Review rated by 113 Ciao members on average: very helpful
***Christmas tunes!***
December is half way through, Christmas is coming, the shops are full of cd's to buy for presents, listen to in the car and lots of them have a Christmas theme. I nearly bought one, was very tempted, but didn't and then when I got home and looked to see what I have already in my collection there it was, the cd that I nearly paid £12.99 for in a local large supermarket. Last year I paid £14.99 for it so this year it is a bargain.
***The Best CHRISTMAS ALBUM In the World….Ever!*** I put it in my pc and it started to play.
***What is it?*** This is a two cd album, with 21 tracks on cd one and 23 tracks on cd 2 so I have lots of Christmas hits to listen to.
***CD ONE*** Starts with the haunting tones of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Happy Xmas (War is Over) what a wonderful sentiment and if only it were true.
It moves on to Band Aids Do They Know It's Christmas? Well I guess they don't and there still isn't snow in Africa this Christmas, but with the money made from this hit and from the Live Aid concert a lot of good has been done for the people who were starving back in 1981. I am rather cynical
though and don't believe that we can feed the world all the time there are greedy politicians in it!
There really is a theme in this album and it has been put together very well. Cd one is full of the hits we love to remember and some we love to hate, we don't hear them from January to November and then suddenly they pop up on local radio stations reminding us of Christmases past and make us feel excited for the one coming.
Wizzard wishes it could be Christmas every day, Elton John Steps into Christmas, Paul McCartney is having a Wonderful Christmas time. Greg Lake (bet no one remembers him) believes in Father Christmas. Chris De Burgh tells us a Spaceman Came Travelling and then Mike Oldfield is In Dulci Jubilo. The Beach Boys sing about Little Saint Nick ( I thought he was a huge fellow) and Brenda Lee wants us to Rock Around the Christmas Tree. The Jackson 5 sing about Frosty The Snowman and Stevie Wonder tells us What Christmas Means to him. Samantha Mumber tells us All she Wants For Christmas and the Waitresses do some Christmas Wrapping. Robbie Williams sings Walk This Sleigh and Jona Lewie tells us to Stop The Cavalry (I would like all the word leaders to listen to the words of this one). Ronan Keating feat. Marie Bernnan sing of the Fairytale of New York and Tom Jones & cerys Matthews tells us Baby, It's Cold Outside. Kylie Minogue sings to Santa Baby and Frankie goes to Hollywood sits at the end of cd one with The Power of Love.
So, cd one is bouncy, Christmassy, music in the most part that almost all will remember hearing. Well worth listening to.
***CD TWO*** still follows the Christmas theme, but is slower and more traditional. Cliff Richard opens with Misteltoe and Wine and that flows into Aled Jones Walking in the Air. Real traditions follows as Bing Crosby sings about a White Christmas and then Nat King Cole sings the Christmas Song. Dean Martin asks to Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! And Mud tell us they are Lonely This Christmas. Matt Monro sings Mary's Boy Child (we al know who he is don't we?) and Peggy Lee sings about a Winter Wonderland. Adam Faith with his Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop) is followed by the Supremes getting excited because Santa Clause Is Coming To Town. Ella Fitzgerald is very tratidional with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and The King Singers carol While Shepherds Watched. Stacie Orrico calls to us all (O come all Ye Faithful) and the Weavers Wish you a Merry Christmas. The Spinners sing the Twelve Days of Christmas and Jethro Tull (what's he doing here?) Rings Out Solstice Bells. Steeleye Span sing Gaudete and Bert Jansch In The Bleak Midvinter. Sinead O'Conner sings Silent Night and Norah Jones sings about Peace. Then we have Michael Andrews & Gary Jules telling us of a Mad World. Bing Crosby and David Bower sings together about Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy and we end this cd with the same voice we started as Cliff Richard sings The Millennium Prayer.
***Where would I play this?*** Cd one would go down well at the office Christmas Party, with people either singing along or sighing "Oh this one was terrible….to you remember that year? But all hits that are known to a large percentage of people and each one brings it's own reminders.
Cd two being more traditional could be played softly in the background while munching on sprouts and turkey on the big day itself or lent to your mum so she can sing along to the older hits and carols.
***What will I be doing with my copy?*** Playing it in the car, at home, at work and at mums, I will enjoy hearing the songs again and will wrap presents to the sound of this cd. I will also play it in my car and it will be very loud on Christmas day as I go to work in the afternoon.
Then after Boxing Day this cd will go back in it's case and back on the shelf, I wonder if I will remember it for next year?
If you are thinking of buying this album for yourself you will find it in the big supermarkets on the music shelves and Woolworths as well as any decent music store. Prices may vary but even at the price I paid for it there is a lot of music for your money and even if people don't remember all of these songs I think everyone will remember some of them.
The case is cream in colour with a traditional picture of Father Christmas on the front sitting reading his Christmas cards at a desk.
I bought one of these last year as I love listening to Xmas songs to make it feel more CHristmassy. It's a shame you can only play it for about 3 weeks of the year though.... otherwise the neighbours might think I'm a bit nuts! Good review, Alison xx
by (3%):
24.09.2008 16:10
Great Review....
07.03.2007 04:49
I bought one of these last year as I love listening to Xmas songs to make it feel more CHristmassy. It's a shame you can only play it for about 3 weeks of the year though.... otherwise the neighbours might think I'm a bit nuts! Good review, Alison xx
13.02.2007 22:09
Useful to know for next year, can't say I'm keen on all xmas songs but thanks for the review, it was good to know what's been recommended.