Christmas With the Puppini Sisters

The Puppini Sisters | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B0041JPND0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,201 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This UK-based vocal trio brings three-part harmony into the modern age with a repertoire that includes everything from "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to "I Will Survive." Inspired by the Oscar-nominated film The Triplets of Belleville (a French animated movie which features a '40s-style harmony group), The Puppini Sisters - Marcella Puppini, Kate Mullins, and Stephanie O'Brien - formed in London. Dressed in 1940's-style wardrobe, the three sing like The Andrews Sisters with inspiring harmonies. With their unique blend of retro style, pop kitsch, and crisp vocals, the Puppini Sisters have earned quite the celebrity following - from Sharon and Kelly Osbourne to Vivienne Westwood, Kate Moss and Stella McCartney to members of The Royal Family, including Prince Charles, Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William. Come and celebrate Christmas in style and glamour with your favourite Sisters! Revel in the glamour, rejoice in the swing and lose yourself in the harmonies.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!! October 26, 2010

By Mohican Lily

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found this CD quite by accident...I had done an Amazon search for 2010 Christmas music, and this one came up. I am SO glad I got this CD. Not only can these girls sing like nobody's business, but the arrangements are terrific. I was especially fascinated with their versions of the more recent pop holiday numbers; after all, it's probably likely that you've heard a big band/swing version of "Let It Snow" or "Winter Wonderland", but how about Wham's "Last Christmas" or Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas"? The older standards are just as lovely. Get this one and you won't be sorry!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant covers with one radical re-interpretation November 21, 2010

By Peter Durward Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

The Puppini sisters aren't really sisters, but they harmonize well together and they have a very distinctive sound that ensures their future (if they want it) in cabaret long after their commercial recording days are over, but let's hope that doesn't happen any time soon. Although difficult to classify, I suppose jazz-pop would be the best description. Jazz-pop is far more popular in America than Britain, but the Puppini sisters with their upbeat music are surely helping to boost the music's popularity in Britain. Their enthusiasm for upbeat jazz-pop music makes it no surprise that the Andrews sisters provide their biggest influence.

As somebody who owns a lot of Christmas albums and has reviewed plenty of others borrowed from the library, I generally prefer those albums that contain at least some unfamiliar material, but as soon as I knew that the Puppini sisters had recorded a Christmas album, I also knew it was a must-have even if every song was a familiar classic. From their previous albums and their cover of Jingle bells (not on any of their own albums; see later), I realized that they were capable of bringing freshness and excitement to familiar songs. This album contains exactly the kind of Christmas music that I expected from them, though I don't think anything could have prepared me for their entertaining version of Step into Christmas; I hope it impressed the co-writers Elton John and Bernie Taupin as it certainly impressed me.

Of the other songs, most date back originally back to the thirties, forties and fifties. On these songs, the Puppini sisters turn in excellent performances although they don't really add anything new to these songs. However, their jazz-pop arrangements distinguish their versions of Last Christmas (Wham!) and All I want for Christmas (Mariah Carey) from the originals, though neither of these covers offer such a radical departure from the original as Step into Christmas.

With only ten tracks, it would have been nice if their earlier recording of Jingle bells had been added as a bonus track. That track can be found on several multi-artist Christmas compilations and is also available as a download. If you enjoy this album, be sure to acquire their version of Jingle bells.

Although a little on the short side, this album oozes quality from start to finish. If you're looking for a Christmas party album filled with familiar songs, this one is ideal.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent holiday songs with lots and lots of energy October 21, 2010

By Matthew G. Sherwin HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

The Puppini Sisters (Marcella Puppini, Kate Mullins, and Stephanie O'Brien) can celebrate their success with the release of their very recent Christmas album, "Christmas with The Puppini Sisters." They sing and harmonize to perfection; each song here is beautifully done and there's not a bad tune in the lot. The quality of the sound is excellent; and you can choose to either download individual songs from the album or buy all the songs on CD.

When I heard the sound clips here on Amazon I was rather anxious to hear it all so I am basing this review on the MP3 downloads. I was anything but disappointed! "Step into Christmas" gets a most spirited treatment from these ladies who make this their own with changes in tempo and keys--and it all works to great advantage. I love the positive energy of the song and they never let go of a single superfluous note! In addition, the very classic "Santa Baby" shines bright in their capable hands; this song slows down the pace somewhat and it all works very well. The music fits perfectly with their vocals and the tune even has a retro flavor to it that I really enjoy.

"Here Comes Santa Claus" amazes me with that musical arrangement and their singing; The Puppini Sisters perform this with panache and that's grand. "Last Christmas" is very well done; I like the percussion and that guitar work--indeed, the number is a highlight of the album. "Let It Snow" is impossible to listen to just once; I find myself pushing the reply button on my CD player after this one ends! The Puppini Sisters even place their own stamp on "White Christmas" by using several creative key modulations and instruments like the guitar; and "All I Want for Christmas" thrills me every time I hear it.

"Mele Kalikimaka" is a fun song while "Winter Wonderland" sounds terrific with that somewhat jazzy arrangement to spice the whole thing up considerably; and the album ends particularly well with The Puppini Sisters performing "O Holy Night."

Any fan of The Puppini Sisters will enjoy these songs--or they may well want to purchase the CD itself instead of downloading a few songs here. In addition, anyone who enjoys wonderfully creative, popular and jazzy sounding Christmastime music will be enchanted by these songs.