Christmas Favorites

Hollyridge Strings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 25, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B001G5IJXS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,972 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1965 Classic Orchestra Christmas Record, December 1, 2008

By 

rodney wiltin "christmas man" (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Favorites (Audio CD)

Finally released! This is a long overdue christmas lp to have a reissue on cd. But here it is..... and what a gem of a cd it is.

Recorded in 1965, this is an orchestra instrumental classic album that has some strong comparisons to PERCY FAITH'S non-christmas orchestra music in the mid-late 1960's which was influenced by the new modern orchestra sound of that time. However, the Hollyridge Strings perform it in a christmas fashion so don't worry about that. That said, because of the more modern (late 1960's) influence (especially in the backing rhythm section), there are some parts that will be weak when you look at it from a traditional point-of-view (which is also my favorite style) but the overall power of the orchestra covers that enough to warrant my 5 star review.

The strings, yes, those lovely lush strings really help carry the older, traditional side of things throughout. You will also hear some ANDRE KOSTELANETZ and LIVING STRINGS in this a bit too. Despite the strong PERCY FAITH influence I mentioned, this album still has it's own overall style as well, especially in a christmas sense. I can't think of any other christmas album (cd) that really has this type of style and sound throughout.

STU PHILIPS, the arranger and conductor of the orchestra, really did a great job in creating wonderful arrangements on this album, one that stands apart from any other christmas album overall. Only a few arrangers did this uniqueness to my liking (such as JOHNNY DOUGLAS of the LIVING STRINGS), and the arrangements are on the very usual 'lively' or upbeat side.

My favorite song on this cd is JINGLE BELL ROCK. It has a real upbeat and joyful power with some very interesting orchestra sounds and bells throughout much of it. It comes across as very traditional for me sounding like something from the late 1950's or very early 1960's.

Other great songs are JINGLE BELLS, HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, WINTER WONDERLAND, SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN, etc.... THE CHRISTMAS SONG has probably the lushest strings of any song on this cd (really reminding me of the living strings) and has a backing (or leading) rhythm on the latin side of things but is a real nice and smooth sound. Really, every song is great here and the power of the orchestra provides a very beautiful christmas sound throughout.

A definite recommendation from me on this.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Music, February 12, 2009

By 

Debra A. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Favorites (Audio CD)

This music is so lovely and Christmassy. Each year I can't wait to hear it!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic finally available on CD!, February 9, 2009

By 

A. Smith (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Favorites (Audio CD)

This superbly produced album is finally available on CD. Sure, there are billions of "easy" treatments of Christmas favorites, but this one stands above all of them. How do you make yet another version of an overwrought Christmas classic even worth listening to? It's all in the arrangements.

I was about 2 years old when this came out - so don't think this genre is just for the older set (!). Buy it NOW and be ready for Christmas early!