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Make It Christmas a special place
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If on a Winter's Night... Sting
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Posted by MarthaK on Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 00:08:01 EST (2065 reads)
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The first thing you notice about “If On A Winter’s Night” this work is that Sting sings in a lower register in these works than in his pop work. His deeper, richer vocals are paired with the acoustic instrumentation of guitar, harp, violin, Northumbrian Smallpipes and other traditional instruments from the British Isles. The musical selections span centuries of carols and lullabies embracing the winter season, from 16th century pieces to recent works penned by Sting.
Sting’s interpretation includes traditional songs, new works, and a surprising blend of new and old where Stings lyrics are set to music penned by J.S. Bach and Franz Schubert.
While clearly not a Christmas album – Sting admits to being ambivalent to the holiday – a number of the selections hearken to the birth of Christ, including a new recording of “Gabriel’s Message,” along with “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” Seasonal charity is celebrated with Paul Stookey’s “Soul Cake,” intertwined with the melody of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” However, this recording’s focus on the winter season will carry the listener through the quiet, melancholy, months that follow the festivities.
“If On A Winter’s Night” is the perfect seasonal follow-up to Sting’s 2006 album “Songs From The Labyrinth,” featuring songs by Elizabethan songwriter John Dowland, which debuted at the top of the classical charts in both the U.S. and Britain.
Released by Deutsche Grammophon on both CD and beautifully picturesque DVD, this release will make a wonderful Christmas gift for lovers of classical, folk and Celtic music.
By Martha Kleder, CB Staff Writer
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Not Just Your Average Sugar-Coated ''Gold and Green''
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American Idol Runner Up Scores Number One
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A Pop Music Legend Remastered
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Posted by Craig Rosen on Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 17:31:49 EST (76272 reads)
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Neil Diamond's entry into the holiday album sweepstakes isn't nearly as shocking or surprising as labelmate Bob Dylan's. In fact, Diamond released two previous Christmas albums in the '90s (1992's "The Christmas Album" and 1994's "The Christmas Album Volume II"). What is surprising is that eight of the 14 tracks on this effort are remastered versions of recordings from those sets.
Though Diamond, like Dylan, is a pop music legend, at various points in his career he's traveled the middle of the road with a long string of cheesy and over-produced efforts before he joined forces with Rick Rubin, stripped everything down, and rediscovered his cool. Despite a title alluding to his 1966 breakthrough hit, neither the newly recorded title track, nor anything else on "A Cherry Cherry Christmas" swings with the energy of classic Diamond, save for the wildcard cover of Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song." In that track, Diamond embraces his Jewish heritage, redeems himself for the schmaltz, and shows off the sense of humor that spurred him to make self-effacing cameos in a few films over the last decade. During the spoken-word intro, he sounds nearly as stiff as William Shatner, who is referenced later in the song's list of famous Jews. Yet, once the track kicks into gear, Diamond gives a full-throated performance that's bound to make Adam Sandler proud--that is, if he's not annoyed that N.D. had the chutzpah to put a "don't" in front his pro-pot statement "smoke some marijuana-kah."
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'My Christmas' is a winning album
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Posted by ELFKID on Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 17:05:53 EST (74738 reads)
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Millions will rejoice this holiday season with the much-anticipated release of Andrea Bocelli's My Christmas. The first-ever Christmas recording from Andrea is a heart-warming collection of seasonal favorites produced by the legendary David Foster. The lush, beautiful arrangements alongside Bocelli's unmistakable soaring vocals make this a must-have holiday recording. Highlights include "White Christmas," "Oh Holy Night," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song," and "What Child Is This" among others. My Christmas will also be a major component of a PBS Great Performances special to air on Public Television this December, featuring Andrea and David Foster with additional special guests.
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra Night Castle CD Review
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Posted by TheGazzardian on Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 16:41:44 EST (77518 reads)
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Not much has been said about this album yet, so I hope to be able to inform those curious if Trans-Siberian Orchestra's new album is worth purchasing.
Fans of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, including myself, have been eagerly awaiting this album for some time. Expectations were high, for a variety of reasons.
For one, their previous two albums (Beethoven's Last Night, and Lost Christmas Eve) had been their best to date. Beethoven's Last Night, in particular, had been stellar because it was good year round instead of just around Christmas time. Furthermore, it had had a better story than any of their Christmas album, and arguably their best music and vocals. It had truly been an inspired album, and it was what lead me to this band and made me interested enough to buy each and every one of their Christmas albums, although none of them were quite as good as it was.
This one, not being a Christmas album, was also an exciting feature.
And on top of that, this album had been pushed back over a year so they could continue to perfect it and make it better. |
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I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
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