Artist: Zoltán Kocsis

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: Phil Spector

This lavish holiday set has been called the greatest rock & roll Christmas album of all time. That's an opinion that's tough to argue with when you find yourself immersed in the massive sounds painstakingly crafted by legendary producer Phil Spector. His "wall-of-sound" technique is perfectly suited to the music of the season, as he proves with layer upon layer of piano, sleigh bells, buoyant percussion, and, of course, those legendary Spector sound harmonies. The Crystals turn their sassy interplay into sheer magic on "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", The Ronettes stroll sweetly through numbers like "Sleigh Ride", while Darlene Love delivers areal knockout punch with her yearning version of "Christmas (Baby, PleaseCome Home)". Sure to become the soundtrack for your holidays. --DavidSprague
great CD, 2010-01-24
It was good to be able to replace my old LP, which i always enjoyed, but times move on and i need to convert to CD some of my better records. this a great CD with some memorable songs, that you still hear every year in the shops.

Artist: Maddy Prior

Brought together more by accident than design in the late 1980s, the relationship between Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band has been on/off but one that has produced a series of fascinating albums. Despite secular works, it is for their Christmas collaborations that they are best known, especially the riotous seasonal tours (pantomimes and all). This outing took place in 1997 and spawned this live album, which leaves the capers behind and concentrates on the music. The usual clichés are firmly avoided in favour of the more obscure, with even familiar carols such as "Away In A Manger", "Ding Dong Merrily On High" and "I Saw Three Ships" presented on medieval instruments and in unfamiliar arrangements. Prior is in fine voice throughout, suited perhaps more to this style of music than the folk rock of Steeleye Span, and the Carnivals approach their task with gusto. Those looking for a studio album should try Carols and Capers which, like this release, proves that there is much more to Christmas music than Noddy Holder. --Phil Udell
This is how Christmas should be., 2001-10-24
Fabulous sound, wonderful mix of tracks, music that really sounds like the family singing round the Yule Log. Maddy Prior's voice has never been more sound or reliable. Especially excellent is the first track - but all the tracks are just so singable!! This is mulled wine and open fire music to really set the scene for the festivities, and no collection should be without it.

Rated: Exempt
Staring: Backstreet Boys

backstreet brill!!, 2009-04-18
What a bargain! I paid £1.61 for this dvd (the postage and packing were more expensive!) and have had hours of fun singing and dancing along with the boys! Love this type of music and can thoroughly recommend this to everyone. I shall be on the lookout for more bargains like this!

Artist: Bill Gaither & Gloria, Homecoming Friends

Artist: National Youth Choir Of Wales

Christmas Present for myself., 2010-01-11
This was a christmas present for myself, it came in good time and I have enjoyed listening to it.

Artist: Various Artists

Wonderful Vaughan Williams....., 2010-07-05
Vaughan Williams belongs to the English pastoral school, famously derided by Elisabeth Lutyens as the 'cowpat' movement! But for those unfamiliar with VW's music, for those who love unadulterated melody and for those who love the English countryside (cowpats included), this disc is a treat.

It contains some of VW's best loved works for small orchestra and voice. My personal favourites, Fantasia on Greensleeves and the Lark Ascending are given lush, rapt performances by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and in the latter, Iona Brown's violin sends the lark's song soaring. The highlight of the disc for me is 'Silent Noon'. This is a miniature masterpiece and distills all of VW's skill in marrying atmosphere and melody into four minutes of bliss. Philip Ledger gives a heart-breaking perfomance of this song - listen in particular to what he does with the last line ('When twofold silence was the song of love').

Make time for this - enjoy!

A bargain !, 2010-04-04
This is a wonderful collection of carols,sets the right mood for Christmas and the singing is amazing.