Staring: Jon Stewart, David Alan Grier, Rosie O'Donnell, Gloria Estefan, Cindy Herron

Artist: Childliners

Artist: John Denver & The Muppets

The Muppets have sung with so many people over the years, from Elton John to Tony Bennett, yet it has always seemed like their performances with John Denver were somehow the perfect match. A Christmas Together is a delightful--what else?--sing-along collection of Christmas favourites as performed by Denver and the Muppets ensemble. While the usual suspects have more than their say here--Kermit, Miss Piggy--the standout piece is "12 Days of Christmas": What could be better than a Muppet a day? Denver leads the critters through a tender "Silent Night", which comes couched in a medley that closes with a rousing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." "Deck the Halls" is equally raucous--about as raucous as Muppets can get. Listen for the subtle lyric adaptations and the witty exchanges between Denver and his minstrels. Definitely not just for kids. --Steve Gdula
Straightforward fun and wonder, 2007-12-12
The following tracks are particular favourites mostly because of the presentation, the asides and John Denver's narratives:
1. Twelve Days of Christmas (Amusing quip at Miss Piggy's expense)
4. Christmas Is Coming (Miss Piggy having fun)
8. Little Saint Nick (Animal getting carried away)
12. Silent Night, Holy Night (beautiful with explanatory narrative)
13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Animal and all having fun)

They should sell the DVD of the original program each Christmas!

Artist: London Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Covent Garden Royal Opera House Orchestra

Artist: Philharmonia Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Staring: Red Buttons, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Alan Sues, Jackie Vernon
Director: Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass

Encyclopedic survey with some wonderful bonuses, 2004-10-11
Grainger's piano music is notoriously difficult, and it's also fairly uneven, so a complete survey is bound to have its highs and lows. Martin Jones does make a few obvious fluffs, but these are easy to overlook, given the great musicality of these performances. The sound quality is good, though some may find the tone a little too mellow and the acoustic a little too spacious for their tastes. For me, perhaps the best things about this set are the fillers on the 5th disc - here are some fantastic gems for multiple pianos and and multiple pianists. The English Dance for 2 pianos-6 hands is simply fantastic. Overall, this is a very enjoyable set, so long as you're reasonably selective. A must for Grainger fans, and enhanced by excellent programme notes.

Artist: John Rutter