Christmas Singers Unlimited

Singers Unlimited | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000046J8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,964 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas magic, October 29, 2002

By 

David A. Beamer (Clawson, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Singers Unlimited (Audio CD)

The old 1972 LP has finally been reissued on CD. This became an instant classic when it was released 30 years ago, and for good reason. The Singers Unlimited were the best jazz vocal group of the day, but here they were -- singing Christmas carols. But not just singing straight from the hymnbook; the Gene Puerling arrangement and the Alfred Burt carols are gems, and right up the SU's jazzy alley.

First, the Burt carols. Alfred Burt was a jazz trumpeter in the Detroit area in the late 40's and early 50's. Over the course of about 6 years, he wrote 15 carols, many of which were sent as Christmas cards to family and friends. SU has chosen 6 of them, and does them extremely well -- Burt would be pleased.

As for the rest of the recording, SU did their usual inimitable magic with a dozen well-known carols. A few are done very straight, with little jazz adornments. Others, like Deck The Halls, Silent Night, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, are all dressed up in new jazz clothes. With the overdubbing they indulged in, the 4 members of the group at times are singing 6- and 8-part jazz harmonies.

Highly recommended.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Great Albums of Christmas, November 25, 2002

By 

DocRossow - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Singers Unlimited (Audio CD)

I thought long and hard about taking the time to review this album, since a "surfer" can already tell by the "average customer rating" that this is a much-beloved album, a real five-star classic. But here is a time when a vote really counts, and I want to be on the list of those who recognize a great album when they hear it.

My wife and I still have our original LP. Sometimes it's fun to listen to it, with the slight "pops and crackles" sounding like a fireplace. But, oh my! It's on CD!! And this album sounds glorious.

Read some of the other reviews for the history of the group, and for the sense of the artistic achievement of this album. Let me just add that this is a wonderful album to listen to, with only the tree lights on, and a real fire in the fireplace.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Beautiful Recording Ever Made, October 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas Singers Unlimited (Audio CD)

I first heard of the Singers Unlimited in 1973 (In Tune With Oscar Peterson was my first encounter with them) and knew that the incomparable Hi-Los were the predecesser of this group. Within a couple of months I heard portions of the Christmas album, but it was a couple of years before I finally acquired it. Having listened to it now for 28 years, I can honestly say that it is simply the most beautiful recording I have ever heard. Not just of Christmas music, but of any kind. The harmonies are just incredible and the voices and the phrasing are perfect. One should listen to this album with absolutely no distractions in order to be able to hear each note of each chord. Although Gene Puerling wrote only four of the arrangements, every single one of the 17 is a gem. For anyone who wants to hear the ultimate beauty that music can offer, this cd is a must. One more little thing. I am Jewish.