Christmas Album

Christmas Album

ASIN: B000002G9N

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Now what could be more festive than Christmas songs, horns, and a Latin-infused rhythm section? Not much, which is why Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass's Christmas Album is perfect for that kitschy cocktail party or for trimming the tree. As background music, this collection is perfect. Paying too close attention to it, however, is not advised. For instance, the vocals on "Christmas Song" would have sounded so much better had they been replaced by the timbre of Herb's trumpet. But that mistake aside, the staccato stylings of the Brass's arrangement adds a south-of-the-border flair to "Winter Wonderland" and turns "Jingle Bells" into a hyper-salsa. "Las Mañanitas" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desirings" glow with a warm sentimental touch. As always, the interplay of the horns via melody lines and harmonies is first rate. --Steve Gdula

Tracks:

Overture
It's A Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
Christmas
Cousin Kevin
The Acid Queen
Underture
Do You Think It's Alright
Fiddle About
Pinball Wizard
There's A Doctor
Go To The Mirror!
Tommy Can You Hear Me?
Smash The Mirror
Sensation
Miracle Cure
Sally Simpson
I'm Free
Welcome
Tommy's Holiday Camp
We're Not Gonna Take It
See Me Feel Me/Listening To You

Tracks:

I Was
Christmas (Out-Take 3)
Cousin Kevin Model Child
Young Man Blues (Version 1)
Tommy Can You Hear Me? (Alternate Version)
Trying To Get Through
Sally Simpson (Out-Takes)
Miss Simpson
Welcome (Take 2)
Tommy's Holiday Camp (Band's Version)
We're Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version)
Dogs (Part 2)
It's A Boy
Amazing Journey
Christmas
Do You Think It's Alright?
Pinball Wizard

Customer Reviews:

The Who Classic Masterpiece AS YOU NEVER HEARD BEFORE.......2007-06-12

The Album is a masterpiece of all time rock n roll, even if this is "the less Who album" of the Who... but nevermind!
The Sound in both Stereo (from the original master tape discovered in the vault of UMG) and 5.1 (mixed by Pete Townshend himself) is great...
As you put the disc in your player you'll hear the great differences from the 1996 reissue even if you have only a "simple" CD player..
If You're a great Who fan and you a have SACD player buy ABSOLUTELY this album and enjoy it 'til the laser of your player won't work anymore...
The second disc is clearly for fans only but the quality of some track even if are demos or outtakes is very very good!!

A Landmark Classic Now Made Even Better........2006-12-26

One of the most important, groundbreaking amd influential albums in the history of rock and roll, The Who's 1969 magnum opus "Tommy", a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball, is now better than ever thanks to the brilliance of SACD and DSD remastering techniques.

Every song on the cd sounds like it was recorded just yesterday. It is 100 % crystal clear, perfectly remixed and remastered. It gives you a clearer view of the story as well as a more pleasurable than ever listening experience. Pete Townshend and the people involved in this truly put their hearts into making "Tommy" better than ever.

The bonus disc is also worth it. A lot of awesome raritis. The liner notes are an interesting read, and the album itself is of course a masterpiece nobody should be without.

A Milestone of Early Rock!.......2006-09-29

"Tommy" is beyond question one of the big milestones of early rock. Musically the band were at the peak of their creativity.

All band members were obviously extremely talented musicians and both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were/are great singers. Apart from few exceptions like "Cousin Kevin" all songs are outstanding; and it's really great to have the whole story on one CD - compared to the old double vinyl album.

Though the storyline may seem a little weird today ( to me it always did ), there is so much great music on this album.

The second bonus CD gives a very interesting insight in the developement of some of the songs. Though the sound quality is exellent CD 2 will mainly be of interest to hard-core Who fans. None of these alternate versions are better than the ones chosen for the album, though a few come close. The studio version of "Young Man Blues" which did not appear on the original album is a nice addition too!

I Love it !.......2006-09-06

I was so blind-sided by this reissue - really. I have looked at this for a few years now, but I never picked it up. My impression of this was that it had some very good music along with some dated sounding tracks, so it wasn't a high priority. I'd been having very good luck buying hybrid SACD's even though I don't own a SACD player; the CD layers benefit greatly from the DSD mastering, making them stand head and shoulders above the latest PCM remasters (there are a few exceptions), so I decided to take the plunge.

The CD layer is stunning. I must have been sitting there with my mouth open after "Overture" began. I experienced emotion that wasn't there on previous listens to this on CD and vinyl. Yes, some of the tracks still sound dated, but most of this album is very good indeed, and this remaster is so incredible. If you own a great stereo rig, I highly recommend buying this - in fact, even if you don't have a great rig, I recommend it!

The Who's classic rock opera gets a 35th birthday celebration fit for a king!.......2006-08-13

The Who's fourth studio(and fifth overall) album Tommy was released in May of 1969.
The Tommy album by The Who was the make or break for the group because if Tommy had failed, The Who would have probably disbanded due to lack of funds despite their concerts selling out based on Pete Townshend's guitar smashing and Keith Moon's drum kit demolishing at the end of each gig.
Guitarist Pete Townshend, under the gun after I Can See For Miles failed as a single in the UK(although it was their biggest ever hit here in the US) came up with a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid named Tommy whom becomes those aforementioned things after witnessing an event as a child that traumatized him(his father killing his step-father whom he considered his father).
Originally considered to be a single length album, the band felt it didn't make sense so they expanded it into a double album and the result is one of rock's Top 10 greatest double studio albums in history(alongside other classic double albums like the then-already released Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland and The Beatles' White album and would help pave the way for more classics like The Rolling Stones' 1972 masterwork Exile on Main Street, The Who's 1973 release Quadrophenia, Elton John's 1973 classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Genesis' 1974 masterwork The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Led Zeppelin's 1975 classic Physical Graffiti, Pink Floyd's 1979 masterpiece The Wall and Bruce Springsteen's 1980 classic The River among many others).
Alot of classics appear on this album like the Overture, the classic Top 20 hit Pinball Wizard, Amazing Journey, the Underture(best instrumental on here which is basically a repeat of the album's other instrumental Sparks), Go to the Mirror, I'm Free, Cousin Kevin(one of bass player John Entwistle's greatest compositions), Fiddle About(about the perverted Uncle Ernie), Tommy's Holiday Camp(another excellent ditty written by drummer Keith Moon whom did an excellent rendition in the film version of Tommy in 1975) and the classic finale We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me.
The other tracks on the album It's a Boy, 1921(You Didn't Hear It), Eyesight to the Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Do You Think It's Alright, There's a Doctor I've Found, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash the Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson and Welcome are all great pieces as well though tend to be overlooked.
The album made The Who legends for good and peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart and was their first Gold seller(eventually Platinum).
In 1996, the album was re-released as a remastered CD but used different masters for the remixed reissue.
In October of 2003(just in time for Tommy's 35th Anniversary), Geffen Records(formerly known as MCA) re-released the album as a 2-disc Hybrid SACD with the original mix on the CD layer and a killer 5.1 mix on the SACD layer and this version uses the very original tapes that were found in Universal's vault after being said that the original tapes were destroyed by Kit Lambert in a fire. As a result of the discovery of the original tapes, the sound quality is amazing on here.
Disc two has great outtakes and demos like I Was, The Who trying to record Sally Simpson with hilarious results and instrumental versions of Tommy Can You Hear Me and Tommy's Holiday Camp among many other rarities plus a cool booklet with rare photos.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Not a must have - but quality
fabulous
A Christmans Album for All Seasons
Very Enjoyable
The Beginning of the End

Jethro Tull Christmas Album (Bonus Dvd)
Jethro Tull
Manufacturer: Fuel 2000
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970
Minstrel in the Gallery
Songs from the Wood
Heavy Horses
The Broadsword and the Beast

ASIN: B0002ZMJ5M
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Birthday Card At Christmas
Holly Herald
A Christmas Song
Another Christmas Song
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow
Last Man At The Party
Weathercock
Pavane
First Snow On Brooklyn
Greensleeved
Fire At Midnight
We Five Kings
Ring Out Solstice Bells
Bouree
A Winter Snowscape

Customer Reviews:

Not a must have - but quality.......2007-06-20

Good quality Tull material, some quite excellent in fact. Great production-one of their best sounding recordings ever.

fabulous.......2007-05-28

ian anderson is a genius. this cd is beautiful. it's been Christmas in April.

A Christmans Album for All Seasons.......2007-05-25

A totally unexpected Christmas Album from Ian Anderson with his virtuoso flute. Great rhythm and melodic variation distinguish this from other Christmas albums on Christmas standards and new originals. Too bad the other musicians are really not up to the task that Anderson's music demands most of the time--the other musicians playing are mediocre, particularly the uninspired drummer who has nowhere near his old man's chops.

Very Enjoyable.......2007-05-17

I've been a Tull fan since the early 1970's. During that decade I saw the band in concert 3 times. Although Ian doesn't have the power/range in his vocals anymore - the music is still quite refreshing. I like the spin on the old seasonal standards and wit and charm of his own material.
The pure instumentals are still way up to my Tull standards. There's a lot of music and it's very enjoyable. This one will be on my regular play list during the holidays - or whenever!

The Beginning of the End.......2007-04-27

This album marks the beginning of the end for Jethro Tull. Not because the band is going downhill on its own, but because Ian is driving it that way forcibly.

Here is where Ian starts to replace the top-notch, virtuostic players that have always made Tull the most musical band on the face of the planet, with people like his son, James Duncan Anderson, who, forgive me for being blunt, is a hack percussionist and utterly incapable at the throne.

Now he has replaced just about everyone else (except Martin) with second rate musicians that just can't play at the level which his compositions demand. And why? to save a buck. So Ian Anderson can die a rich man.

Tosh. This album is not bad, there's some really great playing, great fun arrangements of traditional tunes, but, there are a few spots where you wince at James' playing ability... and there will be a lot more of that if this new concert lineup stays. We're going to begin to miss Doane, Andrew and John.

Average customer rating:

A Perennial Favorite That Pointed Grant in Pop/Rock Direction
A Christmas present...found!
My favorite Christmas CD
I LOVE this Christmas Album!
A childhood favorite

A Christmas Album
Amy Grant
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Home for Christmas
A Christmas to Remember
Home for Christmas
Breath Of Heaven: A Christmas Collection
The Collection

ASIN: B000002WOJ
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

Tennessee Christmas
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Preiset Dem Konig! (Praise The King)
Emmanuel
Little Town
Christmas Hymn
Love Has Come
Sleigh Ride
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)
Heirlooms
A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard On High

Amazon.com

Amy Grant's first Christmas album is not only one of the best recordings of her career, it's easily one of the best contemporary Christmas collections available. Grant's Christian beliefs have been incorporated into her music for years, and maybe it's the artistic translation of the depth of her faith that makes these songs so inspiring. "Emmanuel" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" have Grant's vocals soaring, especially on the sustained chorus of the latter. Her country roots show nicely in "Tennessee Christmas," while "Sleigh Ride" is as fun as it is romantic. "Heirlooms" is particularly poignant--maybe not to the point of "hand me a tissue," but it's powerful all the same. A must for fans, and a good holiday addition for those looking for a Christmas record that comes without the cobwebs. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

A Perennial Favorite That Pointed Grant in Pop/Rock Direction.......2007-01-30

In the spring of 1982, around the time that her soon-to-be widely successful album Age to Age was released, Amy Grant was asked whether she would be interested in crossing over from the contemporary Christian music (CCM) market to a more mainstream market. She responded in the affirmative. Her next release was A Christmas Album in the fall of 1983. Grant has said in interviews over the years that she wanted this album to quell the high expectations raised by her considerable recent success. But whatever her intentions might have been, the album actually did the opposite: it increased her fan base and carried her farther down a pop/rock path that would a mere year-and-a-half later culminate in her first dual release (1985's Unguarded) to the secular pop/contemporary Christian market.

For a holiday release, A Christmas Album is a remarkably excellent album. The formula used by Grant and producer Brown Bannister is nothing new: stir in new tunes with the expected traditional favorites and include a few instrumentals. With the holiday classics (both religious and secular), Grant provides renditions respectful of the originals while often adding her own twists to the proceedings. This in itself fit well with the CCM target audience's worship practices of the time. During the 1980s and into the 1990s, it was standard (in larger evangelical churches, at least) to take traditional hymns or songs and embellish them with brassy orchestras, large choirs, and, often, more contemporary vocals and arrangements.

But even in following this trend, Grant's versions are of markedly higher quality than what you'd normally find on a CCM album of the time. She stretches her voice on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" and towers over the voices of the choir that backs her. She includes a new song from her own pen, "Christmas Hymn," that aims to become a Christmas standard of its own. This "hymn" is the best track on the album and has been picked up by some churches as part of their worship. (A second new Christian song, "Heirlooms," is pleasant enough but not as memorable.)

Grant's versions of secular Christmas songs like "Sleigh Ride" and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)" not only serve as tributes to the original recordings but also bring a sense of fun to the album. In the same vein, Grant's collaboration with then-husband Gary Chapman, "Tennessee Christmas," is as all-American as the previous tunes. When you factor in the album's cover snow scenes and interior photo of Grant's extended family gathering, it's not that much of a stretch to say that Grant comes across here as all American as the individuals in a Norman Rockwell painting.

If the album had just been composed of Christmas standards and new tunes in the traditional mode, it undoubtedly would have succeeded in Grant's goal of deflating expectations. Bannister and Grant also, though, have planted a few left turns in the album. The most obvious one is Michael W. Smith's "Emmanuel," a song that, despite its name, is not specifically Christmas-oriented. (Smith stole the lyrics from a top-selling poster of the names of Christ.) Sandwiched between traditional hymns, "Emmanuel" begins with heavy synthesizers and quickly expands into a full-blown pop/rock tune. It quickly became a CCM hit single and remained a concert standard for some time after Grant "crossed over" into the secular market. The second pop song, "Love Has Come," is sandwiched between "Christmas Hymn" and "Sleigh Ride." The backing vocals from secular pop/rock band Chicago's Bill Champlin provide a harder edge than had been heard in Grant's songs to date, even though "Love Has Come" is not nearly as hard-driving as "Emmanuel."

In fact, both "Emmanuel" and "Love Has Come" easily could have fit on Grant's next studio album, Straight Ahead (released just a few months later in early 1984). That album features pop/rock tunes at the same musical level as A Christmas Album: far beyond anything on the mostly mellow Age to Age's plate and with hints of Unguarded's full-blown technopop. A Christmas Album, then, contains the first signs of Amy Grant's coming transition from CCM superstar to secular pop artist.

But beyond any considerations of its place in Amy Grant's career, A Christmas Album is an excellent album in its own right. Even more than two decades later, its production quality is excellent, thanks to the sterling work of producer Bannister. (The closest CCM Christmas album to this one in spirit is Steven Curtis Chapman's The Music of Christmas, which was also helmed by Bannister.) Grant has released two additional Christmas albums in the succeeding years, but it's this one that's fondly remembered. Many people put it in rotation every Christmas season and even throughout the year.

A Christmas present...found!.......2007-01-19

I looked all over in stores for this CD. It's my mom's favorite Christmas CD...I remember having the record album when we were little! She needed the CD, but we could never find it. So, I looked on Amazon, and there it was!
Thanks!!

My favorite Christmas CD.......2007-01-19

This is the third time I have bought this CD (actually first 2 were Cassettes) but the music is classic as well as some modern updates of old favorites. It just brings a smile to you as well as reminds us the reason for the Season. I am sure it will be as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me.

I LOVE this Christmas Album!.......2007-01-10

I grew up listening to this album and I never get tired of it year after year. It's always the first one I play when Christmastime rolls around.

A childhood favorite .......2007-01-04

This CD brings back childhood memories. Every year my mother would put it on around Christmas. It's classic.

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

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

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:

Wonderful December
Lovely but, sadly not the best.
Veteran Christmas Rocker
Moody Blues Christmas Album - December
Loved it.

December
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

The Present
Strange Times
Journey into Amazing Caves: Soundtrack from the IMAX Theatre Film
Blue Jays
Sur La Mer

ASIN: B0000DJYOD
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

Don't Need A Reindeer
December Snow
In The Quiet Of Christmas Morning (Bach 147)
On This Christmas Day
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
A Winter's Tale
The Spirit Of Christmas
Yes I Believe
When A Child Is Born
White Christmas
In The Bleak Midwinter

Amazon.com

It was inevitable that The Moody Blues would produce a Christmas record. Why it took this long is the mystery. The group's classical music underpinnings have always been ripe for the Christmas canon and on December they add to it with their own contributions. "Don't Need A Reindeer" is a remarkably sweet little pop song that proves Justin Hayward can still write what sounds like a hit. A fair amount of orchestration shades the rest of the CD, as the band arranges and adds lyrics to a Bach piece (here called "In the Quiet of Christmas Morning") while also taking on "In the Bleak Midwinter," "When A Child Is Born," "White Christmas," and the John Lennon/Yoko Ono classic, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." In the same vein, though less cheerful, John Lodge pens a melancholy meditation on the horrors of the Mideast in 2003. While he's no John Lennon and December is uneven at best, for Moody Blues fans it will be like finding the lost chord.--Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful December.......2007-06-23

I recently got this CD and I must say I am very very happy with it. My dear Moody Blues have still got "it" - in spades. Their lyrics, music and voices are as wonderful as ever. Those fabulous Hayward & Lodge harmonies sound so very good and this CD is just chock full of their blended vocals. 'December' is such a joy to listen to; in fact I am listening to it right now, and it's 90 plus degrees outside on this June day!

I highly recommend this beautiful Moody Blues work. It's great to listen to at Christmas, or at any other time you want to hear these fabulous men make a joyful noise in your ears.

Lovely but, sadly not the best........2007-05-20

If you own all the other Moodies albums then this is a must. However, if your still building your collection, Strange Times blows this one out of the water. With Ray now gone, there's an empty space in the harmonies and writing

December is avery nice album, and grows on you fast if you don't "get it" at first. 4 stars for the original songs, and is a good snap-shot of the Moodies today.

Still awaiting their next...

Veteran Christmas Rocker.......2007-01-23

Recognizable Moody Blues no matter what the song. With touches of classical (Bach) and vintage (Iving Berlin) Christmas music but with the distinctive Hayward and Lodge touch, as well as their own compositions, this cd evokes pleasant memories of Christmas past while holding out the promise of pleasant listening next December as well.

Moody Blues Christmas Album - December.......2007-01-13

Buy it! This great CD has some old favorites but it's the new songs that really get you. Absolutely one of my most favorite holiday CDs ever.

Loved it........2007-01-04

I've had it for a couple of years and just love it. To me, it is soothing and relaxing.
It brings back memories of the old days and all their LP's from the 70's. There's just something about the sound of Moody Blues that you can't quite describe.
Great!

Average customer rating:

Very special christmas
Rock'n Christmas
Not worth buying
Worst online experience ever
Rocking Christmas

A Very Special Christmas
The Pretenders , and John Cougar Mellencamp
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

1980s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 2
A Very Special Christmas 3
A Very Special Christmas - Vol. 5
A Very Special Christmas Live!
A Very Special Acoustic Christmas

ASIN: B000002GFJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Pointer Sisters
Winter Wonderland - Eurythmics
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Whitney Houston
Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas -The Pretenders
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Cougar Mellencamp
Gabriel's Message - Sting
Christmas In Hollis - Run-D.M.C.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Santa Baby - Madonna
The Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Run Rudolph Run - Bryan Adams
I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas-Bon Jovi
The Coventry Carol - Alison Moyet
Silent Night - Stevie Nicks

Amazon.com

When was the last time you heard collard greens being sung about in a Christmas song? Probably never, unless you're a Run DMC fan, or were wise enough to hop on the Very Special Christmas tip. The rappers' contribution to this benefit collection is probably the highlight, although traditional songs covered by now-traditional artists like the Pretenders ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") provide the majority of the material here. Eurythmics turn in a suitably chilly "Winter Wonderland," Stevie Nicks sings a beautifully haunting "Silent Night," and Whitney Houston proves again that she's every woman with "Do You Hear What I Hear"--that is, every woman with a voice strong enough to do the song justice. "Santa Baby," Madonna's contribution, isn't as sultry as it could be, but there's more fun thanks to hell-on-heels, the Pointer Sisters and Bon Jovi. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Very special christmas.......2007-01-22

Great cd, have the original on record & couldn't find it anywhere in Oz on cd. Not your traditional boring christmas carols - love it!

Rock'n Christmas.......2007-01-19

If you luv Xmas, but you are a little sick of hearing the same old 40's & 50's sounding carols & songs and you wish xmas would ROCK, just a little, then this is the CD for you!!!!
I luv it, I have heard these songs played on the radio and thought
"Where can i get a copy of these tracks!".
Well here they are, in 1 neat little package.
Merry Rockn Xmas Next Year!

Not worth buying.......2007-01-19

I bought the cd for my sister, because it was the only recording I could find of this particular Sting song that she loved. It turned out she already had the cd, and said the ONLY good song on the cd was his song. Therefore I took it back to another store, as I didn't want it either. Too much discordant, and rap type music, she said.

Worst online experience ever.......2007-01-18

Hermanstreet is lame and I would never, even with my life hanging in the balance, order from them again.

I e-mailed several times (3)inquiring about my order and not once received an e-mail back. Worst online experience ever, this coming from someone who does the majority of their shopping and all their bill pay online.

Rocking Christmas.......2007-01-15

This is a good Christmas CD for people who are tired of the usual same-old-same-old. It features Mellencamp and the Eurythmics among others. It's really good and I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Offbeat , but beautiful...
My Favorite!
Christmas and All Year 'Round
com"YULE"ation Cleric : Angelic Aspiring Above Alsos
Not just for December

Touched By an Angel: Christmas Album
Crystal Lewis feat. Kirk Franklin
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

$7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Touched by an Angel: The Album
Healing Angel
Touched by an Angel - The Third Season, Vol. 1
Touched by an Angel - The Fourth Season, Vol. 1
Touched By an Angel - The Third Season, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00002MZ53
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

If I Can Dream - Della Reese
Christmas Spirit - Donna Summer
I Still Believe - Crystal Lewis
One Silent Night - Jaci Velasquez
Miracles - Kenny Lattimore
God's With Us - Ashley Robles
Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Amy Grant
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Randy Travis
O Holy Night - Collin Raye
For Such A Time As This - Wayne Watson
Jingle Bell Jamboree - Keb' Mo'
Panis Angelicus - Charlotte Church
An Irish Blessing - Roma Downey/Phil Coulter

Amazon.com

As an incredibly successful TV drama that encourages the perseverance of the human spirit against all odds, Touched by an Angel is a natural outlet for the religious celebration of Christmas. The lineup is a veritable who's who of contemporary country, R&B, pop, and gospel, and the music is all smooth as butter, with pianos twinkling like lights on the tree. Angel star Della Reese contributes the mild R&B-inflected "I Can Dream." Country star Randy Travis, with a bounty of flutes and stringed instruments, adds his Nashville twang to the Elizabethan ballad "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Keb' Mo' contributes the finger-pickin' blues surprise "Jingle Bell Jamboree." Charlotte Church, the Welsh-born classical singer who topped the charts at the ripe old age of 12, delivers the incredibly poised "Panis Angelicus." Kirk Franklin collaborates with Crystal Lewis on "I Still Believe." Roma Downey closes things out with the dramatic spoken-word piece "An Irish Blessing." --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Offbeat , but beautiful..........2004-12-15

I bought this CD last year, when the show was still on the air. It took me a while, not being used to blues and so on for Christmas songs, but this year it hit me! Especially haunting is "Breath of Heaven", by Joan Baez - listen to it and you'll know how moving it can be.

My Favorite!.......2003-12-23

This is my favorite Christmas CD!! I thought I had lost it this year, and it made me realize how much it meant to me. I'm buying it for gifts, to share the joy!

Christmas and All Year 'Round.......2003-12-09

This is an album which has unique Christmas songs you might not hear anywhere else, but more importantly, it is an album which has meaning and which can be listened to all year 'round. It has depth and can be felt peronally, something lacking in so much music today. It is at the top of my list for all CD's I enjoy.

com"YULE"ation Cleric : Angelic Aspiring Above Alsos.......2001-10-22

Shepherds awakened in the fields by angles singing in the sky, wise men seeking a child in a manger,peace and hope in the miracle of one life, one birth, one night from which we count all the nights that have come since. It's hard to close our eyes and imagine it as a real event at all. This disc offers a few seasonal standards and many untraditional songs to aid in feeling an angel`s touch and inspiring heart. The compiliers movement between style,tempo,and spirit is with an aim toward truth. I do rejoice in reciting the modern-merry-mirth-making and celebratory orginality that flows from the mouth, here and there throughout and pleasantly out this disc`s delta.~~Merrily Mix~ 1# , 2#1\2 , 3# , 4#1\2 , 6# , 7$ , 8# , 11% , and 13$ ~~Post Script: For those in the Know and\or YULEtide Treasure Seekers get a X out and place upon track 11 "Jingle Bell Jamboree" a bluesy accoustic strummer from Keb' Mo'and track 13`s benediction***buyit*saveit*sharemost*giveit*donateit to the local library***

Not just for December.......2000-12-14

This is a great CD. Any listener should not limit it to airplay in November and December. With the exception of a few tracks, this is more of a spiritual rather than a purely holiday album. Among its srongest songs is Wayne Watson's "In Such a Time as This" and Della Reese singing "If I Can Dream." Any fan of spiritual music and the tv show will love this!

Average customer rating:

Another fine holiday instrumental album!
Too much choir, not enough Tijuana
Like Cool Whip Lite
Not the best Christmas album around
A few of my favorite things

Christmas Album
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Whipped Cream & Other Delights (40th Anniversary Edition)
The Beat of the Brass
Going Places
Sounds Like
Herb Alpert's Ninth

ASIN: B000BC8T6O
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Winter Wonderland
Jingle Bells
My Favorite Things
The Christmas Song
Las Mananitas
Sleigh Ride
The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Jingle Bell Rock
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring

Album Description

One of the most loved holiday albums of all time, Christmas Album hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Albums chart three years in a row, 1968-70. And the album's combination of holiday standards and the TJB's special brand of south-of-the-border cheer is as much fun today as it was 35 years ago.

Each album in the Herb Alpert Signature Series features meticulously remastered sound, deluxe packaging, detailed liner notes, and an intro by Herb Alpert containing personal recollections and anecdotes.

Customer Reviews:

Another fine holiday instrumental album!.......2007-05-06

I have not heard this Christmas Album in well over 30 years so I decided to buy the CD. This version is one of the best around with a good clear sound. I still wish the Tijuana Brass would come out with more great stuff but this will suffice. Herb Alpert is still one of the best horn players around..second to none!!

Too much choir, not enough Tijuana.......2006-12-19

Unlike some of the folks who have reviewed this CD, I never heard this album as a kid. If I had, I would probably like it a lot better now; alas, I simply assumed that it would sound like all the Tijuana Brass albums I grew up with ("Going Places," "Whipped Cream," etc.). I was hoping for something very bright and upbeat. Instead, there's a lot of choir accompaniment and slow tempos, making it sound only a little sassier than every other traditional Christmas album in existence.

If that's what you like, then read no further and buy this, because there's nothing really wrong with it; I'm just griping because this album is not an example of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Band doing what they do best. "Sleigh Ride" is the only track on this CD that sounds genuinely festive. Even "Las Mañanitas" is surprisingly mournful; given that it's a birthday/saint's day song, the resemblance to "The Lonely Bull" seems odd. (Actually, having it on the album at all seems odd, because it's not technically a Christmas song.)

This album has sold very well, year after year, for nearly four decades, so the odds are good that you'll like it better than I did. But if you've never heard it before, I would suggest that you listen to the track samples first, so that you know what it's like.

Update: It's growing on me, so I'm putting back another star (had to delete my review and repost it to do so)... but I still wish it were brassier.

Like Cool Whip Lite.......2006-12-08

The guys that delighted with *Whipped Cream* are decimated to mere Cool Whip Lite for Christmas. There are periodic peaks of the familiar brass and verve in this compote, but a lot of empty fluff, too. It features frequent vocals from "doo - doo" folks (they sing a lot of o/~ doo o/~ o/~ doo o/~ o/~ doo o/~ with no Whop!) Reminds this reviewer of the elevator-friendly Fred Waring Singers.
Unless you're a serious HATB fan, pass on this and go for the good stuff./TundraVision, Amazon Reviewr

Not the best Christmas album around.......2006-12-04

I love Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. But, this 1968 Christmas album has got to be the low point of their career. And to think Herb Alpert and the fine people at the Hit Factory released this over the 1963 sophomore album "Volume Two." Yet I understand a Christmas album is probably the bigger money maker. Now there were a few nice recordings here, such as "My Favorite Things," "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" and "Jingle Bell Rock," but I found most of it rather uninspired. Then there's the choir that begins almost every song, which I found repetitive and rather unimaginative. Finally, there was only ten songs and one being, "Las Mananitas" a 1965 b-side, so it seems like a rush job, even though it was recording in the middle of summer. I'm sure some people have fond memories of this album so you should get it, 'cause the sound quality is wonderful. But if you're someone like me who didn't grow up with it, you may want to avoid it and just enjoy the Tijuana Brass the other eleven months of the year.

A few of my favorite things.......2006-03-04

I grew up in the 70's listening to this Christmas album. I was so enraptured by it as a child, I believed that the photo(of Herb Alpert)on the vinyl sleeve was a bonafide picture of old St. Nick!

In addition to the fantastic picture on the front of this remastered CD there is a wealth of fantastic Christmas music inside.

"Las Mananitas" is voluptuously sentimental. The version of "Jingle Bell Rock" is perfect for a little holiday burlesque . And "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" is as sweet as a Christmas cookie.

I can't imagine a better way to spend a Christmas night than sitting in front of a lit tree, sipping a glass of Christmas Cheer and listening to this sumptuous CD.

Average customer rating:

Andy Williams
Timeless Christmas Album
The Essence of Christmas
The Andy Williams Christmas Album
Lazy Mastering

The Andy Williams Christmas Album
Andy Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Merry Christmas
Greatest Christmas Songs
White Christmas
Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection
Holiday Sing-Along with Mitch Miller

ASIN: B0002S94M0
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

White Christmas
Medley: Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
A Song And A Christmas Tree (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)
Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells
The First Noel
O Holy Night
Away In A Manger
Sweet Little Baby Jesus
The Little Drummer Boy
Silent Night, Holy Night

Amazon.com

This was one of the best-selling Christmas records of the 1960s, and with good cause! Somehow, without the fatherly image of Bing Crosby, or the svelte croon of Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett, or even the reverent innocence of Perry Como, Andy Williams managed to make a holiday institution! This collection of Christmas songs is full of standards normally identified with other artists, but armed with an average tenor and lots of exuberance, Andy Williams made them his own. His "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is the most exhilarating version of the song there is, and even his "White Christmas" and "O Holy Night" are more than just passable. This is not only Williams's best Christmas collection, this is one that should be in every holiday music collection. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Andy Williams.......2007-05-10

I have the 33 album so am thrilled to have this on CD. Arrived very quickly.

Timeless Christmas Album.......2007-03-29

I fell in love with this album in my childhood and it is the epitome of Christmas songs!!! I would recommend it to anyone who loves the standards.

The Essence of Christmas.......2007-02-22

The Andy Williams Christmas Album is the official album of the season. All the wonderful memories of childhood are embodied in this delightful christmas chestnut.

The Andy Williams Christmas Album.......2007-02-12

A perfect addition to your Christmas library - especially if you were lucky enough to have enjoyed the Christmas specials Mr. Williams did on television. His clear, mellow voice makes this recording a must have.

Lazy Mastering.......2007-01-23

C'mon Sony! Put at least a little effort into your Christmas reissues! I own this and Andy's other Christmas album, as well as Tony Bennett's Sony Christmas album, and they did the same thing to all three - They sapped the life out of the recordings by filtering out the highest frequencies to reduce the tape hiss. They could have reduced the hiss by utilizing other methods, but that would have required effort. I guess Sony doesn't take their Christmas offerings very seriously.

Average customer rating:

excellant
A very Special Christmas -Vol.5
BOB JOVI ROCKS!
Good Christmas CD
intelligent 30 something

A Very Special Christmas - Vol. 5
Macy Gray , and Wyclef Jean
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

A Very Special Christmas Live!
A Very Special Christmas 3
A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 2
A Very Special Christmas
A Very Special Acoustic Christmas

ASIN: B00005R7TZ
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

This Christmas (Hang All the Mistletoe) - Macy Gray
Little Drummer Boy/Hot Hot Hot - Wyclef Jean
Noel! Noel! - Eve 6
Blue Christmas - Jon Bon Jovi
Merry Christmas Baby - Stevie Wonder & Wyclef Jean
O Come All Ye Faithful - City High
Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You - SR-71
Christmas Day - Dido
Run Rudolph Run - Sheryl Crow
Back Door Santa - B.B. King & John Popper
Little Red Rooster - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Christmas Don't Be Late (Chipmunk Song) - Powder
Silent Night - Stevie Nicks
I Love You More - Stevie Wonder & Kimberly Brewer
White Christmas - Darlene Love

Amazon.com

Five volumes in 14 years would probably qualify these all-star benefit albums (Special Olympics) as a holiday tradition by now, even if all five have been hit-and-miss affairs. Still, the 2001 edition has a few more highlights than a quick glance at its offerings might indicate. Jon Bon Jovi tries to imitate Elvis on "Blue Christmas," and Darlene Love--surely as important a voice in the genre as Bing Crosby--falls short in her attempt to recreate her superior 1963 Phil Spector version of "White Christmas." Genuinely cool, though, are Macy Gray's jazzy "This Christmas," Eve 6's pop-metallic "Noel! Noel!," City High's hip-hop Christmas hybrid, and SR71's goofy take on Billy Squier's already goofy "Time to Say I Love You." Things get downright steamy--and Santa-sized--when John Popper meets up with B.B. King for the bluesy "Back Door Santa." --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

excellant.......2007-01-16

I ordered this at the last minute for a Christmas gift and it came in plenty of time and in great shape! thanks so much!

A very Special Christmas -Vol.5.......2005-12-20

Stevie Nicks singing Silent Night is the best I have every hurd the arrangement was beautiful. Thank you

BOB JOVI ROCKS!.......2005-12-14

Although the entire cd is very enjoyable, Bon Jovi does a great interpretation of Elvis with "Blue Christmas". Very enjoyable cd for all.

Good Christmas CD.......2005-12-05

This, like all of the 'Very Special' Christmas albums, offers a very fun alternative to the typical christmas song. This one definately favors modern rock, so if you're looking for Nat King Cole, break out your 45's and get out of here.

intelligent 30 something.......2005-12-04

No this isn't the greatest CD ever made, but there are many really excellent tracks performed by some of my favorite artists. If you are a fan of Natalie Merchant than this CD is a must have. That track alone is worth buying the whole disc. The rock version of the Chipmunk Song is also very cool. The rest of the CD is fun and enjoyable. I guess you must be young enough to enjoy the newer artists. I have the classic christmas artists versions as well, so it is nice to mix it up a bit. Put all my Christmas CD's in my 200 disc changer on random!

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music