Contemporary Gospel Christmas

Track Listings

1. Joy to the World - Francine Belcher

2. O Holy Night - Bob Bailey

3. Silent Night - Kelly Williams

4. Away in the Manger

5. What Child Is This? - Mark Baldwin, Mark Douthit

6. Hark! The Harold Angels Sing - Beverly Crawford, Mike-E

7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

8. Go, Tell It on the Mountain - Jacquelyn Reddick

9. Auld Lang Syne - Derrick Lee, Ralph Lofton

Tracks:

Overture: A Partial History Of Black Music - Various Artists
Comfort Ye My People - Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Chris Willis
And The Glory Of The Lord - Diane Reeves
But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming - Patti Austin
And He Shall Purify - Tramaine Hawkins
Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive - Howard Hewitt
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - Stevie Wonder
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - James Wright
Glory To God - The Boys Choir Of Harlem
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion - The Richard Smallwood Singers
Behold The Lamb Of God (Instrumental) - The Yellowjackets
Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates - Commissioned
Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage? - Al Jarreau
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - Tevin Campbell
Hallelujah! - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

Amazing and Soulful.......2007-07-03

I first heard this recording at a session at the 2007 conference of the Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation and I have been listening to it ever since. This CD really is a celebration of music.

I have put in this CD without telling people what it was and have enjoyed the totally positive response.

Was disappointed.......2007-05-22

I bought this CD because of the great reviews and didn't like it at all. Too loud and abrasive for my ears... I gave it away to someone who might better like it.

I expected it to be mellifluous and soulful but found it rather annoying... especially at the holidays.

excellent, excellent cd.......2007-04-26

there is nothing more i could say about this cd that the other reviewers haven't already mentioned - it is a must have for anyone, even if you are not a fan of christian music. i had never even heard of this project - i bought it soon after it came out, simply because i liked the cover art and thought it would be a good cd to have around christmas. it's better than that - i listen to it year round. every song, no matter what style, is delivered with all heart and soul possible. excellent lift-you-up music, and great to listen to in the mornings to get you pumped up for the day. "and he shall purify" is simply electrifying. i am also a big fan of the final song, "halleluja!" and "but who may abide the day of his coming" will just set you free! year round, this is an outstanding example of gospel, jazz, hip-hop and absolute zeal for any music lover.

Awesome Recording.......2007-04-11

Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration is a masterful interpretation of an age old classic. The arrangements are sheer brilliance. My hats off to Mervyn Warren and all those involved in this project.

OUTSTANDING!.......2007-03-16

This album won a Grammy many years ago. I saw a Gospel Choir perform the Halleluah Chorus live at the award show. Since then I have not only enjoyed the recording tremendously myself I have given it to several people at Christmas time and they have been equally enthralled. I loaned it to my son's High School Choir teacher and finaaly made it a gift when he refused to give it back!

Average customer rating:

Selah
Rose of Bethlehem Accompaniment Book
The best of all albums (in my opinion)
excellent Christmas
Love It All Year Long

Rose Of Bethlehem
Selah
Manufacturer: Curb Special Markets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album
Be Still My Soul
Press On
Hiding Place
Greatest Hymns

ASIN: B00006JM1Z
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Tracks:

Silent Night
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Light Of The Stable
Once Upon A Christmas
What Child Is This
Joy
Noel
O Holy Night
Mystery
Rose Of Bethlehem

Customer Reviews:

Selah.......2007-05-14

God has blessed this lovely group in their lives and with their songs, including the CD Rose of Bethlehem representing Jesus' light shinning by the way they worship GOd, as well as all their other CDs. It brings energetic,a calmness,a closeness feeling when Listening to Gods's team singing for him with by his grace and to all his children who which are blessed. Thank you God and Thank you Selah! I love all their music and praises!

Rose of Bethlehem Accompaniment Book.......2007-01-16

Beautiful arrangements, true to their CD. All Selah instrumentalist books are excellent.

The best of all albums (in my opinion).......2007-01-12

I love Selah and I'm really thrilled with this one. Even though it is
based on Christmas, the songs and unusual renditions make it a "must
have".

excellent Christmas.......2007-01-08

lovely Christmas cd. if you like Christmas music, buy it!! if you like selah, buy it!! if you're not sure, buy it!! you'll be glad you did.

Love It All Year Long.......2006-08-20

I own all the Selah albums and this is one of my favorite two. (Bless the Broken Road is my other) I listen to it all year long. It's too great to put away for 11 months of the year. The last three tracks are by far my favorite. With their beautiful vocals and stiring lyrics you get goose bumps in the middle of the summer.

Average customer rating:

These songs can make everyday Christmas
LOVE IT!!!!
The best version of Silent Night on record
The Best
This will get you up and dancing

Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas
Kirk Franklin and the Family
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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Fred Hammond Christmas: Just Remember
Christmas with Yolanda Adams
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The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin and the Family

ASIN: B000007SMQ
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

Silent Night
Now Behold The Lamb
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Go Tell It On The Mountain
They Need To Know
There's No Christmas Without You
O Come All Ye Faithful
The Night That Christ Was Born
Thank You For Your Child
Love Song
Silver & Gold

Amazon.com

Anyone who's seen Kirk Franklin live knows that he's a powerful entertainer and an animated gospel singer who brings the church and the word with him wherever he goes. Christmas is Franklin's testament to faith and a showcase for some of the finest gospel singers in the Family as they soar through standards such as "Silent Night" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain," along with less familiar fare such as "Now Behold the Lamb" and "They Need To Know Him." Franklin's no gospel purist, however, whether he's charging through a hymn or telling that "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season." He interjects R&B and bits of hip-hop phrasing and jazz into the works. All of it makes for a rousing good time, one that almost turns a studio recording into a live front-pew experience that few Christmas records even come close to delivering. Somebody say Amen. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

These songs can make everyday Christmas .......2007-01-23

Form the first time I heard this CD. And heard many church choir doing "The Lamb of God". I knew that this CD would be a special one.
This CD is one that you should have in your collection. All of the songs on this CD, is worth having. From "Silent Night" to the last song "Silver & Gold - Remix" can be played each and every day. That is why I say, "These songs can make everyday Christmas" Give it a listen, and You'll see what I mean.

LOVE IT!!!!.......2007-01-10

This is my favorite Christmas CD by far. I've had to buy it on 3 different occasions because it's enjoyed by so many in my family that it seems to always come up missing at the end of the holidays. The fact that I've been willing to buy it again and again is a testament to the power that radiates from the songs on this CD. The arrangement is imepeccable with mix of down home gospel as well as up tempo contemporary songs of praise, all the while keeping with the messages of the true meaning of Christmas. I will buy it again and again if I have to. Thank You Kirk Franklin and the Family for putting out a masterful, classic piece of work.

The best version of Silent Night on record.......2006-12-21

The first cut, Silent Night, is worth the price of the CD. I'm not a gospel music fan but I love about half the songs on this CD. Jesus is the Reason, O Come All Ye Faithful, The Night That Christ was Born and Silver and Gold are the other songs I like. Kirk Franklin and Family are a nice contrast to Robert Shaw Chorale during the holidays.

The Best.......2006-12-13

I have been hearing songs from this album for years and I finally got a copy of my own. As my boyfriend and I finished up our Thanksgiving by putting up the tree this CD set the mood. Once you pop this CD in it takes you to a place where you don't feel ashamed to praise Gods name. This CD lifts you up and really tells you about the real meaning of Christmas. This CD is powerful, one of Kirk and the Family's best (even though they are all good)! Whether it's 1996 or 2006 this CD is still one of the best Christmas albums ever!!!

This will get you up and dancing.......2006-12-12

Just popped this into the CD player.....Kirk just brings the funk into the gospel and keeps it real. This is my fave Christmas album...I was trying to decorate the tree and ended up praising Jesus.....I love love love this album

Christmas with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Average customer rating:

Ernie and the guys for Christmas

Christmas with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Manufacturer: Spring House / EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Get Away, Jordan
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Get Away, Jordan
What a Difference a Day Makes

ASIN: B000F3R528
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

Is It Christmas Yet?
A Quartet Christmas
Tonight
The First Noel
Come Make A Place In Me
Who Do You Think?
Christmas Medley
Glory To God In The Highest
The Night Heaven Kissed Earth
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Product Description

Ten Track Gospel Music CD including: 1) Is It Christmas Yet 2) The First Noel 3)The Night Heaven Kissed Earth 4) Who Do You Think 5) Tonight plus five others.

Customer Reviews:

Ernie and the guys for Christmas.......2007-01-16

Ever since Ernie Haase started Signature Sound, we have like their sound.
We were pleased to find a Christmas album. It has old favorites and some
new songs. Very nice mix and really good sound. You can even picture them singing, after having seen some of their concerts. Good investment.

Average customer rating:

One of the best Xmas CDs out there - unless you don't like good music
This one's going to be a classic
A bluesy gospel Christmas album with special guests
Shout It From The Rooftops!
Overproduced by WAY too many not so special guests...

Go Tell It on the Mountain
Blind Boys of Alabama
Manufacturer: Real World
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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Amazing Grace
Spirit of the Century
Higher Ground
Atom Bomb
There Will Be a Light

ASIN: B0002W4TQC
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Last Month Of The Year
I Pray On Christmas
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Little Drummer Boy
In The Bleak Midwinter
Joy To The World
Born In Bethlehem
The Christmas Song
Away In A Manger
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
White Christmas
Silent Night
My Lord What A Morning

Amazon.com

Exceptional in every way, the Blind Boys of Alabama's Christmas record is a must have for Christmas music fans of all ages and musical persuasions. Go Tell It on the Mountain features the legendary gospel group singing with some of the most renowned artists in the music world who share gospel, R&B and folk roots. Thirteen tracks deep, every song is a gift, offering such compelling new arrangements and dynamic vocal performances of traditional hymns, carols and mistletoe pop standards that some will seem like you're hearing them for the first time. With guest stars such as Solomon Burke, Tom Waits, Shelby Lynne, Chrissie Hynde, Aaron Neville, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, the immortal jazz man Les McCann and others, it's impossible to list all the highlights. Suffice to say, the blistering blues-funk rendering of "Away in a Manger" with George Clinton, Robert Randolph and the Blind Boys, along with a smoldering duet of "The Christmas Song" by Shelby Lynne and Clarence Fountain from the group, will have you shoutin' from the mountaintop again and again. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

One of the best Xmas CDs out there - unless you don't like good music.......2006-12-12

This CD is heartfelt and unique, with great instrumentation and good production and has a nice sampling of guest artists. But overall the Blind Boys voices are what makes it shine. They really make the songs thier own - even the ones you've heard a thousand times before - and THIER versions will stick in your head all season long.
The GREAT majority of reviewers give this CD 5 stars and many others give it 4 stars. But there are 3 or 4 people bringing the overall rating down by giving the CD 1 or 2 stars. Please ignore those reviews. One of those reviewers said the CD was overproduced and too polished, yet another reviewer said they must have used the first take on every track implying the recordings are sloppy? Contradictory and unfounded. Just click on the track samples right here on Amazon and listen - is it what you expected?
Folks, if you love the Blind Boys and/or love Christmas music with an original R&B twist (R&B in the true old-school sense of the word, not the way the phrase "R&B" is used today), then this CD is for you. If you have any idea what you're buying before you purchase (and these days it's hard not to), then buy it and enjoy.

This one's going to be a classic.......2005-12-21

Let me add my voice to the praise for this album. I've heard numerous versions of most of these songs and "Blind Boys" have just reset my ultimate covers for both "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "In the Bleak Midwinter" just to name a few. Admittedly, this review is posted too late for you to get this CD for this Christmas, but trust me you will very much be enjoying the songs on this album throughout the year.

A bluesy gospel Christmas album with special guests.......2005-11-14

I had not heard any music by this group prior to borrowing a copy of this album - however, this is an excellent Christmas album. As you would expect from a gospel group, they focus almost exclusively on the religious aspect of the festival, the sole exception being White Christmas. There is a different guest singer on each track except the opening and closing tracks, which are without guests.

With any album featuring a variety of guests, one's favorites depend to some extent on one's opion of the various guests. For example, my favorite guest is Shelby Lynne, who does a fine duet of The Christmas song - however, it's not quite my absolute favorite track. That distinction goes to Chrissie Hynde singing In the bleak midwinter, almost as a solo track with the group providing backup harmony. It is one of my favorite carols and I get the impression that it is more popular in Britain than in America, where it turns up occasionally on Christmas albums (this one included) but is by no means common. Other favorites include I pray on Christmas (a cover of a Harry Connick Jr song featuring Solomon Burke), Born in Bethlehem (with Mavis Staples), Little drummer boy (with Michael Franti) and Joy to the world (with Aaron Neville).

This is an album with plenty of variety - they put plenty of energy into Last month of the year (no guests) and Go tell it on the mountain (with Tom Waits), which provide plenty of contrast with the slower songs.

If you are looking for a bluesy gospel Christmas album, this is certainly a good one to choose.

Shout It From The Rooftops!.......2005-07-25

"Go Tell It On The Mountain"! . . . The Blind Boys Of Alabama present us all with their gifts of "Gold Frankinsence, and Myrrh" in spirit and sound. Every track on this cd is a true "gem" and will stand the test of time to last for generation after generation of listeners . . . it is 'classic" in that it defies the fads of time . . . no matter your age or musical taste preferences, these true musical artists will touch a chord in your soul that only "spiritual gospel" can stricke and resound . . .these singers create spiritual harmonics is your soul and heart.

The Christmas season is special . .and in truth it is all too short . . . but there ARE several "christmas albums" which i listen to and enjoy throughout the year, regardless of the month or season or "temperature on the thermometer": the one is The New Christie Minstrels' "Merry Christmas" . . . another John prine's Christmas album . . . and now, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" by The Blind Boys Of Alabama! :)

Don't wait for the holiday season to near to get a copy of this album . . . and don't delay until the department stores begin decorating with reindeers and snowflakes . . . get it now . . get it anytime of the year . . and put it on your cd player and just let their soulful harmonies engulph you in wave after wave until you find yourself a part of the flow . . . you will find it's Christmas all year long . . every day . . . and if you're like me, you'll go out and get yourself more and more albums by these men who have "real talent" . . "real abilities" . . and "real gifts" . . .

I give my thanks to The Blind Boys of Alabama for this album and for all of their recordings . . . American . . and "world" music . . . owes them a debt of gratitude for the treasures they have created and made permanent on recording after recording . . . long after these men have departed . . and long after all of us have vacated this world, these tracks will be listened to and appreciated and enjoyed by countless not yet born . . .and THEY TOO will be grateful to The Blind Boys Of Alabama for leaving these tracks behind . . .

I hope that they record many many more albums yet to come . . . but for now, i am happy to have this "Christmas All Year" album from them, "Go Tell It On The Mountain"! :)

Overproduced by WAY too many not so special guests..........2004-12-19

The Blind Boys of Alabama sound spectacular on this cd, and the gospel combo backing them up is exellent, the songs are also great, and the Boys' harmonies are swinging, however the special guests(who are mostly not so special) wiegh this projest down. There is a great version of 12th Month of The Year, Go Tell it on the Mountian and The Christmas Song with jazz piano great Les McCann. Otherwise there are too many soul r&b type artists who don'tconform well to the Boys' ad thier gospel, blues jazz style. Aaron Nevelle completely ruins several songs, with his feminine wimpy whining, and many singers rap thier way thru songs. Too many doo wop-ish guest stars water this down. Too bad the producers here went so commercial.

Average customer rating:

I Didn't Know Yolanda From Oleta...But I Like This
Can't stop listening to Christmas with Yolanda
Christmas Ruined
Truly Amazing!!!!!!
Glorious!

Christmas with Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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One Wish: The Holiday Album
First Christmas
Bethlehem
Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas
Fred Hammond Christmas: Just Remember

ASIN: B00004Y6JN
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Little Drummer Boy
Born This Day
The Christmas Song
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Carol Of The Bells/What Child Is This
Silent Night
The First Noel
O Holy Night
Joy Medley (Joy To The World)/Angels We Have Heard On High/Hark The Herald Angels Sing/Ode To Joy)

Amazon.com

The queen of modern R&B-influenced gospel soul brings a typically updated approach to this, her first Christmas album. Although the singing is less intense and earth-shatteringly amazing than on last year's breakthrough, Mountain High... Valley Low--how intense can one be when singing "Little Drummer Boy"? Her take on "It Came upon a Midnight Clear" is so thick with slow-jam funk that it almost loses its way, but it never does, and is instead a highlight of this solid (although not superlative) disc. Unfortunately, this is mostly a set of secular shopping mall tunes. One notable exception is "Born on This Day," which drops a heavy choir funk vibe. And her take on "O Holy Night" is so truly transporting that it'll have you taking a cue from the song and falling down on your knees in thanks for the many blessings of the holiday season. --James Conde

Customer Reviews:

I Didn't Know Yolanda From Oleta...But I Like This.......2007-01-04

I was poking around the holiday section of the local library's CD collection, just hoping to find something a little different, when I came across this collection by Yolanda Adams and thought,"Hmmm. "Get Here" was a powerhouse song, so how bad can this be...?"

How embarrassing to get my Adams(es?) confused, but then I had the same problem back in high school when I'd constantly be mixing up John and John Quincy. Call it a mental block. Or something. All I know is there are two soulful, powerhouse singers named Adams out there (more, if you count Ryan, Bryan--still more confusion--and Edie).

I always tell folks that if there's a singer whose work they DON'T know, check out their holiday album (if any). It's often cheaper, and it does provide the ultimate test. I mean, if you can breathe new life into some of the standard Xmas warhorses, you can pretty much do anything. So believe you can fly, Yolanda, cuz it's clear you can.

Adams is never less than professional when attempting the standard holiday fare, and much of the album is just that: soulful but not overwrought interpretations of songs like "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," the umpteenth version of "The Christmas Song" (nicely done, if not exactly a revelation) and, yes, even "The Little Drummer Boy." But the gospel inflected original (I believe) "Born This Day" truly soars. There is also an imaginative medley of "Carol of the Bells" and "What Child Is This?" And while soul versions of "Oh Holy Night" are hardly unheard of, you'd better be worth your salt, frankincense and myrrh to even attempt it. Yolanda Adams is up to the task.

Good stuff. And a great stocking stuffer.

Can't stop listening to Christmas with Yolanda.......2006-10-11

What sheer delight listening to this, one of the finest ever Christmas CD's. Could listen to this one 12 months of the year and keep the Spirit of Christmas gloriously alive. Yolanda's voice simply radiates with beauty, clarity and that motivating energy of pure love. This is one of those "must" albums you have to buy for yourself and then for your friends - just maybe in that order!

Christmas Ruined.......2006-10-10

Born this Day, the song is quite beautiful so I was upset when I heard- "Christ The Lord He's God the Father, God the Son and Holy Spirit [Jesus]." This is all sung on the song as one phrase. Note, the "Jesus" at the end is in the audio but not in the lyrics I found online.

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ IS God, but NOT that He ~is~ the Father, NOR that He is the Holy Spirit. Yolanda is teaching the ancient heresy called "modalism" which is rejected by Christians of every stripe... protestants, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox....

Her doctrine destroys the importance of Christmas itself because if true we would no longer have the incarnate Christ, our great High Priest interceding for us. There are other implications, but that particular one seems to kill the meaning of Christmas itself.

Truly Amazing!!!!!!.......2005-12-20

Christmas with Yolanda is truly an amazing work of art. Although I'm just getting around to writing a review, I had to take a moment to let all of you know what a terrific cd this is. Yolanda is not only an amazing singer, she is a person who truly blesses the Lord with her musical abilities. If you're looking for a good Christmas cd this year, then definitely purchase this one! You and your family will be blessed! I promise :)

Glorious!.......2004-12-15

Her voice was made to sing Christmas songs. I purchased this album and it immediately became my favorite Christmas CD. Hearing her sing "The Christmas Song" when she sings "Merry Christmas to You" you can't not be filled with the joy of the season. Every track is exceptional. (second favorite Christmas CD: Nancy LaMott)

Average customer rating:

Excellent CD
Perfect
Take as much as you can get!
Like Christmas -- This Album Stands Up
I Listen To This Even When It's Not The Holidays!

He is Christmas
Take 6
Manufacturer: Word Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Take 6
Take 6 - The Greatest Hits
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
Feels Good

ASIN: B000002LQG
Release Date: 1991-09-10

Tracks:

Silent Night, Holy Night
Oh! He Is Christmas
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Away In A Manger
Amen!
The Little Drummer Boy
'Twas Da Nite
Sweet Little Jesus Boy
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Take 6/The Yellowjackets
O Come All Ye Faithful

Customer Reviews:

Excellent CD.......2007-03-08

This Christmas CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.

Perfect.......2007-01-16

I had this on cassette but felt very left out when cassette players went out of style. I bought purely because it is a great Christmas CD. My favs are....well all of them!

Take as much as you can get!.......2006-11-23

This album is divine. It has the ability to evoke a Christmas feeling that I had years before the album even came out! 'Hark the Heral Angels Sing,' my favourite track on the album, reminds me of growing up, surrounded by family on Christmas Day with a turkey and ham in the oven... thinking "thank God for the joy this day brings."

Vocally they are impeccably harmonized and the genre ranges from STUNNING classical interpretations such as 'Hark the Herald' to a dreamy, bluesy number like 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy'...to jazzy 'God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen'. Like all good Santas, there's something for everyone and yet we can still enjoy all of it. Magical!

Bring the spirit of Christmas home...or back home. Get this CD and then turn the volume up. God bless!

Like Christmas -- This Album Stands Up.......2005-12-10

Listening to this album this morning as I add to my wish list, the vast majority of comments here echo my own. This album is fresh every time I listen to it. It stands ups. Timeless. Even the cuts I didn't like the first time grown on you. If you like Take 6, or just very smooth vocal jazz harmony, this will put a star on your musical tree every year.

I Listen To This Even When It's Not The Holidays!.......2005-11-28

Not your typical boring rehash of familiar Christmas songs. Complex arrangements, lush multi-layered vocals, and top notch production make this one of THE BEST hands down Christmas albums of all time. The group's unique approach transcends all cultural and ethnic boundaries. My favorite track is their jazzy interpretation of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" featuring the Yellow Jackets. If you've been under a rock and haven't purchased this album...do yourself and your family a favor and buy it today. You won't be dissappointed.

Average customer rating:

Stone cold masterpiece
Rocking Stocking Stuffer
Perfect for anyone who loves guitarists
Guitar Heroes Do Christmas
Well-rounded Guitar Rock Christmas Collection

Merry Axemas
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Rock N' Roll Christmas
The Ho! Ho! Hoey! The Complete Collection

ASIN: B000002BP3
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
The First Nowell - Eric Johnson
Amazing Grace - Jeff Beck
Jingle Bells - Brian Setzer Orchestra
Silent Night/Holy Night Jam - Joe Satriani
Joy To The World - Steve Morse
Christmas Time Is Here - Steve Vai
Blue Christmas - Joe Perry
The Little Drummer Boy - Alex Lifeson
Cantique De Noel (O' Holy Night) - Richie Sambora
Happy X-mas (War Is Over) - Hotei

Amazon.com

A tour de force of guitar players Steve Vai has known rock around the Christmas tree in this must-have Yuletide album. Vai, who began his career as a member of Frank Zappa's band and in more recent years has been David Lee Roth's partner in crime, transcends both roles by playing matchmaker between a few of our more inventive (albeit overlooked) guitar slingers and some of the best-loved Christmas carols. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's proboscis has never glowed quite so brightly as when Kenny Wayne Shepherd cranks up his guitar and takes us down an edgy blues journey. Eric Johnson's clear-as-a-Christmas-bell tones are a joy to listen to in his rendition of "The First Nowell." The standout, however, is Jeff Beck's haunting and emotional "Amazing Grace." --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Stone cold masterpiece.......2006-12-12

Let's face it; a lot of Christmas music is overfamiliar, if not outright boring. Whenever Jose Feliciano's "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas" vomits out of the radio, I "wanna" run screaming from the room. "Merry Axemas" comes to the rescue, shredding the cobwebs with hurricane force. Familiar music is completely deconstructed and reimagined in a thrilling way, as world-class rock guitarists reinterpret songs we've all heard a million times. The passion and virtuosity takes my breath away; it's like hearing the melodies for the first time. I believe the apex of the disc is Joe Satriani's "Silent Night/Holy Night Jam." I rate this disc in the same category as the Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack, Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift For You," and "Rockin' Little Christmas." This is timeless music; no "1001 strings" or Fairlight synthesizers to date it. Highly, highly recommended.

Rocking Stocking Stuffer.......2006-02-25

This (along with vol. 2) has become my favorite Christmas music. Some of it is just fun, some of it serious, all of it great! My favorites are "Joy To The World" and "Happy Xmas War Is Over). Combining Christmas with great guitar work is Heaven on earth.

Perfect for anyone who loves guitarists.......2004-11-11

What an absolutely fantastic album. It's so good that I have had to buy it three times, as the other two CDs mysteriously "vanished". Oh well, if I had low morals, I'd steal this, too. The mood of this album vascillates, as it starts off full swing in the holiday spirit, with a pretty literal version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But my favourite track is Eric Johnson's "First Nowell". I'm a wee bit biased, as I think he is the greatest modern guitarist. But it truly is an extraordinary composition. It is in fact quite intricate, and he manages to incorporate his own flavour into the melody without destroying the structure of the piece. Which cannot be said for Joe Satriani's "Silent Night", which goes on a tangent of accousitcally illegible meanderings. Joe Perry does a fantastic job with "Blue Christmas". It is almost two songs, the first an homage to the classic version, with almost an Hawaiian tiki feel, and then he rips off the leis and the hawaiian shirt, and shows that underneath he has black leather pants and a ripped t-shirt and absolutely shreds it. I knew my 90 year old grandmother would like the first part of the song, and then the second part came on, and she said "Oh, my". Hilarious. Alot of the songs take you by surprise that these heavy metal guitarists can be so expressive. Kind of gives you a new insight. Who knew that Ritchie Sambora could be so eloquent? It ends perfectly, with Hotei's version of "So This Is Christmas". Like alot of the other reviewers, I listen to this year round, and this album is my absolute favourite "holiday" compilation. Buy it, if you don't like it, sell it to me, as someone will invariably steal my third CD of this album.

Guitar Heroes Do Christmas.......2003-09-14

Eleven guitar heroes join together to cover Christmas tunes in their own personal way. This gives a rockin' twist to the standards. From the first few notes from Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" you'll now that you're in for melodic delight. Everyone is here from Steve Vai, Satch, Beck, EJ and the BSO.

Highlights include "The First Nowell" from Eric Johnson. He starts us off with an acoustic rendition before stepping over to his electric guitar and wowing us with his fancy finger work, but nothing so flashy as to take away from the original work. As always, EJ's tone is right on and after a couple of his patented licks and runs he turns the tune into his own. The Brian Setzer Orchestra rocks Christmas with a swinging version of "Jingle Bells". The horns blare, and Brian gives us that Rockabilly fell on his Gretch. After checking out this upbeat tune you'll never know how it could have been any other way. Hotei comes in with a good rendition of Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". Jeff Beck gives a haunting performance on "Amazing Grace" pulling out his trademark bends, dives and swells. His take is very beautiful and fitting to more than just Christmas.

For anyone looking for a little less traditional take on Christmas music, or if you're a guitar junky, don't miss celebrating Christmas without this axe-ful album. You may even have to spin this disc in July.

Well-rounded Guitar Rock Christmas Collection.......2003-08-15

You can listen to this CD is August... you just might feel a little silly at a stop light with the windows down and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" cranked up to 11. Just take a look at the line-up of guitarists on this CD. You won't find anything like that anywhere else.

There is a lot of great stuff, but Steve Morse has the real stand-out track on this collection. "Joy to the World" indeed!
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Brian Setzer tracks are fun to listen to, and you can even sing along if you're into that kind of thing. Eric Johnson and Steve Vai each slow it down and do some great work on their songs.

A couple of interesting excursions away from Christmas come from Jeff Beck and Joe Satriani. Beck does an inspiring rendition of "Amazing Grace", but as far as I remember, that's not a Christmas song. And Satriani's "Silent Night/Holy Night Jam" begins and ends with the "Silent Night" melody, but there is a whole other trademark Satch jam in the middle that doesn't sound much like Christmas.

Tracks:

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
My Christmas Prayer
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O Come All Ye Faithful
The First Noel
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
What Child Is This
O Holy Night
Yes It's Christmas
A Cradle In Bethlehem
Joy To The World
My Christmas Prayer
My Sweet Lord
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly.......2003-12-15

The Winans Family have consistantly put out some of the best music I've ever bought and this one is not exception..His renditions are solid, well produced pieces of music and just the added change from the "cookie cutter" productions of Christmasses past...I especially enjoy the new "My Christmas Prayer" with Rob Thomas and mother Deloris..I recently had the opportunity to see BeBe in person and he did not disappoint then and you will not be disappointed with this purchase..I also recommend purchasing (if you haven't already) "First Christmas" where he is joined by sister CeCe and CeCe's own Christmas CD, "His Gift"..

Serious Christmas Effort from Sterling Vocalist.......2003-12-14

I must echo the sentiments of nearly everyone else who has written reviews so far about this album.

BeBe's singing is both impressive from a technical standpoint (he hits those notes!) and forcefully passionate from an emotional standpoint. I've often felt him to be under-appreciated from a mass market perspective because he operates mostly within the gospel market. But he is truly one of the most soulful male vocalists of modern times.

The production is lush and the songs are well-chosen. The new title track is strong, in both versions, with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and with Mom Delores Winans. And I love the adaptation of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord".

If I have one quibble, it's that the pacing of this CD is a bit on the slow side. I DO like slow holiday songs best - and I'd rather have this than a bunch of 'Frosty The Snowman' renditions.

But the wall-to-wall emphasis on slow songs - delivered with heavy orchestral production and intensely sung vocals - does make this CD feel extra serious. The album is beautiful and spiritual - but doesn't have much of that holiday 'fun'. Definitely makes it the ideal album for reflecting upon the meaning of the Christmas season (but not the CD I'd play for the office party with the spiked eggnog).

Buy it anyway - because it IS great, as long as you understand what you are getting.

Wow.......2003-12-11

Bebe has always been the undisputed man in my book. His work with Cece was great, but his solo career has really bloomed. His solo debut was fantastic.

As for the Christmas albums, the older one w/Cece has always been my all time favorite holiday cd. The arrangments are fresh and beautiful.

However, Bebe's newest beats all. Buy this cd. You won't be disappointed. Bebe Winans is the premier gospel artist of our time.

My Undisputed Favorite.......2003-12-06

Although we have a basket full of holiday CD's, all we are listening to this year is My Christmas Prayer,interrupted only by Bebe and Cece's FIRST CHRISTMAS.Since we received it a few days ago it has played almost constantly in the background.The duet with Rob Thomas is the perfect blend of heart, soul and faith.Every arrangement is touching and original. It instantly become my favorite Christmas album the first time I played it.But-truth be told-I am such a devoted fan of Bebe's that there was very little chance I wouldn't adore this CD as well.

Not only the best HOLIDAY CD, but the BEST CD of 2003!!!.......2003-12-04

You can FEEL BeBe Winans praying FOR THE WORLD on 'My Christmas Prayer'! What incredibly moving lyrics!! BeBe sings with such passion and intensity, he just blows me away. All the tunes included on this CD are truly CLASSIC, while still being fresh and exciting to listen to. The orchestration and vocals - including the background singers! - are so rich and lush, any of these songs would be perfect movie soundtracks, they are so deliciously recorded. IMHO, not only are these amazing classics better than the standard versions everyone is used to, but FAR BETTER! I adore The First Noel, O Holy Night, Silent Night -- oh, I can't pick my favorite, because I love them all equally! What a treat to have a CD with ALL GREAT SONGS and not just one or two (if that). This CD will be in my player not just through this holiday season, but into 2004. I know me, and once I am lucky enough to come across a CD that is PACKED with great tunes, I don't stop playing it for a long time, and though these are 'holiday' tunes, they are so wonderfully full of energy that it'll be my pleasure to listen to them throughout the New Year!! Buy it now - you'll be glad you did!

Average customer rating:

Christmas Time with Oleta is Fantastic
The Best Christmas CD
A must have CD for the Christmas Holiday
Oleta Adams can sing names out of a phone book and sound great!
Oleta number 1

Christmas Time with Oleta
Oleta Adams
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A Mary Mary Christmas
The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle
A Timeless Christmas
Christmas with Juanita Bynum
The Very Best of Oleta Adams

ASIN: B000HRMEEQ
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

Of The Father's Love Begotten
Alleluis, Alleluis (Peace On Earth)
Christmas Time Is Here
I Wonder As I Wander
Breath Of Heaven
Winter Wonderland
There's Still My Joy
Let It Snow
Have Yourself A Merry Little Chirstmas
Silent Night

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Time with Oleta is Fantastic.......2007-01-12

For those of us who love the fantastic voice of Oleta Adams this CD will not disappoint you. As with all of her music she delivers a song like no one else can. It is a MUST have for your Christmas music collection. Once you hear her delivery on these songs you will feel like you have received a true blessing, especially from the song entitled "Breath of Heaven". ENJOY!

The Best Christmas CD.......2006-12-21

Oleta has produced a beautiful Christmas CD. The music will be appreciated from the the very young to the very mature. If you like music you will like this.

A must have CD for the Christmas Holiday.......2006-11-20

Oleta Adams gives us another beautiful CD with her personal touch on these songs.

Oleta Adams can sing names out of a phone book and sound great!.......2006-11-15

I am a huge Oleta Adams fan and I wanted to love this CD.

I know Christmas CD's don't have the production budget that a mainstream CD might have. I know that Oleta Adams recorded it at her studio at home and these two factors may have worked against it.

First off what I loved about this CD.

Track 5
Breath of Heaven

Track 7
There's Still My Joy.

both of these tracks sound like they could have easily been lifted from Oleta's 5 star gospel CD Come Walk with Me. Just Oleta and piano and that magnificent voice.

I did like track 4 I Wonder as I Wonder which Oleta puts her own spin on this timeless classic.

The rest of this sounds like Oleta and her beautiful voice singing to a kareoki track.

I would have loved Oleta to record CD using a live band or orchestra.

Still there is enough excellence on this CD to make this a part of your collection. After all Oleta can never do wrong in my book.

Oleta number 1.......2006-11-03

Only a collection of classics but it's enough to say:"Oleta Adams is fantastic". A dream? Could I sing with her? At least a conconcert in Europe, please!
Great unique voice!!!

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Joy to the World - Francine Belcher
2. O Holy Night - Bob Bailey
3. Silent Night - Kelly Williams
4. Away in the Manger
5. What Child Is This? - Mark Baldwin, Mark Douthit
6. Hark! The Harold Angels Sing - Beverly Crawford, Mike-E
7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
8. Go, Tell It on the Mountain - Jacquelyn Reddick
9. Auld Lang Syne - Derrick Lee, Ralph Lofton