Customer Reviews

Miracle of Christmas (Deluxe)

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

 

 

If you're trying to make a choice between the single-disc or two-disc versions of this Christmas album, go with the two-disc (Deluxe) set, especially if you're a Neil Sedaka fan. While I liked Neil's recordings of the Christmas standards, it's his own compositions that stand out, at least for me, and it appears that these are only on the Deluxe set.

Some of the songs will be enjoyable year-round. "Razzle Dazzle Christmas" is a fun number that I suspect was retooled to make it a Christmas song, since the few Christmas references in the lyrics are a bit of a stretch. (My guess is that it started out as "Razzle Dazzle Broadway," or something along those lines.) Another of my favorites, "Love Is Spreading Over The World," is 70s-style Sedaka, with a sentiment that extends beyond the season. "Happy New Year Baby" is a slower number that has backup vocals that remind me of the early-60's Sedaka sound, and "A Lonely Christmas In New York" is a fine lounge piece. "Baby's First Christmas Lullaby" is a charming child's tune with just Neil's voice and piano for most of it.

I'll be listening to this album at Christmas, but will also put on several of the tracks throughout the year, certainly including the ones I've mentioned.

This 2-disc holiday CD from Neil Sedaka is a delight. There are new Sedaka compositions as well as traditional holiday tunes. It is definitely a fun collection of Christmas music. Recommend!

There are few rock and roll pioneers that shared Sedaka's zest for life and ability to pen a catchy tune, back in the 1950's and early sixties especially. Neil went on to have a short resurgence in the 1970s under Elton John's Rocket Record Label.

Unfortunately, this collection of holiday standards were very tepid. The disc I listened to was full of only run-of-the-mill holiday war horses, played excusively on piano with Sedaka on vocals.

Now that probably works for some, but the best part about Sedaka (to me)is his mid-tempo, barrel house style and clever lyrics (Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Stupid Cupid, Calendar Girl, etc).

Based on what I'm reading from others, there's is a disc that shows that more fun side of his music, but I only have the slower xmas disc, Christmas-carol side and it was a major disappointment for me.

The years have taken a toll on Neil's voice and without a regular backing band to accompany him, his pitch and range become even more noticeable on these ballads.

I would have liked to recommend this, but not one of the hymns and carols was even remotely worthy of a second spin. Absolutely inessential.

This 2 cd set is wonderful. The first is all original and one of my favorites (why I bought it in the first place) is the lullaby. The second disc is more traditional songs done very well. I always liked Neil Sedaka (we share the same birthday date) but this is the first album I have bought of his. I played it as soon as it arrived, never mind that it was August.

not crazy over all songs but some real gems--his original ones are a nice change of pace to xmas tradional songs--I reccommend it