Customer Reviews

Joy to the World [Box Set]

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

 

 

The gifted Richard Hayman (Boston Pops arranger for more than 30 years) offers an interesting collection of holiday favourites. The back cover says "Orchestra and Chorus" - beware, there is no chorus. The sub-title "Philharmomic Symphony Orchestra" is rather pedantic. Why not simply "Richard Hayman and His Orchestra"? The opening and closing numbers are sing-along medleys... the liner notes offer the words. Two Leroy Anderson numbers receive a fair treatment: SLEIGH RIDE and SONG OF THE BELLS, the latter being played rrather slowly. There is a beautiful rendition of MUSIC BOX DANCER, the only version I know that uses the music box. The counter-melody is too loud and takes away the charm of the main theme. A few compositions by the conductor himself. A great collection for tree-trimming, whistling or singing along.

I purchased this years ago and the enjoyment has grown every Christmas. Handel's Messiah is beautiful, The Nutcracker is a classic and the arrangement of hymns conveys the true wonders of the season. While there is a place for pop carols, these classics should be in every Christian's music library. I loved this so much, I actually purchased a complete replacement set when I lost one of the discs. Certainly an excellent value that any music lover would treasure.

I've purchased this thrice from Amazon vendors and had the wrong item sent the first two times; the third time I received the right one. Unfortunately, the contents of this four CD collection are not what is advertised by Amazon in the sampes. For example, there are no sung Christmas or holiday carols, far from what is demonstrated in the sound bytes. Alas, how I wish I could acquire the sung hymns! The first couple times I tried buying this I received various products called "Joy To The World," usually in single disk editions. I cannot imagine how many recordings there are of "Joy to the World" but they are likely all for sale here. If you are enthused by the sound bytes here, my advice is to not purchase this item.

Unfortunately, I bought this used from an Amazon seller but they only sent me two of the five CDs.
The two I received were excellent but I am missing the other three so can't comment on them.
Tracks from the missing CDs are used for the Main Street USA Christmas loop in Disneyland Resort Paris and were the main reason I bought the CD. They are, of course, on the missing ones!
Do check with sellers before purchase that you are getting the full set and not just an odd CD from it.
It is an excellent (now out of print) source of Christmas music. Just take care you are getting the full set.
I have ordered the full set from another Amazon seller who clearly states it is the full 5 CD set but am still awaiting delivery (it takes a while to get from the States to the UK).
Interesting enough, Amazon asked me to review this but the section it's been published in isn't for the CDs I purchased (same name, different album)????????
Should be under this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000003QWB/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
This review (and others on this page) appear under this title as well
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-World-Hayman/dp/B0000014BR/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

Doesn't help, does it?