Christmas Star

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
In 1997, this recording became the most successful first-year release in Collegium history. Mastered from an original 1981 digital tape, once thought lost forever, it is actually the first-ever recording by The Cambridge Singers. It contains 22 Christmas songs, including The Christmas Song, written by Mel Tormé.

Christmas Star, Music, The Cambridge Singers & Orchestra, John Rutter, Christmas, Christmas / Chanukkah, Christmas Music, Classical, Holiday, Xmas Classical Vocal

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Average customer rating:

Rutter Christmas Album

Unique and Beautiful!

Johh Rutter Chirstmas Album

Liked it enough to go through a lot of trouble to give it a review.

John Rutter and Cambridge Singers

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

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John Rutter Collection

Cambridge Singers Christmas Album

Christmas Star

Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers

Be Thou My Vision

ASIN: B00006JJ4T
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

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

Album Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great music by John Rutter: Great performance!

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

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

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration

Average customer rating:

A good value
The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann
Good mix of film music
A mixed collection of movie music
Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration

Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
In Session: Film Music Celebration
The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection
Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music
Music In Film (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

ASIN: B00008WI90
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

The Man from Snowy River (Bruce Rowland)
The Winds of War (Bob Cobert)
Blue Velvet (Angelo Badalamenti)
Witness (Maurice Jarre)
Raising Arizona (Carter Burwell)
Pee Wees Big Adventure (Danny Elfman)
Halloween (John Carpenter)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (Charles Bernstein)
The Fly (Howard Shore)
RoboCop (Basil Poledouris)
The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)
The Right Stuff (Bill Conti)
The Final Conflict (Jerry Goldsmith)
The Abyss (Alan Silvestri)
Brainstorm (James Horner)
Peggy Sue Got Married (John Barry)
My Left Foot (Elmer Bernstein)
The Dead (Alex North)
Stanley & Iris (John Williams)
The Milagro Beanfield War (Dave Grusin)
Driving Miss Daisy (Hans Zimmer)

Tracks:

Steel Magnolias (Georges Delerue)
Unforgiven (Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood)
Raggedy Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
The Grifters (Elmer Bernstein)
Green Card (Hans Zimmer)
City Slickers (Marc Shaiman)
Father Of The Bride (Alan Silvestri)
While You Were Sleeping (Randy Edelman)
Babe (Nigel Westlake)
The Adventures Of The Great Mouse Detective (Henry Mancini)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (Laurence Rosenthal)
The Secret Garden (Zbigniew Preisner)
A Little Princess (Patrick Doyle)
Rudy (Jerry Goldsmith)
Iron Will (Joel McNeely)
Memphis Belle (George Fenton)
Eye Of The Needle (Mikl)
Total Recall (Jerry Goldsmith)
Back To The Future Part III (Alan Silvestri)

Tracks:

To Die For (Danny Elfman)
The Player (Thomas Newman)
Black Robe (Georges Delerue)
Medicine Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
2001 (Alex North)
Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (Joel McNeely)
The Crow (Graeme Revell)
Blade (Mark Isham)
The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)
Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)
Scream (Marco Beltrami)
The Sixth Sense (James Newton Howard)
Xena: Warrior Princess (Joseph LoDuca)
Air Force One (Jerry Goldsmith)
Starship Troopers (Basil Poledouris)
The Matrix (Don Davis)
The Iron Giant (Michael Kamen)
Youve Got Mail (George Fenton)
A Little Romance (Georges Delerue)
Pleasantville (Randy Newman)

Tracks:

Sunset Boulevard (Franz Waxman)
L.A. Confidential (Jerry Goldsmith)
Rounders (Christopher Young)
The Score (Howard Shore)
The Replacements (John Debney)
Gone In 60 Seconds (Trevor Rabin)
The Bourne Identity (John Powell)
Rush Hour 2 (Lalo Schifrin)
XXX (Randy Edelman)
Die Hard (Michael Kamen)
The Last of the Mohicans (Trevor Jones)
Moby Dick (Christopher Gordon)
The Mists Of Avalon (Lee Holdridge)
Cleopatra (Alex North)
Life As A House (Mark Isham)
Emma (Rachel Portman)
In The Bedroom (Thomas Newman)
Cast Away (Alan Silvestri)
One True Thing (Cliff Eidelman)
Unfaithful (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek)
Far From Heaven (Elmer Bernstein)
Ice Age (David Newman)
Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell)

Customer Reviews:

A good value.......2007-05-17

I wasn't expecting to have 4 discs for this price, and the music is a quality selection of film music, giving a good scope of the genre, and a very listenable transfer.

The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann.......2006-07-25

This collection is bound to capture your heart and evoke a tin ear on successive tracks. I found much to like and some duds - easy to skip over.
Very good value.

Good mix of film music.......2006-07-02

Good mix of films!
I'm a big fan of this soundtrack music and will be looking for more CD's like this.

A mixed collection of movie music.......2006-02-23

For the price, this CD is a great bargain. The musical selections, as you might expect, are mixed in quality ranging from extraordinary to so so, the balance being worthwhile and interesting. Sonically the CD is excellent.

Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens.......2006-01-06

I have been listening to great scores for many years and this collection is truly inspirational in so far as the choice of different scores takes you on a journey of listening pleasure matched by only a few collections.The price is incredibly reasonable for hours of listening pleasure. Don't pass this one up

Average customer rating:

Delightful Disney Music
Uncle Walt would be quite honored!
Fabulous CD
sleeping to Disney
this is a treasure

Heigh-Ho! Mozart

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000709
Release Date: 1995-06-16

Tracks:

Colors of the Wind in the Style Of - English Chamber Orchestra
Heigh-Ho! In the Style Of - Shanghai Quartet
Beauty and the Beast in the Style Of - English Chamber Orchestra
Second Star to the Right in the Style Of - Voices of Ascension
Under the Sea in the Style Of - Millar Brass Ensemble
I Wanna Be Like You in the Style Of - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? - English Chamber Orchestra
With a Smile and a Song in the Style Of - Carol Rosenberger
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? [In the Style Of] [In the Style Of... - English Chamber Orchestra
Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes in the Style Of - English Chamber Orchestra
Main Street Electrical Parade [in the Style Of Mozart] [In the Style of - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Feed the Birds [In the Style Of...] - Shanghai Quartet
Little April Shower in the Style Of - Anthony Newman
Winnie the Pooh in the Style Of - Shanghai Quartet
Prince Ali in the Style Of - Millar Brass Ensemble
When You Wish upon a Star in the Style Of - English Chamber Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Delightful Disney Music.......2007-03-28

These Disney tunes done in the style of classic composers are so much fun. Children and adults alike will enjoy these songs over and over.

Uncle Walt would be quite honored!.......2006-12-20

For many a baby boomer, Walt Disney meant animation. But, besides that, music played an important part in the telling of the story. So interested in music was the animator that he fashioned one of his greatest triumphs ("Fantasia") on the works of the great masters.

Well, Donald Frasier and a bevy of musicians have compiled a wonderful collection of interpretations of familiar Disney tunes, many from Walt's time, along with a few latter day compositions.

Every selection is a winner, destined to make the listener reflect and recall the films from which they came. And if one is familiar with composer whose musical style is "copied" here, the album is a treasure.

Fabulous CD.......2006-10-04

Being a classical music connoisseur, I often listen to my local public classical radio station to hear the works of the great composers of old and of today. One day the station played "Colors of the Wind" and announced it was from this CD. I fell in love with it. I am a huge Disney fan who has over 350 Disney songs on my iPod. Pretty much the only music I listen to is either classical or Disney. And having them combined makes this CD euphoria for the ears.

Each song is in the style of a different classical composer, and usually in the style of one of their more specific songs. One with a trained ear will hear chords and melodies in almost perfect similitude of the original.

I can listen to this CD over and over and never get bored. How could you be bored when you're hearing all of your favorite old Disney songs in a new exciting way?

sleeping to Disney.......2006-07-30

I am really pleased that there is a classical music cd that has only Disney classics so that I can play them for my infant daughter while she sleeps. We are big Disney fans and it's fun to play these instead of the regular classical music. They sound just like the original songs. I would have given 5 stars but I wish they would have had all instrumental music, one of the songs has a choir singing, but it still sound good.

this is a treasure.......2003-05-11

Disney music is always uplifting. Classical music is beautiful. Combine the two - and you get THIS! "Colors of the Wind" is glorious, followed by the enchanting title track. "Beauty and the Beast" is true to the romance of the original. "The Second Star to the Right" is magical. Everything is awesome - and flawless. I initially bought this because I love The Main Street Electrical Parade music, and that is definiely a highlight here - but so are ALL the other songs! This is GOOD STUFF! It is so excellent that it can be a very beneficial introduction to classical music - for kids AND adults.

Average customer rating:

A Few Nuggets
mostly, inspired power pop Christmas
What a disappointment!

Christmas Time Again
The dB's , Big Star , Whiskeytown , Marshall Crenshaw , Alex Chilton , Don Dixon , Chris Stamey , Thad Cockrell , Peter Holsapple , and Roman Candle
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Christmas Is 4 Ever
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Traffic and Weather
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Wintersong

ASIN: B000IAZNDG
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Christmas Time-The dB's
Home For The Holidays-The dB's
(It's Going To Be A) Lonely Christmas-Marshal Crenshaw
Jesus Christ-Big Star
Holiday Spirit-The dB's
Christmas Time Is Here-Thad Cockrell & Roman Candle
Houses On The Hill-Whiskeytown
The Only Law That Santa Claus Understood-Ted Lyons
I Saw Three Ships-Don Dixon
Christmas Is The Only Time-Wes Lachot
Christmas Light-Keegan DeWitt & The Sparrows
Santa's Moonlight Sleighride-Ted Lyons
Sha La La-Cathy Harrington
The Christmas Song-Alex Chilton
Christmas Is Saturday-Don Dixon
Felex Navidad-The dB's
Holy Night-Peter Holsapple
You're What I Want For Christmas-Chris Stamey & Cathy Harrington
Silent Nocturne-Brent Lanbert
It's A Wonderful Life-Chris Stamey
Snow Is Falling-Chris Stamey & Mary Mac

Amazon.com

This is the gift that keeps on giving--the Yuletide album that Chris Stamey and the dB's originally released as a vinyl EP in 1986, later expanded into a CD, and have now updated as a 21-cut extravaganza of holiday cheer (and occasionally bittersweet reflection). It's like a family album of a musical clan that keeps extending itself, now encompassing the likes of Marshall Crenshaw (with a soulful "Lonely Christmas"), Don Dixon (with two cuts including a live, finger-snapping "I Saw Three Ships"), and Whiskeytown (a previously unreleased Ryan Adams/Caitlin Cary collaboration, "Houses on the Hill"). Most of the material is original, covering a territory that extends from punk, new wave, and power pop through alt-country, though Peter Holsapple delivers a surprisingly straightforward "O Holy Night" and Alex Chilton does Mel Tormé proud with "The Christmas Song." --Don McLeese

Album Description

There a lot of modern rockers who consider this to be THE great Christmas album of the last 25 years or so, and if your taste runs to the Southern-based "jangle pop" practiced by such folks as Big Star, R.E.M. and the dB's, you're probably one of them. Originally released as a 7-song LP in 1986, and as a 17-song CD in 1993, this Chris Stamey-conceived holiday classic appears here on our Collectors' Choice Music label with six new tracks, including a song by Peter Holsapple, `Home for the Holidays', performed by the dB's; `Christmas Time Is Here'-Thad Cockrell & Roman Candle; `Lonely Christmas'-Marshall Crenshaw; two tunes by R.E.M. producer Don Dixon, `I Saw Three Ships' and' `Christmas Is Saturday', and an unreleased track by Ryan Adams & Whiskeytown, `Houses on the Hill'! And the album's older tracks are pretty darn cool, too: `Jesus Christ'-Big Star; `The Christmas Song'-Alex Chilton; `Christmas Time'; `Holiday Spirit'; `Feliz Navidad'-dB's; `The Only Law That Santa Claus Understood'; `Santa's Moonlit Sleighride'-Ted Lyons; `It's a Wonderful Life'-Chris Stamey; `You're What I Want for Christmas'-Chris Stamey & Cathy Harrington; `Snow Is Falling'-Chris Stamey & Mary Mac; `Sha La La'-Cathy Harrington; `Christmas Is the Only Time'-Wes Lachot; `O Holy Night'-Peter Holsapple; `Silent Nocturne'-Brent Lambert, and `Christmas Light'-Keegan DeWitt & the Sparrows. 21 tracks of Christmas harmony!

Customer Reviews:

A Few Nuggets.......2007-05-20

Chris Stamey Group released "Christmas Time" in 1986. Collectors Choice release "Christmas Time Again" includes many of the tracks from that set and expands with added selections. Marshall Crenshaw works up a sweat on "Lonely Christmas" with a boy scout vocal wringing the most from the track. Big Star's "Jesus Christ" has a good religious sentiment, "With love they did rejoice, fine & pure of voice; & the wrong shall fail & the right prevail." The dB's "Holiday Spirit" satirizes commercialism, "I've got that holiday spirit, gimme, gimme, gimme." Whiskeytown with Ryan Adams on vocals relates a sad story, "I found a bunch of letters, they were written for the fellow who broke your mama's heart." Ted Lyons does a parody of Gene Pitney's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" on "The Only Law that Santa Claus Understood" casting Santa as a gunslinger. Don Dixon provides a jazzy bass-thumping version of "I Saw Three Ships." Musically, Wes Lachot's vocals recall the Beach Boys on a song with a sad message, "Christmas is the only time I think of you." Cathy Harrington's "Sha La La" sounds like the Go-Gos channeling the Crystals, but unfortunately, Harrington's voice is not one you want to hear again & again. With his warbling vocals, Alex Chilton sounds like he's trying to make fun of Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). "Christmas Time Again" is a varied set with a few nuggets & a few clinkers. It fills the spot for those not wanting to hear the same old thing at holiday time. Enjoy!

mostly, inspired power pop Christmas.......2007-01-05

There might be 2 clunkers on this disc but most of it is quite enjoyable. For power-pop fans that might enjoy Christmas tunes. Not necessarily for Christmas fans that might enjoy power-pop. 4.5 stars.

What a disappointment!.......2007-01-03

Based on the reviews for this CD I decided to buy it without having sampled it. Big mistake. I love, among others, Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon and Peter Holsapple, but what happened here? This was so not fabulous.

Average customer rating:

God Bless America !

America the Beautiful
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00009EIR8
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

The Star-Spangled Banner - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
God Bless The U.S.A. - Lee Greenwood
Amazing Grace - Tramaine Hawkins
Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
America The Beautiful - Charlie Rich
This Land Is Your Land - Pete Seeger
My Country 'Tis Of Thee - Mahalia Jackson
Semper Fidelis - Leonard Bernstein
Song Of The Patriot - Johnny Cash
Davy Crockett's Speech ('Republic Is One Of Those Words...') - John Wayne
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Star & Stripes Forever - Leonard Bernstein
God Bless America - Kate Smith

Customer Reviews:

God Bless America !.......2005-10-27

I bought this for the Kate Smith tune, but soon realized, I had Much more ! Many songs I've heard all My Life at Parades and at Church. In this day and age We live in, this certainly lifts your spirits. I think this would be a very good basic "CD" for everyone to have in their collection, who is America minded !

Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Seasons

Average customer rating:

Wonderful recording
Bright and sparkling!
why to get this disc (in rhyme)
A Christmas Favorite
Excellent performances and unique music

Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Seasons

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ladyes Delight

ASIN: B000001QAB
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

Ding Dong Merrily
The Old Year Now Away Is Fled
Christmas Day in da Mornin'
The Cherry Tree Carol
Wir singen dir, Immanuel
The Wren Song
A Wassail Tune
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Carol 'Een Kindeken is ons geboren'
The Bellman's Carol
A Christmas Jig
Es ist ein' Ros' entsprugen
In dulci Jubilo
Rorate coeli desuper
Drive the Cold Winter Away
Remember, O Thou Man
Quem pastores laudavere
Christmas Is My Name
In dir ist Freude
Hey for Christmas!

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful recording.......2004-11-18

This might be my favorite holiday album. It's one of the first I pull out in November and doesn't get put away until February.

Bright and sparkling!.......2002-11-29

A perfect way to celebrate the Christmas spirit any time of year with some truly "old" favorites, performed with spirit and heart by the Baltimore Consort. Period selections imbued here with the consort's singular sound and creative improvisations include "Ding Dong Merrily on High", "The Old Year Now Away is Fled", "The Cherry Tree Carol", "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day", "Es ist ein Ros", "In Dulci Jubilo", and many more that may charm you for the first time. The Baltimore Consort is: Mary Anne Ballard, viols and rebec; Mark Cudek, cittern, guitar, viols and bandora; Custer LaRue, soprano soloist; Larry Lipkis, viol, recorder and gemshorn; Ronn McFarlane, lutes; and Chris Norman, wooden flutes and pennywhistle; with Webb Wiggins on organ.

why to get this disc (in rhyme).......2001-11-24

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving, and all through the house, Christmas spirit was stirring and starting to rouse feelings of joy and expectation in the hearts of the people who were there. Beautiful music and Custer LaRue's singing filled the air.

Wonderful songs, written by people long dead, caused pictures to form and stories to dance through each listening head. Stories of a virgin bearing a child, stories of the little Savior's entrance into this world...meek and mild.

Each song is sung with such haunting beauty and care. The Consort's playing could not be more wonderfully fair. Each song is a masterpiece--"The Cherry Tree Carol," "In dulci jubilo," and "Quem pastores laudavere." Each song's focus is on the true meaning of Christmas--no appearance made by St. Nick--but with singing like this, in your head they are sure to stick.

More beautifully than snowflakes this music drifts down. In sheer loveliness, "Christmas Is My Name" deserves the crown. Oh but each tune is strong--like "Ding Dong Merrily" and "The Wren Song." Most come in at under three minutes each, none is overlong. Each is stunning...how can the listener go wrong? How they twinkle...they are most merry. One even makes mention of Cherries.

(...)

I highly recommend this disc.

A Christmas Favorite.......2000-12-09

Had enough of animated snowmen and over-sweetened carol arrangements? Here's a hugely enjoyable recording of songs and dances done with flair by the Baltimore Consort. There are a few familiar tunes, such as the lilting arrangement of "Ding, Dong Merrily On High" and a beautiful solo flute version of "Lo, How a Rose 'Er Blooming." But most the songs are off the beaten track, and are therefore fresh and new despite their antiquity. Custer LaRue brings feeling and energy into the songs. This has become the most played Christmas CD in our household.

Excellent performances and unique music.......1999-12-13

This is my favorite Christmas CD, and it is very different from everything else we hear this time of year.

Magical Musicals / Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Not impressed
Inexorable wonder!

Magical Musicals / Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ragtime at the Magical Kingdoms
The Magical Music of Disney

ASIN: B00001QGKF
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

Hercules: Introduction
Hercules: The Gospel Truth
Hercules: One Last Hope
Hercules: I Won't Say
Hercules: Zero To Hero
Hercules: A Star Is Born
Hercules: Go The Distance
Aladdin And the King Of Thieves: Party In Agrabah
Pocahontas: Just Around The River Bend
The Return Of Jafar: You're Only Second Rate
The Return Of Jafar: Forget About Love
The Return Of Jafar: I'm Looking Out For Me
The Return Of Jafar: Nothing In The World
Toy Story: You've Got A Friend In Me
101 Dalmations: Cruella De Vil
Pocahontas: Colors Of The Wind
Oliver And Company: Once Upon A Time In New York City
Oliver And Company: Why Should I Worry?
The Nightmare Before Christmas: What's This?
James And The Giant Peach: Good News
Mulan: Orchestral Suite
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: The Bells Of Notre Dame
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Someday
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: God Help The Outcasts
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Court Of Miracles
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: A Guy Like You
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Heaven's Light

Customer Reviews:

Not impressed.......2003-11-25

I was not terribly impressed with this CD. Fortunately, I decided to get it from the library to see if it was good before deciding whether or not to buy it.

Although the orchestration of the songs is well done, most of them simply were not meant to be performed by a chorus; and they sound terrible in that form. If you want some of the songs on this CD, I suggest you look at one of Disney's compilation CDs in the Classic Disney Vol. 1-5 series or the actual soundtracks of the movies.

Inexorable wonder!.......2001-06-23

Where to start?! Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra have had a track record for recording some of the most stupendous movie music ever. Magical Musicals is just another example of how audaciously bold, yet beautiful Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops have taken the original scores, molded them into the same pieces, yet at the same time, creating life of their own in each and every note. If you are looking for ANY soundtrack containing Disney music, this should be the first CD you listen to. There are others out there, and yes, they may sound beautiful and enchanting, but you won't find such a unique and compelling score anywhere else other than this CD. Check it out!!

Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw)

Average customer rating:

Full of gems.
Not what I expected.
a voice teacher and early music fan
Christmas amoungst the stars!
nice

Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw)

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Sing We Christmas
How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music
Chanticleer: A Portrait
Christmas with Chanticleer - An Orchestra of Voices
Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King

ASIN: B000059QW4
Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

This Is The Truth Sent From Above
A Christmas Round
Today The Virgin
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen
Noel Nouvelet
A Lullaby/Away In A Manger
The First Nowell
The Three Kings
Die Stimme Des Kindes
Suo Gan
Spanish Carol
Coventry Carol
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Huron Carol
Mary And The Baby Medley: I. Maria Wanders Through The Thorn/II. What Child Is This?
Mary And The Baby Medley: III. Mary And The Baby/IV. Jerusalem In The Morning
Stille Nacht

Customer Reviews:

Full of gems........2007-05-12

If you are a Chanticleer purist and are turned off by the idea of someone else singing with them, I can tell you that you will miss out on a large number of some of Chanticleer's best recorded tracks ever by passing up this CD. The tracks with Dawn Upshaw are in the minority on this disc and do not detract from the majority which are of Chanticleer only. Also, it must be stated that while many may still not be a fan of the concept upon listening, she performs wonderfully with them and even blends well at many points! I urge you to at least give it a chance.

Anyway, on to the music. This recording is literally overflowing with impeccably chosen arrangements and compositions, all of which encompass a wonderfully peaceful holiday ambiance. It is full of tracks which are worth the price of the disc alone. Joe Jennings' gorgeous arrangement of the Huron Carol, the wonderfully different arrangement of Noel Nouvelet, and The First Nowell are among the many highlights. However, Die Stimme des Kindes by the Finnish composer Mantyjarvi, is the crown jewel of this disc. It is a brilliant and extremely haunting piece of music full of gorgeous polychordal harmonies and it is performed with astonishing intensity and accuracy! Also to be found here is one of the very best gospel/spiritual arrangements Chanticleer has ever done - Jerusalem In The Morning will become an instant favorite with anyone.

Not what I expected. .......2007-01-18

I was very disappointed when I listened to this CD. I should have paid more attention to the fact that there was another artist performing with the group before I ordered it. I am sorry I bought it.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-11-29

For nearly 25 years Chanticleer has performed a large and wide variety of music, from Gregorian Chant to the most modern fare. With its seamless blend of 12 male voices,ranging from counter-tenor to bass, the ensemble has earned international renown as "an orchestra of voices". Chanticleer was founded in 1978 by tenor Louis Botto, and was named after the 'clear-singing' rooster in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. This CD offers a wide variety of choral gems, some well-known; some traditional;some in French, in German; most in English. But all of them are performed with great skill as well as exquisite tone quality. Dawn Upshaw is an added plus on this disc. Just commenting on a few of them that captured my interest:
"A Christmas Round"/"Today The Virgin". Sir John Tavener joined the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977 which had a tremendous impact on his compositions. The brief text for 'A Christmas Round' is from the Orthodox Liturgy for Christmas Day. 'Today the Virgin' is a strophic setting of a text by Mother Thekla, an Orthodox nun, who has provided him with the libretti for several of his major works. In typical Russian Orthodox style, a drone is employed in the bass, and the upper voices move in parallel fifths and octaves.
"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (Lo, How an ever-blooming rose).Hugo Distler combines an extensive use of rediscovered forms and genres,and a very effective use of word-paintings in his music. Based on the famous tune of the same name, his setting resembles a fantasia,finally submerging the theme in rhythmic complexity as the number of voice parts expands from 4 to as many as 8. The text for the soprano that is laid over verse 3 is taken from the 'Magnificat' (Luke I:46-55).
"Die Stimme des Kindes" (The voice of the child) Finnish composer,Jaako Mantyjarvi adopts influences from a number of styles and periods, fusing them into his own idiom. This gently-rocking setting for eight-part men's chorus uses lush tone clusters to impart a late-
Romantic sentiment.
This album is a thinking-man's joy!!!!We all love the familiar carols, but it's so refreshing to hear some new ones. This group is certainly reminiscent of the "King's Singers" who preceded them; both excellent in every way!!!!

Christmas amoungst the stars!.......2004-10-19

This must be what the angels in heaven sound llike when they sing. The voices of Chanticleer blend so beautifully that it seems as if one voice is singing 12 parts. This album is a serious must have for all those who consider music an important part of the holidays.

There is one fly in the ointment though. No disrepect to Dawn Upshaw. Her voice is beautiful but we purists don't like to hear anyone sing with Chanticleer. We even find it difficult to adjust when instrumentation is used. Hearing a piano or flute throws us into a talespin. We just don't want anything to interupt the beauty of the voices. Let's face it, how many great groups are there out there who can sing without music let alone hold a note for more than 10 seconds without wandering off the note into oblivion!

The First Nowell is sung as it was meant to be sung when it is written so long ago. Lovely harmony but not over done or severly complicated. Most of the beauty is in the message it gives. No need to over sing it.

Die Stimmes des Kindes (The Voice of the Child) is gently sung to perfection with an other worldly, etheral quality. A haunting but gentle, sweet, harmony sings the last line here, "Ein schlafend Kind! (A sleeping child), they sing (Almost as wonderous as the child Himself. Almost!) of the Christ child. Countertenors above while the basses support them as they sing a final "o still!" I literally could not move as it ended. In a trance, I somehow found my remote and hit the replay button again and again. How in the world can this music be written by mere humans? Hmmmmmm, not of this earth, you think?

The Three Kings is something I haven't heard before. The music, written by Healy Willan in 1928, includes text from a poet named Laurence Housman (1856-1959). I thought I was going to hear a new rendition of "We Three Kings." WRONG!!! As the kings arrive to the place that the star of Bethlehem lead them, the last line of the song invites the kings to "come in ye kings and kiss the feet of God." The countertenors sing angelic while the lower voices sing the parts of the kings (two three voice choirs SSA and TBB). I dare you to listen to it just once. You'll play it over and over. Sometimes you must do that with Chanticleer because the arrangements are so rich you want to make sure that hear everything that there is to hear. Listening to Chanticleer sometimes requires a sophisticated enough ear to get through all the layers but everyone can enjoy it to the fullest. Some folks might say it's too high brow for them but I strongly urge you to give it a try. Sit your kids down and turn off the hip hop stuff for awhile. It's a music lesson in a bottle!

nice.......2004-06-22

These are a cappella renditions of songs from a variety of sources; Chanticleer's style gives almost all of them a distinctly medieval feel. Beautiful arrangements, but don't expect to understand all the lyrics, even when you speak the featured language. The faked accents (as on "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," where I guess they were trying for Ozark mountain hillbilly and wound up with my home dialect) can be moderately annoying.

Beautiful Star: The Christmas Collection

Average customer rating:

Want a LESS hectic Christmas?
buy it!
Good Holiday cd. Rhonda sings great
Rhonda has done it again.
This Year's Christmas Pick!

Beautiful Star: The Christmas Collection
Rhonda Vincent
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music

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

All American Bluegrass Girl
A Brad Paisley Christmas
Wintersong
Ragin' Live
Merry: A Holiday Journey

ASIN: B000IFRQLS
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

Christmas Time At Home
The Christmas Song
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Christmas Time's A Comin'
Let It Snow
Silent Night
Oh Christmas Tree
Winter Wonderland
Jingle Bells
Away In A Manger
Twelve Days Of Christmas

Amazon.com

Rhonda Vincent isn't just one of the best singers in bluegrass--she can hold her own against any singer in popular music today. Her first Christmas album confirms her crossover potential, with as much laid-back swing and soft acoustic garlands as throw-down bluegrass. Her touring band, on the whole, get the holidays off, as Nashville vets Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan as well as brother (and coproducer) Darrin Vincent provide slick support for her impeccably pitched, cozy alto. The song selection is pleasant, if somewhat predictable, and the sole surprise (and sole Vincent original), "Christmas at Home," is little more than a string of Norman Rockwell clichés. "Oh Christmas Tree" finally kicks up some tinsel and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" sashays nimbly, even if it never quite rocks. The hokey, deliberately off-key round of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the kiddie singalong on "Jingle Bells" are just cloying--hot picking aside, you've heard this shtick before. Still, Vincent sounds soulful on the ballads, especially "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night"; one only wishes she'd played the arrangements less conservatively. In the end, these sessions would have benefited from a little less reverence and a few more stiff swigs of home-brewed holiday punch. --Roy Kasten

Album Description

The first Christmas album from Rhonda Vincent, six-time International Bluegrass Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year" and two-time GrammyÂ® nominee. Among the songs featured are favorites "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Winter Wonderland," "Oh Christmas Tree," "Jingle Bells," "Twelve Days of Christmas," and many more. Vincent is supported by some of the finest musicians in bluegrass, including Stuart Duncan, Adam Steffey, Carl Jackson, Sharon White Skaggs, Cheryl White, and many more.

Customer Reviews:

Want a LESS hectic Christmas?.......2007-07-18

Make this Christmas far less hectic and give a great gift that will last for generations. Rhonda Vincent's "Beautiful Star" is one of the BEST purchases that I have ever made! From the traditional Christmas songs to her own "Christmas Time At Home", this collection will satisfy even the most difficult person to shop for on your list!

buy it!.......2007-01-13

As always, Rhonda Vincent is one of the most consistent bluegrass musician. You do not have to be diehard bluegrass fan to enjoy this CD. It's very traditional. I loved it!

Good Holiday cd. Rhonda sings great.......2007-01-13

Good Holiday cd. Rhonda has a perfect voice for carols.

Rhonda has done it again........2006-12-08

Just got this cd from Amazon. Rhonda has one of the prettiest voices in bluegrass and each song is a gem. This is a must have Christmas cd.

This Year's Christmas Pick!.......2006-11-21

Finally! I was waiting for my yearly bluegrass-christmas CD, and my choice this year surely falls on this album. Rohnda sounds great. It's a great album, with a mixture of traditional bluegrass (Oh Christmas Tree, or Monroe's Christmas Time Is Coming) and swingy-classy-soft acoustic bluegrass (Rockin' Around The Christmas Tre...). Also, Rohnda's voice is spotlighted on "Away In A Manger", and Ralph Stanley's "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem", which almost moved me...
Make yourself a Xmas Gift, buy BLUEGRASS MUSIC! ;)

Average customer rating:

Best Christmas CD
Perfect for Christmas Eve
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this one
Another Rutter Choral Triumph
Excellent choral music for the Christmas season

Christmas Star
The Cambridge Singers & Orchestra , and John Rutter
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | 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

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Cambridge Singers Christmas Album
Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity
The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College
John Rutter Collection

ASIN: B0000031ID
Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

Good Christian Men, Rejoice
I Wonder as I Wander
All My Heart This Night Rejoices
Silent Night
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Three Kings of Orient
How Great Our Joy
Angels We Have Heard on High
Joy to the World
Away in a Manger
Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
What Child Is This?
'Twas in the Moon of Winter Time
O Little One Sweet
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Away in a Manger
Rise up, Shepherd, and Follow
The Christmas Song
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful

Album Description

In 1997, this recording became the most successful first-year release in Collegium history. Mastered from an original 1981 digital tape, once thought lost forever, it is actually the first-ever recording by The Cambridge Singers. It contains 22 Christmas songs, including The Christmas Song, written by Mel Tormé.

Customer Reviews:

Best Christmas CD.......2006-12-29

This CD has amazing vocals. My favorite is "I Wonder as I Wonder", but all of the songs are good.

Perfect for Christmas Eve.......2006-01-30

At last, an album of Christmas music that includes nearly all the great old carols, beautifully arranged for choir, organ and orchestra, plus a few less well known but charming tunes. The recording quality is excellent and curling up with the CD in front of the fire during the season evokes wonderful English Christmas images. Only one small caveat: the arrangement of "Joy to the World" attempts to turn the hymn into a chorus from a Handel oratorio. Yes, it's a Handel tune and it probably seemed like an interesting idea on paper, but the high concept overwhelms the piece and spoils it. That's a small complaint in the face of so much lovely music, however. You'll be listening to this one for many Christmases to come.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this one.......2003-12-23

I love this CD. The voices are so pure and beautifully blended. Rutter's arrangements are brilliant. It's really hard to pick a favorite, but I do love "All My Heart This Night Rejoices." Absolutely wonderful! Anyone who appreciates good choral music should get this CD and make it part of your holidays.

Another Rutter Choral Triumph.......2000-09-21

Once again, John Rutter works his choral magic with the Cambridge Singers and turns out another extraordinary collection of Christmas carols. All the popular ones are here, the only down side being that there are no carols composed by Rutter himself. There is one bonus, in effect, hearing the Rutter choral treatment applied to The Christmas Song by Mel Torme and Robert Wells. It's never sounded better.

Excellent choral music for the Christmas season.......1998-12-07

A first rate disc with wonderful selections and beautiful singing. You can close your eyes and pretend as if you are in a cathedral listening the the choir.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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