Customer Reviews

My Favorite Time of the Year

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Dionne Warwick is one of the greatest female vocalist of all time. This Christmas CD is living proof that a singer can age with dignity and grace. Her voice has matured in the past ten years for the better. While her range may not be what it once was, she still hits notes that most twenty year old singers can't. I prefer her voice this way. It is warm and full of emotion. Her delivery on these songs comes across as soulful and melodic. Here is a track by track breakdown:

1.) THE CHRISTMAS SONG - Dionne sings this song beautifully to a slow and relaxing tempo. It's the perfect way to kick back after a long day at work.
2.) WHITE CHRISTMAS - This song has a jazz influence to it. It features the wonderful sax work of Mr. Dave Koz. It too is a nice slow groove that is perfect to play while warming up with your special someone during the holiday season.
3.) SILENT NIGHT - This song is absolutely fantastic! I have always disliked this song, but Dionne's recording is the greatest version I have ever heard. It is just her voice and a piano. It is so well done that I am sure Mahalia Jackson smiled down from heaven when Dionne recorded it. Exceptional!
4.) JOY TO THE WORLD - Here is a hand clapping soulful number. Every time I hear this version, I picture Dionne singing with a full church choir backing her up. Pure fun!
5.) IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR - This a perfectly upbeat version of a wonderful song made famous by Johnny Mathis. Dionne nails it and does so with a genuine sincerity that only she can deliver.
6.) I BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS - This is a duet with BeBe Winans. This original song is an infectious R&B number you'll have stuck in your head, long after listening to it.
7.) MY FAVORITE THINGS - This classic song is a nice mid-tempo number that Dionne sings very nicely. She has a way of phrasing her words and bending notes that is totally unique.
8.) SILVER BELLS - Dionne use to sing this song for Pope John Paul II every year at the Vatican. It was his favorite Christmas song and after listening to this version you'll know why. Simply the best!
9.) O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL - Just like Silent Night, this song is another gospel inspired classic. I have always loved this song and Dionne delivers with big powerful vocals.
10.) WINTER WONDERLAND - This version is a jazzy take on a holiday classic. I think it is fun and it makes an old song interesting again.
11.) I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - A slow and sexy vocal on a beautifully sad song. Dionne once again does a splendid job of executing an emotional vocal.
12.) HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - This is a fabulous duet with Dionne's long time friend Gladys Knight. They always sound great together. You can tell they love singing together and they harmonize beautifully.
13.) HAPPY HOLIDAY - A very relaxed version of this holiday standard. The CD starts the same way it begain, smooth and sexy.

As you can tell I love Dionne and this CD. If you decide to add it to your holiday collection you will be forever grateful. It is a holiday masterpiece sung by one of the greatest female vocalist ever.

Originally released on an Independant label, Dionne's Christmas album is not to be missed. It was originally released in 2004 and for some bizarre reason wasn't re-released until now. The album cover is a reshoot, the previous cover featured a smiling Dionne facing forward and the photo was "framed" by gold trim. Dionne's voice is deep and sultry, the arrangements vary from smooth jazz to lush strings to contemporary and given the singular theme of Christmas the various styles aren't abrupt. Gladys Knight and BeBe Winans make welcome appearances and both duet partners sound as if they really enjoyed themselves, they don't sound like they are making just another Christmas recording. This cd for me will continue to be a part of my Holiday celebrating and kudos to WEA/Rhino for re-releasing it.

Anyone Who Has a Heart for music will not be able to resist this Christmas album. Dionne Warwick has long been one of my favorite singers and a cd by this artist has been long anticipated. Just to know that we can still enjoy one the great singers of the '60s,70's,80's, and 90's is a treat.Her singing is clean, clear,and lyrical. I especially enjoyed her duet with Bebe Winans. As long as I know that she is still singing I can never Walk on By a musical encounter made by this great lady. Thank you Dionne!

It's been a long, long....LOOOOOONG time since I purchased a Dionne Warwick album (I have her greatest hits), so I had forgotten what a masterful and clever "stylist" Warwick is when she has superior material. This CD is AMAZING. Not loud but soothing, very low key and arranged in a christmascy but definite jazz tempo Dionne puts her stamp on ageless classics like "SILENT NIGHT" (love, love, love her reading of it!) and "Silver Bells" and "O Come All Ye Faithful" (a real beauty here). Really and truly, I would say that the entire CD delivers if you want to hear warm, cozy traditional music done elegantly and sincerely.

I forgotten what a wonderful singer Warwick is. This CD is nothing less than astounding. You'll be enjoying it for holidays to come.

As I gear up for a new Christmas season it was great to listen to new renditions of classic songs. Dionne's voice is as good now as it was when she was singing top 40 tunes. I strongly recommend the CD for anyone's holiday collection.

Dionne Warwick came into this world with such an awesome gift...and what an awesome gift she continues to give to each of us. To be able to phrase & interpret a song the way she does is not something anyone could ever learn...it can only come from a very deep place in the soul, and this album confirms that she definitely was first in line when voices were handed out.

Personally, I think the hardest thing any singer can do is a Christmas album, mainly because the songs have been done so many times before in so many different ways. Yet, Dionne has brought such a fresh newness to all of these songs that this CD has now become my very favorite Christmas album of all time!

Dionne sings like an angel; and this is why her new (and first) Christmas CD is so wonderful! Also, being accompanied by Dave Koz on the Saxophone on several songs really puts the icing on the Christmas Cookie, making this CD a "must have"!

This is the first album of all new material since 1994's Brazilian 'Aquarela Do Brazil'. Since then Dionne has released two other albums (Dionne Sings Dionne and Dionne Sings Dionne 2) which were re-recordings of her old songs.

The songs on this album are fantastic, the orchestra is perfect and the mood is mellow and warm. Just like a Christmas album should be.

This goes to show that Ms Warwick still has it and can still record new material and make a great album. I hope that the next released album (after her 'My Friends and Me' Duets album which is available around Febuary '05) is another Gospel album.
She shows us on this Christmas album that she is still worthy of Gospel singing and can do it the way it should be done.

Dionne released a Gospel album 'The Magic of Believing' in 1968, I just hope she gets another chance to do her magic again.

What Im trying to say is that this album is worth its weight in gold. I give it Ten stars! Please buy it and support Dionne so she can release more albums in the future.

Thanks for listening....

It is time for Dionne again!!! She has a voice like honey, phrasing unmatched, with a rich, warm, and mature delivery. This is an album that you will enjoy throughout the Christmas season. The arrangements have been carefully crafted with an intimate, soft, and jazzy feel. The production values are outstanding. Dave Koz lends his trademark sound to several selections, and both Gladys Knight and BeBe Winans sing inspired duets with Dionne. I liked all of the selections, especially Dionne's take on 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' 'Silent Night' and 'The Christmas Song.' You won't be disappointed. This legend can still deliver!

When I bought this Christmas CD by Dionne Warwick I really did not expect it to become my staple for Christmas music over the season. But, as I listened to the new interpretations of old classics by this old master of pop - I realized that is seems as this Diva of the 60s moves into her 60s - Dionne has settled into a genre that is suited for her unique sophisticated style and phrasing once again. The more I heard the more I was drawn to the music and genuineness of her interpretations of what Christmas must represent to her. The melodies and music mixed with her matured voice are soothing and lush. Christmas feels relaxed and warm and less hectic and cold and I remember why Christmas is "My Favorite Time of the Year" too. Dionne thanks once again for the music - may you have many happy and peaceful Christmases ahead