Oliver Newton John – Christmas Wish

Olivia has offered here a solid collection of Christmas songs, both traditional and new pop classics she sings solo, and a couple of duets, all worth a listen. She is doing what she does so angellically, sing a simple song so BEAUTIFULLY. The instrumental, well-orchestrated interludes are also a plus on this CD. It’s a must have for your Xmas collection this year and years to come, you will not be disappointed. It’s quite different from the usual offerings, and for this reason…it will stand the test of time. No one sings a ballad like Olivia does, and in this collection, she returns to us by evoking the true spirituality and quiet joys of the season. This CD is less about loud holiday jingles, but more prayerful and HYMNAL in nature.

1 O Come All Ye Faithful
2 Angels We Have Heard on High (Interlude)
3 Every Time It Snows
4 Away in a Manger (Interlude)
5 We Three Kings
6 First Noel (Interlude)
7 Mother’s Christmas Wish
8 Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Interlude)
9 Angels in the Snow
10 What Child Is This? (Interlude)
11 Silent Night
12 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Interlude)
13 All Through the Night
14 Little Drummer Boy (Interlude)
15 Underneath the Same Sky
16 O Christmas Tree (Interlude)
17 Little Star of Bethlehem
18 Deck the Halls (Interlude)
19 Instrument of Peace
20 We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Interlude)
21 Christmas on My Radio
22 Gift of Love

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VA – Christmas With The Jazz Legends Vol 2

Blackmamba says:
For another special old fashioned christmas,here it is. A great compilation, massive list and classic songs , all in one! some rare tunes here, like The Swingle Singers, Stan Kenton etc. There’s Ella, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole even Louis Armstrong here to make your Christmas eve be an unforgettable one. 25 songs, great selections, and all legendary performer all in one album. Enjoy!

1. White Christmas – Ella Fitzgerald
2. Silent Night – Dinah Washington
3. Christmas Medley: Carol of the Bells/Melodies for the Day/O Sanctissimo – The Swingle Singers
4. Christmas in New Orleans – Louis Armstrong
5. Jingle Bells – Jimmy R. Smith
6. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Billie Holiday,
7. First Noel – Chet Baker
8. Christmas Waltz – Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra & Chorus, Frank Sinatra
9. Frosty the Snowman – Nat King Cole, Pete Rugolo Orchestra & The Singing Pussycats
10. Merry Christmas, Baby – Charles Brown
11. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
12. Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte
13. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – Ramsey Lewis Trio
14. Christmas Eve – Billy Eckstine
15. Please Come Home for Christmas – Charles Brown
16. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra, Frank Sinatra
17. White Christmas – Kenny Burrell Trio
18. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – Lena Horne
19. Twelve Days of Christmas – Stan Kenton
20. Ole Santa – Dinah Washington
21. Christmas Night in Harlem – Louis Armstrong
22. Christmas Blues – Ramsey Lewis Trio
23. Silent Night – Chet Baker
24. Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot – King Cole Trio, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra,
25. Jingle Bells – Maynard Ferguson

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Glenn Miller – In The Christmas Mood Vol 1 & 2

Sometimes the old fashioned way of celebrating Christmas could be special. A remastered version that has great sound quality, as if Miller still alive today. This is a must, if you wanna have a swinging christmas, a classic old fashioned way, and for you who wanna have the master of big band fulfilling your christmas spirit. Enjoy.

1. Sleigh Ride (3:48)
2. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (3:19)
3. O Holy Night-Joy to the World-Oh Little Town of (5:45)
4. White Christmas (3:51)
5. Medley – Away in a Manger-Ave Maria-The First Noel (5:41)
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (3:16)
7. Silver Bells (2:37)
8. The Twelve Days of Christmas (3:23)
9. Jingle Bells (4:43)
10.Winter Wonderland (3:23)
11. Frosty the Snowman (4:05)
12. The Christmas Song (4:33)
13. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (3:59)
14. Medley – Hark the Herald, Angels Sing-Angels We Have Heard O.mp3
15. (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays.mp3
16. Medley – Oh Christmas Tree-It Came upon a Midnight Clear (5:51)
17. Good King Wenceslas.mp3
18. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (3:18)
19. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.mp3
20. Silent Night (2:30)
21. In the Christmas Mood (3:33)
22. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.mp3
23. Auld Lang Syne.mp3

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James Taylor – Christmas Album

Album keluaran Hallmark ini bener2 spesial. Kenapa? first of all, album ini punya kesan mendalam buat JameS Taylor, karena semua lagu disini adalah lagu2 natal favoritnya dia. Gw quote kata James Taylor, “These particular songs have lived in my head these many years.” ).
Trus, di album ini ada banyak bintang tamu. Aransemen2nya, dibantu Dave Grusin. Trus, disini ada juga Toots Thielemans, Chris Botti, John Pizzarelli, Dave Carpenter, dan suara indahnya Natalie Cole, di lagu Baby It’s Cold Outside. Ada sentuhan smooth country atau blues disana sini. Lagu Jingle Bells nya unik dgn sentuhan blues n gospel music. This is a great album. It’s gorgeous, it’s natural, it’s pure, and it’s real. Definately a feel good album. Enjoy

1. James Taylor – Winter Wonderland (3:36)
2. James Taylor – Go Tell It On The Mountain (3:48)
3. James Taylor – In The Bleak Midwinter (4:18)
4. James Taylor – Baby, It’s Cold Outside (4:19)
5. James Taylor – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2:58)
6. James Taylor – Jingle Bells (3:55)
7. James Taylor – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (3:54)
8. James Taylor – Deck The Halls (2:51)
9. James Taylor – Some Children See Him (4:41)
10. James Taylor – Who Comes This Night (4:17)
11. James Taylor – Auld Lang Syne (3:41)

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Fourplay – Snowbound

Here’s some soft jazz for that fireside glow at Christmas. Fourplay is pianist and arranger Bob James with guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Harvey Mason, and bassist Nathan East (who handles limited vocal chores, as well). Carlton is the tastiest of the foursome (check his blues-tinged work on “Amazing Grace”), never overplaying or indulging his knowing chops. Snowbound’s strong group effort shines as the band weaves in and out of each other’s lines on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” or as the rhythm section casts mellow, funky grooves in the path of the title track, under occasional trumpet and sax fills. The quartet delivers one other original piece, James’s “The Ivy Variations,” plus a naturally fluid reading of Joni Mitchell’s often-overlooked song “River,” taken from her five-star album Blue. –Martin Keller

1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
3. Snowbound
4. The Christmas Song
5. The Ivy Variations
6. River
7. Amazing Grace
8. Christmas Time Is Here
9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10. Away In A Manger
11. Merry Little Stroll
12. Auld Lang Syne

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VA – Merry Mixmas : Christmas Classic Remixed

Blackmamba says:
Ho ho ho… as the christmas approaching, why dont we try something cool and unique? It’s a compilation of classic christmas songs with legendary singer.. the spirits of the original are still there, but modernized. You’ll love it.

1. Winter Wonderland (Bent Remix) – Bing Crosby
2. All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) (MJ Cole Remix) – The Nat King Cole Trio
3. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Arp Remix) – Dean Martin
4. Sleigh Ride (The Latin Project Remix) – Ella Fitzgerald
5. Santa Baby (Alexkid & DJ Sleep Remix) – Eartha Kitt
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Awayteam Remix) – Lou Rawls
7. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Suedojazz Mix) – Lena Horn
8. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo (Malibu Remix) – Billy May
9. (Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag (Thunderball Mix) – Kay Starr
10. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Psapp’s Lady Remix) – Les Brown And His Orchestra
11. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) – Johnny Mercer
12. The Christmas Waltz (AwayTeam Remix) – Nancy Wilson
13. I’d Like You For Christmas (Ursula 1000 Remix) – Julie London
14. The Merriest (Thunderball Mix) – June Christy
15. Christmas Time Is Here (Markus Enoshson Remix) – Vince Guaraldi Trio

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Bette Midler – Cool Yule

She smiles, she sizzles, she coos, she swings. So goes the lively and completely charming Christmas record by the cheeky Divine one. There’s never a note out of place, a chart too excessive, or the sentiments too sentimental. Plus Midler’s tasty stable of producers and arrangers have packed the big band and stringed arrangements with their own musical warmth against Midler’s smart song choices and contagious vocal performances. Cool Yule mixes the standard traditional pop pieces–like Steve Allen’s snappy title track, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”–with the sole hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emanuel.” But nobody’s picking up this stocking stuffer because they want to go to church. Bette’s got merrymaking on her mind more than anything else. Her duet with Johnny Mathis on “Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is as much fun as her “From a Distance (Christmas Version)” is a somber and sobering antiwar statement. How she can move from sounding girlish and playful to sophisticated and jazz-smart in the space of one note to the next may not be supernaturally inspired, but it sure is fun to hear the joyful sounds she makes. From her lips to your ears, you gotta love it. - Martin Keller

1. Merry Christmas
2. Cool Yule
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Featuring Johnny Mathis
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
6. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
7. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9. Mele Kalikimaka
10. From A Distance (Christmas Version)
11. White Christmas

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Ella Fitzgerald – Wishing You A Swinging Christmas

Blackmamba says:
Rasanya ga lengkap kalo natalan tanpa tante Ella.. ya ga sih. :p
Bicara tentang tante Ella… Ella is perfection. Nah kali ini kesempurnaan ditampilkan di album Natal yg pastinya keren abis. Ella gitu lowh… [IMG]http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/kippique/siul.gif[/IMG] A simply classic album yg sampai kapan jg pasti asik buat ngerayain natal. So… if you’re ready to have a swinging Christmas, this album is ready for it. enjoy!

01. jingle bells
02. winter wonderland
03. santa claus is coming to town
04. Have yourself a merry litle christmas
05. what are you doing new year’s eve
06. sleigh ride
07. christmas song (merry christmas to you)
08. good morning blues
09. let it snow let it snow
10. rudolph the red nosed reindeer
11. frosty the snowman
12. white christmas

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Verve Presents : Very Best of Christmas Jazz

Speaking about a compilation that consists legendary names in jazz world, this one is surely fantastic. Look at the list, and you’ll know what i mean. 192 kbps, clean and clear, ready to make your Christmas holiday more special than ever!

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Ella Fitzgerald (2:53)
2. Kenny Burrell – Merry Christmas, Baby (3:28)
3. Billy Eckstine – Christmas Eve (3:05)
4. Ramsey Lewis – Here Comes Santa Claus (2:41)
5. Joe Williams – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (4:37)
6. John Coltrane – Greensleeves (3:50)
7. Mel Torme – The Christmas Song (2:46)
8. Louis Armstrong – ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? (2:49)
9. Shirley Horn – Winter Wonderland (4:10)
10. Bill Evans – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (4:27)
11. Count Basie – Good Morning, Blues (3:15)
12. Jimmy Smith – Jingle Bells (3:12)
13. Dinah Washington – Silent Night (2:24)
14. Oscar Peterson – A Child Is Born (2:35)

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Barry Manilow (2 Christmas Albums)

Blackmamba says:
Ho.. Ho.. Ho.. these are my all time fav Christmas albums! I’m saving it until now, when it’s really close to christmas, and this album would be so perfect to listen right now.

The first album, Because It’s Christmas, was from 1990. This one is the softer side of Christmas, perhaps one of the most peaceful one ever. Barry’s voice captured all the magic of Christmas, and will pour it into our home, anytime you listen to it. Try to close your eyes, and listen to this, you’ll feel peaceful and joyful at the same time. This one is a classic. My favorite pick is The Bells Of Christmas, for its sweet, romantic and smooth style.. such an everlasting song.

The second one, is a fully orchestrated christmas, swingy in the tradition of Bing Crosby’s or Sinatra’s. This album will bring you right away to a Broadway-ish Christmas, and yes, it’s glorious. Great renditions, so refreshing, shiny and bright.

So.. both are FULLY RECOMMENDED. May you have the most wonderful christmas ever with these classics.

Barry Manilow – Because It’s Christmas (1990)

1. The Christmas Song
2. Jingle Bells
3. Silent Night/I Guess There Ain’t No Santa Claus
4. The First Noel/When The Meadow Was Bloomin’
5. Excerpt From Handel’s Messiah (‘For Unto Us A Child Is Born’)/Because It’s Christmas (For All The Children)
6. Baby, It’s Cold Outside
7. White Christmas
8. Carol Of The Bells/The Bells Of Christmas
9. Joy To The World/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
10. We Wish You A Merry Christmas/It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve

Barry Manilow – A Christmas Gift Of Love (2002)

1. Winter Wonderland (1:44)
2. Happy Holiday/White Christmas (2:45)
3. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1:53)
4. (There’s No Place Like) Home f (2:27)
5. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (3:20)
6. My Favorite Things (2:26)
7. The Christmas Waltz (2:56)
8. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Wa (2:59)
9. River (3:44)
10. What Are You Doing New Year’s (3:47)
11. A Gift of Love (2:25)

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