Sings Christmas

1. I'll Be Home for Christmas

2. White Christmas

3. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

4. Silver Bells

5. Silent Night

6. C H R I S T M a S

7. Please Come Home for Christmas

8. Pretty Paper

9. Country Christmas

10. Christmas Long Ago

11. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)

Tracks:

The Little White Duck
The Little Engine That Could
Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin'
The Donut Song
Two Little Owls
Fooba Wooba John
The Grey Goose
The Whale
Buckeye Jim
The Sow Took The Measles
The Goat
Mr. Rabbit
The Tailor And The Mouse
Mother Goose Songs

Customer Reviews:

Oldie but Goodie.......2007-03-28

This is a wonderful children's CD. My two kids loved it when they were little (it was a record then) and now I keep several on hand to include in gifts for babies and small children. Burl Ives' voice is "easy on the ears" for adults as well.

Great songs.......2006-05-16

I highly recommend this CD. I grew up listening to Burl Ives as a child (his adult stuff), and was looking for some of his music for my son. This CD is perfect - my 2 1/2 year old son's current favorites are the "train song" (little engine that could) and the "goose song". We listen to it over and over in the car.

Burl Ives Sings A Little White Duck.......2006-03-15

When I saw that this was available, I had to have it. Listening to Burl Ives brought back such good memories of my childhood. I listened to it all of the time and even now I still remember the lyrics. The CD provides good, wholesome, entertainment and also wonderful phonemic awareness opportunities for little ones.

Beloved songs.......2006-02-01

...but where is the Crocodile Song that was on the original album? What a classic.

a baby-boomer classic!.......2005-02-28

I suppose i shouldn't have been surprised to read the other reviews and stories of how precious this album--and its memories---were to the other reviewers; back when we "baby-boomers" were little the music/media field was MUCH smaller--only a handful of artists putting out children's music. so like with "hula hoops" or "mickey mouse club", the folks weaned on this album probably numbers in the millions! Who knew!? but now most are too old or too "cool" to remember this "classic rock(a-bye)" album. so it was a pleasant surprise when i too typed in this title on a whim and found such kindred spirits! Anyway, for the newcomers- this is great folk music (with a child's style) delivered by a master the likes of which they just don't make no mo'! thanx, burl!

Average customer rating:

Amazing CD
I love Mahalia Jackson!
The best christmas-commpilation on Mahalia Jackson's columbia takes
Simply the Greatest!!!
Probably the best Christmas CD - EVER

Mahalia Sings Songs of Christmas!
Mahalia Jackson
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Christmas with Mahalia
Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns
The Best of Mahalia Jackson
Gospels, Spirituals, & Hymns, Vol. 2
Amazing Grace

ASIN: B000002AAO
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

O Holy Night
What Child Is This
Silver Bells
No Room At The Inn
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
A Star Stood Still (Song Of The Nativity)
Hark! The Herald Angel Sing
The Holy Babe
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
The First Noel
What Can I Give
Silent Night
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Joy To The World
I Wonder As I Wander
Mary's Little Boy Child
White Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Amazing CD.......2007-01-21

I got the cd for my mom and she loved it, it has most of the holiday classics on it. It's great to listen to while trying to relax during the crazy holiday rush. Reminder of what the holidays should be about.

I love Mahalia Jackson!.......2006-07-04

I love Mahalia jackson,she was an awesome gospel singer with an unique and distictive voice that made her stand out from the rest.Her Christmas songs are truly classics like;Joy to the World,Go tell It on the Mountain,Sweet Little Jesus Boy,Hark The Herald Angels Sing and many others.If you are a true Mahalia Jackson fan you must and I mean must get this tape!Case closed.

The best christmas-commpilation on Mahalia Jackson's columbia takes.......2006-01-04

A rare found 'Mary' Boy Child Jesus Christ' can be heard on this commpilation, long out of print and only available as a 45 rmp thirty years ago.
The other titles are a good mix of the 3 Christmas LPs Mahalia had brought out with Columbia Records.

Simply the Greatest!!!.......2005-10-12

This is an awesome CD!! This is the 5th copy I have purchased for friends. Her rendition of "Silver Bells" is the best I have heard. I remember as a child, my parents playing this song on christmas eve. Mom was baking cookies and Dad was staying out of her way!! Pick this one up, you won't will not be sorry!!!

Probably the best Christmas CD - EVER.......2004-12-21

I have many Christmas CDs, from classics by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Nana Mouskouri and Bing Crosby to modern jems by Jewel, Toni Braxton and Chris Isaak and modern atrocities by Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child---and this one stands heads and shoulders above the rest. Her religious conviction, the timeless, traditional songs, the power of her voice and the classic, tasteful arrangements come together and deliver a CD that truly, truly, truly captures the essence of Christmas. Wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Just the Best
Perry doing what he does best
One of the Greatest Christmas Records Ever
It is one of (if not THE) best Christmas albums EVER!
The Greatest Christmas Album Ever!

Sings Merry Christmas Music
Perry Como
Manufacturer: Special Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Perry Como Christmas
Greatest Christmas Songs
Christmas Portrait

ASIN: B0000038P2
Release Date: 1992-03-30

Tracks:

'Twas The Night Before Christmas
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Joy To The World
Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer
Frosty The Snowman
The Christmas Song
The Christmas Feeling
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Silent Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Jingle Bells
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland

Customer Reviews:

Just the Best.......2005-11-23

This album means Christmas.

I remember playing the LP version of these 1940's selections every year. From the beautiful opening rendition of "T'was..." to the rousing closer, this is a collection to remember.

Much has been made of the quality of Como's voice. He was never better than in these sessions. But what truly separates this from all other Christmas albums are the arrangements. From the soft chorals of "Silent Night" to the inspired counterpoint of "The 12 Day...," the musicians blend with Como's warmth and create a texture rare in pop.

As an added bonus, even the 'original' tunes are inspired. "That Christmas Feeling" is certainly not out of place among the more traditional favorites.

As noted, two of the original sides aren't here--but a quick search of itunes can get you those, too, for $1.98.

All of this adds to up delightful holiday listening year after year.

Perry doing what he does best.......2005-10-07

Perry truly recorded some of the greatest Christmas music of all time, this album, while not his best Christmas offering, is still better than most. As for the missing songs, I think some may be mistaking this album with A Perry Como Christmas, his best Christmas offering, in my humble opinion, which contains the "haircut" version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and a medley that includes O Little Town of Bethlehem. That said, if you are looking to buy one and only one of Perry's Christmas collections I would go with The Greatest Christmas Songs, a great compilation of his many Christmas albums, although be forewarned - the version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town on Greatest Christmas Songs is not the "haircut" version.

Merry Christmas

One of the Greatest Christmas Records Ever.......2004-12-20

My parents had the box set of '45s, which may have been the original release in the 1940s, and these were my favorite Christmas recordings to listen to while I was growing up. Our set is missing a few of the '45s, but it does include my all-time favorite "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," which was missing from the later LP release, and now missing on this CD release. It's a swinging arrangement, with Perry doing a voice over - as the Christmas preparations get a bit too hectic, Perry proclaims "I'm going out to get a few haircuts, you cats go ahead and sing, I'll be right back!"

It is one of (if not THE) best Christmas albums EVER!.......1999-01-24

I remember listening to this album when I was a child. I have always loved it!! I found a copy of the album, and I went to listen to it in December, and it was warped. I am buying the CD so I will have it for this Christmas!! And to the music lover in Canada: I have a 1961 copy of this album, and Santa Clause Is Coming To Town and O Little Town of Bethlehem aren't on it.

The Greatest Christmas Album Ever!.......1998-11-27

The greatest Christmas Album by anybody ever. Really. My grandmother used to play the original LP version of this album every Christmas. Every time I hear it I think of a warm fire, turkey, ham, dressing and pies stacked to the ceiling, and the thrill of a child to see the presents under the tree. Nostalgia aside, keep your Bing Crosby's, Perry Como has to be the best master of the Christmas Carol in the English language.

Average customer rating:

Una enorme demostración de fuerza interpretativa
Kol Nidrei (fantasy) is "heavenly".

Jan Peerce Sings Hebrew Melodies
Jan Peerce , and RCA Victor Orchestra
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Art of the Cantor
Jan Peerce Sings Yiddish Folk Songs
A Passover Seder Festival
Secunda: Kol Nidre Service
Legendary Cantors

ASIN: B000003FHC
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

A Plea To God
Rozhinkes mit Mandlen
A Shepherd, A Dreamer
Mom-e-le
A Zemerl
A Dudele
Kol Nidrei
Meyerke, Mein Zun
Eili, Eili
Shiroh
A Cantor For A Sabbath

Customer Reviews:

Una enorme demostración de fuerza interpretativa.......2000-09-15

Descubierto por Arturo Toscanini, como tantos otros notables (recordar al menos al gran tenor español Miguel Bienvenido Fleta), el gran tenor neoyorkino de origen judío Jan Jacob Peerce será uno de los artistas titulares del Metropolitan Opera House de Nueva York durante los años treinta, cuarenta y cincuenta. A pesar de ser una grabación de los años cincuenta, en ella descubrimos a un Peerce en plena forma, con una capacidad vocal extraordinaria, un fraseo y una dicción imposibles de comparar, no creo exagerar con esto, con otro cantante del momento.

Pero Peerce no era solamente el gran tenor de los escenarios norteamericanos y europeos. Era, probablemente junto con Richard Tucker, uno de los exponentes de un judaísmo agraviado por los acontecimientos recientes de entonces al que se le había dado el don y la gracia para expresar, cantando, el orgullo de su procedencia hebrea. Una auténtica demostración de fuerza interpretativa que es calidad vocal, por supuesto, pero que es también un maravilloso despliegue del caleidoscopio cultural y folklórico del que, afortunadamente para nosotros, se enorgullecía. Es decir, presentes todos los elementos para hacer de éste un registro entrañable.

Kol Nidrei (fantasy) is "heavenly"........1998-10-02

The Kol Nidrei arrangement by Max Bruch is sheer "heavenly".

The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas

Average customer rating:

Empire brass not at the best
Quite Disappointing
Unique
An Eclectic Christmas Collection
Strikingly original,gorgeous,only one odd track

The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Empire Brass: Greatest Hits
Class Brass - On The Edge
A Festival of Carols in Brass
A Bach Festival for Brass & Organ
Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

ASIN: B000003D1J
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

Welcome: Angels We Have Heard On High
Ode For Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
The Holly And The Ivy
Carol Of The Bells
Arabian Dance
Good King Wenceslas
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Coventry Carol
Pat-A-Pan
Still, Still, Still
Little Drummer Boy
Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella
Ave Regina Celorum
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Silent Night
Angels We Have Heard On High
Oh! G
Joy to the World

Customer Reviews:

Empire brass not at the best.......2006-03-12

Expected more with this CD. One time listening is enough.

Quite Disappointing.......2005-12-07

The Empire Brass is one of the premier brass quintets in the world, but you will not hear this on this Christmas album. Almost every single track has some kind of electronic backbeat or guitars, which frankly, is quite annoying, and the arrangments (though many might call them "original") are very poor. If you like "ecelectic" you might like this, but if you are in any shape or form a brass aficionado you will play this once and then it will begin to collect dust on your CD rack. Very disappointing!

Unique.......2004-10-02

I always collect unique Christmas albums. Where someone gives an old familiar carol a new, fresh spin. There are quite a few to choose from on this album.

I really enjoy "O Come All Ye Faithful," with its steady crescendo and addition of instruments. "The Little Drummer Boy" is similar, starting with a soloist.

"Oh! G," a montage of several Christmas carols is manic, fun, and really enjoyable. The tuba player is practically a virtuoso!

All in all, a very nice refreshing change of style.

An Eclectic Christmas Collection.......2003-12-04

Boston's Empire Brass' Christmas Album THE WORLD SINGS is an interesting mix of Christmas music. Listeners certainly will find Empire's polished and powerful sound in many of the tracks. While the group is a classically trained brass quintet, there are tracks that include contemporary musicians as well as a vocalist Laurie Monahan. The album includes many Christmas standards such as "Joy to the World," "Angels We Have Heard On High" and the like. Less familiar carols are included such as "Pat-a-pan" and "Still, Still, Still." A personal favorite is the group's unique rendition of the "Arabian Dance" from THE NUTCRACKER. People desiring a traditional brass quintet album will probably be better off looking at the Philadelphia Brass Ensembles A FESTIVAL OF CAROLS IN BRASS (a must have for all lovers of brass music), but listeners who enjoy creative sound rooted in classical music but open to contemporary music will certainly enjoy this wonderful collection.

Strikingly original,gorgeous,only one odd track.......2002-10-25

Strikingly original, gorgeous, and someday this will likely be considered a Classic. Christmas CDs are a penny-a-dozen, and they often take a safe, predictable route, but this one is a true original. On this CD, the Empire Brass' arrangements are often haunting, as, for example one of the opening arrangements of "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen". Some tracks explore Middle Eastern territory- a VERY appropriate, usually unexplored theme, considering Jesus' birthplace. Quiet tracks like "Bring a torch" have feeling of quiet snow falling on a medieval village centuries ago in Europe somewhere. Others are wildly, ecstatically played ; "The Holly & the Ivy" for example. Some carols features very original & exciting percussion - but none of it overbearing; the percussion stays in the background & does not overtake the other players. A beautiful medieval track is a real gem-"Ave Regina Caelorum" is quietly played by the brass with the wonderful soprano soloist. This one has an appropriaterly mysterious air, filled with wonder & pathos. As does the frequently recorded "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", but here it is arranged differently than I've ever heard, as if I'd heard the words for the very first time. As usual, Telarc's recording is very realistic & with great dynamic range. There's only one track that seems a bit odd because it follows a few very touching tracks at the end. It's a Dixieland/Ragtime flavored Take on "Joy to the World"; very creative, perhaps it would be better somewhere else on the disc. Overall, this is probably my favorite of dozens of Christmas CDs.

Average customer rating:

Atmospherically wonderful!
Remarkable

The Dufay Collective:Miri It Is

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Dance in the Garden of Mirth: Medieval Instrumental Music - The Dufay Collective
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On the Banks of the Seine-Music of the Trouovères
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ASIN: B000000AXM
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Merry It Is While Summer Lasts
Dance: Miri it is
Blessed Be Thou, Queen Of Heaven
Estampie: Edi beo thu
Formerly I Knew No Sorrow
Ductia
Bird On A Briar
Estampie
O Chosen Bride Of God
Blessed Womb
Holy
This Congregation Sings Alleluya
Ductia
Holy Mother Of Grace
Sancta Mater graciae
Dance
The Song Of The Flood
Dance : Omnis caro
Ductia
Summer Is Come

Customer Reviews:

Atmospherically wonderful!.......2003-01-05

Listen to the last track here " Summer is Come" with your eyes shut and you will be transported to a village in the middle ages, just as the garden begins to grow. While some of the tunes here are presented in a more somber mood than should be, there is much to delight the ear.

Remarkable.......2001-04-07

This is an exceptional recording. Both the vocals and the instrumentals are flawless and comfortable in both the medieval and the English folk idioms. I can't have enough praises for John Potter; his voice is extremely expressive, and can move from frantic intensity to honey-sweet richness. He NEVER lapses into opera or any vocal practice that would sound "classical" to the modern ear, as many singers of medieval music are wont to do. And, in a remarkable leap of insight (albeit one they have used on a few other recordings), the male instrumentalists lend their vocals to several pieces. This is an excellent choice in that their untrained voices lend an exceptional air of authenticity to the recording. Their renditions of the Latin polyphonic pieces and "campfire sing-alongs" sound like field recordings of English folk polyphony; it is commendable indeed when an early music recording can do this correctly and believably; as yet, only the Dufay Collective has been able to get folksy enough.

Tracks:

'Twas On A Night Like This
Mary Had A Baby
Glory To That New Born King
What Child Is This?
Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow
Carol Of The Beasts
Carol Of The Beasts (Instrumental)
The First Noel
Behold That Star
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Masters In The Hall
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (Instrumental)
Twelve Gates To The City

Album Description

Long a seasonal favorite, this collection of 13 charming Christmas carols from French, English, Italian, and African American traditions captures the Christmas spirit with wonderful universality. These international holiday favorites include Twelve Gates to the City, Mary Had a Baby, and The First Noel. "A real alternative to the wall of strings or the overly sweet sound of many Christmas collections." -Dirty Linen

Customer Reviews:

I don't sing atheist songs, Pete shouldn't sing Christian ones.......2007-04-23

Seeger has called himself an atheist all of his life... until recently. It's remarkable how impending death can change one's beliefs. Now he says he "sees God in all things". How convenient.

Listening to this unrepentant Stalinist singing songs about the birth of Jesus is as galling an experience as I have ever had. Similarly minded communists will buy this album, but only for political reasons.

The music is uniformly bland, spare and empty of spirit. One can always hear the echo of the Gulag in every note this villain sings. Skip it if Christmas means anything to you.

One of my All-Time Favorites!.......2000-01-29

This is just a gorgeous Christmas album. Seeger's folk style blends perfectly with both the traditional carols like "The First Noel" as well as the spirituals such as "Twelve Gates to the City." (Not to mention the upbeat "Masters in this Hall" - my personal favorite.) For Seeger fans or anyone looking for an old-fashioned alternative to the almost inescapable pop diva/boy band/insert-current-trend-here CDs out there, this is a must-have!

Banjo Christmas Classics..........1998-12-11

It's an odd experience to hear Pete Seeger--with his unrefined, though charming, voice and his trademark banjo accompaniment--belting out "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming." Some of these songs sound gentle and vulnerable; others just don't work as well. It's not a bad album, especially for folk fans, but it's not one I'll keep in the CD player for more than a day out of the Christmas season, either.

Average customer rating:

The Christmas tunes I remember from my childhood.
One to get for your Christmas collection
The superb Perry Como singing superb Christmas Songs!
Perry Como = Christmas
Timeless Christmas Classics

Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Songs
Perry Como
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Christmas Songs
White Christmas
Perry Como Christmas
Season's Greetings
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ASIN: B00004ST2P
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

'Twas The Night Before Christmas
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Joy To The World!
Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
Frosty The Snowman
The Christmas Song
That Christmas Feeling
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Silent Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Jingle Bells
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland

Customer Reviews:

The Christmas tunes I remember from my childhood........2007-07-12

This was one of the old records that my mother used to play at Christmas time when I was a child. I spent probably 7-8 years looking for this specific album, and am so happy to finally find it. It is one of those things that takes me back to some powerful memories.

I don't think anyone makes a better Christmas tune than Perry Como. I think even Bing Crosby is second to Perry Como, and of all Perry Como albums that I have previewed, this one is the hands down best.

One to get for your Christmas collection.......2007-01-09

I had this in LP vinyl record format for more than 20 years back. Then, I had it in cassette tape format. When the tape disappeared, I just had to get it in CD. I'll tell you, nothing replaces vinyl when it comes to the bounce and life that can only come from analog sound. But if you love this album, and Perry Como, this is one to get.

The superb Perry Como singing superb Christmas Songs!.......2006-11-29

If there was one artist that should be crowned as the official voice of Christmas, it should be Perry Como!

From 1948 to 1994 he was making TV Christmas Specials full of warmth, good cheer, love and respect for the meaning of the season. Perry Como's Christmas Recordings, like the rest of his rich Recording legacy are superb!

With the Chrsitmas recordings, Perry is head and shoulders above the rest because he really meant the words as he wished it could be Christmas Forever, as his 1981 classic tells us!

The recordings collected on this CD of from Perry's earliest Christmas Albums - 'Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music' and 'Around the Christmas Tree'. The original 'Merry Christmas Music' album originally appeared in 1946 as a musical smart set of 78rpm records and remained on the market for many years to come along with 'Around The Christmas Tree'. Very early on 'O little town of Bethlehem was dropped from the collection and 'White Christmas' joined the collection in 1947. From then on, the collection generally stayed the same and was released as a 10'' LP in the early 1950's as was the newly recorded collection - 'Around the Christmas Tree'. When 12'' LP's became the standard, it was necessary for all previous albums to be released on the new format with some extra bonus tracks. In the case of these 2 albums, they both appeared in full, except for the recording dropped before the LP release. They appeared as a 16 song collection called 'Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music'. All th Como Christmas albums, like many other of Perry's recordings were an enormous and consistant success! In 1961, RCA Camden released the album in Mono and Electronic Stereo and dropped 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' from the set, bringing it down to 15 songs! It is this 1961 collection that is featured on this CD.

Really, with the added luxury of space on the CD format, they could of easily included all of the songs that were ever associated with the 'Merry Christmas Music' album along with 'Around the Christmas Tree' - which is really what they should have done!

This is a fine collection of superb Como performances, all wonderfully recorded. Unfortunately, the sound quality does lack on the release featured in this set (The Delta Release from 2000). I was dissapointed with the sound, but certainly not with the music! I actually copied over one of my Christmas audio cassettes including 'Twas the night before Christmas' and it had the sort of sound you can get from copying music to a computer. I was happy with it as it was nice and clear, although could be a lot better. I thought this collection would be just that, but the quality isn't! Yes, all of these recordings are well over 50 years old, but that is no excuse for poor re-mastering and using Records as their master source, especially without identiying it!

The other Delta Releases were much cleaner. On this collection, surface noise is evident, when a competent engineer could have used reliable sources and high quality mastering skills.

This collection was originally released on CD in 1987 from RCA Camden masters, not the best, but certainly not the worst sources either!

As far as the Music is concerned, you will not be dissapointed! You may though be dissapointed with the sound quality. However, as these recordings have been played for so many years on Records, it may bring back extra memories to people of putting on the Albums and them actually sounding like this. This is basically a cleaned up collection of records. If Camden Masters have been used, the re-mastering engineer/s have made a poor effort!

Whatever the case, this is superb Musical Listening. This Music is what Christmas is all about! Thanks to Pery Como we are all enriched by the wonderful legacy of Radio, TV, Studio and Live Recordings and so much more he has left us behind.

His Music is not only superbly performed and recorded - it also carries very special messages with it, especially in the Faith, Inspirational and Christmas Recordings. Another of the many gifts Perry has passed on to us all!

Superb Listening!

Matthew Long
(An enormous Perry Como fan of a much younger generation!)

Perry Como = Christmas .......2005-02-26

My first experience with Christmas music was when I was between 1 and 3 years old with this Christmas album on record. My mother owned it for a while before and she played it for me as a child. Christmas would not be complete without this album. One of my favorite versions of "Jingle Bells" is on this album. Highly recommended, and a must for a Perry Como fan.

Timeless Christmas Classics.......2004-12-01

This album was a favorite of mine from my childhood, all great Christmas songs performed with classic style by the late, great Perry Como. The song C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S is especially good and not commonly found elsewhere.

The CD is a very good remaster with decent sound quality, considering the source recordings date from 1948 to 1953 and were originally monaural. The entire album, but especially the last several tracks which are the earliest recordings, exudes the atmosphere of Christmas in the late Forties and early Fifties - the recovery from WWII, the optimism and simple joy of living before the Cold War heated up too much.

I am thrilled that it is out on CD and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christmas ballads; you will never regret adding this CD to your collection of Christmas music.

Average customer rating:

A great mix of classic and folk Christmas songs.

Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas
Ricky Van Shelton
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000026UH
Release Date: 1989-07-20

Tracks:

I'll Be Home For Christmas
White Christmas
Santa Claus Is coming To Town
Silver Bells
Silent Night
C H R I S T M A S
Please Come Home For Christmas
Pretty Paper
Country Christmas
Christmas Long Ago
What Child Is This

Customer Reviews:

A great mix of classic and folk Christmas songs........1998-12-24

Ricky van Shelton is a wonderful singer and he brings his talent to a great mix of classic and folk Christmas music. Ricky doesn't try to change the classics, but sings them straight and clear. His ability to sing all types of music is evident here, and I have some new favorites from his "folk" selections. This is my favorite Christmas CD.

Average customer rating:

Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
Missing a song
Stirring Christmas Carols
Contractual obligation spoken here
Why oh why?

Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
Mario Lanza
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000007OMS
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

The First Noel
O Come All Ye Faithful
Away In A Manger
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Silent Night
Deck The Halls
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
God Rest Ye Merry
Joy To The World
O Christmas Tree
I Saw Three Ships
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Guardian Angels

Customer Reviews:

Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols.......2007-01-12

Haven't heard these beautiful songs since I had the original RPM records. It was marvelous to be able to find and purchase this CD. Many Thanks

Missing a song.......2005-06-14

I have the original "Lanza Sings Christmas Carols" on LP. Strangely, the CD is missing "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" which is on the LP.

Stirring Christmas Carols.......2004-11-24

One of the best Christmas albums ever - Mario Lanza is amazing. Great songs, great singer - buy it, you won't regret it.

Contractual obligation spoken here.......2004-05-09

Mario Lanza was truly one of the greatest tenors of all time. No one before him or since has intrepreted Christmas music with the same religious fervor, the same passion, or the same touch that he brought to the most beloved hymns and carols. So why this poor excuse of a CD - recorded just months before his death- would ever be released when so many of his better recordings - made earlier in his career - are available, is a mystery. Those looking for the best Christmas offerings by Lanza need look no further than "Christmas Hymns and Carols," or the later, more available release, "Christmas with Mario Lanza," which contains all the same recordings plus a few other offerings as well (including "Deck the Halls" and "I'll Walk With God). The problem with "Lanza Sings Christmas Carols" is that, like another reviewer here notes, there is little passion in these recordings. It sounds like a collection of one-takers recorded in a single session. For example, in the recording of "God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen," Lanza forgets the meter on the line "and unto certain she-e-perds.." and instead sings it "unto certain shep-errrds." It sounds clumsy. Later in the song, his emphasis on "how that in Bethlehem wazzzzz born" is misplaced and almost comical. I think he did add a few verses to some of the recordings (it's been a long while since I heard this CD), but for the most part, they're just re-hacked remakes that don't even come close to replicating the versions recorded before them. The worst ommision on this CD is Lanza's immortal recording of "Oh Holy Night," which, to my knowledge, has only one version available. My guess is that Mario knew he couldn't improve on perfection, so he opted to pass on an attempt to re-record what to many has become his signature song. I realize that even a bad Lanza is better-than-average by most people's standards. Even so, if you like this CD, you'll be pleased to know that there are better offerings out there to hear.

Why oh why?.......2001-09-12

BMG's decision to release this album is unfathomable. With the exception of the disastrous Lanza on Broadway LP (mercifully unavailable - at present - on CD), this was the tenor's worst album. Recorded around the time of his first heart attack, Lanza was in very poor spirits indeed when he recorded this, and it shows. Unlike the Broadway album, his singing is not downright bad; it's simply devoid of the tenor's trademark warmth and vitality. O Christmas Tree is, perhaps, the only exception on this otherwise gloomy offering.

For an infinitely more sparkling alternative, check out the singer's beautiful Christmas with Mario Lanza CD. It's available through Amazon, and reviewed on these pages.

Music Album:

Music Album