Christmas Songs

Various Artists - Miscellaneous - Holiday

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B00005177I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,323 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
From the album's opening notes--the thumping bass of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan--you know immediately that you're in store for a unique disc of holiday music. Featuring an eclectic bunch of Nettwerk Records' roster and friends, the simply titled Christmas Songs features not so simple performances by the likes of McLachlan ("Song for a Winter's Night"), Dido ("Christmas Day"), Matthew Ryan ("Little Drummer Boy"), and Kendall Payne ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel"). The diverse offerings here can be overwhelming; Meryn Cadell's "The Cat Carol" is a traditional folk tune, while Delerium's "Terra Firma" is an ethereal taste of seasonal electronica. That said, there's probably something for everyone here. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Classic, November 21, 2000

By	Jon Huff "designer and aritst" (IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is probably one of the most stunning Christmas compilations ever! Nettwerk has one of highest quality talent rosters of any label and they manage a huge number of other big names as well. The best thing about this CD is that not only is it a "Nettwerk's Finest" CD but it is also a good Christmas CD and avoids looking like a promotional tool like far to many other Christmas CD's do. Highlights are Tara MacLean's great rendition of Winter Wonderland, Kendall Payne's interesting twist on O Come O Come Emmanuel and Sarah Mclachlan's Song For A Winter Night. But the highlight of the CD is Dido's all-new original song "Christmas Day." Haunting and beautiful, it's pure Dido and could easily be enjoyed any time of the year. Though the lyrics (And the last words I heard him say/The last words I ever heard him say were/I shall come to you on Christmas Day) are pretty depressing there is a spark of hope in her voice. As if her lost lover may still yet return one day.

A must have CD

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars melancholy but beautiful collection, December 3, 2000

By	K. McDermott (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This alternative/folk compilation won't appeal to folks who like their Christmas albums to be full of mistletoe and ho-ho-ho, but for those who'd like some thoughtfully beautiful songs to balance the frantic holiday mood, this CD offers a nice variety of new and old-but-unusual ("Gaudete"). A few selections are downright cheerful (Barenaked Ladies' bouncy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and Lily Frost's delicate "Skating on the River"), but the spirit of most of the pieces is more in keeping with the ancient concept that the winter solstice is a time for a kind of peaceful melancholy. If your collection is heavy on the Jingle Bells, get this to round it out (but be warned: one track, "The Cat Carol," goes beyond melancholy -- it's just sad). Even aside from the long story (amusing on the first listen, but hardly a classic) by Stuart McLean (who sounds like Jimmy Stewart would if he were Canadian), this CD offers almost 50 minutes of lovely, unique holiday music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, original, funny Christmas album!, November 27, 2001

By A Customer

I actually bought this CD last year, but I'll be playing it again this year so I can play it for the Christmas holidays when friends are over. A lot of my friends have heard 'Christmas Songs', and really enjoy it because it's quite different from the usual stuff that comes out around the holidays.

The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan do a great version of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and the female British singer Dido does a cool original (as far as I know) called 'Christmas Day'. Lily Frost's version of 'Skating On The River' is nice, too.

Something different too for a Christmas album is the story at the end called 'Polly Anderson's Christmas Party'. It's an actual Christmas story, and a funny one! It'll put a smile on anyone's face!

A great Christmas CD!