD that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside? This is the one. Not only a top R&B and Pop singer, but with the strong vocals Mariah so powerfully let's loose on this one, she easily could be the top Gospel artist as well, had she chosen that route. I believe she gives her strongest recorded performance here, especially track #3 "O Holy Night". She's that good.

Average customer rating:

Rutter Christmas Album
Unique and Beautiful!
Johh Rutter Chirstmas Album
Liked it enough to go through a lot of trouble to give it a review.
John Rutter and Cambridge Singers

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Cambridge Singers , Rutter , and City of London Sinfon
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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John Rutter Collection
Cambridge Singers Christmas Album
Christmas Star
Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers
Be Thou My Vision

ASIN: B00006JJ4T
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

Wexford Carol
Jesus Child
There Is a Flower
Donkey Carol
Wild Wood Carol
Angels' Carol
Nativity Carol
Mary's Lullaby
Star Carol
Candlelight Carol
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Christmas Lullaby
Dormi, Jesu
Love Came Down at Christmas
Sans Day Carol
I Wonder as I Wander
What Sweeter Music
Joy to the World
I Saw Three Ships
Deck the Hall
Very Best Time of Year
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Silent Night

Album Description

Top of the British Classical Charts for 10 Weeks! Billboard Top Ten Classical Recording - December 2002! This album gathers together most of the carols I have composed over the years, plus a sprinkling of my arrangements of traditional carols, grouped to form a program which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story. I have always enjoyed carols ever since I first sang them as a member of my school choir, and it was not long before I began to write carols of my own-in fact my first two published compositions were the Nativity Carol and the Shepherd's Pipe Carol. For any musician involved in choral music, Christmas is an especially joyous time, and I am indeed happy that it has played a part in my musical life for so many years- JOHN RUTTER

Customer Reviews:

Rutter Christmas Album.......2007-05-14

Great selection of music, and well presented. This is however older recordings that do not match the quality of Rutter's latest recordings such as the Te Deum or the Gloria.

Unique and Beautiful!.......2007-03-09

John Rutter, and his beautiful music, is such a gift to the world. This unique Christmas CD is magnificent! Especially touching are two of Rutter's original carols, "Christmas Lullaby" and the joyful "Angels' Carol." The musical selections speak to the soul, helping the listener connect to emotions of joy, peace, faith, hope, and love. This is a worthy addition to your collection of Christmas CDs.

Johh Rutter Chirstmas Album.......2007-02-19

If I were to choose only one Christmas album to ever own, this would be the one. John Rutter is an exceptional composer of religious music, with unusual harmonies. The music is difficult to sing, and because this is his own choir and he is directing it, the performance is flawless. Gives you goosebumps.

Liked it enough to go through a lot of trouble to give it a review........2007-02-07

Great music by John Rutter: Great performance!

John Rutter and Cambridge Singers.......2007-01-18

This is quintessential English cathedral music; beautifully sung. Reminds one of the English Christmas -- warm and serene -- that we've only experienced in our dreams!

Average customer rating:

Movie was good but...
another different & newer version of a similar movie.
One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance
Film on DVD?
Absolutely Beautiful

Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël)
Philippe Rombi
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce
The Miracle of the Voice
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days
World Trade Center

ASIN: B000BTDLOM
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Overture
Fraternizers' Hymn (piano)
Anna and Nikolaus
War
Soldiers' Burial
Bist du bei mir
Silent Night
Jonathan's Letter
Ponchel's Memories
The Football Match
The Bishop's Sermon
The Soldier's Mail
War Adagio
The Absence Theme
Fraternizers' Hymn: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
Adeste Fideles
Invitations: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
Anna and Nikolaus
Aria for Violin and Orchestra
Fraternizers' Hymn (Murmurs and vocalises)

Customer Reviews:

Movie was good but..........2007-06-04

I thought the movie was good, but I was disapointed with the rating. I think the sexual scene was downplayed in the PG13 rating, i.e. "a little bit of sexual nudity"..I would not want any children watching that scene, it was obvious sexual intercourse.I think it should have had an R rating instead.
I was very disappointed with the rating

another different & newer version of a similar movie........2007-01-06

wonderful sound track, beautiful, melancholy, nostalgic, sad but sublime music to synchronize this unnecessary human tragedy.
i remember that i've seen an older movie exactly like this, but it's american soldiers and german soldiers doing the x'mas truce, drinking and singing the x'mas carols together on x'mas eve. why and how it became possible? because both countries still have the same religion, the same belief and the same god.
anyway, the premise of that and this movie is to deliver a message to you: enemy is what your president, your chancellor, your goverment, your generals giving to you. they point across the border, telling you that a whole foreign country out there and the all the people in that specific nation are your enemy. when these people decide to declare the war on that country, then the people in that country suddenly become your enemy. before that, you never knew that you've got an enemy, you'd never thought the people in that country would be your enemy.
funny thing is once the war is over, tourism would take over, and then you'd travel to that once you thought very unfriendly country and shake the hands of that country's people. if you go there in the holiday season, you'd say 'merry x'mas' to each other with smiles on your face.
but some of the countries that would never become your friendly nations and your friendly foreign people if you invade their country and force them to reform a new government and replace all the guys your government doesn't like. and they'd never say 'merry x'mas' to you, because they have different culture, different belief, different god, different book of god, different holidays. but regretfully, when you invade their country, you've totally destroy all the things they used to have. when all the good and bad are forcefully changed in the name of liberation by a foreign nation, there's no way they'd appreciate your holidays with respect.
this is what we have to learn from this movie.
you know why this truce could be achieved between german soldiers, french soldiers or american g.i.s?
funny thing is that under same god, same belief, same bible, same....how could it possible that they'd still become enemies to each other? two boxers with the same belief into the boxing bouts, they both cross themselves before each bout and wish god would help him to beat out of his opponent. why they fight each other? because the words 'in god we trust' are printed on paper money. the green $ sign pushes them to fight each other. maybe the cause of a war between nations with the same religion is the green $ sign too?
eh, by the way, if i sit in my living room, watching this movie, how could it possible that i would become enemy even to my neighbors, if i don't have a yapping dog barking day and night, bothering their sleep?
by the same token, how could it possible that i would have a whole region's countries' people who hate me to the guts and screaming 'death to america! death to americans!'?? how could i become an enemy to a country about ten thousand miles away if i couldn't even make an enemy to my immediate neighbors?
now, you tell me, i just want you to tell me. i don't want my government and its imbecile officials to tell me.

One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance.......2006-11-17

Philippe Rombi is a composer new to this listener and being so impressed with the film 'Joyeux Noël' encouraged purchasing the Soundtrack. Not a mistake at all. For once the entire music excerpts of significance are intact, even the artists who were guests, providing professional opera singers for the voices of the two cinematic actor/singers.

Rombi opens the film about WW I with very eloquent, quiet, lovely solo piano music, and very often he is so sensitive to the message of the film that just when the action looks as though the music should be of the Carmina Burana ilk, Rombi settles for orchestral Adagios. He has elected to use the carols Stille Nacht and Adeste Fidelis for the actor Sprink to sing and uses the voice of the gifted tenor Rolando Villazon to intone the music. To establish the relationship between the two opera singers, Sprink and Anna (Villazon and Natalie Dessay), he has them perform a duet version of Bach's 'Bist du bei mer' - the words of which take on deep meaning as the film progresses. When he has a moment for Anna to sing a solo, he writes his own version of Ave Maria for Anna/Natalie Dessay to sing. It is very lovely.

There are several 'tunes' written for the score - 'Fraternizers' Hymn' ('I'm Dreaming Of Home'), the theme for Anna and Nikolaus - which very well could endure long after the score and film disappear, they are that fine.

In all the score is very strong and well played, sung, and conducted. This is a soundtrack that bears attention for lovers of beautiful music. Grady Harp, November 06

Film on DVD?.......2006-07-29

Anyone know if this spectacular film will ever be released on DVD?

Absolutely Beautiful.......2006-04-05

A wonderful soundtrack to an awesome movie.

I can't listen to it enough, Thank you Philippe Rombi

Average customer rating:

Shoulda been American Idol winner season II
A NEW CLASSIC!!!!
Glorious Voice!
GREAT CHRISTMAS CD
a new fan

Merry Christmas With Love
Clay Aiken
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Thousand Different Ways
Measure of a Man
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Bridge Over Troubled Water/This Is The Night

ASIN: B00062ZV2E
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

O, Holy Night
Winter Wonderland
Silent Night
Hark The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful
Have Yourself A Merry LIttle Christmas
Mary, Did You Know
Joy To The World
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Don't Save It All For Christmas Day
Merry Christmas With Love
Sleigh Ride
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Amazon.com

Clay Aiken may look wide-eyed and unassuming, but when it comes to figuring out what his fans want for Christmas, he's got it all figured out. On Merry Christmas with Love he so cannily anticipates the musical sugarplums dancing in the heads of his devotees that you half expect him to climb down the chimney and hand-deliver it. Key to the dozen-song collection's appeal is its straightforwardness: Parting ways with the sea of celebrities who use holiday discs as an excuse to cut loose, Aiken banishes irony and coyness so absolutely here that certain carols--the medley "Hark the Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night" especially--take on church-like tones; expect tree trimmers to put aside their tinsel and contemplate the meaning of the season. Yet don't expect them to miss out on any merriment. On less chestnutty selections like the ballads "Mary Did You Know" and Celine Dion's "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," Aiken lets it rip, reining in a passion and pure-heartedness so believable that fans will wish he, rather than the guy in the red velvet suit, were Santa Claus. -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Shoulda been American Idol winner season II.......2007-05-18

Recieved this product promptly and in great shape

A NEW CLASSIC!!!!.......2007-05-11

Absolutely my new favorite Christmas cd. My entire family enjoys this, and every song is perfection! It's amazing how this young guy crept into the music scene (through American Idol-and he should have won it as every one out there knows!!!) and has blown everyone away with his awesome voice. Please buy this cd; it will become a tradition in your home during the Christmas season!!

Glorious Voice!.......2007-02-06

What Clay delivers in this album is better than anything Santa can bring: A glorious voice that makes the songs, mostly Christmas standards, seem new again. His voice soars on "O Holy Night" and "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day." And yet, the chills one gets from listening to these songs sets a contrast to his "chilled-out" version of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Yes, it's cool. The album is an eclectic mix of traditional religious carols, traditional seasonal songs, and the up-to-this-album little known "Merry Christmas With Love."

Great CD. What a voice!

GREAT CHRISTMAS CD.......2007-01-31

THIS IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS CD.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SONG MARY DID YOU KNOW SUNG BY CLAY.I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.TRY IT YOU'LL LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!

a new fan.......2007-01-26

I was not a big Clay Aiken fan, but this Christmas CD is one of the best I've heard from recent artists. I love his version of Mary Did You Know.

Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah

Average customer rating:

If your into Chrismukkah but not the holiday songs....
Deserves better reviews!
Charming holiday cd.
Bad Show Bad Music
Ugh, not another Christmas album

Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music From The O.C. Mix 4
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The O.C. Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks

ASIN: B00063MCT8
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
Just Like Christmas - Low
Merry Xmas Everybody - Rooney
Rock of Ages - Ben Kweller
Christmas With You is the Best - The Long Winters
Christmas is Going to the Dogs - Eels
Christmas - Leona Naess
Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

Amazon.com

In the admittedly narrow genre of holiday discs adapted from TV shows, Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah!, a jumble of songs pulled from a special episode of the Fox series The O.C., takes the fruitcake (or latke, or what have you). In only nine tracks, it establishes itself as a thoroughly modern, cynical, but likeably wide-eyed antidote to the heap of jingle-bell-heavy offerings currently crowding holiday music racks. Best thought of as a compilation cobbled together by a clear-headed, alt-minded friend, Chrismukkah, so named for the fictional Cohen family's seasonal culture-blending holiday, highlights a far-reaching lineup of indie favorites. Jimmy Eat World covers the Wham! classic "Last Christmas" with characteristic punch and panache, Eels chew into "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" like they mean it, Leona Naess channels vintage Joni Mitchell on "Christmas," and the ever-understated Ron Sexmith dares to dream on "Maybe This Christmas." "Christmas with You Is the Best," cut exclusively for the soundtrack by the Long Winters, climbs through the Cohens' chimney to offer a firsthand glimpse of Chrismukkah in practice: you can practically smell the eggnog-flavored matzoh balls. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Chrismukkah (Christmas and Chanukah) is what the half-Jewish, half-Christian Cohen Family of "The O.C." celebrates at holiday time-and Music From The O.C.: Mix 3 (Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah) is its soundtrack. Featuring holiday-themed songs by Modern Rock favorites heard either in last year's or this season's Chrismukkah episode, Have A Very Merry Chrismukkah is a musical holiday gift for the modern family.

Customer Reviews:

If your into Chrismukkah but not the holiday songs...........2007-01-27

I love this CD plus I had to get it only because I love the OC.. BUT this cd has holiday songs but it isnt so happy and soppy as the others.. they actually are pretty rock and roll kind its awesome.

Deserves better reviews!.......2005-09-28

It's such a shame that this album has recieved so many negative reviews, because it really doesn't deserve them.
There are no bad songs here, although admittedly some are much better than others.
1. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes. Nicely sets the tone for the album, although is far from being the best track. Probably 3/5.
2. Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World. I LOVE this song! It's so catchy. Although, on the negative side, it can become a bit repetitive. But who cares? 4/5.
3. Just Like Christmas - Low. One of my favourites on the album. Fun to sing along to, with bells in the background. Kind of reminds me of some of my parents records, from the sixties or seventies. Kind of folksy. 5/5.
4. Merry Xmas Everybody - Rooney. A good song, more rock than the previous tracks. Not one of my favourites, but then again Rooney is not one of my favourite bands. I only like a few of their songs. 3/5.
5. Rock of Ages - Ben Kweller. Somebody else said that this was the worst version of Rock of Ages they had heard. I think this is too harsh. Whilst not one of my favourite tracks, it is quite pleasant to listen to, nice after the louder 'Merry Xmas Everybody'. 3/5.
6. Christmas With You Is The Best - The Long Winters. I LOVE, LOVE this song! I can't really describe why, but it's different and fresh, and I love the lyrics. It was specially recorded for this album too. 5/5.
7. Christmas Is Going to the Dogs - Eels. Another one of my favourites, the first song on the album to actually appear on an episode (2.06, 'The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't'). Ultra-Christmassy, if that makes sense. Out of all the songs here, it probably exudes the most holiday spirit, though the lyrics probably tell a different story. Who doesn't like the Eels??? 5/5.
8. Christmas - Leona Naess. An absolutely beautiful song. A bit depressing maybe, but still one of the best tracks. I love listening to it. Naess has a haunting kind of voice, which you just have to listen to again and again. Also featured on episode 2.06. 5/5.
9. Absolutely the best song here. This has been my favourite holiday song since I heard it. It's really the main reason I bought the album. It's really, REALLY good. Only complaint is it's too damn SHORT! It doesn't even reach two minutes, which is such a shame. It's actually been on episodes 2.06 and 1.13 'The Best Chrismukkah Ever'. It's so fantastic that even my Dad likes it, and you have no idea how hard it is to get him to like any of my music. It's a miracle if you can get him to like any music from the past decade.
DEFINITE 5/5!!!!

I love this album - if only for the excuse it gives me to turn off my parents classical music on Christmas Day (they play it every year). I'd definitely recommend it - however, it is quite different from the other mixes. So don't buy it expecting the same sort of thing that was on the other CDs. Nevertheless, it is an EXCELLENT holiday album, and I enjoyed it immensely, despite its short length.

Mia

Charming holiday cd........2005-08-27

Okay,at a mere 28 minutes long,this album is easy to criticize.However,that excepted,this is still a good album.It's charming and conjures up happy holiday thoughts.I think it's worth it just for the song "Maybe this Christmas".

Bad Show Bad Music.......2005-08-16

I can't believe the only good band Low sunk down to this level. The rest of it's crap.

Ugh, not another Christmas album.......2005-07-10

I know everyone (everyone) has the need to put out a christmas album. Nobody wants them!
The cover is cute, but who wants to pay normal CD price for such a half-assed attempt at another CD. It shouldnt even be numbered the OC mix 3 because it misleads one into thinking it is a mix of good songs that the others contain.
At a brief 28 minutes, the disc isnt even long enough to play while decorating the christmas tree.

Average customer rating:

A Comedy Superstar on Cruise Control
All the kids go to bed each night, to dream what Santa brings 'em, unless they're Jewish or Muslim or some other gyp religion.
Very Disappointed
Merry F#%$in' Christmas?... Hardly =\
Nice little EP for those of us who can't get enough Leary

Merry F#%$in' Christmas
Denis Leary
Manufacturer: Comedy Central
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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No Cure for Cancer
Lock 'N Load
Denis Leary
Roast of Denis Leary Uncensored
The Job - The Complete Series

ASIN: B00065GHX8
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Merry F#%$in' Christmas (Studio)
Fat Guy on the Plane
Deaf Mute Cocktail Party
WWWW
Jack Goes to School
Insane Cowboy (In Africa)
Coffin Rap
The Theme from Jesus & The Gang
Dogsledding
Merry F#%$in' Christmas (Live)

Album Description

This CD single was recorded by one of the most recognizable faces in comedy and current star of the F/X hit show, "Rescue Me". Leary's last two records sold over 700,000 combined units and they're some of the most critically acclaimed comedy albums ever. This CD contains the hilarious "Merry Fucking Christmas" single, over fifteen minutes of stand-up and rare songs, and an animated video that'll run during the holidays on Comedy Central and at comedycentral.com.

Customer Reviews:

A Comedy Superstar on Cruise Control.......2007-07-04

If you are a Denis Leary fan this then is an essential purchase, however Denis has slowed down quite a lot as this CD could have had a lot of new material, is there any need to repeat parts of Lock N Load, after this many years. I know he has a busy time with Rescue Me (worth at least 10 stars) however this CD is worth it for the title track which you can practice in your car/truck for Christmas and sing at the family gathering as you plug your IPOD into the HiFi system.

All the kids go to bed each night, to dream what Santa brings 'em, unless they're Jewish or Muslim or some other gyp religion. .......2006-12-21

This is an EP featuring Denis Leary's Christmas song "Merry F#%$in' Christmas". It is a very funny song, and there are two versions of it, a "regular" version made in a recording studio and a "live" version. The rest of the CD features skits and outtakes from his album Lock 'N Load, plus a few live stand up performances. Most of it is moderately funny, but it doesn't have anything to do with Christmas.

Very Disappointed.......2006-12-03

Perhaps there is no person more of a Denis Leary fan than I am and I give it one star. This cd reminds me of the product put out by record companies after the artist has left their label. They throw together whatever was left on the editing floor and hype it as "new" from the artist. At least I hope that is what this disaster is. I hate to think that someone as talented as Denis Leary could have put much, if any, effort into the project.
For some reason, I don't know, the video didn't come through for me. At least that would have been fun to watch!

Merry F#%$in' Christmas?... Hardly =\.......2006-03-16

After getting the first 2 cds years ago: No cure For Cancer & Lock N Load. I was hooked on Denis Leary.. He was one of if not my favorite comedian.. I was big on Adam Sandler's "They're All Going Laugh at You" but the other ones weren't as good.. Much like The latest from the cigarette smoking, coffee drinking mad man Denis Leary.. Merry F#%%$in' Christmas lacked something... It left me going "that's it?" It's lucky if its 40mins long. It's not really that great either. His previous two were ALOT better. If you're a major fan of his work you can get it.. but don't say I didn't warn you..

Nice little EP for those of us who can't get enough Leary.......2006-03-07

At the time of this writing, Denis Leary has only made 2 full albums, "No Cure for Cancer" and "Lock N' Load". He's got more material out there though, including certain routines from his very early stand-up performances (rants on rap music, the Morton Downey Jr. show, etc.), stand-up from his Boston shows in recent years, emcee work for some of the stand-up shows he's hosted, his Mtv commercials, comedy roasts, etc. "Merry F#%$in' Christmas" is simply a mix of new, previously released, and previously unreleased material.

I see some reviewers here have overlooked the fact that this is an EP. So naturally, it's going to be half as long as most other albums and at half the price. If you don't know the difference between the terms EP and LP, go look 'em up on Wikipedia! Again, there was a lot more they could have put on here, but an EP's an EP. Now on to what's here.

The title track "Merry F#%$in' Christmas" is, as you can probably guess, a very happy sounding Christmas song with not-so-happy lyrics. And it works, with Leary's own angrily sarcastic-toned singing style. Both a studio and a live version are included. There are also two studio tracks from the "Lock N' Load" album. I love them both, but I'm not sure why "Deaf Mute Cocktail Party" and "Insane Cowboy (In Africa)" were specifically chosen.

This leaves three tracks of live stand-up material and three bizarre studio recordings. The stand-up stuff ("Fat Guy on the Plane", "Jack Goes to School", and "Dogsledding") are all great. The three other studio tracks, "WWWW", "Coffin Rap", and "The Theme from Jesus & The Gang" sound like the bizarre songs you'd hear in between tracks on "Lock 'N Load". Not surprisingly, "WWWW" was taken from the "Lock 'N Load" sessions.

If you love the two Denis Leary albums and can't get enough, I'd say this EP is definitely worth buying. The title track and new stand-up material justifies the measly $6 or $7.

A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

Average customer rating:

Traditional Christmas Music
The quintessential Christmas recording
A Top List Christmas CD
The best
How do you describe perfection?

A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale
Robert Shaw Chorale
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra
Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High
A Festival of Carols in Brass

ASIN: B000003EPA
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Medley: Good Christian Men - Rejoice - Silent Night - Patapan - O Come - All Ye Faithful
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Shepherd's Carol
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Medley: O Sanctissima - Joy To The World - Away In A Manger - Fum, Fum, Fum - March Of The Kings
I Wonder As I Wander
We Three Kings
My Dancing Day
Medley: What Child Is This? - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Bring A Torch - Jeanette - Isabella - Angels We Have Heard On High
Coventry Carol
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Carol Of The Bells
Medley: Break Forth - O Beauteous Heavenly Light - The First Nowell - O Little Town Of Bethlehem - I Saw Three Ships - Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Traditional Christmas Music .......2007-01-24

If you love traditional Christmas music, done in traditional style (i.e., no rock or jazz influence), this CD is for you. The Robert Shaw Chorale, the "gold standard" of quality choral music, sings much loved carols, with some lesser-known pieces as well. Some are a cappella; some include a full orchestral accompaniment. My favorites on this CD are "We Three Kings," "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella," and "I Saw Three Ships."

The quintessential Christmas recording.......2005-12-09

This recording seems to elicit universal and heartfelt praise. Who am I to dispute that? The performance is terrific, just as described by the other Amazon reviewers, no doubt about it.

However, I do have one bone to pick with this recording. There just isn't enough of it. With material as good as this, that is a real loss!

A Top List Christmas CD.......2004-12-28

I bought this cd long ago, and have enjoyed it immensely each year. It is the perfect blend of celebration and meditation. Orchestra and choir combine in four distinct groupings, and a capella arrangements complete the masterful collection. The orchestral arrangements will make the hairs on your neck stand up, and your stomach quiver with all the excitement you ever felt as a child at Christmas. Adeste Fidelis is performed as few other ensembles have ever come close. The a capella arrangements will all, without exception, be on your yearly list of must-hear holiday arrangements. Truly a top list Christmas CD, essential for every family who celebrates this feast.

The best.......2004-01-02

I own approximately 35 Christmas choral CDs - including choirs and groups such as the Cambridge Singers and the King Singers. I also own two Christmas albums with Robert Shaw and the Atlantic symphony. This performance with the Robert Shaw Chorale is old but it is still my favorite. The arrangements are magnificent, the sound is brilliant, and the choir and orchestra are precise with wonderful volume control. Buy and enjoy!

How do you describe perfection?.......2003-12-14

This is my favorite Christmas CD. Nothing comes close. I thoroughly enjoyed learning much of the music in high school choir over 30 years ago. The music has never left me. The four medleys are the arrangements of Robert Russell Bennett titled "The Many Moods of Christmas". The arrangements seem to have a freshness about them even after listening numerous times.

Interspersed with the medleys are a cappella carols.

All of this music is wonderfully performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale, the a cappella selections recorded in 1957 and the medleys in 1963.

Four decades have proven that this is the standard in choral music. The clarity of text, the richness of tone, the beauty of harmony combine to present the message of Christmas in the manner that only music can do.

Tracks:

Dream A Dream (Elysium)
O Come, All Ye Faithful
The Little Drummer Boy
Mary's Boy Child
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
Winterwonderland
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Coventry Carol (Lully Lullay)
Joy To The World
When A Child Is Born
What Child Is This?
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Draw Tua Bethlehem/Far Over Bethlehem
Ave Maria
Gabriel's Message
O Holy Night
Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Everybody's favorite precocious sprite of a soprano comes out with her third album in Dream a Dream. It's only been two years since Charlotte Church's smash debut, Voice of an Angel, but that's a big chunk of the Welsh singer's life span so far. This latest is basically a Christmas album, so full of festive cheer you'd never guess it was recorded in the summer. Even the glummest of moods will disappear when you hear Charlotte's infectious take on chestnuts such as "Winter Wonderland" and "Little Drummer Boy" (and having the London Symphony Orchestra as your backup band doesn't hurt either). And on top of that is a really special treat: the title song (borrowing an unforgettable classical melody) which blends Church's soaring vocals with the tender voice of young country prodigy Billy Gilman. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

Dream a dream.......2007-04-03

I bought this CD after watching the music video of the same name. Their performance of "dream a dream" is exquisite. The fact that they wrote the lyrics just adds icing to an already magnificent cake!

This girl has Potential (I wish the press would back off)!!!!!!.......2007-03-01

You know charlotte church has received so much harsh critismn about her,I find that people were jeolous of her voice, and of how a young girl can sing, she is definetly my dream ome true, (So back off johnathan flanders),this girl in the past has done some wonderful music which is inspirational and she is a wonderful person, I dont care whether she has changed, anyway her rock albumn has given me a lease on life and has given me potential in my singing,I love your voice very much, and this reviewer hasnt been written by a kid at all,if charlotte church is reading this,good on yeah girl,you definetly my dream come true,and I hope I will see you one day. your best friend JJCox

This girl has Potential (I wish the press would back off)!!!!!!.......2007-03-01

A must-have for Christmas music lovers.......2006-12-07

this cd is pure magic...almost 20 great christmas songs on one cd sung by the voice of an angel herself..there may be a few mixed reviews by some people who must be opera voice teachers because there is nothing wrong with this cd...it is flawless....charlotte's soaring vocals, the beautiful orchestra and background singers, the whole cd has the christmas feel to it..."o come all ye faithfull" has to be heard to be believed...it is breathtaking...i love charlottes take on "winter wonderland" and "ding dong merrily on high" ..made me want to go dance in the snow or something.....she hits every note beautifully..buy this cd...i bought it back in 2000 and have listened to it at every Christmastime since or Christmas doesnt feel the same.

Gorgeous! .......2005-12-07

Charlotte Church has done it again! She is extremely talented. Even if she was 25 when she put this out, she'd be amazing. But she was only 14-15 years old when she recorded this! Beautiful. This album has great choral accompaniments and fabulous orchestra arrangements. It is a little on the high side in certain songs, but it still sounds amazing. I love her voice.

Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Joy To The World........a joy indeed!
If you like classical Christmas music, this is for you
"Joy To The World . . . The Lord Has Come . . . And Heaven And Nature Sing"
Christmas music done in Ormady's rich "Philadelphia Sound"
A Timeless Christmas Classic

Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

A Christmas Festival
The Glorious Sound of Christmas
A Festival of Carols in Brass
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A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

ASIN: B000003EPC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing
Away In The Manger
The Little Drummer Boy
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Waltz of the Flowers
What Child Is This
Sleigh Ride
The First Nowell
Carol of the Bells
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Joy to the World
I Wonder As I Wander
Good King Wenceslas
Silent Night
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Angels We Have Heard On High
Silver Bells
Messiah: Pastoral Symphony (Messiah)
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Joy To The World........a joy indeed!.......2007-03-16

This wonderful CD has everything to celebrate the great joy of the Christmas season. Recorded in the early 1970's it still sounds as fresh and timeless as it did way back then.
The orchestrations are majestic and imaginative without being mushy or too symphonic in structure.The addition of the chorus in most of the carols is an added bonus. The singers and orchestra blend wonderfully without either dominating the other too much. The programme of selected songs is excellent and with some lovely orchestra only tracks the CD is not tiring to listen to creating a well balanced programme.
Maestro Eugene Ormandy conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra with great zeal and a passion for the music that is felt by the listener.The chorus master is the very talented Robert Page and the carols are arranged and orchestrated by the great Arthur Harris.
The sound quality is excellent and the CD has been beautifully remastered without any loss of crispness or dynamics.The stereo balance and instrument placement sound superb with the singers centre stage.
This is a remarkably good CD from the RCA Gold Seal range and is a must for lovers of really good seasonal music played with love and passion for the joys of the Christmas season.
Thank you for taking the trouble to read my review and I wish one and all much enjoyment from this lovely CD.

Happy listening!

If you like classical Christmas music, this is for you.......2007-01-13

A truly great collection of classical Christmas music. Highly recommended.

"Joy To The World . . . The Lord Has Come . . . And Heaven And Nature Sing".......2006-12-15

For those of you who, like me, love traditional and old-fashioned Christmas carols with a chorus and a full orchestra, this album is just a perfect listen this Yuletide season. It's always been a delight listening to this classic Christmas CD, "Joy to the World with Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus." It creates a nostalgic feeling and an atmosphere of an old-fashioned Christmas that reminds me so much of the past Christmas celebrations I had with my late parents. This is the kind of Christmas music they so loved.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Robert Page performed ten of the nineteen tracks and The Philadelphia Orchestra performed the rest of the tracks without the Chorus under the baton of one of the most respected names in conducting and orchestration, Eugene Ormandy. Arthur Harris beautifully and traditionally arranged all the songs. This is one of the greatest Christmas albums ever recorded and a worthy addition to your Christmas collection.

The true essence of Christmas is captured by the artful blend of voices from the chorus combined with the sublime orchestration from the first carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to the last piece, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah."

Each and every track is a highlight and sacredly performed. My top favorites are "Silent Night," Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Away In A Manger," "What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), and "Joy To The World."

"Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing."

Joyfully recommended!

Christmas music done in Ormady's rich "Philadelphia Sound".......2004-12-04

"Joy to the World" has Eugene Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus providing a rich selection of Christmas songs, both classical and traditional, arranged by Arthur Harris. It is the former that are most impressive, although there are fewer of them, starting with Mendelssohn's "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker," then ending with Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire," and the "Pastoral Symphony" and "Hallelujan Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."

Eugene Ormandy (born Jenö Blau in Budapest) was one of the most famous of the popular American conductors of the 20th century, known best for his long time relationship with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Originally gaining public notice with the orchestra when he served as a last-minute replacement for an ill Arturo Toscanini in 1931, Ormandy would serve as Musical Director in Phialdelphia from 1938 until 1980. Under his baton the Philadelphia Orchestra became known for its warm tones, textured romantic "Philadelphia Sound," which is well represented on this Christmas album. I always thought Ormandy's interpretation of Rachmaninoff was particularly strong, although I do not know enough about classical music to articulate a coherent defense of that position beyond noting that when Vladimir Horowitz played Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his Carnegie Hall debut, he picked Ormandy as the conductor of the orchestra that night.

There is over an hour's worth of music here for you to enjoy if you like more of the classical approach to your Christmas music. But Ormandy's work is always marked by an ability to bring out the emotions of music being played by a symphonic orchestra. That is why the standout tracks here are "The Little Drummer Boy," "I Wonder as I Wander," and "What Child Is This?" You would not normally think of these songs as working as well song by a chorus that by a single individual, but this album will get you to rethink your position. In terms of choirs at Christmas I still have a preference for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Ray Conniff Singers (I embrace the extremes), but in terms of listening to an orchestra play Christmas music, this is as good as it gets.

A Timeless Christmas Classic.......2003-12-08

I'm a lover of traditional Christmas music and I've acquired about 20 CDs of it. There's nothing my family likes better in December than putting on some good Christmas music and getting in the mood for the season, hearing once again the old favorites you've known since childhood. Of all the Christmas music CDs I've tried, I have two desert-island favorites, the two I always reach for first. This is one of them. I think it's one of the greatest recordings of traditional Christmas music ever made. The arrangements (by Arthur Harris) are joyous, beautiful, and soul-stirring; the performances are heartfelt and magnificent. If you can listen to this CD and not feel filled by the Christmas spirit, you must be (a) named Ebeneezer Scrooge, or (b) deaf. This one is a timeless Christmas classic, not to be missed. Warmest recommendation.

Average customer rating:

Nice music but...
Great CD
A Noble and Festive Christmas
Meat and Potatoes
Totally Awesome

A Festival of Carols in Brass

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

A Christmas Festival
Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
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O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge

ASIN: B0000024Q6
Release Date: 1991-07-16

Tracks:

Deck The Halls With Broughs Of Holly
Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
The First Nowell
Angels We Have Hard On High
We Three Kings Of Oreint Are
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
O Tannenbaum
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Good King Weceslas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Joy To the World
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Conventry Carol
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Good Christian Men Rejoice
O Holy Night
What Child Is This?
Wassial Song
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Nice music but..........2007-03-08

I liked the music and the performances a lot, but there is no booklet to depict the performers, nor analyse the music or the arrangements, which are superb

Great CD.......2007-02-16

This is a great holiday CD. We used it for several holiday dinners this year.

A Noble and Festive Christmas.......2007-01-21

This is the best Christmas album you could ever get. It is the most stable as you do not have to think about it. This is the album you really sing along to. Brass makes everything festive, grand and noble; so will your Christmas! A gem for every year!

Meat and Potatoes.......2007-01-18

Since the release of this fine recording in 1967 there have been many fine
brass groups:The Canadian Brass, the Empire Brass, just to name a few.
Whereas these latter groups have all resorted to "gimmicks" such as unique arrangements to sell their albums this group of brass players from the Philadelphia Orchestra give us an album of good old "meat and potatoes" playing spiced with fine tone,good ensemble playing, and good tempos.

Totally Awesome.......2007-01-12

I love listening to this cd at christmas. The brass is so crisp, almost like being right there. You have to add this to your holiday collection, and for those of you who like brass, you will love it. I play the french horn and I esp. love hearing the french horn in it.

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