Customer Reviews

A Gift Of Christmas: A Superstar Celebration of Caring

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

 

 

To be honest, when I first came across this CD, my thought was "What a mish-mash!" Combining such diverse performers as George Winston, Nsync, Placido Damingo, Kenny G, Judy Collins, etc. didn't sound workable to me. But after playing the album a number of times, I consider it one of the best if not the best anthology type collections of Christmas music I have. I doubt that anyone will enjoy every cut here, because the styles are so diverse. And yet, even those performers that I don't care for seemed listenable. I think that what makes it work so well is a combination of factors. First, each performer has a tremendous following and has had impact on the total music scene, whatever you think of the individual or group. Secondly, each selection represents the best or one of the best Christmas recordings by that performer. And then the cuts are nicely placed so they somehow fit. For instance, before listening, the placing of Etta James "Merry Christmas Baby" didn't sound fitting after Placido Domingo's "Ave Maria". And yet it worked, for me anyway. So what we have here basically is a collection of some of the best known and the most popular music makers of the past 50 years, each one expressing Christmas through a song fitting the individual style. There are "chestnuts" here, but each is sung by the singer you associate the song with, or at least fits. For instance, I certainly am no fan of NSYNC, and yet it this setting, I found myself quite appreciating their "It's Christmas". This, for me, makes for a great party record, but is also good Christmas listening at any time. Again, don't expect to like every cut, but on the other hand, you might find yourself enjoying cuts you didn't think you liked at all. All I can say is give this CD a try. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it as I do. If not, well, you're bound to enjoy part of it anyway.

Inasmuch as the holiday season finds most households filled with family members with varying tastes, this is the holiday compilation that is sure to please all. With the exception of a country or hip-hop tune, almost every other genre is represented here.

Standards like Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" and Etta James' "Merry Christmas, Baby" find themselves in welcome company with recordings from such diverse acts as Placido Domingo, N'Sync, Eurythmics, and Paul McCartney, The Robert Shaw Chorale and flautist James Galway.

Even the why-the-heck-are-they-popular Mannheim Steamroller adds festive flavor with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

One standout among a winning combination of them is George Winston's "Carol of the Bells", a riveting arrangement of the perennial holiday favorite.

I got this CD and copied it to my computer along with every other Christmas CD I own. When I compare this CD to the other 15 or so loaded up, I kept reflecting that this one had some of the best Christmas songs -- or the best versions of those songs -- that I like. There are so many different styles on this disc -- Kenny G, George Winston, Elvis, Mannheim Steamroller and even Paul McCartney. I especially like "the Gift" which is a duet I haven't found elsewhere. "merry Christmas Wherever You Are" is also a great classic included on this disc. One thing to watch -- my disc jacket says track #9 is 'NSync "O Holy Night" but it is not. It actaully is "It's Christmas", and sounds OK. Sound quality is excellent. Combined this is a five star collection of Christmas Songs and a good buy for your collection.

This disc takes songs by some of history's greatest musicians and combines them with songs by the most talented artists of today. The combination is VERY enjoyable. I highly recommend this album.