CHRISTMAS CD's

[Horsey]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 10:43pm

If anyone out there is looking for a BEAUTIFUL new Christmas CD. "Songs Of The Season" by Jane Olivor, released a couple of years ago is FANTASTIC!
Stephen Schwartz wrote two NEW Christmas/Chanukah songs for this CD (for his favorite singer, and mine, Jane Olivor) "The Spirit Of Christmas" and "The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)." A highlight of this gorgeous recording is an acapella version of "The Little Drummer Boy."
Jane Olivor's Official Website

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 9:54pm

I have to admit that I have a monumental crush on Rick Domeier from TV's QVC Shopping Channel. (Rick has theatrical credits.) When I learned that he participated in the Holiday Favorites recording that the QVC hosts did, I quickly placed an order for one. What a nice surprise it is!

This is a very pleasant 2 disc recording with fairly contemporary settings of holiday standards, both sacred and secular. Rick has a really impressive rock tenor voice and does a nice job on "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". David Venable, Mary Beth Roe and Lisa Mason all prove to have professional-sounding voices. However, it's obvious that Venable isn't a Catholic. His Latin pronunciation and phrasing is very weak in the "Ave Maria". (I'll bet he's a Southern Baptist!) It's the only weak track on the recording.

If you're looking to add a Christmas album to your collection, you might want to consider this one...and the proceeds go to childrens' charities that the patricipating hosts have selected.

www.qvc.com

Updated On: 11/12/03 at 09:54 PM

Posted: 11/12/03 at 10:11pm

I would like to add that Linda Eder's Christmas Stays the Same is an incredible cd and most enjoyable. Her rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear" is probably one of the best ever. And her new Christmas song, "The Bells of St. Paul" is a new classic that any theater fan would love.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 10:53pm

Crawford's "A Christmas Album" is superb. I love how he picks the most nontraditional christmas songs. If you're a religious person, youll also immensely enjoy this.

[Horsey]

Posted: 11/12/03 at 11:08pm

BoxOfficeJon,

Linda Eder, in addition to having an amazing voice, is also a very lovely person. You may be interested to know, that Linda cites Jane Olivor (the Vocalist who's CD I mentioned) as one of her biggest influences as a singer!
Jane Olivor Offical Website

Posted: 11/12/03 at 11:19pm

Horsey~
She is one of those incredibly fabulous ladies. I have had the blessing of meeting her many times. As a fan outside the door a waiting. And she has always hugged me and been so sweet. Letting me gush and be "fan"atic about her.
I am planning on getting the Jane Oliver cd for two reasons.
Your recommendation and cause I have been told time and time again that I have to have her cds. If i even barely love cabaret music and theater. She is amazing.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 12:27am

Christmas CDs I can not live without each year:

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Barbra's A Christmas Album
Muppets Christmas album with John Denver
Both of the Carpenters' Christmas albums
Bing Crosby - White Christmas
Doc Severinsen's Christmas album
and for fun:
Mariah Carey and RuPaul's (RuPaul's is HILARIOUS and sooo wrong)

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 9:34am

My dear DP, you are indeed wise! I know Dave quite well and he is indeed a Southern Baptist, who also happens to sing in the choir. Wink. Love ya! Mean it!

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 9:38am

Let me throw a Xmas CD out there that is great:

Liz Story's THE GIFT. Piano mainly. Perfect dinner party ambience. Not in your face at all.

[sharon1]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 9:43am

Michael Ball's Christmas is fab

[sparky310]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 9:47am

the streisand christmas memories album is fantastic.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 11:09am

Yeah, it was easy to judge Dave's religious affiliation from his textbook pronunciation of the Latin text--as well as from the way he phrased himself. He's got a nice voice (and he's a cutie), but I could tell that he's not comfortable with Latin.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 11:25am

JRB!!!

Every one of those Xmas albums rank among my FAVES!!!

Must add A CABARET CHRISTMAS featuring many terrific cabaret artists doing elegant, simple versions of Xmas favorites.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 1:48pm

Well first off I love love Barbra's two christmas albums. I also like the Rosie one's and Mariah's.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 2:06pm

And that was just the highlights--I also have Frank Sinatra's, Tony Bennett's, Rosie O's...

The great thing about Mariah's is that it is actually really good--even my roomie who HATES, DESPISES, LOATHES the woman enjoys the CD (secretly). "All I Want For Christmas" is a new Christmas standard--even being covered in LOVE ACTUALLY. =)

Updated On: 11/13/03 at 02:06 PM

[aurora1958]

Posted: 11/13/03 at 10:09pm

Absolutely, TB. I've never heard most of the songs that are on Crawford's album and my favorite (besides Oh Holy Night which is absolutely fabulous) is Strange Way to Save the World. I also have Michael Ball's Christmas album which is also very good.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 11:40am

To me, the real sounds of Christmas are the combination of organ and chimes. I have a cheap CD that features them (I think I paid a dollar for it a few years ago), but am having big trouble trying to find a good CD that features this kind of music. Any suggestions?

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 12:27pm

I can't get rid of my BC/EFA Christmas CD from 2001. Nothing better than Liza Minelli and Alan Cummings singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" on the same disc that Adam Pascal sings "New York State of Mind" :)

Posted: 11/14/03 at 1:39pm

I must say that the other music of the season I adore are the Manheim Steamroller collection. They update and re-create the music so interestingly.

I also just bought the new Trans-Siberian Christmas CD (well new to me)
That is very good.

I usually go to to the Christian Bookstore too and listen to a the artists there and buy some of their cds as they have wonderful voices and arrangements.

Like Steve Green, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Michael W. Smith


There are so mnay different styles of music for the holiday season now