Beautiful Star: The Christmas Collection | 
 enlarge | Artist: Rhonda Vincent
Label: Rounder / Umgd
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $12.43
You Save: $5.55 (31%)
New (22) Used (14) from $7.93
Rating:  8 reviews
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 610575
UPC: 011661057524
EAN: 0011661057524
Release Date: October 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Christmas Time at Home - Rhonda Vincent, Vincent, Rhonda | | • | The Christmas Song - Rhonda Vincent, Torme, Mel | | • | Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Rhonda Vincent, Marks, John | | • | Beautiful Star of Bethlehem - Rhonda Vincent, Phipps, Al | | • | Christmas Time's a Comin' - Rhonda Vincent, Logan, Tex | | • | Let It Snow - Rhonda Vincent, Cahn, Sammy | | • | Silent Night - Rhonda Vincent, Mohr, Joseph | | • | Oh Christmass Tree - Rhonda Vincent, Traditional | | • | Winter Wonderland - Rhonda Vincent, Bernard, Felix | | • | Jingle Bells - Rhonda Vincent, Pierpoint, James | | • | Away in a Manger - Rhonda Vincent, Kirkpatrick, Willia | | • | Twelve Days of Christmas - Rhonda Vincent, Traditional |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Rhonda Vincent isn't just one of the best singers in bluegrass--she can hold her own against any singer in popular music today. Her first Christmas album confirms her crossover potential, with as much laid-back swing and soft acoustic garlands as throw-down bluegrass. Her touring band, on the whole, get the holidays off, as Nashville vets Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan as well as brother (and coproducer) Darrin Vincent provide slick support for her impeccably pitched, cozy alto. The song selection is pleasant, if somewhat predictable, and the sole surprise (and sole Vincent original), "Christmas at Home," is little more than a string of Norman Rockwell cliches. "Oh Christmas Tree" finally kicks up some tinsel and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" sashays nimbly, even if it never quite rocks. The hokey, deliberately off-key round of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the kiddie singalong on "Jingle Bells" are just cloying--hot picking aside, you've heard this shtick before. Still, Vincent sounds soulful on the ballads, especially "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night"; one only wishes she'd played the arrangements less conservatively. In the end, these sessions would have benefited from a little less reverence and a few more stiff swigs of home-brewed holiday punch. --Roy Kasten
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
Christmas with Rhonda December 16, 2008
N. Armson (Lecuc, Alberta, Canada)
Wonderful selection of songs, vocals are great, as always and excellent musicians. Perfect Bluegrass Christmas CD. When it comes to Rhonda Vincent and her band, you know you are getting what you hope for in her CD's. which is the best of Bluegrass whether it be Christmas or not.
 Terrific Bluegrass Holiday Album November 30, 2007
Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Rhonda Vincent, unlike her contemporary Alison Krauss, has never strayed far from her bluegrass roots--and this wonderful collection of holiday songs is no exception.
The album starts off with an up-tempo Vincent original "Christmas Time at Home." The mandolin flourishes add a nice touch to "Let It Snow." With the banjo setting the pace, "Oh Christmas Tree" turns into a real toe-tapper. And while "Twelve Days of Christmas" is one of my least favorite holiday songs, the Thirteen Member Twelve Day Choir and the Twelve Day Orchestra breathe new life into this classic--even though not all of the choir members can carry a tune!
It should be noted that there are a few deviations that keep this from being exclusively a bluegrass album. "The Christmas Song" is given a smooth jazz treatment. "Winter Wonderland" adds an accordion into the mix. And "Away in a Manger" (with The Whites on harmony vocals) features the harp as the lead instrument to wonderful effect.
I also note that no fewer than four of these songs also appear on Emmylou Harris's classic LIGHT OF THE STABLE. Obviously that album had a major influence on Vincent. But far from being derivative, Vincent clearly puts her own stamp on each of these songs. Any fan of bluegrass music will find much to enjoy here. [Running Time - 35:49] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Want a LESS hectic Christmas? July 18, 2007
Tree Good (Deseronto, ON)
Make this Christmas far less hectic and give a great gift that will last for generations. Rhonda Vincent's "Beautiful Star" is one of the BEST purchases that I have ever made! From the traditional Christmas songs to her own "Christmas Time At Home", this collection will satisfy even the most difficult person to shop for on your list!
buy it! January 13, 2007
Tammy M. Blizzard (Massanutten, VA United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
As always, Rhonda Vincent is one of the most consistent bluegrass musician. You do not have to be diehard bluegrass fan to enjoy this CD. It's very traditional. I loved it!
Good Holiday cd. Rhonda sings great January 13, 2007
Chris Rowe (Raleigh, NC USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Good Holiday cd. Rhonda has a perfect voice for carols.
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