Customer Reviews

Christmas With Julie Andrews & Andre Previn

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Julie Andrews in top form sings favorite Christmas carols, and her beautiful clean soprano and clear diction are hard to beat (this was recorded in the late sixties). Andre Previn provides lively, imaginative orchestral arrangements and conducts. A joy to the world.

I have this item on my wish list; however, I'm cheering already! At last... this 1970s recording has been released in CD form! I bought the LP (for those of you who remember LPs) long ago, and played it until it wore out. Julie Andrews' clear, lyrical voice was in superb form, and the orchestral arrangements by Andre Previn are still more than worthwhile! This isn't just "wallpaper music" for your holiday parties, although you could use it that way; it's music you can sit down and really listen to! The sound is, of course, a vintage easy-listening style, which goes well with a Christmastime ambiance of warmth and nostalgia. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I expect to.

Hurray! At last this is available on CD! I have been looking for it every year for years....my dad played it every Christmas and it broke my heart when the album and cassette I had were too worn to play! This is the best....

"Glorious" is the most appropriate one-word description for this classic Christmas collaboration between Julie Andrews and Andre Previn. This should not be confused with Andrews' later Christmas albums "Christmas With Julie Andrews" (1982) or "The Sound Of Christmas" (1987, 1990-Hallmark). Those are also fine albums, but the Andrews-Previn album is a true classic. The emphasis here is on classical/religious Christmas music interpretations. The opening orchestration of "Joy To The World", featuring Julie and a full chorus, sets the majestic tone that prevails throughout. The classical tone suggests what might have happened if Julie had pursued a career in classical music or opera instead of musical theatre or films.

This album, recorded in the mid- 1960's; following Julie's spectacular success in the Hollywood blockbusters "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound Of Music", features her in excellent voice.

I recall listening to this album, released on RCA Records, as a child. This edition is a 2010 CD reissue from Max Cat Records. Strangely, this release does not include the obscure "Wexford Carol", ("Good people all, this Christmastime", etc.) that I remember distinctly from the RCA release. Julie does sing the equally obscure "Irish Carol" here, however. There are a few other surprises here as well. "Angels From The Realms Of Glory" sounds like an early, or reworked, variation on "Angels We Have Heard On High." The verse is different, but the chorus is exactly the same; albeit with different lyrics. Similarly, Julie's rendition of "Away In A Manger" has the lyrics we are all familiar with but a completely different melody.

Memorable tracks include "Deck The Halls," which begins very softly and then, (delightful surprise), Previn's arrangement bursts out in full orchestral power; sweeping around Julie's glorious voice! The beautifully reverent rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman" is also definitive. The album concludes with an absolutely magical interpretation of "Jingle Bells." Listening to Julie sing this, you will feel that you actually are "dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh." And you will remember Julie's miraculous high note at the end (on the world "sleigh") for the rest of your life.

This is Julie Andrews at her best. Typically English carols, beautiful arrangements, and Julie's great voice. Brings back memories of Christmas past.

Julie Andrews at her very best. I was lucky enough to see her performing this album live at the Royal Albert Hall with Andre Previn and the LSO. It was pure bliss and afterwards the street outside the stage door was packed with hundreds of fans all singing songs she had made world famous from those blockbusters Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. It was quite a night and it's so good to see that it's now on CD. A great buy.