The Story of Christmas

Swingle Singers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 1, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Primarily A Cappella
• ASIN: B00000G28C
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,658 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hodie Christus

2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

3. Hymn to the Virgin

4. Gabriel's Message

5. Magnificat

6. Mary's Boy Child

7. And Is It True?

8. Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle

9. Quem Pastores

10. The Shepherds' Farewell

11. We Three Kings

12. Coventry Carol

13. Carol Medley: Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly/I Saw Three Ships/We

14. The Oxen

15. The Boar's Head Carol

16. The Christmas Song

17. Jingle Bells

18. I Believe in Father Christmas

19. White Christmas

20. The Twelve Days of Christmas

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless yet fresh: New dimensions of classics, November 27, 2000

By 

Brian Throckmorton (Lexington KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of Christmas (Audio CD)

The singing is clear and precise -- and it has to be, because these arrangements are full of innovative and challenging harmonies, especially "The Boar's Head Carol" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." It's all pretty, but it's not wallpaper music; your attention is rewarded, and you will keep noticing new aspects of familiar old tunes. There are also a couple of songs that were new to me: "And Is It True" and "I Believe in Father Christmas." Both have modern, sensitive texts that are worth thinking about (not just more sentimental drivel). The performances are sharp -- one thing I always appreciate about the Swingles is their balance. The melody is always there, and the rest of the (a cappella) accompaniment is perfectly distinguished. The renditions are sometimes bouncy ("We Three Kings") but always elegant.

If you are familiar with this group only from their old "doo be doo" days, know that this album is different. They sing the words. However, I dearly wish someone would have the sense to re-issue (on CD) their doo-be-doo Christmas album of carols from around the world, recorded in the 1970s. It was a stunningly arranged gem, with tons of lovely, less-familiar tunes.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Arrangement of Silent Night Ever !, December 27, 2002

By 

Dale Nelson (Fountain Hills, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of Christmas (Audio CD)

I know I am preaching to the choir of any SS fans who are reading this, but the arrangement of Silent Night on this CD is simply the best I've heard. Each voice of the Octet is not only pitch perfect, but also at the right volume level. It's a joy to listen to, especially on the whole notes realizing that no one voice is dominating.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for purists, June 15, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Story of Christmas (Audio CD)

For those expecting to hear traditional harmonies in this acappella collection of carols and other Christmas songs, this will be a huge disappointment. But for those who like to hear a fresh take on old favorites the Swingles certainly deliver. I particularly enjoyed "Silent Night", a simple melody with harmonies with which Gruber (and purists) might struggle, but so rewarding to more adventurous 21st century ears.