Customer Reviews

Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is actually a repackaging of a Christmas album that Tony did in the 1960s, so he is in peak form throughout. The only new song is the live version of I'll Be Home For Christmas that closes out the CD. Tony is one of the giants of American music and this one ranks right up there with the Christmas classics by his contemporaries like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Crosby, Como and Dean Martin.

From Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" down to a previously unreleased track, "I'll Be Home For Christmas," this stellar album offers an array of Christmas songs that you'll greatly enjoy and will add a glow to your holidays. It boasts some of the greatest musical moments of the bright career of Tony Bennett, who believes that his key to success is "making music that lasts." He is backed by an orchestra and a choir conducted by none other than a fine arranger/orchestrator, Robert Farnon, whose body of work has greatly influenced Johnny Mandel, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, John Williams and André Previn. In this album, he brings a wealth of experience in the field of creative chart arrangements and gleaming orchestrations to Tony Bennett's unique vocal artistry and timeless style.

Some of my favorites are the spectacular tracks that were recorded in London - "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." The medley of "I Love The Winter Weather/I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" is an absolute beauty! His takes on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and the title track, "Snowfall" are such delights and so remarkable. The inclusion of "Where Is Love," an achingly beautiful theme song from the musical "Oliver" is such a surprise, but it blended harmoniously with the rest of the Christmas carols from the medley. A previously unreleased track "I'll Be Home For Christmas" was sung in a jazzy fashion and this was taken from "The Jon Stewart Show."

"Christmasland" composed by Brian Farnon and Dennis Farnon is a sentimental Christmas song that brings to mind fond memories of childhood. It is so melodious and Tony Bennett gives a heartfelt reading of the lyric making it one of the highlights from this collection.

With Tony Bennett and Robert Farnon teaming-up artistically in this album, I guarantee there's not a single dull moment and there's nothing to whine about. This is Christmas music that can warm your hearts even on the coldest winter day. So give it your welcoming ears and enjoy it with your Christmas celebrations.

From my heart to yours...my greetings for an old-fashioned Christmas filled with love, joy and kindness and a New Year full of blessings, hope and good cheers!

How about this: there's not a dud on the whole disc. Robert Farnon's arrangements on this CD are swimming in the Christmas spirit. From the introspective, minimal "Snowfall" to the swinging (who knew?) "My Favorite Things" to the sultry "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" medley to the unlikely "Where Is Love" from OLIVER, Tony Bennett croons us right up to the peak of Christmas. If you've heard this CD before, you're sure to agree with me that it's pure gold from the first note to the last.

"Snowfall," Tony Bennett's only holiday outing to date, is a rather short CD, but remember the phrase 'quality over quantity,' and it will never fail to hold its own among your Christmas collection.

The album kicks off with a smashing big-band arrangement of "My Favorite Things"--PLAY IT LOUD. A yuletide medley stringing together five tunes (the last being "Where is Love" from 'Oliver') can grate on the nerves, but standouts include a clever combination of "Winter Weather" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"; Tony's voice weaving lovely tapestries in "The Christmas Song"; and a fun arrangement of "Winter Wonderland." But the album's true gem is a gorgeous treatment of "Snowfall." An almost ethereal arrangement surrounds Tony's achingly understated reading. The way he repeats the title phrase at the end...it fills your heart and wraps itself around your soul like a warm blanket before the fireplace. Pure magic.

Added for the re-release edition is a bonus track, Tony performing "I'll Be Home for Christmas" live on the now-defunct "Jon Stewart Show." The cheering audience immediately infuses the track with excitement, and a brisk arrangement (with some sprightly piano work) and terrific reading fit it right into place.

The artist is in fine form here, backed by good musicians, solid arrangements, and crisp, clear sound. He has a ball with every track--listen to the joy when he shouts "There he is!" at the end of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," and you can *hear* his grin on the live track--and his rich tones, like fine aged wine, grace the ballads with timeless quality.

One could argue that Tony Bennett sounds better than ever in this holiday outing. One could disagree, but it would require some hard thinking.

This recording, which I purchased on CD, does a great injustice to Tony Bennett. The sound of his voice is far lower than that of the big band that accompanies him. I listened to this CD on several different players and his great voice is consistently drowned out. Instead of this one, I'd recommend Sinatra's or Crosby's Christmas albums.

Along with Vikki Carr's Christmas album, buy this classic CD! Tony sings superbly throughout, the songs selection (correctly in order this time) and the gorgeous arrangements by Robert farnon make this the best stress buster for a sometimes hectic holiday season. My recommendation? Buy this and Vikki Carr's Christmas CD together. You won't regret it!

The "Snowfall" CD is one of the best Christmas albums I have heard. In line with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams, this is certainly worth adding to your Christmas selection!!! Tony Bennet is my new favorite Christmas artist.

UPDATE
There is a new Snowfall album releasing by Bennet with new Coverart and his latest photo it also has a dvd.Could he be giving these songs a new take with a fresh orchestra also the dvd might be a family christmas.

http://www.amazon.com/Snowfall-Tony-Bennett/dp/B000UZ4D2Q/ref=gfix-ews-form/105-9655579-7600437

This is one of my favorite Christmas albums I look foward to listening to every year.I'm a big fan of Tony Bennett any way and have many of his cd's so I had to own his Christmas cd.Everysong on this cd is good and accoumpined by orchestra and Ralph Sharon on piano.One of my favorite songs is Snowfall.Tony Bennett does it better than most people.Also included on this album is his version of the Christmas Song,Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,I'll Be Home For Christmas,White Christmas and many others.Now if only he would make another solo Christmas album with songs such as sleigh ride and Christmas in New York it would be well worth it.If your a Tony Bennett Fan you should get this album.

Really a nice Christmas CD...not mentioned that I saw, is that the song Snowfall is the old Claude Thornhill theme..only other vocal arrangement I have heard of Snowfall is on a Manhatten Transfer Album..Tony Bennett is on that album also singing some other Christmas Song..

Each year, I pick up a new Christmas CD or two to add to my very diverse Christmas music collection and make my own compilation CDs of favorites to listen to in the car and around the house. I always search for something that stands out above the other music I usually hear. This year, I've heard this CD's version of "I'll be home for Christmas" many times on a local radio station that's playing all Christmas and Holiday music throughout the season. It really has a great swing to it and it stands out among many great versions of this song. Tony's voice has a really cool warmth and slight edge to it in these recent years and it really adds a lot to this performance, which is making this CD a definite need for my collection. The other songs sound good in the audio samples too, although I prefer his upbeat stuff with the voice of recent years best.