CD: My Christmas

Singer: Andrea Bocelli

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type of music: Operatic

List of songs: 

1. White Christmas
2. Angels We Have Heard on High
3. Santa Clause is Coming to Town
4. Christmas Song
5. Lord’s Prayer
6. What Child is This?
7. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
8. O Tannenbaum
9. Jingle Bells
10. Silent Night
11. Blue Christmas
12. Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)
13. Caro Gesu’ Bambino
14. I Believe (with Katherine Jenkins)
15. God Bless Us Everyone

My overall opinion:  My favorites are White Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Blue Christmas, O Holy Night, and I Believe. Blue Christmas is slow and calm, but I don’t really like the woman’s voice. Nonetheless, a wonderful song. Santa Claus is fun a bouncy…Christmas Song is okay. As you may remember from earlier, O Tannenbaum is a song that I don’t really like, and the way Andrea Bocelli is a little weird, especially the timing. The same (timing wise) goes for What Child is This. O Come All Ye Faithful is beautiful. Jingle Bells is okay, but try not to listen too closely – having the Muppets on that one is annoying. I never noticed HOW annoying until I listened to the song and really listened close instead of just playing the song in the background. I didn’t like it up close…but it’s okay with a little distance, if that makes any sense. I Believe is lovely, and God Bless Us Everyone is a perfect wrap-up for the album. Great CD!

CD: This is Christmas

 

Singer: Katherine Jenkins

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type of music: Operatic (lovely!)

List of songs: 

1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. In Dulci Jubilo
3. Away in a Manger
4. The Christmas Song (Chesnuts)
5. Santa Baby
6. Deck the Halls
7. Sleep Quietly, My Jesus
8. I Wish You Christmas
9. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
10. Come What May (with Placido Domingo)

My overall opinion: I had high hopes when I ordered this CD, and they were not disappointed! It's beautiful and touching and perfect for Christmas. My absolute favorites would have to be "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "The Christmas Song," and "Deck the Halls." With the first being the absolute best of them all.

I love "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and it may end up being my favorite song (and this my favorite singer/song) of the Christmas season! It's so beautiful that when she reached the chorus (the most amazing part) I got goose-bumps! If you don't get the CD, at least get the Mp3 of this song. As to "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting)...I just really like that song and she does a great job. And "Deck the Halls" can hardly fail to make you smile -- Katherine Jenkins really flies through it, in an articulate and crisp and dazzling manner.

Track 5, "Santa Baby," is done nicely, but I didn't enjoy it as much. I think it's because it felt out of character, especially after "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." She does sing it very expressively -- rather cool. And Track 10, "Come What May" with Placido Domingo, didn't really strike me as Christmasy. Not that it isn't beautiful! But it is more a love song than a Christmas song. Rather operatic romance.

If you've enjoyed other Katherine Jenkins' CDs, you'll love this one! I highly recommend it. It's just over 30 minutes long, so its easy to listen to multiple times!

Guest Post by Miss Laurie: The Hands That Created The World

The Hands That Created The World
Christmas CD by Buddy David

Singer: Gifted by God in many ways, Buddy Davis is a speaker and singer/songwriter for Answers in Genesis (AiG). He is an adventurer and paleo-artist (his sculpted dinosaurs are featured at AiG's Creation Museum), and he leads the very popular “Creation Adventure” children’s workshop at AiG conferences. Buddy plays many acoustic instruments, and his music is enjoyed around the world.

Track Listing:
1. The Hands That Created The World - original song
2. Little Drummer Boy
3. We Three Kings
4. Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. What Child Is This
6. Joy To The World
7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
8. They Heard The Good News First - original song
9. Away In The Manger
10. Oh Beautiful, Star Of Bethlehem
11. Angels We Have Heard On High


My Thoughts: My family and I have enjoyed Buddy Davis' music, especially his Bible based original songs, for many years and since my dad works for Answers in Genesis now we've had the privileged of meeting Buddy and his wife. His music style might be called a tad country or bluegrass, especially on tracks like Go Tell It On The Mountain, Joy To The World and They Heard The Good News First where mouth harp and guitar picking are featured. There are two instrumental tracks - Joy To The World and  Angels We Have Heard On High - which have a fun but relaxing sound. The two original songs on this CD contain truths that come straight from the Biblical account of the Christmas story and proclaim God's word and proclaim Christ very clearly as Creator and Lord. I gave this CD to my mom at the beginning of December and my family has already listened to it several times!

The Hands That Created The World by Buddy Davis

My Favorite Song: Buddy Davis' original song The Hands That Created The World (listen to song above  gives the story of Christ's birth and explains who He was and why He came to earth - Creator, Lamb of God and Savior. The melody is gentle and rather like a lullaby.  I also really like Oh Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem (listen to The Judds' version here) which is a newer Christmas song (compared to most of the carols) that has been covered by many gospel music singers.

I highly recommend this Christmas CD by Buddy Davis and think it will become as much a classic for your family as it has for mine. This CD is available for purchase at the Answers in Genesis online store and you can also listen to clips of all the songs there.

 Miss Laurie is a 20-something modern day girl who loves old-fashioned things and strives to live every day for the Lord Jesus Christ. Her blog Old-Fashioned Charm is dedicated to sharing her love of Jane Austen, period costume dramas, classic literature and everything old-fashioned. 

CD: Christmas with Scotty McCreery

 

Singer: Scotty McCreery

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type of music: Country! :)

List of songs: 

1. Let It Snow
2. First Noel
3. Jingle Bells
4. Holly Jolly Christmas
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Christmas in Heaven
7. Mary Did You Know?
8. Christmas Comin’ Round Again
9. O Holy Night
10. The Christmas Song (Chesnuts)
11. Santa Claus is Back in Town 

My overall opinion: My favorites were Let It Snow, First Noel, Holly Jolly Christmas, Christmas in Heaven, Christmas Song. And yes. That’s half the CD. I really like it! First Noel wins the prize for absolute top favorite…Noelle is actually my middle name! I LOVE Scotty’s voice on that one! There is really a wide variety of songs, and to some extent, styles in this album. Christmas Song was quite slow and peaceful, and Jingle Bells…another interesting variation! It amuses me how each artist does that one so differently. I didn’t like Mary Did You Know? so much, but that’s more because I don’t really like the song than from the way he did it. Because he does it nicely. Christmas in Heaven is a close second to First Noel, and the words are very interesting… “And I wonder…is the snow fallin’ down on the streets of gold? Are the mansions all covered in white? …..I wonder what Christmas in Heaven is like.” I’d never thought about that before – had you? Finally, Santa Claus is Back in Town has a fun style, and is a great wrap-up. All around, a CD worth buying!

CD: I Dreamed a Dream

Singer: Susan Boyle

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type of music: Maybe some classic, some more “popular”

List of songs:

1.       Wild Horses

2.       I Dreamed a Dream

3.       Cry Me a River

4.       How Great Thou Art

5.       You’ll See

6.       Daydream Believer

7.       Up to the Mountain

8.       Amazing Grace

9.       Who I Was Born to Be

10.   Proud

11.   The End of the World

12.   Silent Night

My overall opinion: I love this CD so much. My favorite song in the second, the title track. It still gives me goose-bumps when I hear it, and I’ve heard it many many times! As you can see, Susan has a wide array of songs, classic (#2, from Les Mis), to religious (#4, 8, and 12), and even one Christmas song (#12). I really enjoy all the songs here! I like this CD better than her second one, The Gift.

Guest Post: Sense & Sensibility (1995) Soundtrack by Miss Laurie

CD: Sense and Sensibility (1995)

This soundtrack isn't anything new, in fact it's probably a favorite for a lot of you as it is for me, but it's still so beautiful.

The music was composed by Patrick Doyle especially for Sense and Sensibility (1995) and is some of the prettiest music in a period drama. 

Tracks:
1. Weep You No More Sad Fountains
2. A Particular Sum
3. My Father's Favourite
4. Preying Penniless Woman
5. Devonshire
6. Not A Beau For Miles
7. All The Better For Her
8. Felicity
9. Patience
10. Grant Me An Interview
11. All the Delights of the Season
12. Steam Engine
13. Willoughby
14. Miss Grey
15. Excellent Notion
16. Leaving London
17. Combe Magna
18. To Die For Love
19. There is Nothing Lost
20. Throw The Coins
21. The Dreame

All of the music on this soundtrack is amazingly written and orchestrated. It carries you away on a sea of emotion from the very first note! The tracks Weep You No More Sad Fountains and The Dreame are songs Marianne Dashwood sings in the film but on the soundtrack they are sung by opera singer Jane Eaglen. Also the song My Father's Favorite is one that Marianne plays toward the beginning of the film. Steam Engine, Willoughby and Miss Grey are all dancing tunes that were dance to in the film.
One of my favorite tracks is Excellent Notion because it is played by a harp and is just so pretty! It's also one that's fun to play on the piano. My second favorite track is A Particular Sum because it's a bright and happy tune but still very beautiful.

Some of the above track titles are linked to YouTube clips of complete songs for you to enjoy. Here's a music video I made with photos from the film and clips of A Particular Sum, Devonshire, Excellent Notion, Preying Penniless Woman and The is Nothing Lost.

Sense & Sensibility (1995) - Short Themes

I highly recommend this soundtrack because of it's stunning music. It's lovely to listen to especially while you're reading, writing or crafting. It can be found at most local libraries or you can buy your own copy on Amazon.

Very Truly Your's,
Miss Laurie

Miss Laurie is the author of Old-Fashioned Charm where she blogs about Jane Austen, period dramas, classic literature and everything old-fashioned under the sun.

Guest Post: Emma (1995) Soundtrack by Miss Laurie

Charity: Before I give the floor over to Miss Laurie, let me encourage you to check out the guest posts she did earlier this month with some other bloggers! Comparisons of Persuasion movie versions...truly delightful. Make sure you read them! Also, watch for two more guest posts coming from Miss Laurie later this summer.

Now, here's Miss Laurie:



CD: Emma (1996)Another of my favorite Jane Austen film soundtracks, this one features beautiful flowing music and even a dance song!

Tracks:
1. Main Titles
2. Harriet's Portrait
3. Sewing & Archery
4. Frank Churchill Arrives
5. Celery Root
6. Mr. Elton's Rejection
7. Emma Tells Harriet About Mr. Elton
8. The Coles Party
9. Mrs. Elton's Visit
10. Emma Dreams Of Frank Churchill
11. The Dance
12. Gypsies
13. The Picnic
14. Emma Insults Miss Bates
15. Emma Writes Her Diary
16. Mr. Knightley Returns
17. Proposal
18. End Titles

All music was composed by Rachel Portman and some of the songs sound similar to the Nicholas Nickleby (2002) soundtrack which she would compose later. The track The Dance is an English Country Dance called Auretti's Dutch Skipper which is danced in the film during the scene where Mr. Knightley asks Harriet to dance at the ball. My favorite songs on the CD are The Coles Party, Emma Dreams of Frank Churchill, The Dance and End Titles because they are all a bit more lively.

Some of the Tracks above are linked to YouTube videos of the music and here's a music video I made a while back with photos from Emma (1996) and End Titles song:

 

Emma 1996 - End Titles
This soundtrack is a bit more dull than some other Jane Austen soundtracks because the songs to me aren't as upbeat or as easy to identify, there's only about two or three themes that are played in different ways. The music is gorgeous though and nice to listen to while you're reading or doing homework. It's a must have for anyone who enjoys the film. It can be found at some local libraries and can be bought at Amazon.

Very Truly Your's,Miss Laurie

Miss Laurie is the author of Old-Fashioned Charm where she blogs about Jane Austen, period dramas, classic literature and everything old-fashioned under the sun.

Guest Post: Pride & Prejudice (2005) Sountrack by Miss Laurie

CD: Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Soundtracks are one of my favorite types of music to listen to, especially while I'm reading, writing or blogging.  Most of the Jane Austen movie soundtracks are in my collection and even though Pride & Prejudice (2005) isn't my favorite adaptation, the soundtrack is just exquisite! 

Tracks:
1. Dawn
2. Stars and Butterflies
3. The Living Sculptures of Pemberley
4. Meryton Townhall
5. The Militia Marches In
6. Georgiana
7. Arrival To Netherfield
8. A Postcard to Henry Purcell
9. Liz on Top of the World
10. Leaving Netherfield
11. Another Dance
12. The Secret Life of Daydreams
13. Darcy's Letter
14. Can't Slow Down
15. Your Hands Are Cold
16. Mrs Darcy
17. End Credits (Pride & Prejudice)

One of the fun things about this soundtrack is that the songs Meryton Townhall, Another Dance and Can't Slow Down are all English Country Dance tunes. A Postcard to Henry Purcell is a variant arrangement of Rondeau from Abdelazar, a classical piece written by Henry Purcell in the late 1600's.
The Militia Marches In is also a march played with fife and drums. I especially enjoy the beautiful piano pieces Dawn and Georgiana which are played on the album by French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I would love to learn how to play them one day! 


Some of the above track titles are linked to YouTube clips of complete songs for you to enjoy. Here's a music video I made with photos from the film and clips of Meryton Townhall, Georgiana and A Postcard to Henry Purcell.





Pride & Prejudice (2005) Themes
The music on this soundtrack has pretty and happy songs that are so delightful to listen to. I highly recommend this soundtrack! Many public libraries would probably have this CD available and you can buy your own copy on Amazon.


Very Truly Your's,
Miss Laurie 


P.S. Thanks Charity for inviting me to guest post!

Miss Laurie is the author of Old-Fashioned Charm where she blogs about Jane Austen, period dramas, classic literature and everything old-fashioned under the sun.

CD: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5 at least. :)

Type of music: Soundtrack

Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams

From the movie: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

List of songs:

• The Blitz
• Evacuating London
• The Wardrobe
• Lucy Meets Mr. Tumnus
• A Narnia Lullaby
• The White Witch
• From Western Woods to Beaversdam
• Father Christmas
• To Aslan's Camp
• Knighting Peter
• The Stone Table
• The Battle
• Only the Beginning of the Adventure
• Can't Take It In (Imogen Heap)
• Wunderkind (Alanis Moriessette)
• Winter Light (Tim Finn)
• Where (Lisbeth Scott)

My overall opinion: I loved this CD. I should mention that I haven't listened to the last four songs yet, but the actual soundtrack ones were GREAT! I never tire of the Narnia music. The Battle is such a rousing song...always makes me want to watch that scene again! So I think I'm including it below. However, I'm unable to watch it, so if it's the wrong thing...TELL ME. NOW. Thank you. :)

CD: Rejoice

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Katherine Jenkins

Type of music: Soprano, classical (maybe?)

List of songs:

1.       Rejoice

2.       I (Who Have Nothing)

3.       Sancta Maria

4.       Secret Love

5.       Le Cose Che Sei Per Me (The Things You Are to Me)

6.       How Do You Leave the One You Love?

7.       Requiem for a Soldier

8.       Somewhere

9.       Shout in Silence

10.   Be Still My Soul

11.   Kiss from a Rose

12.   I Will Pray for You

13.   Viva Tonight

My overall opinion: I have really enjoyed this CD since I received it for Christmas. Especially the title track is beautiful, and the rest are also wonderful. #3 always reminds me of Charlotte Church’s version. #’s 6, 11, and 12 are stunning as well.

CD: Michael Buble Christmas

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Michael Buble (obviously)

Type of music: Christmas, a lot of classic secular songs (about Santa Claus etc)

List of songs:

1.       It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2.       Santa Claus is Coming to Town

3.       Jingle Bells (with the Puppini Sisters)

4.       White Christmas (with Shania Twain)

5.       All I Want for Christmas Is You

6.       Holly Jolly Christmas

7.       Santa Baby

8.       Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

9.       Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)

10.   Silent Night

11.   Blue Christmas

12.   Cold December Night

13.   I’ll Be Home for Christmas

14.   Ave Maria

15.   Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad (with Thalia)

My overall opinion: *sigh* This was definitely one of my favorite Christmas CD’s this year. I should mention (before raving more) that some of the songs are a little bit rocky (as in, the rock type of music), so that may be a drawback. I think my favorites are #9 (which is the type that sticks in your head for hours) and #11 (in which the trumpeter has way too much fun). My siblings love #15 (which is also catchy). Ave Maria is beautiful. So is It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. The introduction for Jingle Bells is very 80’s, according to my parents…rather strange. You’d understand if you’ve heard it. He changed the words for Santa Baby, or so say the people who know the original. Since I don’t, I don’t know.  Altogether, I love the CD. Definitely worth your money, as long as the rock stuff doesn’t bother you much…it’s not too bad. P.S. #5 is another one that’ll stick in your head. Now you can’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)