Mini Reviews!
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Artist: Various Album: "Carols of Christmas II" Label: Windham Hill Reviewed By: Jill Williams Rating:  |
| This is a soft, mellow, mostly instrumental Christmas album. It's perfect for background music for the holidays. I'd recommend listening to it to calm that holiday stress, as well. The beautiful piano and guitar melodies take you away from the world and let you live in a peaceful place for a while. Chances are, I'll listen to this year round, as it's an excellent album to just laze the day away to. There are 15 tracks on the album. Some of the titles include "Away In A Manger," "Coventry Carol," "Accordion Bells," and my personal favorite on this cd, "O Come All Ye Faithful." Following closely is "December Morning," which is a bit lighter and airier than many songs found here. One that I didn't find quite as wonderful was "O Tannenbaum." The guitar was a bit plunky and the harmony seemed darker than a Christmas carol ought to be. Also, the version of "Jingle Bells" is perhaps a bit too slow. It's lovely, but a little hard to pick out the tune. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is one of two that include singing. It also has a rather interesting tribal beat with a very surprising Scottish sounding violin running through parts of it. Very interesting and also very beautiful. I can't say enough about this CD. It's simply one of the finest I've heard. If you want something a little softer to listen to at Christmastime, this is the one to get. |
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Artist: "Snowed In" Album: "Hanson" Label: Mercury Reviewed By: Elli Stephens Rating:  |
| To start this review off right, I must be totally honest about the fact
that while I am not in the least a Hanson fan, I realize that they are very
popular, expecially among the younger set. In fact, my boyfriend's 12 year
old brother loves them. "What Christmas Means To Me" kind of reminds me of a young Michael Jackson song, like "ABC." "Little Saint Nick" sound like something you would hear on a Brady Bunch or Partidge Family episode. There was one song however that stood out, "At Christmas." It is a little slower and had very good harmony. If you can afford the sugar intake this is the album for you. The kids will run to buy this album while most of us will run for cover. |
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Artist: "Jim Brickman" Album: "The Gift" Label: Windham Hill Reviewed By: Elli Stephens Rating:  |
| "The Gift" of wonderful music is given to us by Jim Brickman, who plays the piano beautifully, and has given new life to the same Christmas songs we having been hearing year after year. For the most part this CD is instrumental but on his original songs he has guest vocalists. Kenny Loggins sings "Starbright." I really liked this one. Kenny has a very soothing voice and is always pleasant to listen to. I did not really care for the title song "The Gift." The vocals are too high pitched and sound too much like something you would hear from a high school choir. With that exception this is a very good CD. It is refreshingly different from the typical Christmas music that is on the market. |
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Artist: "Dwight Yoakum" Album: "Come On Christmas" Label: Reprise Reviewed By: Kayla Christian Rating: |
| Dwight writes the lyrics and music of the first cut, the moody jazz-flavored, "Come on Christmas" which is both dynamic and breathtaking. This song reveals the sad side of Christmas. The unique sound of a trombone is exquisitely portraying the exceptional talent of Lee Thornburg. He then kicks into the frisky "Run Run Rudolph," a cute little whimsical song of Rudolph zipping back and forth, getting the items that little boys and girls ask for. Dwight turns "Silver Bells" into a bouncy mariachi-tune. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" has that unique "Yoakam" sound that has always kept Dwight on top. With the organ, and accordion, played by Skip Edwards, this song has a with distinct flavor. "Silent Night" is kept with its original beauty. With the rich percussion giving emphasis at just the right moments, the blend of musical instruments, and Dwight with back up singers you will listen in awe to this beautiful, traditional song. "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" is a bluesy country song, "Christmas Song" is done in the "Big Band" sound, "Away In A Manger" is done as a waltz, and "Here Comes Santa Claus," with a rich calypso beat, is like spending Christmas in the Caribbean. The album concludes with a fast-tempo Dwight Yoakam original " Santa Can't Stay." On this album "Come On Christmas" Dwight tries a little of this and that, and in doing so develops a very listenable, intriguing album. |
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Artist: "Various" Album: "A Home For The Holidays" Label: Mercury Reviewed By: G. Horstman Rating: |
| This Christmas compilation, put together by popular Mercury Artists, is actually a benefit album as well as a great Christmas album for your collection. Proceeds from the sale of the album will go to "Phoenix House," with locations throughout the country, for the "Triumph Over Substance Abuse." Even without such great music, this album is worth the price for the help it will provide. But, there IS great music! Both secular and religious Christmas songs we all know, performed by such illustrious Artists as "Richie Sambora" (You won't believe how beautifully he sings "O Come All Ye Faithful!"), "Aaron Neville," "Boyz II Men," "Vanessa Williams," "The Wilsons," "The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones," "Bon Jovi" and "Gloria Estevan" to name a few - yes there are even more! A full 17 tracks of great Christmas music, by great artists, to benefit a great cause. What more could you ask for at this giving time of the year? You'll be glad you bought it! |
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Artist: "Various" Album: "Country Cares For Kids" Label: BNA Reviewed By: Kayla Christian Rating:  |
| Out of all the Christmas albums out on the market, the 14 track "Country
Cares for Kids" is an absolute must to have in your collection. The
first cut, "Make A Miracle," is a soaring ballad - an event song
that is a cornerstone project including Artists "Mindy McCready,"
"Kenny Chesney," "Kevin Sharp," "Skip Ewing,"
"Teddy Gentry" (Alabama), "Jason Sellers," "Sara
Evans," "Kippi Brandon," "Heath Wright" (Ricochet)
and "Randy Owens" (Alabama). It is not only rich in musical talents
and sounds, but the sincere feelings come straight from their hearts. The other songs on this album include: "Christmas For Every Boy and Girl" - Clint Black, "O Holy Night" - Martina McBride, "Take A Walk Through Bethlehem" - Ray Vega, "Loving Time Of The Year" - Travis Tritt, "We Three Kings (Star Of Wonder)" - Blackhawk, "Let's Talk About Love" - Mindy McCready, "When You Wish Upon A Star" - Bryan White, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - Lonestar, "Christmas Time's A Coming" - Sammy Kershaw w/daughter, "The Christmas Song" - John Berry, and "Up On Santa Claus Mountain" - Lorrie Morgan. An added bonus that will appeal to a lot of folks is the inclusion of Bob Carlisle's, "Butterfly Kisses." The album concludes with the every-heart touching song from Alabama, "Angels Among Us." Not only is this album an excellent choice as an investment for your collection, but the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Every dollar you spend goes to St. Jude to help save our children, and you will be pleased at the sound of "Country Cares For Kids." It is a rich album that will be enjoyed by all for many seasons to come. |
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Artist: "Various" Album: "Celtic Christmas III" Label: Windham Hill Reviewed By: Robert Lewis Rating: |
| Windham Hill has once again outdone themselves with this year's installment of "Celtic Christmas". Volume 3 is no less gorgeous, no less wonderful than any that have come before it. These are not your typical Christmas songs -- in fact, the twelve Celtic/Classical pieces will play equally well in February, or even June. I almost can't consider this a Christmas disc, except for the mood it immediately casts upon me whenever I listen. The music is soft and beautiful -- peaceful. What is Christmas beyond the traditional celebration of the birth of Christ? Christmas is a time of beauty, wonderment and peace. This disc embodies them all. It's a wonderful addition to any collection -- holiday or otherwise. |
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Artist: "Kitaro" Album: "Peace on Earth" Label: Domo Records Reviewed By: Donn Jehs Rating: |
| This is a re-release of the album "Kitaro" recorded last year with the International Peace Choir. While the music may not be new, its beauty has not diminished in the least. Other Christmas albums tend to embrace the traditional approach to holiday music, but "Kitaro" uses a variety of instruments to give the old familiar songs a unique flavor. An example is the use of the flute on the classic "Jingle Bells." If you see "Peace on Earth", pick it up and let the sounds of Kitaro be a joy to your world! |
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