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Artist:
Various Artists
 Excellent value for money, excellent listening., 2008-12-13
Downloaded this album from Amazon for £3.89. Their prices seem to fluctuate on this CD and other items but I think it's great value for money and very seasonal. Great when listened on a Sony mp3 player. I would highly recommend this download.
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List Price: £4.99
Our Price: £4.85
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Artist:
Phil Spector
This lavish holiday set has been called the greatest rock & roll Christmas album of all time. That's an opinion that's tough to argue with when you find yourself immersed in the massive sounds painstakingly crafted by legendary producer Phil Spector. His "wall-of-sound" technique is perfectly suited to the music of the season, as he proves with layer upon layer of piano, sleigh bells, buoyant percussion, and, of course, those legendary Spector sound harmonies. The Crystals turn their sassy interplay into sheer magic on "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", The Ronettes stroll sweetly through numbers like "Sleigh Ride", while Darlene Love delivers areal knockout punch with her ...
Phil Spector is Not Just For Christmas, 2008-12-22
Born Harvey Phillip Spector, in the Bronx area of New York, it could be said that Phil Spector has Christmas in his blood being born on the 26th of December. Released in November 1963 on the ABKCO record label, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector quickly became the benchmark for what a Christmas album should be, arguably the greatest Christmas record ever released. In the 45 years since its release, this title has never looked like being removed from this album further proving the genius of the man behind this record.
Phil Spector's musical legacy will always be The Wall of Sound. It has become a rather cliché term over the years, however it cannot be understated what Spector brought to the table, his ability to put layer upon layer of sounds on top of each other in a seemingly flawless fashion, created a level of depth to music not heard until the age of digital and computer generated fakery, with a Spector record though we have the real thing.
And the real thing with this Record is the raw power of it, combined with the warmth of the glow that fills the room whenever it is played. Contained within are tracks by four of Spector's preferred artists from 1963. Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, The Ronettes, The Crystals and of course the great Darlene Love. All tracks are arranged and produced by Phil Spector.
Darlene Love's contribution is by far the strongest efforts on the album, her version of Winter Wonderland is track one on this album, and what a start it is, her voice combined with the depth of the music proves to be irresistible. This way of creating music is not exclusive to Darlene Love obviously; it also runs from track 2 right through to Bob B Soxx's version of Here Comes Santa Claus on track 12. The final track features Phil Spector sharing his views of this album with a version of Silent Night playing in the background, this despite my poor description of this song, is actually rather sweet and nice, and is a fitting ending to an all round belting album.
Phil Spector's aim with this album was to attempt to redefine the Christmas song and he succeeds incredibly. His treatment of great classic songs some over 50 years old at the time of recording, combined with four of the best acts from the US of the time, creates an instantly memorable album, songs which have define Christmas for every generation since. The songs on this album are poppy, catchy but still maintain a strong spirit of Christmas, which makes it a must for any house, not just for December I feel.
Merry Christmas fans of The Cellar Tapes and enjoy!
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List Price: £9.99
Our Price: £4.90
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Artist:
James Taylor
Typically Timeless Taylor, 2008-12-20
An album of often sublime offerings in a vein which always sounds fresh, never trite - the all time antidote to crass Christmas Muzak. One moment tender (Some Children See Him), the next earthy (Jingle Bells), but always believable, this collection is such a tonic for those of us who have become jaded with the usual seasonal fare. 'At Christmas' is an ipod essential, an album I can work and play to seemingly without tiring. James's sincere vocal interpretations take us immediately to the heart of the song, as ever in his work. For me, the jewel in this excellent selection would have to be Joni Mitchell's 'River', though I also love the playful 'Baby, It's Cold Outside', a duet with Natalie Cole. And, really, there is nothing here which cannot be relished by those of us with a penchant for the work of this most poetic performer. I also recommend reading James's jovial comments in the sleeve notes, which set the mood nicely for the treat in store when you put the album on a lazy repeat. Love is a constant in Taylor's work - the natural flow from a highly gifted musician with a beautiful soul. Buy this album, for yourself or for someone you love, and, either way, you'll smile.
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List Price: £6.99
Our Price: £3.37
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Artist:
Various Artists
 Now and then !, 2008-11-26
With The Now series you know what you are going to get, a collection of great and not so great pop tunes which have graced the charts. Now XMAS is a collection 61 tunes which have done exactly that in this case the christmas charts for the last 45 years. Can you have a favourite yes, are you going to like everything probably not but pop fans can buy knowing that this is going to offer variety and top 10 ten tunes for every occasion.
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List Price: £17.99
Our Price: £7.98
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The John Rutter Christmas Album brings together most of the composer's Christmas songs and carols as well as several of his festive choral arrangements, including a rousing "Joy to the World" and the energetic "I saw three ships". Most of the 23 tracks have been taken from extant discs on Rutter's Collegium label although two, "Dormi, Jesu" and "Sans Day carol", were recorded especially for this release. Rutter's first two published compositions, written while he was still a teenager, were Christmas pieces for choir, namely the glorious "Nativity Carol" and the infectious "Shepherd's Pipe Carol". Although very different in character, these two carols (for which ...
Christmas Magic, 2008-12-06
This is the first time I have submitted a review, but those loving John Rutter's own carols and arrangements should know that this is a superb, almost certainly the best, compilation. It includes the beautiful and ever popular Nativity Carol and Shepherd's Pipe Carol which he wrote in his teens and after that most of the carols he has composed. The accompanying notes include all the words, which is such a help, and give information about when and for whom or what occasion each carol came to be written. And most importantly they were recorded when John Rutter had put together a superb singing group, The Cambridge Singers. It doesn't get any better than this.
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List Price: £9.99
Our Price: £6.34
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Artist:
John Rutter,
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
Farnham Youth Choir
A Christmas Festival - Fabulous!, 2008-12-14
What a fantastic experience, my daughter is in the FYC choir. We had the privelege of seeing this performed live at the Albert Hall Christmas 2007, the experience was out of this world. This CD is a must for anyone. Buy it now!!
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £8.59
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Artist:
Various Artists
good mix for the festive season, 2008-11-10
A good selection of festive music for those that want a bit of everything when it comes to music for Christmas.
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List Price: £19.99
Our Price: £12.36
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Artist:
Enya
I missed the album in the middle, 2009-01-04
Enya's album contains androids from inside a tape machine. WELL, let me explain. Firstly; yes, this is real. Horrible, nasty articulate word witch Enya has become pregnant with sound and is threatening to catapult her lifeless torso onto a moving spike that exists somewhere on track 5, she is helped by Wazzy Dave.
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £5.99
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Artist:
Josh Groban
Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Josh Groban is known as a versatile performer and singer. Here he introduces fans to his festive side with Noel," a collection of cover tunes that run from "the religious to the irreverent". With orchestral backing from the London Symphony Orchestra, Groban croons and soars his way through a varied range of Christmas classics, enlisting the likes of Brian McKnight ("Angels We Have Heard on High"), Faith Hill ("The First Noel"), and a gospel choir directed by Kirk Franklin to help conjure up a warm and soulful vibe. Tracks like "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", (featuring just voice and piano) and "O Co...
Voice of an Angel, 2008-08-01
Josh Groban has an absolutely beautiful voice - a singer that steps on the line between baritone and tenor. It's quite an experience to listen to, and I got his album upon hearing great reviews from my friends who'd listened to him in America beforehand. Check him out, he is indeed very good. He has a very relaxing, lullaby-like tone - in a nutshell.
This is a compilation of Christmas songs, but, I (and hopefully, you) can listen to them any time of year - they're very relaxing. :)
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £3.98
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Artist:
Peter Kay's - Geraldine McQueen
Make it Number 1 for Christmas!!!, 2008-12-17
This is the Christmas CD to buy and its rightful place is right at the top, NUMBER 1. As a great antidote to all the X-factor, callous, money grabbing pretension, here is honest, good-humoured poke at the aforementioned BS. And, not only is it half the price of the X-factor single, the monies are going to NSPCC, not Simon Cowell's lap dancing account!!!
GO GERALDINE!!!!
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List Price: £4.99
Our Price: £2.98
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![A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector [Digitally Remastered By Phil Spector]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BQ5RQClnL._SL160_.jpg "A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector [Digitally Remastered By Phil Spector]")
