Christmas With Julie Andrews (Exp)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Julie Andrews's clear and highly articulated vocal manner is both a blessing and a bit of a distraction on this 14-song reissue of her 1982 holiday album. Set against orchestral refinements and a genuinely inspired choice of less popular material, including "In the Bleak Midwinter," "The Holy Boy," "See Amid the Winter Snow," and others, Andrews creates a dazzling Christmas mood full of somewhat concocted sentiment. Christmas with Julie Andrews boasts big production numbers that are long on satisfaction and arch theatricality. Her pitch is remarkable, but one wonders if she's ever sung with any grit. For fans--and they number millions of children and adults who have grown up with her singing in films and soundtracks such as The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and Victor Victoria--this timely collection will indeed be a cherished gift. --Martin Keller

Tracks:

Oh Come All Ye Faithful
In The Bleak Midwinter
The Holy Boy
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
See Amid The Winter Snow
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
What Child Is This?
Hark! The Herald Angel Sing
Rocking
Away In A Manger
I Wonder As I Wander
Patapan
The Secret Of Christmas
Silent Night, Holy Night

Amazon.com

Julie Andrews's clear and highly articulated vocal manner is both a blessing and a bit of a distraction on this 14-song reissue of her 1982 holiday album. Set against orchestral refinements and a genuinely inspired choice of less popular material, including "In the Bleak Midwinter," "The Holy Boy," "See Amid the Winter Snow," and others, Andrews creates a dazzling Christmas mood full of somewhat concocted sentiment. Christmas with Julie Andrews boasts big production numbers that are long on satisfaction and arch theatricality. Her pitch is remarkable, but one wonders if she's ever sung with any grit. For fans--and they number millions of children and adults who have grown up with her singing in films and soundtracks such as The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and Victor Victoria--this timely collection will indeed be a cherished gift. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

My favorite traditional Christmas album of all time!.......2007-03-06

When I was in radio we featured this "record". It became my favorite traditional
Christmas record. The beautiful perfection of Julie Andrew's voice combined with
the truly magnificent arrangements and orchestral renderings represent the true
spirit and joy of the Christmas season. I searched for this record for YEARS and
finally found it at Amazon...different cover, exactly the same music. I bought 2
copies as well as 2 copies of Julie Andrews "Greatest Christmas Songs". If you
don't find your favorite carol on one CD, you will find it on the other!

It's all about Julie's voice..........2006-12-15

I realize that this album is very highly acclaimed by other reviewers, but I find it to be rather flat. Ultimately, this recording is all about Julie Andrews' voice. For many people, that is enough. However, I was extremely disappointed with most of the arrangements. Quite frankly, they are rather bland (and often extremely sloooooow). Of course, this provides Miss Andrews with the opportunity to do her thing, and she does have a dazzling voice. I am hard-pressed to criticize her performance, and she is remarkable, as always. But I can't ignore the fact that the accompaniments are so boring.

If you could swoon over Julie Andrews humming a middle-C for ten minutes, then you will love this album. If you love all Christmas music, regardless of its quality, then you will love this album. But if you have somewhat higher expectations for professionally-produced music, then you will probably find this recording to be pleasant but largely unremarkable. I don't mind listening to it, but I do not particularly recommend it. I prefer most other Christmas albums and much prefer Julie Andrews singing Broadway tunes. This one just doesn't do much for me.

The perfect voice for some holiday classics.......2004-11-23

Since I was a little girl and my mother and I collected the Firestone albums (they cost $1.00!), I have absolutely loved to hear Julie Andrews sing Christmas carols. Her crystal clear soprano is the perfect accompaniment to the classic, traditional songs, lending an air of timeless authenticity that cannot be surpassed. My particular favorite on this CD is "In the Bleak Mid Winter", a soulful, melancholy song that captures the stark, gray, frigid beauty of winter. I would recommend this CD to anyone that is a serious collector of quality Christmas recordings and to those that are just starting that journey.
S.Fletcher Edgewater, NJ

Keep your "grit"; give me beauty and clarity for Christmas!.......2004-10-28

I don't mean to be cynical, but the editorial review on this CD was a hoot. Does the editorial reviewer actually listen to Miss Andrews singing Christmas carols for GRIT?! He sounds like one of those folks who simply can't accept that vocal beauty and clarity are perfectly appropriate and preferrable in many musical genres--including musicals, which now seem to be full of people who can belt out a tune, but can't actually sing it with any sensitivity. This is a lovely CD; try also her Greatest Christmas Songs and her Christmas Treasure, even more beautiful if possible--taken from the early Firestone LP's.

Lovely Christmas Album.......2004-01-09

This is a lovely, enchanting Christmas album featuring Julie Andrews singing both traditional and obscure carols. Highlights include "The Holy Boy," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "I Wonder As I Wander." All of the songs have beautiful orchestra arrangements and some also feature a choir. In "O Little Town of Bethlehem," the choir sings the traditional melody while Julie sings an entirely different melody, which adds new dimension to this classic carol. In "I Wonder As I Wander," Julie sings both the lead and harmony on overlaid vocal tracks, which gives a haunting effect. This reminds me of a similar technique used on Barbra Streisand's Broadway Album in "The King And I" medley. One song that seems somewhat out of place is "The Secret of Christmas" since all the other selections refer to the spiritual meaning of the holiday and this is the only secular song.

The reason I gave this album four stars instead of five is because I think her "Sounds of Christmas" album she made for Hallmark in 1990 is superior. That album features a perfect mix of sacred and secular songs and overall is a bit more upbeat than "Christmas With Julie Andrews." However, this album is still very enjoyable -- Julie's voice is always a pleasure to listen to and will give you a touch of Christmas spirit anytime throughout the year!

Christmas with Julie Andrews & Andre Previn
Average customer rating:

Best of two worlds

Fine Christmas fare!

Christmas with Julie Andrews & Andre Previn
Julie Andrews , and Andre Previn
Manufacturer: Christmas Gold
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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ASIN: B000AY962E
Release Date: 2005-09-12