Customer Reviews

Nog

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anyone who likes smooth, tight harmony sung by 4 guys whose voices truly do "Blend", must get this CD. I was so floored by this CD that I bought 3 more for family members and they all had the same response - who in the heck are these guys and why haven't I heard about them before? I first experienced these guys at the "Acapellafest 98" that was held in Los Angeles in Oct 98. They had such stage presence and clearly represent the best of "Contemporary Acapella" (along with the group "Rockapella" who was also at the concert). If you have an appreciation for smooth, hip, vocals then take a listen to these guys. These classic Christmas songs never sounded so good!

This is the BEST Holiday CD I have ever heard. I use it for Christmas parties with my friends, at work, as background music at Christmas dinner. No one who has heard this CD has ever failed to comment on it, in fact I had to ship it in from another state because it was so popular in Minneapolis. The blending of their voices is beautiful, the best part is that they don't try to change these traditional songs to "personalize" it with their style as so many artists do. This is just a great collection of our favorite songs, sung so beautifully. If you are going to buy any gift for your family and friends this year, buy this! Every year since I purchased it, this is the first thing I listen to to welcome the Holiday season.

You know, the older I get, the more I love the subtle elements of the holiday season. In my youth, it was always the bright colors of the decorations and paper, the loud pop versions of carols. Now, however, I look for the gentle harmonies and the sense of style long absent from Christmas CDs. The Blenders have scored amazingly high in the style category, with such unique arrangements of traditional standards. The most amusing song has to be the Tiki Lounge version of Let It Snow! Full atmosphere with noisy diners, clinking glasses, and inebriated revelers make it a delight. For the more traditionally minded, Angels We Have Heard On High is a rich, choral arrangement that perfectly shows off the Blenders...well, blending. Marvelous. Buy it.

This is simply some of the most amazing acappella singing I have ever had the pleasure of finding. Prior to buying this CD, two of my very favorite Christmas CDs were, (and still are), both volumes of "An Evening in December", by contemporary Christian vocal group, First Call. If you've ever heard those albums, you're very aware of how lush,full-sounding, and "goose-bump-producing" good acappella is supposed to be. Well, "Nog" fully delivers all that and more on this phenomenal recording, (and that's really saying something when comparing to the First Call albums); this is the kind of arranging that is so good, you completely forget that there are no instruments backing up the voices. The vocal parts weave in and out of difficult chord progressions and odd resolutions in arrangements that are constantly surprising and fresh. All 10 tracks need to be listened to very carefully, as there is a LOT going on in each one. I would be hard-pressed to select any tracks as the "best" ones of this collection, but "Little Drummer Boy" is particularly powerful, and the pseudo-doo-wop treatment on "Rudolph" is great fun, while "Silent Night" is absolutely gorgeous. The singular downfall of the CD, (and it's a very small one), is the somewhat silly spoken intro on "Let It Snow". It's fun the first time through, but starts to get old on repeated listenings. In short, this is an absolute must-have for acappella and vocal group enthusiasts, and for Christmas music lovers in general. It's a shame that it's not on a major label. It deserves to be heard in the mainstream.

You wouldn't know it by looking at my music collection, but I like a good a cappella song. When I heard about this disc, I had to try it out. I was hooked.

The Blenders have perfected the art of four part harmony. Each song is filled with tight harmonies so intense they take your breath away. And, while they make the songs there own, they don't mess around with them too much. Which means you will recognize each song while you enjoy the harmonies.

They have some fun with some of the songs. "Let it Snow" takes on a bit of a Polynesian flavor. There is some dialog around it that is funny the first few times but does get annoying during repeated listening. Still, the song is so great I put up with the dialog. "Rudolph" is much more upbeat then normal and is absolutely fun. And they have one of the only versions of "Christmas Time is Here" outside of the Charlie Brown special that I like.

This disc isn't pure a cappella. They use what sounds like a drum machine on many of the tracks. Bells and other such instruments also make occasional appearances, with electric keyboard helping on "Christmas Time is Here." Still, all these instruments are only in the background. Voice is king.

I am so glad I got this disc. It is beautiful and fun. If you like Christmas music or a cappella music, you need this disc.

The Blenders' choice of music for this CD is ideal. There are both classic and contemporary selections. Their perfect harmony makes it pure listening pleasure. In fact, their sound is so great that some songs, although they are a capella, sound like there is background music. This CD is a welcome addition to my collection of Christmas music. By the way, I have heard The Blenders in concert and must say that it was one of the best shows I've seen a in long, long time! They are excellent entertainers.

I've seen The Blenders perform twice when they've come to Dallas and knew I wouldn't be disappointed with their Christmas CD. All I can say is it's the best holiday music in my collection. Their harmony is wonderful, their sense of humor shows through and I will listen to this all throughout the year -- as soon as the person I loaned the CD to returns it. Simply Awesome.

I had the opportunity to hear The Blenders three times in my life. They are wonderful artists with a great talent! No concert or previous CD by them compares to this masterpiece! Great job! A must have.

I bought this CD earlier in the year but haven't listened to it until now. I totally love this CD! It is one of their best a cappella works! If you are a Blenders fan, this is a definite must-have...

This CD is by far the best Christmas CD out there. I first heard the Blenders on the radio at 2am, and ever since then I have been hooked! Why aren't they popular? They certainly deserve it! They have a lot of talent and a great sound!