| The Christmas Song |  | Category: Music
Buy New: $0.88
New (36) Used (34) from $0.01
Rating:  41 reviews
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 077775772920
EAN: 0077775772920
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Tell A Friend
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
Countless singers have recorded the now-famous title track to this 14-song collection, but none have explored its evocative nuances as fully as the man who first brought it into our living rooms--Nat King Cole. Then again, his honeyed throat and refined delivery allowed him to make just about any song his own--even ubiquitous carols such as "O Holy Night" and "Adeste Fideles." Cole's gift--the thing that made him beloved by grandmas and jazzbos alike--was his ability to conjure images so vivid, you need only close your eyes in order to see, say, a snow-swept town square ("Caroling, Caroling") or that holy scene from 2,000 years ago ("Away in a Manger"). --David Sprague
Amazon.com
Like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Nat Cole's "The Christmas Song" stands as one of two or three pillars of holiday music. This collection of songs and greetings includes another technologically induced daughter-father duet on Mel Torme's classic hit as well daddy Cole's 1961 version of the tune. Fans of both Natalie and her dad will put this on the top of their wish lists. Two previously unreleased tracks--"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" and "O Come All Ye Faithful"--will prompt a lot of lovers of Christmas music to fall in love again with Cole's incomparable style and timeless voice. --Martin Keller
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...
The only Christmas album you need. May 31, 2008
trifelife (Dallas, TX United States)
There is something very special about this album. It's hard to define or put into words, but this album accomplishes what so many set out to do and fall short: It reaches out and almost literally touches you. No other Christmas music that I have heard captures the feeling and spirit of Christmas like this one. I have bought this album several times over because when i find out someone doesn't have it I feel duty bound as a friend to let them have mine. Sinatra, Bing, Motown? They have nothing on Nat.
Excellent! December 12, 2007
E. Henry
One of the greatest CD's to purchase to bring back memories of what a fabulous Christmas is. Needs to be in every music lovers library. Excellent!
"Although It's Been Said Many Times, Many Ways . . . Merry Christmas To You" December 15, 2006
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA)
"I've been around the entertainment business for about 50 years, so I consider myself a good judge of the arena and the people who inhabit it. I worked for, and with Nat King Cole for many years and it was the most fulfilling time in my adult life. Hardly a day went by when I didn't learn something from him. He was warm; he was loving; he was tender; he was generous; he was respectful; he was gifted; he was disciplined; he was professional; he was real; he was my dear friend; he was Nat King Cole. I'm deeply honored to be a small part of this project. ~ Dick LaPalm, Liner Notes, June 1999 ~
Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" is one of my favorite Christmas CDs from my collection simply because it consists of the greatest and the best-loved traditional Christmas carols of all-time. With his smooth and velvety voice, Nat King Cole sings these carols so sincerely and solemnly. It's always nice to listen to this CD at this time of the year. It gives me a certain touch of nostalgia that brings back my most cherished memories of Christmas time.
"The Christmas Song" is Nat King Cole's signature Christmas carol. From the very first time he recorded this song composed by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in 1946, he stamped his signature on it and made it his very own. One other version is a "duet" with his equally talented daughter, Natalie Cole. According to Dick LaPalm on Liner Notes, "Capitol furnished the 1961 master tape and Hallmark was able to isolate Nat's vocal and integrate it into another beautiful father and daughter performance." The outcome is really astonishing and one of the highlights of this CD.
"O Little Town of Bethlehem," "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night" are all sung in a sacredly fashion. The chorus makes them sound almost like sacred hymns. There is that old-fashioned feeling that will strike you upon listening to these carols. These are the songs that epitomize Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I've always loved an old-fashioned celebration of Christmas and truly love traditional Christmas carols to listen to during Christmas holidays. If you're like me, you'll absolutely and merrily enjoy this CD. Keep it playing during your Christmas celebrations.
Fill your Christmas with peace, joy and love and welcome the New Year with a blast and good cheer!
Happy Holidays to one and all!
A heartfelt holiday wish from one of the greats. November 13, 2006
Mary Whipple (New England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Singing traditional Christmas songs with dignity and feeling, this Nat King Cole holiday album gloriously captures the spirit of the season. Without fireworks, improvisations, catchy rhythms, or unusual variations, Cole gives us songs full of love in his relaxed and unpretentious style. Accompanied by two orchestras and choruses, which are directed by Ralph Carmichael, Cole still manages to keep his style simple and the songs "clean," sometimes slowing the lyrics in order to make them more expressive of the meaning.
"The Christmas Song," written by Mel Torme has always been Cole's biggest Christmas hit, beautifully sung to an accompaniment of piano and strings. "O Holy Night," with a 27-string orchestra, maintains its sense of quiet awe, instead of becoming loudly triumphant (as it is in many other recordings), while "Adeste Fidelis," sung partly in Latin, speaks to the listener on a personal level and invites him/her to "come, let us adore him," instead of demanding it. The jaunty "I Saw Three Ships" and "The First Noel" are sung with an a capella chorus, and two less-recorded songs, "A Cradle in Bethlehem," from England, and "Caroling, Caroling," written in the US by A. E. Burt add new songs to the Christmas repertoire.
The orchestra and choruses here, while large, are used to highlight Nat King Cole's vocal interpretations, instead of making their own statements, and the use of bells, bell lyre, flutes, and harp often add depth to the background while adding emphasis to the lyrics. Traditional and restrained, Cole's album honors the season and its message, an album one could listen to all day without tiring. Mary Whipple
Still the best September 20, 2006
J. Vanderwilt (Georgia)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'd rather hear Nat King Cole sing Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (The Christmas Song) than anyone else. And much more to choose from. This collection can't be beat. A Christmas staple.
|
|
|
| |
