| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Track Listings
| 1. My Favorite Things |
| 2. Carol of the Bells |
| 3. Sleigh Ride |
| 4. Christmas Paradise |
| 5. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday |
| 6. Chanukah Prayer |
| 7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| 8. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm |
| 9. Christmas in the Air |
| 10. Do You Hear What I Hear |
| 11. This Christmas |
| 12. New Year's Day |
Editorial Reviews
2011 holiday release from the veteran singer/songwriter. Produced by her daughter Louise Goffin, the album's 12 songs artfully blend the sacred and the secular with an eclectic mix of well-chosen standards and newly-written material. Goffin co-wrote three original tracks on the album, including the Latin-flavored "Christmas in Paradise," on which she collaborated with Grammy-winners George Noriega and Jodi Marr, the sublime Goffin/Marr composition "Christmas In The Air," and the deeply moving "New Year's Day," co-written with renowned songsmith Guy Chambers.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"In December I will be,
a baubled bangled Christmas Tree..."
So sang Carole King, whimsically, on "Chicken Soup With Rice" the highlight of her 1975 Maurice Sendak "Really Rosie" collaboration. That landmark children's album marked a spirited departure in style and performance from her earlier more somber Ode albums. It's with that same joie de vivre that Carole King performs the 12 songs on her just released "A Holiday Carole."
Too busy writing her memoir, "A Natural Woman," Our Miss King turned the creative "reins" over to her daughter Louise Goffin to not only write the original songs on the album, but, also oversee production. r Louise, a long celebrated singer/songwriter in her own rite, rises to the occasion and delivers us a Carole King album, that, even though there are no Carole King compositions and only a few tracks on which she plays piano is as true to the artist's vision as anything she herself would have produced.
I guess the fact that Louise was born shortly after Carole left a recording studio back in 1960, might account for the fact that she is totally at home in the recording studio. Louise proves to be as talented as her mom and pop (Gerry Goffin) in crafting and producing songs which perfectly complement her client's strengths. Louise takes out a whole new pallet of musical colors and makes this album sparkle and shine, as much as, well, a baubled bangled Christmas tree.
The more one listens to each track, the more you'll hear hidden sounds, instruments, and flourishes, which breathe new life into seasonal songs we've all heard a million times.
The first electric guitar rift of the opener, the classic, "My Favorite Thing" lets you in on the fact that you're about to hear a seasonal album unlike any you've heard before. The jazz-tinged arrangement, as well as Carole's sly vocals, brings back the groove of "It's Too Late" and "Only Love is Real." The arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is as original as any I have ever heard. Carole knows her vocal limitations and wisely allows a choir handle the frenetic vocals on this one.
While Carole does a fine job singing the traditional fare included ("Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Do You Hear What I Hear?," it's the original and offbeat choices which makes this one holiday album you should check out. "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" wisely capitalizes on the type of mournful, yet, celebratory ballad for which Carole first rose to stardom as a recording artist. The latin-tinged "Chirstmas Paradise," upbeat "Christmas in the Air" and haunting closing ballad, "New Year's Day" are as catchy and memorable as anything you'd find on radio today.
"New Year's Day" stands a good chance of becoming a holiday classic in its own right. Though she didn't write it, this Louise Goffin/Guy Chambers collaboration would fit in on any of Carole's many past collections.
Oddly enough, my favorite track on the album is Carole's version of Wham's "Last Christmas" which is only available on the Target exclusive version of the album. Carole's take on this one is pure Brill Building/girl group gold. Though she may be approaching 70, her talents are still as timeless and engaging as when she, as a teenage from Brooklyn, stormed the world of American pop music.
a baubled bangled Christmas Tree..."
So sang Carole King, whimsically, on "Chicken Soup With Rice" the highlight of her 1975 Maurice Sendak "Really Rosie" collaboration. That landmark children's album marked a spirited departure in style and performance from her earlier more somber Ode albums. It's with that same joie de vivre that Carole King performs the 12 songs on her just released "A Holiday Carole."
Too busy writing her memoir, "A Natural Woman," Our Miss King turned the creative "reins" over to her daughter Louise Goffin to not only write the original songs on the album, but, also oversee production. r Louise, a long celebrated singer/songwriter in her own rite, rises to the occasion and delivers us a Carole King album, that, even though there are no Carole King compositions and only a few tracks on which she plays piano is as true to the artist's vision as anything she herself would have produced.
I guess the fact that Louise was born shortly after Carole left a recording studio back in 1960, might account for the fact that she is totally at home in the recording studio. Louise proves to be as talented as her mom and pop (Gerry Goffin) in crafting and producing songs which perfectly complement her client's strengths. Louise takes out a whole new pallet of musical colors and makes this album sparkle and shine, as much as, well, a baubled bangled Christmas tree.
The more one listens to each track, the more you'll hear hidden sounds, instruments, and flourishes, which breathe new life into seasonal songs we've all heard a million times.
The first electric guitar rift of the opener, the classic, "My Favorite Thing" lets you in on the fact that you're about to hear a seasonal album unlike any you've heard before. The jazz-tinged arrangement, as well as Carole's sly vocals, brings back the groove of "It's Too Late" and "Only Love is Real." The arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is as original as any I have ever heard. Carole knows her vocal limitations and wisely allows a choir handle the frenetic vocals on this one.
While Carole does a fine job singing the traditional fare included ("Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Do You Hear What I Hear?," it's the original and offbeat choices which makes this one holiday album you should check out. "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" wisely capitalizes on the type of mournful, yet, celebratory ballad for which Carole first rose to stardom as a recording artist. The latin-tinged "Chirstmas Paradise," upbeat "Christmas in the Air" and haunting closing ballad, "New Year's Day" are as catchy and memorable as anything you'd find on radio today.
"New Year's Day" stands a good chance of becoming a holiday classic in its own right. Though she didn't write it, this Louise Goffin/Guy Chambers collaboration would fit in on any of Carole's many past collections.
Oddly enough, my favorite track on the album is Carole's version of Wham's "Last Christmas" which is only available on the Target exclusive version of the album. Carole's take on this one is pure Brill Building/girl group gold. Though she may be approaching 70, her talents are still as timeless and engaging as when she, as a teenage from Brooklyn, stormed the world of American pop music.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album is a holiday album that makes you feel "at home". It's one that you'll listen to while putting up Christmas decorations or if you have a Christmas party, or if you just want to chill. If you're looking for a "Barbra Streisand" type of Christmas album, this one is not for you. However, if you're sitting at home with your family, or going for a drive to see Christmas lights, pop it in your stereo. You won't be disappointed. If you're doing some Christmas shopping, don't be surprised if "Christmas Paradise" or "Christmas in the Air" pops in your head. It happened to me! Who would have thought-----Carole King making a Christmas album! You'll hear classic Carole King in the song "New Year's Day" with her beautiful piano playing. The song was co-written by Louise Goffin who produced the album for her mother. If you're looking for a Christmas album, check this one out. You could hear "New Years Day" on Carole Kings website www.caroleking.com.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Carole is quite the music executive. Give her a project of material and she knows how to tackle it and make it all hers. I am reminded of "Really Rosie" with this collection, which, happens to one of my favorite collections Carole has graced us with. Carole has taken mostly classic material from famed composers and puts a warm glow on each piece, adding gorgeous musical nuances throughout. I frankly didn't expect much when I downloaded this tonight from Amazon, but knew from first listen it will be in my rotation throughout all my holiday seasons to come. Thanks Carole!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Holday Varity.
A nice addition for the holiday sound if you're a Carole King fan. I like to switch this CD up with others to have more of a variety rather than play it straight through.
Published 24 days ago by moniquenln
1.0 out of 5 stars
Should have been a Hanakkuh album
Carole has not even the first clue why Christians celebrate Christmas or what it's about. If I were going to do an album about some other religion's holiday, I'd learn something... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dan Allison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holiday Cheer!!!
This CD is full of excellent songs and produced by Carole's daughter Louise!!! A must for holdiay music around the house!!!
Published 2 months ago by Jerry Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars
A HOLIDAY CAROLE
For her first Christmas CD Carole did a marvelous job. Put her own spin on songs and it's great to listen to.
Published 3 months ago by Marian E. Wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
For her Fans.
We have been Carole's fans for decades, so we love it. It has some unusual songs not considered Christmas music, and the arrangements are simple and straightforward.
Published 3 months ago by Jack hendricks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Gift
This was a Christmas gift for a friend of mine. She enjoyed it very much. As always, it arrived quickly and in great condition.
Published 4 months ago by J. Ott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas was even better this year.
How can you go wrong with Carol King any time of year, but this compilation of Christmas songs was amazing. Loved some of the new arrangements as well as new original work!
Published 4 months ago by cyndim
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sad
I am a long-time Carole King fan. However, the arrangements are hard to listen to. Carole's voice isn't well represented in this album.
Sad.
Sad.
Published 4 months ago by Sue
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love Carole King!
I have enjoyed Carole King's music for many years. So it was great to see her Christmas album. I love her music, no matter what it is.
Published 4 months ago by Mary N. Fitzgerald
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful vocals, but a miss on the song selection
The vocals are wonderful, but the song selection is a miss.
Songs did not bring a sense of Christmas, No songs you wanted to hear
Songs did not bring a sense of Christmas, No songs you wanted to hear
Published 4 months ago by DN
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Music > Miscellaneous
- Music > Pop
|
