CD Reviews:
Disc One: Now and Forever-- This multi-genre assortment of 18 traditional and non-traditional seasonal tunes has its share of hits and misses. For starters, Destiny's Child performs a magnificent version of "Opera of the Bells." Secondly, Stacie Orrico offers up a delightful rendition of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." On the third track, *NSYNC declares "I Don't Wanna Spend One More Christmas Without You"-- which is a far better song than the boy band's Vol. 1 contribution. On Track #4, Aussie pop tart Kylie Minogue sings the classic "Santa Baby" in a way that would make the late, great Eartha Kitt proud. Next, Brit boy band B2K does an okay version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," although Springsteen's Vol. 1, Disc 2 version is obviously far superior. Selection #6 is "Step Into Christmas," a nice little tune by Elton John. Jimmy Buffet provides lucky #7 in the form "Jingle Bells"-- done reggae style. After that, Mariah Carey belts out the radio and video channel holiday staple "All I Want For Christmas Is You," which has proven to be perennially fun and festive. Then, Vince Gill does a countrified styling of "Do You Hear What I Hear?"-- a traditional religious song I like, even though I'm not a country music fan per se. Nawlins boy Aaron Neville wails out a timeless variation of the beautiful "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" for the tenth track. Track #11 is a total childhood flashback, courtesy of WHAM!'s "Last Christmas." Not to be mean, but I just can't take #12, Gloria Estefan's "Christmas Through Your Eyes." The good folks at Capitol Records redeem themselves with lucky #13-- The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping." Okay, I could seriously do without #14, which is Amy Grant's sappy "A Christmas to Remember." On #15, onetime teenage opera phenom Charlotte Church delivers some Christmas goodies in the form of "Silent Night." For #16, Luther Vandross also delivers on "Please Come Home for Christmas." The penultimate track features a singer I don't care for, Celine Dion (not a big fan of the soft rock/easy listening/adult contemporary genres!), singing a traditional carol I adore: "O Holy Night." Finally, Norah Jones (whom I do like a great deal!) entertains with the adorable "Peace." Depending on your individual musical taste, this is a fundamentally decent collection with something for everybody.
Disc Two: Then and Always-- I must begin this little discussion by saying that I like this CD much better than Disc One of this set. For instance, the starter track is Louis Armstrong's simply amazing version of "Winter Wonderland." The second song, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is sung very well by Barbra Streisand (not one of my faves, but the song is a classic). Thirdly, Johnny Mathis croons "Silver Bells," providing your celebrations with that retro vibe. I absolutely love the fourth track: Lou Rawls' beautifully unique take on "The Little Drummer Boy." Fabulous #5 is Peggy Lee with a jaunty, uplifting "Happy Holiday." Then, Rat Packer Dean Martin turns things down a notch with "The Christmas Blues." Next, Chuck Berry goes full throttle on "Run, Rudolph Run," which I actually hit the replay button on sometimes. Track 8 is a spectacular duet between Welsh-born retro hottie Tom Jones and Cerys from Catatonia, who stand out among most of the other artists on this collection with "Baby, It's Cold Outside"-- a total blast. Number 9, number 9, a live version of Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," has lots of sentimental value to me, since I heard this song constantly this time of year growing up in South Texas. The tenth tune, Burl Ives' classic recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," is always a reliable way to get into the Christmas spirit. For those who like traditional/religious carols, Andy Williams' "The First Noel" doesn't disappoint. Number 12 is another nostalgic tune; here, Texan cowboy crooner George Strait sings the very cute "I Know What I Want for Christmas." In addition, you really can't go wrong with gospel star Yolanda Adams' soulful "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Then, things start getting a little, er, cheesy. First, there's Kenny Rogers' "Kentucky Homemade Christmas." Then, Andy Griffith sings a rather embarrassing version of "Go Tell It On the Mountain." Never fear, for #16 is Luciano Pavarotti's (accomapanied by the National Philharmonic Orchestra & the London Voices, conducted by Kurt Herbert Adler) totally sweet-- especially with some red wine and pasta and dark chocolate!-- "Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)." Listen to #17, Barry Manilow (lame!) with "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays," at your own risk (the Perry Como version on Vol. 1 is much, much better). Finally, Guy Lombardo performs the always apropo "Auld Lang Syne." This CD may not be perfect, but it would be great to play at any Christmas party, and, given the popularity of AMC's Mad Men series, it would be the ideal soundtrack for a 60s-themed holiday soiree (hmm...).
So, this concludes the second installment of this Ashleyverse broadcast. This is Ashley Waggoner, signing off on this hopefully peaceful, love-filled, and happy Christmas Eve Eve.
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