Home for Christmas: Voices From the Heartland

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B000VI6SZC
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,779 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Riders In The Sky

2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Sam Moore

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Roomful Of Blues

4. The First Noel/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/Joy to the World - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

5. Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown

6. The Christmas Song - Deana Carter

7. Jingle Bells - Wilson Pickett

8. Blue Christmas - Leon Redbone

9. You're All I Want for Christmas - The Persuasions

10. Let It Snow - Rhonda Vincent

11. Winter Wonderland - Shirley Alston

12. Oh, Holy Night - Irma Thomas

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Christmas Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 16-OCT-2007

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars + 1/2 stars...Wide Variety of Styles, October 21, 2007

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home for Christmas: Voices From the Heartland (Audio CD)

One of the first entries into the Holiday album sweepstakes this year is this various artists sampler from Rounder. While the album title and cover art may lead you to think this is an all-country/bluegrass affair (after all, that's the bulk of Rounder's roster), this collection also makes stops at blues and soul as well.

Of course, cowboy crooners Riders In the Sky start things off with a heartfelt rendition of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and the reigning queen of bluegrass Rhonda Vincent does a lively version of "Let it Snow." However, highlights include Charles Brown's soulful performance of "Please Come Home for Christmas" and the a cappella quartet The Persuasions make "You're All I Want for Christmas" a religious experience. RECOMMENDED

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful sampler of well-arranged, inspirational & varied standards, November 3, 2007

By 

J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home for Christmas: Voices From the Heartland (Audio CD)

Playing Time - 41:46 -- Record labels take great joy in giving us holiday presents that also serve as highly playable samplers of their many great signed artists. A favorite label among acoustic music lovers, Rounder Records' "Home for Christmas" also illustrates just how eclectic the label's offerings have become over the years. The juxtaposition of popular Christmas carols sung a cappella by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and selections from Roomful of Blues and Charles Brown doesn't bother this listener who enjoys many varieties of music. Later in the set, a soulful presentation of The Persuasions' "You're All I Want for Christmas" demonstrates a different kind of a cappella arrangement. Some listeners might find the set to be so varied that they'll feel a little uneasy, but I found it to be a satisfying experience. Whether blues, bluegrass, western swing, R&B or light jazz, Rounder's seasonal sounds are perfect for family gatherings where some mostly easy listening entertainment is needed to create that yuletide mood. You might even be moved to dancing with your second cousin when Wilson Pickett's rocking rendition of "Jingle Bells" or Shirley Alston's funky "Winter Wonderland" cue up. How can you resist tapping your toes to Sam Moore's holiday soul?

While the songs are standard covers for Christmas albums, the diverse offerings are very well-arranged and inspirational. As a sampler, it's wonderful. A notable rendering of "The Christmas Song" by Deanna Carter, for example, also gets one curious about her entire album of holiday music (Father Christmas - Rounder 11661-0496-2). And if one's never heard Leon Redbone's "Christmas Island" album, then "Blue Christmas" is a savory tasting from that. A better choice to sample from that project, however, might have been his "Frosty the Snowman" duet with Dr. John. All in all, I predict that Rounder's little gift to us will even cause the Grinch and Mr. Scrooge to smile. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)