Customer Reviews

Holiday Sounds of the Season 2001

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

1) JOE: This Christmas 2) DIDO: Christmas Day 3) B.B. KING: Merry Christmas Babu 4) DIANA KRALL: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 5) SANTANA: Posada (Pilgrimage To Bethlehem 6) R. KELLY: World Christmas 7) MARY J. BLIGE: Someday At Christmas 8) NSYNC: The First Noel 9) TONI BRAXTON: The Christmas Song 10) EVA CASSIDY: It's Not The Presents Under The Tree 11) DONNIE McCLURKIN: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 12) KELLY PRICE: Mary's Song 13) ANGIE APARO: Silent Night

I originally heard Angie Aparo's version of Silent Night as it played in the background during a scene on the TV show Roswell. (You can listen to a 2 minute clip of it at [...]) Perfection comes close to describing the way he sings that song. As soon as I heard it, it struck such a chord in me that I immeiditately scoured the internet until I found out who sang it and where I could buy a copy of it. My quest finally led me here to this album. I didn't have a clue who Angie Aparo was (and still don't) but I bought this album just to hear him sing that song. Now I listen to this album because almost all of the songs are a joy to hear--with the exception of NSYNC's version of The First Noel. It sounds quite amatuerish. They are out of their league with the talented artists on this CD and should stick to singing teeny-bopper pop songs.

In addition to Aparo, a notable standout on this album is Santana's Posada. Wow!! I would have purchased this album just for that song too. I am adding it to my regular mood music playlist because it is exceptional. It has the exotic passion of an arabic instrumental. Very sensual and seductive.

Diana Krall doesn't disappoint either. Her breathy voice is a perfect match for a jazz lounge version of Have Yourself a Merry Christmas. I didn't want to like R. Kelly's song becuase I don't like him as a person but I can't deny the man can sing.

This album is more RB than your typical Christmas music so I caution those looking for traditional Christmas music that this may not be an album for you. However, if you want a different spin on the songs you grew up with, give this CD a try. You may find yourself enjoying this CD all year round. Not many copies of this album out there so snatch one up if you can.

For an album that has a mix of performers from various parts of the music recording world ( blues, jazz, r&b, pop, and country) I can't believe there is not a bad track on the album. All 13 songs are well performed and blend together to make a really smooth, rich and relaxing Christmas album. I don't usually go in for modern version of Christmas carols and songs but this album is the exception. The various artists perform a mix of classic Christmas songs and newer ones.

Some of my favorite songs are B.B. Kings's "Merry Christmas Baby", Mary J. Blige's "Someday At Christmas", and Kelly Price's & Wyonna Judd's "Mary's Song". It appears Amazon.com no longer stocks this cd but some of there vendors do, and at very low and reasonable prices. I don't believe you can go wrong with this purchase.

I bought this old Christmas CD for one reason only: Angie Aparo. There are several other songs I also like on the CD, and it never occurred to me to go find the song on iTunes if I could. But that's okay, this CD showed up in perfect (used) condition in a timely manner and that was great.

The Dido, Angie Aparo, and Kelly Price tracks were unreleased prior to this set. A good holiday selection here.

1. This Christmas - Joe
2. Christmas Day* - Dido
3. Merry Christmas Baby - B. B. King
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Diana Krall
5. Posada (Pilgrimage To Bethlehem) - Santana
6. World Christmas - R. Kelly
7. Someday At Christmas - Mary J. Blige
8. The First Noel - NSYNC
9. The Christmas Song - Tony Braxton
10. It's Not The Presents Under The Tree (It's Your Presence Right Here Next to Me) - Eva Cassidy
11. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Donnie McClurken
12. Mary's Song* - Kelly Price (featuring Wynonna Judd)
13. Silent Night* - Angie Aparo

* previously unreleased

The product was as described. The price very reasonable, and the delivery was quick. I would highly recommend vendor to my friends.