A significant subset of the secular songs are regarded as “Christmas” songs due to the time of year that they are most often sung, despite never mentioning anything about Christmas. These songs include favorites such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Let it Snow”, "Trains And Winter Rains", “Sleigh Ride” (whose standard lyrics mention not a holiday party but a birthday party) and the now hugely popular Christmas standard "Jingle Bells", which was originally written to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Many of these songs fall into the generic “winter” classification, as they carry no Christmas connotation at all. To popularize a winter-themed song, especially in the United States, without its being regarded as a “Christmas” song, would be difficult. In fact, winter-themed songs are generally not played on the radio in the U.S. during the larger part of the winter after the hristmas season has ended, although they may receive limited radio airplay on some stations, particularly after a significant snow event.
I hope that you enjoy this album, and have a Merry Christmas. JMRL.






T r a c k L i s t i n g s

1.- Once in Royal David's City (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
2.- O Holly NIght (iL Divo)
3.- Arrival (Sarah Brighman)
4.- Ring Little Bells (Chris Norman & Riga Boys Choir)
5.- Sleigh Ride (Hayley Westenra)
6.- Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy (Masters of Chant)
7.- Winter Wonderland (Diana Krall)
8.- Jingle Bells (Andrea Bocelli)
9.- What Child is This? (Greensleeves) (Sarha McLachlan)
10.- Petit Papa Noël (Josh Groban)
11.- Christmas Toys (Saori Yuki & Sachiko Yasuda)
12.- Sancta Maria (Blake)
13.- Petit Garçon (Nana Mouskouri)
14.- What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Bette Midler)
15.- Santa Claus Llegó a la Ciudad (Luis Miguel)
16.- Trains And Winter Rains (Enya)
17.- Pat-A-Pan (David Archuleta)
18.- Anche Quest'anno É Gia Natale (Bambini)
19.- Let it Snow (Michael Bubble)
20.- Noël Blanc (Vox Angeli)
21.- Silent Night (Fron Male Voice Choir)
22.- Oh Christmas Tree (The Chill Out Academy)
23.- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Enya)

Neo-Classical 2

The rhythms of the globe are around us and are part of us, and this is no better represented than by music. The basis of music is sound, and the expansion of sound becomes music.
While all music has the capability to reach the spirit, there are sounds that resonant from the spirit and are part of all our cultural traditions, and if we add celestial voices, we'll obtain the music that fills our souls. JMRL






T r a c k L i s t i n g s

01.- Going Home (Libera)
02.- L'italiano (Patrizio Buanne)
03.- Cour Senza Sangue (Emma Shapplin)
04.- River Of Dreams (Hayley Westenra)
05.- Je Manque De Toi (Garou)
06.- Una Voce Poco Fa (Fillipa Giordano)
07.- Lullaby (Josh Groban)
08.- Non Me Lo So Spiegare (Laura Pausini & Tiziano Ferro)
09.- Awaken The Music (Billy Gilman)
10.- Adagio (Hélène Segara)
11.- Land & Freedom (Terra A Liberta) (Amici Forever)
12.- Saylon Dola (Russel Watson & Maire Brennan)
13.- Just Wave Hello (Charlotte Church)
14.- That's Amore (Patrizio Buanne)
15.- Anytime, Anywhere (Sarah Brightman)
16.- Home To Mamma (Patrizio Buanne)
17.- Wheeping (Josh Groban)
18.- La Notte Etterna (Emma Shaplin)
19.- Va Pensiero (Russell Watson &
20.- Salva Me (Libera)
21.- Song Of The Wind (Billy Gilman)
22.- iL Gladiatore (Russell Watson)

faryl smith - wonderland (2009)

2009 sophomore album from the schoolgirl who became the fastest selling debut classical artist of all time. Wonderland will push the boundaries both in terms of the music and also Faryl's voice. Featuring a beautiful adaptation 'Somewhere Far Away' (music from 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'), 'Wonderland' (music from 'Winter' from 'The Four Seasons') and a very special duet on 'O Holy Night' with Luciano Pavarotti, whose vocals were digitally added to Smith's recording, giving the effect of sounding as if they're really in the same room together. Universal.

T r a c k L i s t i n g s

01. Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Somewhere Far Away) 4:28
02. O Holy Night 5:09
03. Wonderland 3:45
04. The Prayer 4:26
05. Adiemus 3:56
06. Barcarolle 3:41
07. In Dulce Jubilo 3:55
08. Night Of Silence 2:58
09. Evening Prayer 4:07
10. Blow The Wind Southerly 3:36
11. Hymn To The Moon 4:48
12. Close To You 3:47
13. How Can I Keep From Singing 3:21

Peter Breiner was born in Humenne in Eastern Slovakia, where he started piano lessons at the age of four. He went to study at the Bratislava Conservatory and, then, at he Prague College of Music and Drama, concentraitng at the latter in composition...On completing his studies he began work as musical supervisor of the Czechoslovak Radio in Bratislava and for OPUS Records and Publishing House. He has had a varied career which has involved the conductorchip of the Czechoslovak Radio Children's Choir, regular piano performances at jazz concertos ans workin as an orchestral conductor and arranger.
Here is his personal view al Christmas Music, with a strong touch of Baroque Style, it sounds like Bach, Gabrielli, Händel, Teleman or Vivaldi. JMRL







T r a c k L i s t i n g s

01 - The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum), carol
02 - Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)
03 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas (English)
04 - Jingle Bells
05 - Kommet, ihr Hirten, carol (Bohemian)
06 - Alle Jahre wieder
07 - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (English)
08 - Kling Glöckchen, Klingeling (Ring, Little Bells) (German)
09 - The First Nowell (English)
10 - O du fröhliche, o du selige, gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit, carol
11 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas (American)
12 - O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fidelis)
13 - O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (German)
14- Good King Wenceslas (Piae Cantiones, 1582)
15- Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen
16- Get up shepherds
17- The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum), carol

Rondo Veneziano - Sinfonia Di Natale

An Italian chamber orchestra, Rondó Veneziano set itself apart from many groups of similar style by not only employing mostly women musicians and making it a rule to perform in period Baroque dress, but mainly because they were able to meld traditional chamber music pieces to modern backing tracks, rhythms, and percussion lines, almost giving their classical sound a club music foundation that sometimes bordered on prog rock. Their first big break came in the United Kingdom in 1983, with the single "La Serenissima," which was followed two years later by a successful appearance providing the score to the film Not Quite Jerusalem. Their first Christmas Album is Sinfonia Di Natale, a joyful vision of Baroque Christmas. JMRL







T r a c k L i s t i n g s

01 - Sinfonia di Natale
02 - Ave Maria
03 - Weihnacht Suite
04 - Petit Papa Noel
05 - Suite di Natale
06 - Handel/Bach
07 - White Christmas
08 - Christmas Suite I
09 - Christmas Suite II
10 - Stille Nacht
11 - Laudamus Jesus
12 - Caro Babbo Natale
13 - Sinfonia di Natale (Reprise)

Hi, there. Here´s my proposal.

I love this blog and have found and discovered great music and new horizons.
I had made a lot of mixtures of sounds, tessitura, styles,instruments, languages,
techniques and more. And the result is a CD that attained a fusion of Sarah Brigthman, Alessandro Safina, Emma Shapplin, Era, Opera Babes, Bond, Freddie Mercury,
Fillipa Giordano and much more in a great compilation, that I called NEO-CLASSICAL.

Please, listen, enjoy and post a comment if you like it. (or not). JMRL






T r a c k L i s t i n g s

01.- Intro (Enigma)
02.- Harem (Sarah Brightman)
03.- Voyage, voyage (Masters of Chant)
04.- Habanera (Fillipa Giordano)
05.- O Fortuna (Enigma)
06.- Hungarian (Bond)
07.- Lacrymosa (Evanescence)
08.- Silent Lucidity (Masters of Chant)
09.- You Will See (Enigma)
10.- Figlio Perduto (Sarah Brightman)
11.- The Mass (Era)
12.- Time Of Our Lives (Toni Braxton & iL Divo)
13.- Barcelona (Montserrat Caballé & Freddie Mercury)
14.- Falta Tu Estrella (Emma Shapplin)
15.- Canzone Arrabbiata (Mario Frangoulis)
16.- Join Us (Enigma)
17.- Vittoria (Opera Babes)
18.- Luna (Alessandro Safina)
19.- Just Show Me How to Love You (Sarah Brightman & Alessandro Safina)
20.- Dell'Amore Non Si Sa (Hayley Westenra & Andrea Bocelli)

Gregorian Christmas Chants

I like most of what Gregorian has done on previous works, and I love Christmas music! How could I go wrong? However, I did not really expect to love this so much. It has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas albums. It's the same Gregorian sound, but they added more of what I always thought they needed- more complex vocal arrangement. Ranging from classical to contemporary, GREGORIAN once again bring their unique vocal stylings to 16 of our favorite holiday songs. This is easily their finest album yet, and one I find myself listening to year-round.
Although every track on this album rates very highly in my book, my favorites are still:
Amazing Grace: Simply the most beautiful version of this song I've heard
Pie Jesu: An amazing tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber
Gloria In Exelsis: An awesome vocal arrangemet
Happy Xmas War Is Over: The children's choir adds wonder to this classic
All in all, this is one of the most listenable CD's I've ever owned. Fans
of Mannheim Steamroller and Sarah Brightman will love this CD, as well as
most of Gregorian's other works.
Theres more harmony, more rounds, more of basically everything. If you love Christmas music, you'll love this. JMRL



























T r a c k L i s t i n g s

1. Ave Maria

2. Silent Night

3. When a Child Is Born

4. Amazing Grace

5. First Noel

6. In the Bleak Midwinter

7. Pie Jesus

8. Spaceman Came Travelling

9. O Come All Ye Faithful

10. Gloria in Excelsis

11. Footsteps in the Snow

12. Peace on Earth-Little Drummer Boy

13. Sweeter the Bells

14. Child in a Manger

15. Happy Xmas War Is Over

16. Auld Lang Syne