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Has anyone heard Andrea Bocelli's new Christmas CD/DVD? I am listening to the CD now, after watching the DVD, and I am quite impressed.
I love his voice to start, and have for years. He has a very warm tone, and his English is quite good, but his accent does come though at times. Most of the time it isn't noticeable, and when it is sometimes it is an improvement.
He has most of the classics....White Christmas, Ave Maria, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. But he often changes the arraignment a bit, and so far I am really enjoying it.
He also sings in Latin a bit, and in Italian, and even though I barely understand most of it, it is beautiful. I can follow along with the melodies, of course, as I have known these songs since I was a child, so that helps a lot as well.
He sings with a full orchestra, something I love to hear, and has a ton of musical guests....Mary J. Blige, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Natalie Cole, and Rheba Mackintire to mention the most famous. They all do well, but there was one performance on the DVD that blew me away.
Mary J. Blige did a duet with Bochelli, and I was amazed. They sang What Child is This, and I LOVE that song...something about the minor key and the melody has always peaked my interest. But I think this is one of my all time favorite versions of it, and unlike some of the other musical guests who seemed to be ornaments for Bochelli's Christmas Special, Blige more than held her own. with him. She sang to a camera, and she showed up on a video monitor above the stage monitor, from New York, and it was dead on. Absolutly amazing. I loved her obvious passion, and it came though in her vocal performance.
I'd recommend this album just based on the strength of that one song, to be honest, but there are several other songs that are outstanding. If you like traditional carols, I'd say this is a great addition to anyones collection.
I live in FL now, far away from most of my family, and Christmas is a very tough time of year for me. I love FL, and am glad I live here, but Christmas just isn't the same down here, at least for me.
These songs help me get in the mood for Christmas, and remind me of the many great memories I have of this holiday season though the years. Does anyone else have any music that reminds them of the holidays, ones that mean something special to you and your families? Or even any new CD's that you have heard?
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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We Three Kings by The Roches is my all-time Christmas album fave, followed by Now It Is Christmas Again by Garrison Keillor and Alligator Stomp 4: Cajun Christmas (which is a compilation, and may not be currently available...) I'm also rather fond of The Chipmunks ( ) and The Christmas Jug Band (their version of "Oh Holy Night" is one of the few I can stand.) And the last few years I've really enjoyed Mary Chapin Carpenter's version of "Once in Royal David's City." I think she sings it just the way I like to hear it.
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Let it snow always worms its way into my head this time of year, I dont even have to hear it someplace.
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I grew up listening to Manheim Steamroller every Christmas so, for me, they're an essential part of the Christmas tradition.
I also love:
"Santa Clause is Coming to Town"- Bruce Springsteen "O Holy Night"- Josh Groban "I'll be Home for Christmas"- Voice Male (acapella group)
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Any of the instrumental TSO songs are great, and I think they have a new album out this year. The TSO, btw, is one of the most amazing live shows I've ever seen, and I plan to see them again this year. It'll really knock your socks off.
I think my favorite "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is the one with BNL and Sarah McLaughlin.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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We were in the car yesterday on our way to pick Havah up from work, and the radio was playing the Ronette's doing Sleigh Ride. When we got there, Tova told her all about hearing Dingalingaling on the radio.
(And all I could think while it was playing was Meg Ryan going "Horses, horses, horses.")
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I was literally moved to tears during a performance of O Holy Night in French today. Not sure why, but I was.
Posts: 1029 | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:I was literally moved to tears during a performance of O Holy Night in French today. Not sure why, but I was.
Back in my quasi-religious days, when I attended the Christmas Eve service every year, I always looked forward to the local fellow who sang "O Holy Night". I'll never have a recording of that, just the memories. And, for the most part, I've yet to hear any other renditions of it that give it the same justice.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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A decent-sounding congregation singing just about any Christmas Hymn (We Three Kings, Silent Night, What Child Is This?, Adeste Fideles (O Come, All ye Faithful), God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, etc.)
Posts: 7021 | Registered: Nov 1999
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I love really old carols. The Boston Camerata have a couple of cool albums with these: A Renaissance Christmas and (not quite as good) Medieval Christmas.
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There used to be a beautiful version of What Child is This? on Youtube, but I can't find it now. Thank goodness I downloaded it awhile back.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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FYI: the Annie Lennox Christmas album I mentioned is on sale on Amazon today for $1.99 for the download. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: Any of the instrumental TSO songs are great, and I think they have a new album out this year. The TSO, btw, is one of the most amazing live shows I've ever seen, and I plan to see them again this year. It'll really knock your socks off.
I think my favorite "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is the one with BNL and Sarah McLaughlin.
They are incredibly awesome! Listening to 'em right now. Nathan and I saw them in Buffalo a few years back -- amazing!
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) and The Christmas Jug Band (their version of "Oh Holy Night" is one of the few I can stand.) And the last few years I've really enjoyed Mary Chapin Carpenter's version of "Once in Royal David's City." I think she sings it just the way I like to hear it.
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