Customer Reviews

Stockings By the Fire

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

 

 

I should know better. Have very seldom ever gotten a better price than Amazon on music. I paid twice this amount for this collection this weekend--and I still really do think it was worth the price.

What I particularly like about this CD is the mix. You've got old favorites like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra right next to John Legend and Sarah McLachlan. Plus, the sound is very nice.

Here are just a sampling of the songs I've enjoyed:

"Baby, it's Cold Outside" by Ray Charles and Betty Wright is my new favorite cover of this song--you should hear Ray sing 'listen to that fireplace ROAR.' Whoa!

Sarah McLachlan's "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" has the original spare feeling of this song down pat.

"It Don't Have to Change" with John Legend and the Stephens Family is probably my favorite. It's the only song I've never heard before and it's just a gorgeous gospel number.

I have a number of Christmas CDs which all get heavy rotation over the Christmas season, but this is my new favorite. It's a very grown up, almost sexy compilation: perfect for sipping eggnog by the fire while you read a book or chat to friends. There is a mixture of songs that are familiar (such as Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) alongside others that are more obscure. The first seven tracks are quite slow and sophisticated, then the tempo speeds up for a few tracks before slowing down again towards the end.

Some of the standout songs for me are:
1. "Baby, it's cold outside" by Ray Charles and Betty Carter - this is a great lead off single - it's super sexy.
2. "I love the bells on Christmas Day' by Sarah McLachlan - if you loved Wintersong, you'll also love this single (which doesn't appear on that album)
3. "I'll be home for Christmas" by Frank Sinatra - Frank's voice just seems so right for this time of year and this is a lovely slow and poignant song.
5. "Sleigh Ride" by Ella Fitzgerald - this has been used so much in movies but it's still a great number.
8. "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer" by Jack Johnson - somehow Jack makes this familiar song sound totally new - it's a great cover version.
15. "I don't have to change" by John Legend and the Stephens Family - a gorgeous gospel number that my son said sounded like something out of Happy Feet!
16. "White Christmas" by Aimee Mann - a heart-breakingly beautiful version of this song - just this track alone justifies the price of the CD!

Don't tell Amazon, but I bought this at starbucks, and this is an amazing cd. Its the classic Christmas music with old and new artists. I am a barista at Starbucks and have to listen to this cd all day long and it never gets old. You won't have wastes your money if you get it, you will love it!

I bought this CD from Starbucks in 2009. When I first listened to it, I didn't like it at all and wished I had my money back. But as I listened through it, by the third time, I really started to enjoy it...more and more each time. I especially hated Rufus Wainwright's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" and it has now become my favorite Christmas song to listen to of all time. Ha! Go figure! Never had my opinion of a CD change that drastically for me, but it did. I LOVE THIS CD!! I even listen to it throughout the year sometimes just to get a fix. In fact, I may go do that right now...

Great album for those who remember the great classic Christmas songs from our youth. This is a great album to introduce these songs to this generation, as long as you can get them to listen. Christmas day worked great.

An eclectic group of artists performing holiday music. Great Fun.

The transaction was handled promptly and painlessly and it was everything as described.

I recommend this seller as I had a very pleasant experience. Thank You !!