Customer Reviews

Songs of the Season

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jane Olivor hasn't had a album out in 18 years. What a pity. One of the most beautiful voices ever. Thanks to Varise Sarabane, we got Love Decides. It was a treasure of an album and now Jane has a holiday cd out, her first. Well, she certainly doesn't disappoint you. Here again is the most beautiful voice singing holiday songs, but not like the run of the mill holiday cd's. This one is special. She not only sings some of our favoite holiday songs, but some we are not familiar with. She creeps into your soul. Each song sounds like she is singing it to you and with all the feeling and warmth that her beautiful voice is known for. I'm not a big fan of holiday music, but his is not your run of the mill CD. If you are familiar with Jane, you wont want to miss this cd, and if you don't know who Jane Olivor is, now is the time to get to know her. I've been a fan since the 70's, and I'm so happy that Jane has came back to us and is making new albums. I have only one negative thing about the CD. IT's way too short. A CD can hold 80 minutes of music and this cd is only 34.08 long. When you buy a Jane Olivor CD, you want her to sing for hours, not 34 mintues. Other than that, this is a must for anyone who loves beautiful music and the greatest singing voice. Jane, thank you again.

Christmas music is not high on my list of favorites, but Jane Olivor is. So I ordered this cd when I saw it was coming out.
I am not sorry I did.
From the opening song, "Angels We Have Heard On High", you get the true magic of Ms. Olivor's amazing gift.
It is easy to close your eyes and imagine she has dropped in and is singing right there in your living room, just for you. With a cozy warmth the lyrics and music weave their spell, drawing you in, bringing memories of days gone by.

In a world of screeching voacally gyrating or overly polished emotionaly devoid "stars" Ms. Olivor's music is as wonderous as fresh fallen snow.
Whether it be the nostalgic filled "Christmas Song", the reverent "Ave Maria" or the big band sounding playfullness of the medley "Let It Snow/The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", she reaches into both the lyrics and your heart to stir the emotions and take you along on a musical journey she obviously delights in playing tourguide for.
Other songs include
The Spirit Of Christmas
Chanukah Song
Little Drummer Boy
Christmas Potpourri Medley: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman / Winter Wonderland / Breath Of Heaven / Deck The Halls / Soalin', A
You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are
Elusive Butterfly
Madrigal, Quando Amor I Begli Occhi

All presented with her own unique handling and style.

If you are a fan, this will be a nice addition to your collection. If you have never heard of her, what are you waiting for? Give this a try and then explore her other cd's.

David Mamet, in his brilliant book on acting "True or False", quotes the actor James Cagney who once said (and I'm quoting from memory, so forgive me) "Learn your lines, find your mark, and tell the truth." To analogize that simple, yet declarative, quote to contemporary singers of popular music, Jane Olivor indeed steps up to the microphone and tells the truth.

As opposed to certain other singers to whom Olivor has been compared (from Brooklyn too....) and others who are compared to Olivor, Jane Olivor never embellishes a song for the sake of an attention-getting "look at me" attitude. Quite simply, she tells the truth through her heartfelt and direct vocals.

By witness of my comments, listen to this new "Songs of the Season" CD released on the same day as a certain other Christmas CD of a certain other Brooklyn-born singer. While this "Songs of the Season" CD of Olivor's may not have the biggest budget around, what it lacks in a full orchestra, it more than makes up for in heart and soul. From the angelic "Angels We Have Heard On High" to the minor keys set forth in Stephen Schwartz's "The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)" to the a capella "Little Drummer Boy" to the holiday dervish song that is "You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are", Olivor demonstrates with simplicity what brilliant singing, from the heart, is all about. (And indeed, there are part of this CD where she sounds as thrilled and excited to be singing as first we heard in her "First Night").

Of particular note are, not surprisingly, Olivor's version of "Ave Maria", which wipes out any other singer's version. Most surprising is Jane's jazz-combo-versions of "Let It Snow/Most Wonderful Time of the Year", which leads one to hope for a "Jane Wishes You A Swinging Christmas" next year, or at least, a "Cole Porter Songbook" from her. And finally, Olivor's version of "The Christmas Song", as overdone as it may be, simply melts your heart.

To have two new releases (Love Decides last November, and now this) from this longmissed singer in a scant year is the greatest gift music lovers could be given. Highest recommendation for this healing gift from heaven.

For those of us lucky enough to know the music of Jane Olivor, we need say nothing. The only way that she can go wrong is by selecting bad music to sing (which she does not often do). Fortunately, this album contains only wonderful music that has a fantastic selection of not-so-common seasonal tunes, and just a few typical holiday tunes to plug into our hearts. The result is a treasure to keep (and play) for years.

Jane's artistry helps you to connect with your soul, and that is the best any artist can do.

This is classic Jane Olivor. Being Jewish, I don't celebrate Christmas, but my wife bought me this album for Hanukah because I carried a torch for Jane for the twenty years of darkness after she disappeared from sight. I am overjoyed to see that "Love Decides" was not the end of her return to us. Her "Little Drummer Boy" is precious for having captured the innocence of the title character. Similarly, "Ave Maria" is beautiful for its soulful simplicity without any attempt to be operatic. (Of course, Jane has never shown an inclination to follow Barbra Streisand down the path of proving how long and loudly she can hold a note.) The album is marked for its lack of overproduction and schmaltziness, particularly for a seasonal album. I don't know whether anything Jane ever sings will top "Vincent" or "Some Enchanted Evening," but this album is a keeper.

Jane Olivor's version of Little Drumer Boy gave me chills, while Angels we Have Heard on High is truly angelic. Her Christmas Potpourri and Let it Snow are filled with fun and joy and really show off her versatility. In my humble opinion Jane Olivor is the greatest singer of our generation and a Christmaas cd is a great addition to her catalog of music.

I collect Christmas recordings and Jane Oliver's "songs of the season" is my favorite of all time! I feel so blessed to hear her sing these beautiful songs with the voice and style that ONLY Jane can bring to them. A joy and a Pleasure all year long for fans and new converts alike! I love Jane Oliver!!!!!

Jane Olivor has successfully made me love Christmas music. ME!!! I must admit that I was disappointed when I heard that she was coming out with a Christmas CD. I thought "OH NO!! Jane's gone commercial!" I bought the cd last week, and had to eat my words. Not only has this cd NOT left my cd player, but, I don't think it will ever come out again!! Jane has really produced a cd that can be enjoyed year round. She did the impossible, by choosing songs that are so beautiful and mesmerizing that it draws the listener in and makes you want more...Christmas or not! Thankfully, Jane has rejected the routine "Santa Claus" songs that Eder and Streisand rely on, and defied convention, proving she is totally unique, and comparable to none.

The result of this cd is nothing short of fantastic. As a "new" convert to Christmas music, I applaud the re-teaming of Jane Olivor and Jason Darrow, and their sense of knowing what's right for her style and her audience. Time may have passed, but you could swear that "First Night" was released last year, upon listening to "Songs of the Season." Jane Olivor has proven that she and her music are timeless. What a beautiful cd. Thank God she's returned to us!!!

Jane Olivor's voice is front and center on her first-ever holiday release, "Songs of the Season," on Varese Sarabande. Her performance is amazing.

Most of the songs are self-produced by Miss Olivor. Jason Darrow, who produced her First Night recording on Columbia, produced three of the songs. The production is minimal, which allows Jane's voice to shine.

Miss Olivor sings two new Stephen Schwartz songs: "The Spirit of Christmas" (co-written with Darrow), and "The Chanukah Song (We are Lights)". She gives an amazing performance on both.

Perhaps the most unique (and best) cut is Miss Olivor's a cappella version of "The Little Drummer Boy." It is a moving performance of an old holiday standard.

I highly recommend Jane Olivor's "Songs of the Season."

Mixing traditional with the unexpected ("Elusive Butterfly"???) is the forte in Olivor's holiday package. While she is less successful on the jazz-tinged tunes and she strains on hitting those fa la la high notes, "Madrigal" and "You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are" reiterates her remarkable voice. Olivor interprets the latter song so breathy and intimately that she becomes the lover laying beside you whispering in your ear.