Customer Reviews

Sampler Claus

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

 

 

If you can remember those Christmas compilation albums like "Firestone Presents..." that came out in the 1960's, this is very reminiscent of those. These are great classic selections, very traditional and good performances. If you grew up in the 60's and have great memories of your Christmases spent with loved ones and listening to music like this, then you can't help but love this. What a great gift to be able to download these for free and take a trip back in time. Don't know if you would appreciate this if you didn't live through that time, unless you have a soft spot for classic, traditional carols. (if so, you might want to check out Eileen Farrell's "Coventry Carol", "Sleep Holy Babe" and "It came upon a Midnight Clear", which I think are exquisite and the best versions of these songs--they're not free, but worth the couple of bucks.)

This is entirely worth downloading, whether it's free or not. FYI, I'm pretty sure the singer on "Good King Wenceslas" is Nelson Eddy, from a 1951 album. Great stuff!

If you love carols in a style mostly from the mid-20th century, you will love this sampler. Lavishly orchestrated and well-sung, they are truly lovely and will add a vintage sound to your holiday mix. I wish there was a full-length album of stuff like this.

I definitely agree with the other posters, a lot of these songs remind me of the old Christmas holiday CDs, sound quality is perfect and such, and best of all these songs are free. Definitely a steal, and all the more worth the download.

When I ran record stores back in the 90's, customers would constantly come in for "regular" Christmas music. If you are in search of a "regular" Christmas record, start here. Each of these tracks are simply top-notch performances, rarely found on any collection released today. The Robert Goulet "Panis Angelicus" is old fashioned but goregous. The Robert Shaw is awesome, and Mahaila Jackson's "Silent Night" will stop you in your tracks.

A steal for free! Don't hesitate, click the button and enjoy this treat!

Lots of good music here for a fantastic price. We let this one play over and over in the background during our family gathering. It was a nice and pleasant background sound.

This album suffers from a severe tempo problem. No, not a temper problem (I'm looking at you, Sinatra), a temp_o_ problem. Perhaps they thought that because they have some of the best, most trained voices in the business, that taking longer was better. I couldn't disagree more.

I'll give a pass to the fine performances of "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and Robert Goulet's "Panis Angelicus" (with the caveat that I've never heard the latter before).

Begin criticism ... now.

Could Mahalia Jackson's rendition of Silent Night have been any slower? It took longer for her to sing that song than it took for the author to write it. (NOTE: May be a slight exaggeration.) In all seriousness, it is a 3 verse song, with 72 beats per verse, and she took 5 MINUTES to sing it. That's a full two times as long as you're probably accustomed to it lasting. To put it in perspective, the phrase "Silent Night" is six beats, and typically lasts 4 seconds, but Jackson made it last 8. Sing it to yourself. It doesn't sound right.

She was the worst of the slow-ffenders, but I won't let Sinatra (It Came [Eventually] Upon a Midnight Clear), Mario Lanza (Deck the Halls [Slowly]), or the Norman Luboff Choir's "O Come [When Ye Get Around To It] All Ye Faithful" off the hook either. Thanks, guys, you ruined Christmas.

I didn't like Paul Weston's version of "Good King Wenceslas", but that was because I don't like his voice and his over-reliance on vibrato; there wasn't really a tempo problem.

All in all, if you're looking for a Christmas album to actually LISTEN to, this isn't it.

At least it's free.