Customer Reviews

Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this special on A&E one night at around 2 a.m. It had such an effect on me that I ordered the video immediately after it was over. Judy Collins creates a magical setting by staging her concert at the fabulous Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Her selections include both secular and religious songs, and all are beautifully arranged and performed by Ms. Collins. Her voice sounds better than ever, and lends itself perfectly to Christmas songs. She adds much charm and warmth to the performance with her personal stories and Christmas memories. Her renditions of such traditional standards as What Child is This?, I Saw Three Ships, and The Holly and the Ivy are moving and beautiful. The poem, The Night Before Christmas is put to music by Judy and is a special treat. Adding to the lovely sound of Judy Collins's voice is a full orchestra and The Charlotte Children's Choir. Every aspect of a Christmas concert that one would expect is here. I highly recommend this video to anyone who enjoys Christmas music. For those of you who are Judy Collins fans, it is a must-have. I would also recommend the CD of the same title. I guarantee that this concert will become a tradition in your home at the holidays. Exceptional!

This VHS live concert is so much better than I even expected, I am happily stunned. As long as you have a stereo VCR you will find the sound quality to be outstanding. No need for a DVD on this one.

In this memorable program, Judy Collins visits the world-famous Biltmore Estate - the largest private home ever built - for a special Christmas celebration. She takes center stage in this magnificent setting with an unforgettable concert of holiday classics including:

1. Jingle Bells
2. Joy To The World
3. Silent Night
4. White Christmas
5. Let It Snow
6. I'll Be Home For Christmas
7. Away In A Manager
8. Amazing Grace
9. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
10. What Child Is This
11. A Partridge In A Pear Tree

Judy Collins performs on center stage with the backing of an orchestra and choir. Her voice, even after 40 years, is just stunning. She was a top folk singer in the 60s and performs a folk song from that period "Someday Soon."

This is definitely a 5 Star video. I can't believe that a couple of reviews were only 4 Stars. Enjoy!

(Wallingford)

Feedback to:
George Reid
knowledgebooks@snet.net

I've been a Judy Collins fan for decades now and have even attended a live holiday show or two during that period. Collins is an excellent live performer, and it certainly shows on this performance video from 1997. There are moments when her legendary voice falters, true, but it is still a remarkable instrument, as well is being one almost ideally suited for seasonal songs. As has been observed by many of the reviewers below, she is equally at home with the religious carols as the secular ones. She also sings contemporary (included self-penned) carols such as her "Come Rejoice," the title song of a Christmas album released a few years before this concert was taped.

This is one tape I drag out every year--and one I hate to put away after the holiday season. So just maybe this year, I won't. As I write this the winter blahs are rapidly setting in as the Northeast faces yet another cold snap. All the more reason to keep this video handy and a little egg nog on the ready. What better way to prolong the holiday spirit a bit longer?

(One caveat: I have noticed that the sound quality on this tape various dramatically depending on which machine I play this on. If your player is not the best, it may suffer on yours too. Time to upgrade? Well, it looks like CHRISTMAS LIVE AT THE BILTMORE ESTATE may be coming out on DVD soon if it hasn't already. There's a separate listing for it on Amazon, which would appear to be a good sign. If so, it will certainly be a welcome addition to my small but growing DVD music collection--for yours too, I'd wager.)

I collect Christmas DVD's. This is one of the best and one of the few I will watch every year!

WOW.....What a voice. What a story teller. What a choice of songs. This is the ultimate Christmas Music DVD. Judy Collins is a class act. This is absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Biltmore is a classically beautiful setting for a classic Judy Collins performance. The Charlotte Children's choir is a perfect accompaniment and the audience participation is delightful. Collins is in great voice and the dvd is extremely well done with selections that are not included in the cd version of the same concert.

I have really enjoyed the DVD and CD of Judy Collins---Christmas at the Biltmore Estate. I first saw it on PBS a number of years ago and have wanted it since. Very satisfied with this product.

I had purchased the video and the CD previously. I found both of those outstanding so decided to purchase a number of the DVD's as Christmas gifts this year. Judy Collins is one of a kind and the Biltmore House is one of a kind. They are both first class and leave a lasting memory. Thank You for having them available. Maureen Johnson

This video was absolutely marvelous. Eveyone should not only enjoy Judy Collins beautiful voice, but the beautiful Christmas songs she chose to share with everyone. The great pictures of the Biltmore Estate were breathtaking and a place that I plan to visit at some time. It it my hope that there will be a multitude of people who purchase this DVD, and take the time to just sit back,relax, and enjoy the beautiful music and Ms. Collins back up orchestra which was excellent. I am so happy that I purchased Christmas at the Biltmore Estate.
Barb Hall, San Angelo, Texas

The previous reviewer almost said it all. I just want to add that this video is very well produced and beautiful to behold. Lots of holiday classics and a bonus rendition of "Someday Soon." Very nice for the Judy fan and any holiday music collector, with even more songs than the accompanying CD.