A Child's Celebration of Christmas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
You can't quite help but love a kids' Christmas album that will bravely package rappers Run-D.M.C. with folkies Robin and Linda Williams or the pop-folkie Roches as they take delightful liberties with "Frosty the Snowman" and Chuck Berry's rockin' classic "Run Rudolph Run." Even more satisfying is the touching Tish Hinojosa tune sung from the point of view of a young girl as she grows up and has her own kids ("Arbolito"), Pete Seeger's "Behold the Star," and Gene Autry's cowboy croon on "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." With other cool Yule tracks from Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, and one Odds Bodkin--plus added levity from the Singing Dogs (barking their way through "Jingle Bells"), Spike Jones, and Art Moony--the diverse, diversity-shaped disc has only one flaw: it will leave you pining for more. --Martin Keller --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabelle
Fum, Fum, Fum!
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Ave Maria
Gesu Bambino
Medley: I Saw Three Ships; The First Nowell; The Holly And The Ivy
Away In A Manger
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mary's Cradle Song
Zither Carol
I Wonder As I Wander
Mary Had A Baby
Rise Up, Shepherd
What Child Is This?
Ave Maria
Finale and Reprise: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful

Customer Reviews:

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle.......2007-01-19

what can i say about the best of the best? As always, Miss Battle makes me wonder how anyone else would dare to sing this music after her rendition. A beautiful CD

One of the most beautiful Christmas albums .......2005-11-22

I love Kathleen Battle's voice, and to get such a great collection of beautiful sacred music, it was like a dream come true. She sings many traditional carols like Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, which is possibly my favorite here, you may think you have heard this song so many times, but Kathleen's voice really shines in it. Her English diction is so incredible, you can understand every word, which is not something many opera singers can achieve. Her singing is always so natural and lovely. Many other songs are oustanding on this album, I love the two version of Ave Maria and the Italian song Gesu Bambino. If you are looking for a really beautiful collection of Christmas music, this album is a great choice.

A Christmas Collection For The Ages.......2005-11-13

If there is one performer I miss hearing on a regular basis, it is Kathleen Battle. Anytime I knew that she'd be in a Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast, I knew it would be a performance to remember and more often than not, I was correct. She has a light voice that reaches the upper reregisters with ease and has as a gorgeous sound. She not a regular at many opera houses these days, and in likelihood, if she still did perform on the world's opera stages, we'd be hearing critics say her voice was not what it once was, but thanks to her recorded legacy, her voice will, always have that youthful, energetic sound.

Overall I believe that Ms. Battle performs better in complete opera recordings than recital albums, but most of her recital recordings are of at least good quality and this Christmas collection is outstanding. She handles all of the works with apparent similar ease, but since the recording is so varied, this is a compliment to her skill as a performer. She begins and ends with "O Come All Ye Faithful" where she does a few vocal acrobatics but it's never overdone. Each time I think of what the bets part of the collection is, my mind changes. She brings her skills from the operatic stage in her renditions of "O Holy Night," "Gesu Bambino" (only Pavarotti sings this better, but it's a very close second), and "The Zither Carol" which sounds so much like something that could come from the mouths of Oscar from UN BALLO or Zurbinetta from ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, two of her signature roles. The music from the African American Spirituals tradition and American background are well done and the accompaniment of the Harlem Boys Choir, used to great advantage here adds so much.

With so many Christmas collections from the world of opera available, choosing one can be difficult, but this is one collection that has proven to be a joy for almost fifteen years and will continue to give holiday pleasure for years to come.

Kathleen Battle, My Madam Christmas.......2004-12-28

I probably have 50 Christmas albums. I love many of them. This is my favorite. Leaves me astounded and breathless every time I enjoy it.

Pure Joy.......2003-12-07

In a world where disturbing things are all too common, Christian scripture guides us to dwell on that which is lovely. Kathleen Battle's blessed voice is most certainly one of those lovely things.

I bought this CD in the early 1990's, and I am here to buy it again because I have worn out the original with scratches, etc. I only listen to it during the Christmas season, but I enjoy it enough to hear it all year.

The 'Christmas Celebration' CD should be enough to convince you to also purchase Kathleen's 'A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert'. Ms. Battle's wonderful soprano voice is joined by that of the mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, and the blending is more than memorable. There are a couple of songs which are on both CD's, but you'll want to hear both. In fact, the video of the PBS special is also available, and I recommend buying all three. You won't regret it.

Some of my favorite selections from 'Christmas Celebration' include 'Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabelle' and 'Fum, Fum, Fum', both of which are from a culture different from my own. I found such glimpses into unfamiliar favorites to enhance my own enjoyment of the Christmas season, as long as all of my traditional American favorites were included. They were. "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" are there among the other favorites.

Tracks:

A Suite of English Carols: The First Noel; Coventry Carol, Deck The Halls - Solid Brass
Christmas Day in da Mornin - The Baltimore Consort
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
In dulci jubilo
In dir 1st Freude
Greensleeves / What Child is This? - Ken Kolodner, Hammer Dulcimer
In the Bleak Midwinter
Concerto grosso en G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 ( Vivace - Grave) - Les Violons du Roy
Allegro
Adagio-Allegro-Adagio
Vivace
Allegro - Pastorale ad libtium
Lulle, Lullay - Ronn McFarlane, Lute
Lulle, Lullay - Custer LaRue, Soprano
Maria Through the Thornwood Goes - Ronn McFarlane, Lute; Custer LaRue, Soprano
Christen atzet diesen Tag - Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Greensleeves - Ronn McFarlane, Lute
Anklopfelweise - Manfred Schuler Zither and Fold Music Ensemble
Te Deum laudamus
Three JGerman Carols: In dulci jubilo, Silent NIght, Hark the Hearald Angles Sing - Solid Brass

Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood

Average customer rating:

Holiday must have!
Very Choosy Music Listener -- Finest Christmas Album Ever
Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood
Great for any mother and child to listen to at xmas time.
Mother & Child

Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000000QHU
Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

O Holy Night - Martina McBride
All Is Well Tonight - CeCe Winans
Through Your Eyes - Suzy Bogguss
Christmas Lullaby - Belinda Carlisle
Bless This Child - Vesta
When You Believe - Shanice, Crystal Wilson
Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant
Christmas Never Felt Like This - Olivia Newton-John
Christmas Time - Wendy Moten
Christmas Song - Kindred Spirit
Ave Maria - Beth Nielsen Chapman

Customer Reviews:

Holiday must have!.......2007-03-18

I woke up early on Christmas morning 1995,and all that was on was on the radio was Christmas music.While I tried to go back to sleep,an incredible song began to play,and my reaction was "Who in the world is this singing"? I called the radio station later to find out "the title and artist of a really nice song I heard about 4:30 this morning".Their reply:"At 4:26 we played "Christmas Lullaby" by Belinda Carlisle". I almost dropped the phone.I'm 50 years old,a Gulf War veteran,and nearly 12 years after I first heard it,it still stops me in my tracks.After searching for nearly 3 months,I was beginning to wonder if "Mother and Child" was some demo only radio stations had.After finding this site almost by accident,I wasn't leaving empty handed. I bought 4 copies.And what about the other 10 songs? Treasures.Just treasures.

Very Choosy Music Listener -- Finest Christmas Album Ever.......2006-12-25

I found this album in the bargin bin at a drug store about 5 years ago, taking a chance I rarely do, because of the intriguing theme, and the list of singers. I choose my Christmas albums exceedingly carefully. I still can hardly believe that something this good exists, let alone lying in a bargain bin. Out Of Print -- that's insane! This shows how poor marketing can sink a great product.

Anyone, anyone at all who hears "Christmas Lullabye" (Belinda Carlisle) or "Bless This Child" (Vesta) will cry. Every one of these is a gem. Except for the beginning and ending songs, these are all new to me, and all wonderful. What's more, they evoke the feeling that we mothers have for our children at Christmas, which is a wonderful thing to experience. This captures it, and it so well helps you imagine how Mary felt with the infant Jesus.

I'm shocked that some DJ doesn't get wise and play this on the air. This album would be instantly under so much demand that it would come back into print. Really, it has such heart. This is the very rare exception to the poor quality of Christmas compilation albums. Anybody reading this -- just find it, wherever you can -- it's unbeatable.

Mother & Child: A Christmas Celebration of Motherhood.......2005-12-19

This one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
It is a must for any mother in the Christmas season to have. All the songs are very heart warming. I have had fellow workers and friends ask what is the name of the music I am playing.

Great for any mother and child to listen to at xmas time........2003-11-08

Very touching and I really enjoy listening to its original chrinstmas music, as well as the rearranged traditional stuff. This is so far my favorite Xmas album.

Mother & Child.......2002-10-08

Every mother should listen to this at Christmas time !!

Average customer rating:

Christmas Celebration

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000024TD4
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Tracks:

Chant: Puer Natus Est
Of The Father's Heart Begotten
Chant: Laetentur Coeli
Laetentur Coeli
Chant: Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Lully, Lulla
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
A Hymn To The Virgin
In Dulci Jubilo
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen
Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein
O Magnum Mysterium
Chant: Alleluia
Hodie Christus Natus Est
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
La Nativite
Hymne A La Vierge
Noel Nouvelet
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Average customer rating:

A Celebration of Christmas

Manufacturer: World Class Tapes, Inc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B0006IIV5C
Release Date: 2000-11-01

Tracks:

Christmas Comes Anew (Mark Riese)
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Archibald T. Davison)
What Child is This? (Mark Riese)
Ave Maria (Franz Biebl. John Frye, John Rosenzweig, Dan Vogt soloists)
Gesu Bambino (Pietro A. Yon. Jennifer Larson and Carrie Wilson soloists)
Caroling, Caroling (Alfred Burt)
Carol of the Bells (arr. Peter Wilhousky)
Mary Had a Baby (William L. Dawson. Jennifer Larson and Carrie Wilson soloists)
Betelehemu (arr. Wendell Whalum. Dan Vogt and Jeff Harris soloists)
Do You Hear What I Hear (arr. Harry Simeone)
The Christmas Song (arr. Roy Ringwald. Jeff Harris soloist)
Winter Wonderland (arr. Clay Warnick)
O Holy Night (Adolf Adam. Jennifer Larson Carrie and Wilson soloists)
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Mark Riese. David Hawley conductor)

Album Description

Our first CD of Holiday Music was released December1, 2000. Special guest soloists on this recording are sopranos Jennifer Larson and Carrie Wilson.

Tracks:

I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Sing We Now of Christmas
Song Bethlehem
Good King Wenceslas
Good Christian Men Rejoice
The First Noel
Angels We Have Heard On High
A Holiday Celebration
Jingle Bells
Joy, Joy, Joy
Green Sleeves
Handel's Allegro from Concerto #8
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Joy to the World
Hark the Herald Angel Sing

Album Description

-16 original instrumental duets for piano and organ. -Easy listening music while entertaining or cooking. -Plus 10 great holiday cookie recipes with each CD.

Average customer rating:

Christmas Celebration

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Vocal Pop & Oldies | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000B3FDV
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Tracks:

Silent Night
Deck the Halls
Let It Snow
Angels We Have Heard on High
Adeste Fideles
Coventry Carol
Away in a Manger
First No
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Bell Carol (Good Christian Men, Rejoice)
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Silver Bells
Frosty the Snowman

Tracks:

Sleigh Ride - Percy Faith, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Mathis, , Orchestra
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Julie Andrews
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Percy Faith, , Chorus, Orchestra
Silver Bells - The Ray Conniff Singers
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Charlie Rich
Go Tell It on the Mountain - Mahalia Jackson
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Phyllis Curtin, Androstelanetz,
My Favorite Things - Tony Bennett
Hallelujah Chorus - Eugene Ormandy, Robert Page, Philadelphia Orchestra, Temple University Concert Choir
What Child Is This? - Vikki Carr
Winter Wonderland - Mitch Miller
First No- Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Alexander Schreiner
O Holy Night - Peter Nero
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Andy Williams
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - John Davidson
Twelve Days of Christmas - Dinah Shore
Christmas Bells - Patti Page
(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Robert Goulet
Christmas Eve in My Home Town - Jim Nabors
Silent Night - Philadelphia Brass Ensemble