Music Review: Christmas with Placido Domingo, Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Christmas with Placido Domingo, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, arranged and directed Lee Holdridge, CBS, Tokyo, 1981. 

Placido Domingo is the best singer for some songs, and then some songs just don't fit the opera style voice.  Cantique de Noel, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Silent Night are examples of songs perfectly suited for Domingo's style of singing.  These three conclude this album and are beautifully done.  On the other hand I'll Be Home for Christmas just doesn't work.  He also starts off with a medley of traditional Christmas songs that are really nice, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Good King Wencelas, Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem and The First Noel all really pop.  I also like Mary's Boy Child.  This was C.D. has some beautiful singing.

  

Christmas/ Civil War Movie/ Review: ****I Heard the Bells (2022)

 This movie tells the story of Henry W Longfellow and his writing the poem "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" which became the Christmas song.  Longfellow (Stephen Atherholt) had become morose over the death of his wife.  Her dress had caught fire and she died of her injuries.  Longfellow attempted to put it out and burn himself in the process, scarring his face.  He wore a beard after this.

Longfellow had determined not to write poetry again, even though he had great success with poems such as Hiawatha, Paul Revere's Ride and Evangeline.  Add to this his son left home and joined the military.  This was during the Civil War.  He son was severely wounded, and forced to come home as a result.  He told Longfellow how he was in a church, and the bell, even though lieing on the floor, had inspired him.  This set Longfellow to writing his poem.

This historical drama is very good.  I would recommend it.  I understand it is fairly accurate, although there are different stories about how his wife's dress caught fire.  

Music Review: Celtic Thunder: Christmas Voices

 Celtic Thunder is a male answer to Celtic Woman.  The album Christmas Voices was released in 2013 by Celtic Thunder.  There are six singers, Colm Keegan, Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne, Emmet Cahill and George Donaldson.  The each perform a solo, and then they do several group songs.  Neil sings Mary Did You Know?, Ryan, In the Bleak Midwinter, Colm Away in a Manger, Keith Comfort Ye from the Messiah, George Mary's Boy Child and Emmet Oh Holy Night.  I particularly like Mary's Boy Child with its upbeat rhythm.  It was brave do do Comfort Ye.  Ensemble numbers include O Come All Ye Faithful, God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, The Christmas Song And Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  

Christmas Music Review: Michael Bolton: This Is the Time: The Christmas Album

 This is a 10-song album of Michael Bolton released by Columbia Records, 1996.

I was very impressed with the song opening the CD, Silent Night.  Even though this is a very old song, Boltong did it with such flare and energy.  I did not realize Bolton had such a high tenor voice.  The album contains two duets: Ave Maria with Placido Domingo a new song, This is the Time with Wynonna Judd.  The second verse, "Sometimes life leads you blind, To the one you've been waiting to find, Sometime life lets you see, Just how great the gift of love can be, Now the light that fires the brightest stars, Is waiting to shine on this moment of ours."  I think that is pretty cool.  The CD includes other favorites: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Joy to the World, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night, and White Christmas.  This is a fun album.

Christmas Music Review: Michael Buble: Christmas

Michael Bublé Enterprise Records 2011.

Michael Bublé lends his jazzy and classical style to Christmas.  He sings a ouple songs which are generlly thought to be women's numbers but does so with success--All I Want for Christmas is You and Santa Baby.  The jazz numbers are very catchy, White Christmas, Jingle Bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  Blue Christmas really catches the blues feel.  And then classical numbers include Ave Maria and Silent Night.  This is a very fun CD.  It clncludes with Feliz Navidad with Thalia.  It is mostly performed in Spanish.

Most excellent C.D.

Music Review: Elvis Presley Christmas Duets

This CD is based on a clever idea.  They have used Elvis Presley music and added a duet with female singers.  This includes the likes of Martina MCBride, Olivia Newton John, Carrie Underwood, LeAnne Rimes, Amy Grant, Anne Murray and Wynona Judd.  Elvis is a master of singing and performing, and these women add to his music rather than take away.  Some of the songs include: Wynona Judd singing a gritty Santa Clause is back in Town; Olivia Newton John with a very pleasing O Come, All Ye Faithful; Amy Grant a very enjoyable White Christmas.  It starts with Elvis and Martina McBride singing Blue Christmas which sets the tone for the entire CD.  It ends with three Elvis only Christmas songs as a bonus.  

I very much enjoyed this music.

Music Review: Bing Crosby Christmas: The Very Best of Bing Crosby

 Bing Crosby Christmas MCA Records, 1999 has 18 songs, all sung by Bing Crosby and all sporting his clear vocals.  Often there is back up choir with the harmonies of the era.  He includes many of the all time favorite Christmas songs: Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Adeste Fideles, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Away in a Manger, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, The First Noel, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and of course White Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

There is plenty to enjoy with this CD.

Christmas Music Review: Christmas with Julie Andrews

 Christmas with Julie Andrews, CBS Inc, 1982.

Julie Andrews is a tresure, and she is in this CD album.  Her voice is beutiful and she sings the high notes so clearly.  This CD features Oh Come All Ye Faithful, In the Bleak Midwinter, What Child is This?, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, I Wonder as I Wander and Silent Night among others.  I really like the instrujental flute and harp on What Child is This?  This has long been one of my favorite songs since it was included in Krueger's Christmas.  

Christmas Music Review: Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration

 Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration,  Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, with violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.  David Downes producer and arranger.  Manhattan Records, 2006.

For the past 20 years no one has made music like Celtic Woman.  This is an early Christmas album, in fact their second album.  Their combination of Celtic themes with traditional hymns is magnificent.  On this album their are 15 songs, inluding: O Holy Night, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Let it Snow and many more favorites.  I enjoyed this album very much.

Music Review: Andrea Bocelli: My Christmas

 Andrea Bocelli: My Christmas was released in 2009.  It includes many traditional Christmas songs with Bocelli's high tenor voice.  It is very relaxing and mellow.  Several of the hymns are duets, "The Christmas Song" with Natalie Cole, "What Child is This" with Maty J. Blige has a very nice arrangement, and "Blue Christmas" with Reba McEntire.  He performs the "Lord's Prayer" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and "Jingle Bells" with the Muppets.  "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" includes a children's choir.  It is a very catchy arrangement.

Music Review: Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song

N one sings "The Christmas Song" better than Nat King Cole.  It is just pleasing to listen to.  There are two version, one with his daughter Natalie Cole and the other single.  "Away in a Manger" is done with such reverence and humility it is one of my favorite.  A choir takes over the second verse, but aCole sings the first and third.  While in a contrary vein, but also works is the upbeat version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."  "I Saw Three Ships" is also very nice.

Music Review: Christmas Around the World

Putamayo Present: Christmas Around the World, 2001.
This is a nice selection of different musical styles and instruments, around the theme of Christmas.  I wouldn't say it is all inclusive of the world.  It is weighted heavily to Latin cultures, especially Cuba, and American Cajun music.  Instruments featured include violin, steel drum, accordion and banjo.  Styles include Twoubadou, Cuban nueva trova, CajunTrinidad steel drum, Cuban jazz, gypsy rumba Flamenco, Cuban campesino and banjo driven music.
I enjoy this different sounds and genres.  I am really attached to Latin sounds. 

Martina McBride's Christmas Songs [[full album]]

This is an DVD with most of my favorite songs.  There is "Silver Bells," "Do You Hear What I Hear?," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night" and "What Child Is This?"  Even part of this set, as songs from four different versions.  There are  additional and different songs and even different covers.  Some of the songs include "Blue Christmas" with Elvis Presley and "Baby It's Cold" with Dean Martin."  Plenty of fun listening.  McBride has a beautiful voice that is very clear.

Lexi Walker - Christmas Songs

Someone put together a synopsis of Lexi Walker's Christmas songs.  By the end of the list, they were stretching a bit, including songs she was singing in a group; However Lexi has a very beautiful voice, and her songs can brighten the Holiday season. 

Music Review: Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus: 2015 Christmas Concert

Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus: 2015 Christmas Concert

This orchestra and choral concert just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  This year there are more singers, more orchestra members, children singers, more dancers.  It is just more.  I keep looking for Dennis Hatch whose name is on the program, and I did Star of Justice with Dennis Hatch.  I felt the highlight of this entire concert is in the 41st minute, the children's chorus sings the Wexford Carol.  

Christmas Music Review: Rockapella: Comfort and Joy

This C.D. represents the Rockapella style very well with mouth percussion, low bass, nice melodies backed by intricate harmonies.  There is much to enjoy here.  Particularly, "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" and "I'll be Home for Christmas" feature bass solos.  "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" also ends with bass lead.  However the cream of this set is a song "Peace on Earth" in which the melody continues, "should begin with me."  Some other notable songs include "Merry Christmas Darling", "Home for the Holidays" and "This Christmas day."  "Little  Mary Snowflake" starts the C.D. and provides an uptempo song.  This is plenty to enjoy here.  There is something weird with kids adding dialogue, which doesn't work for me.

Christmas Music Review: Lonestar: This Christmas Time (2000)

This is country music with a country flavor.  The "O Holy Night" is original and fresh with their style.   It loses the triplets familiar in the piano, which I like.  In this case the presentation is dependent more on the vocal.  Their version of "Drummer Boy" is forgettable.  There is not enough percussion which is the trade mark of this song.   "Winter Wonderland" has a more upbeat rhythm and its catchy as a result.  In contrast "The Christmas Song" is sung with acoustic guitar only and was the mellow Holiday feel.  "The Reason for the Season" is a song new to me.  This song really hits the Christmas message beautifully.  This is likely the highlight of this C.D. I found myself singing with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  This was very well done.  Another song new to me is "This Christmas Time."  It is very well done, and has very good energy as they sing of being together.  they also provide a beautiful song in "If Every Day Could Be Christmas."  This is another song with which i was not familiar and the message is very poignant.  That we open up and give with our hearts, which is a message we should carry with us all year.

Christmas Music: Rockapella Christmas, 2000

Rockapella is the A Capella group that sings Carmen San Diego
This is an enjoyable Christmas Album for the most part.  I do not like their "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" but otherwise it is very nice.  'Christmas Without You" is especially nice.  "Lonely are the days, lonely are the nights without you."  "Glow Worm" is also very nice, the worm who would like to be Rudolph.  "I Heard the Bells" also has a sweet peaceful feeling.  "Silver Bells" is just delightful.  For this song alone this C.D. is worth it.  "Hold on till Christmas" is also  very nice.

Christmas Music Review: The Three Tenors Christmas

The three Tenors are well known, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.  They each have advanced opera in a big way.  However, there type of singing is not necessarily best for Christmas music.  It all seems to sound the same after a time.  Pavarotti of course is no longer with us.  This CD was recorded with the Vienna Orchestra in 2000.
Songs of note include "Silent Night.  In this song they sing in the original German.  Pavarotti takes the lead on "Adeste Fideles" (O come All Ye faithful), and "Cantique Noel" (O Holy Night)  They conclude with "Feliz Navidad." "White Christmas" is also nice.

Celtic Woman - Home For Christmas (Live From Dublin 2013)

Here is another Christmas music concert released in 2012.  With Celtic Women the women change, but the quality of the music is not comprised.  I have my personal favorites, but some of them have moved on from Celtic Women years ago.  The high light of this concert is a fantastic version of "What Child Is This?"  Listening to this is wonderful.  In this concert there are three singers, and the violin player who has been with them through out.  There are four bonus songs at the end which seem to take place at the conductor's studio and is not part of the concert.  I really like the focus on spiritual songs with a few secular songs thrown in.