"A Christmas Gift Of Love"

Barry Manilow
Audio CD: FDO 2002-11-12
Label: Columbia
"It's refreshing to hear a version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" that doesn't reference the arrangement Phil Spector came up with on A Christmas Gift for You four decades ago. Barry Manilow's rendition was inspired by Bing Crosby's 1945 collaboration with the Andrews Sisters. And that pretty much explains where the artist is coming from on the majority of this holiday offering. This is a big orchestrated (and voiced) Christmas album, most of it well suited for delivery on a Broadway stage. Accordingly, the singer picks holiday-themed tunes from the likes of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, Irving Berlin, and Frank Loesser. Then, just to confuse things a bit (this is, after all, someone who had a huge hit with Ian Hunter's "Ships"), Manilow throws in a superb cover of "River," Joni Mitchell's ode to Christmas depression. Everything else is warm and festive, though, including the Manilow-penned title track. The singer's longtime fans will adore this collection. Enjoy!......at 320.0 kb/sec!"

Track Listings:

01. Winter Wonderland

02. Happy Holiday & White Christmas

03. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

04. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays

05. I'll Be Home For Christmas

06. My Favorite Things

07. The Christmas Waltz

08. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

09. River

10. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

11. A Gift Of Love

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71,15 MB *** IF YOU LIKE IT, DO NOT FORGET TO BUY IT ***

"Christmas Memories"

Barbra Streisand
Audio CD: FDO 2001-10-30
Label: Columbia
"Recorded between July 19, 2001 and September 7, 2001. Includes liner notes by Jay Landers. Christmas Memories was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Barbra Streisand's first new holiday album in 34 years makes for a special occasion amongst her legions of fans. Christmas Memories, released within two months of the World Trade Center tragedy, is definitely a soothing, inspirational remedy for troubled times. "I'll be Home for Christmas" has been recorded hundreds of times, but in the context of American troops fighting abroad, the song becomes especially poignant. Barbra does a masterful take, with a polished, orchestral arrangement. Still glowing from saying "I Do" to actor James Brolin, Streisand shines on "A Christmas Love Song." Break out the chestnuts and eggnog as Babs warmly reminisces with vivid imagery on the Sondheim-penned "I Remember." Having recorded Gounod's "Ave Maria" on her first Christmas album, Barbra now brings that same passion to Schubert's version. Backed by a choir, the grandiose track resonates powerfully. Her voice soars to especially grand heights over a majestic arrangement on "One God," a song she first heard on a spiritual album by Johnny Mathis, and brings her unique style to the forefront on Christmas Memories. Enjoy!......at 320.0 kb/sec!"

Track Listings

01. I'll Be Home For Christmas

02. A Christmas Love Song

03. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

04. I Remember

05. Snowbound

06. It Must Have Been The Mistletoe

07. Christmas Lullaby

08. Christmas Memories

09. Grown Up Christmas List

10. Ave Maria

11. Closer

12. One God

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95,78 + 4,24 MB *** IF YOU LIKE IT, DO NOT FORGET TO BUY IT ***