Customer Reviews

Morningtown Ride to Christmas

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

 

 

Among Christmas Albums, "Morningtown Ride to Christmas" shines like the jewel it is. Other reviewers have rightfully called it a masterpiece. This will not surprise long-time fans of the Seekers, familiar with this wonderful Australian group's time-honored ability to achieve pure magic on any song they touch. Such loyal fans need no persuasion to acquire this album.

This review is for those unfamiliar with the Seekers, particularly Americans. We did not get a chance to fully know the Seekers at the height of their popularity in the mid 1960's, due to lack of touring and promotion within the U.S. That was truly a loss to America. This Christmas album will demonstrate the genius of the Seekers: their ability to use simple acoustic instruments, combined with traditional song arrangements, and perform with incredible power, beauty and harmony. The Seekers are difficult to compare with any other group, past or present, as their beautiful harmonies and style are so unique. Originally classed in the simpler days of the 1960's as Pop/Folk/Gospel, the Seekers are best described as being in a class by themselves. To attempt description of the Seekers style would require reference to Blues, Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Soft Rock, and more, and even that attempt would fall far short.

The Seekers are Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger, and Bruce Woodley. Judith, blessed with perfect pitch, has a voice that ranks as one of the finest in the world. It is difficult to bring to mind, a singer today, capable of matching the range, power and beauty of Judith's voice. Her voice will be distantly familiar to many older Americans, due to the 1967 worldwide hit "Georgy Girl", probably the only Seekers song that actually got decent radio airtime in the U.S. The "Boys", Athol, Keith and Bruce, provide incredible harmonies of absolute perfection with Judith, another Seekers trademark. Bruce provides his rich baritone as lead or co-lead on some songs. The awesome guitar (6 & 12-string), banjo, and mandolin skills of Keith and Bruce also enhance this beautiful album. Athol's skill with the double bass is equally impressive, whether used as an upright bass, or as a bass violin.

"Morningtown Ride to Christmas" will become a favorite Christmas Album for most. Do not be surprised if this album launches a search for other Seekers albums. The magic of the Seekers is evident in all they sing, whether classed as Pop, Gospel, Folk or Christmas. Over many years, the Seekers' wide range of music, performed with matchless skill, sounds as good or better live as in their studio recordings. The Seekers can cover an incredibly wide range of music with such superb skill, that there simply exists no other group to compare them with. The Seekers, Judith, Athol, Keith and Bruce, are truly in a class by themselves.

I was watching a documentary about Folk music in 1965/1966,and while the Seekers did not appear on it,there was alot of songs that they did cover on it.Their origins are Folk.I have a CD which was their first release in England back in 1965,which has Folk and Gospel music,so its no surprize that they have done a Christmas CD.But its about 30 years overdue i think.Although Judith did do one in 1968.I think some people might get confused by the cover because they used pictures of them from the 60's.Make no mistake this was recorded in 2001.
Now the atmosphere of this recording is cheerful,from the very first song Morningtown Ride TO Christmas.They have altered the words a bit to give it the Xmas feel.There is a good selection of songs here.All the Christmas favorites are here like Jingle Bells,Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,Silent Night,Away In A Manger,The Little Drummer Boy,O Come All Ye Faithful and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.As well as a stack of others.15 songs on this CD in total.One of my favorites is Children Go Where I Send Thee.I realy like the selection of songs,i suppose the problem with Christmas Cds is that they are seasonal.But it still can be enjoyable anytime of year.

This is probably the best CD of Christmas music that I've ever heard - a genuine masterpiece.

Excellent album for the Christmas (not for Happy Holidays fans!) season.
The Seekers are in great voice with a wonderful selection of songs to put you in the Christmas mood! Although not recorded at the height of their fame this CD is a must have.

Oh...what a masterpiece!! The Seekers have lost none of the 60s magic. They are so inspirational and exciting. Every track is just gorgeous!! My favorite is "When a Child Is Born".....just perfect. But so are all the other songs. Please...please...order this CD. You won't be disappointed!! It will make your holiday a lot brighter!!

The Seekers recorded this Christmas album in June 2001, but the songs sound exactly as you would expect a Seekers Christmas album to sound. There have been a few changes of line-up down the years (even including a different lady also called Judith), but the line-up here includes at least three of the original members - Judith Durham, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley. The fourth member is Athol Guy - I confess I can't remember whether he was the original fourth member or not.

Morningtown ride (to Christmas) is - as you would expect - an adaptation of one of their big hits of the sixties, but they haven't changed it much.

Once in Royal David's city is a lovely carol, which is very popular in Britain (and maybe Australia). The Seekers do it as a duet.

There are no lights on our Christmas tree (written in 1962) is not a song I remembere hearing before, and a song search fails to reveal another version. It's an amusing song about father and son wanting different things from Christmas, on which one of the men sing lead.

The remaining songs are mostly Christmas standards, with Judith as lead singer, sounding as good as ever.

This is essential for Seekers fans.