Something Warm for Christmas

Amazon.com
Jeffrey Osborne is often compared to R&B contemporaries Luther Vandross and James Ingram. But Something Warm for Christmas shows how much he has in common with the great Johnny Mathis, who has recorded a few Christmas albums of his own through the years. With George Duke producing and playing keyboards on half the tracks, there's more of a smooth-jazz tint here than Mathis ever used. And Osborne brings more seasonal obscurities to this recording, including an original he cowrote titled "Just a Little Snow." With its kiddie chorus and lament about spending the holidays in a sunny locale, the latter may not match "White Christmas" as a musical statement, but it's not bad, either. Nevertheless, Osborne is best when sticking to traditional tunes, be it a soothing take on "The Christmas Song" or a glorious "Angels We Have Heard on High." --Bill Holdship

Something Warm for Christmas,Jeffrey Osborne,Koch Records,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Pop,Xmas Vocal

Average customer rating:

Elly Ameling now more available
Delight in every note
While they last...
Treasures From a Treasure
More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer.

Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Elly Ameling
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00007KMSJ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

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Matthaus-Passion
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Customer Reviews:

Elly Ameling now more available .......2007-03-07

I had a 33 rpm album of Elly Ameling singing Schubert lieder accompanied by piano and clarinet at times. It was one of my all time favorite albums so I have been disappointed that I have not been able to find it anywhere on CD.

Now I can just buy this excellent collection. So much music in one place! Since I confess that I am far from an expert on the rest of her records, I look forward to hearing her sing many other styles and composers.

I think it is silly to criticize her for not singing Wagner, for example, since her version of many songs, especially lieder, are nothing short of sublime. I would like to hear how many Wagnerians sing Schubert or Mozart.

I doubt if they could approach the skill and soul with which Elly Ameling sings lieder.

Delight in every note.......2006-03-10

To speak as briefly as possible about this superb collection from an equally superb singer, what can I say but that Ms Ameling possessed a voice that shone with radiant warmth and star-like shimmer? And unlike many another light lyric soprano, Elly Ameling was possessed of a very high standard of musicianship, considerable intelligence, and a sort of immediate charm that captivates the listener.

So many of her recordings have still to be released on CD, but this 5CD-set goes some way towards remedying the situation. The repertoire spans a wide variety - French mèlodies, Lieder, light-hearted "sentimental" songs, Bach, etc. - and in each piece, Ms Ameling shows that quality of pearl-like beauty. It is a beauty which is also extremely pretty - a beauty of voice that is never overbearing and over-ripe, but perfectly blossoming upon the tree of inspiration.

I recommend this set unequivocally. It truly is sheer delight.

While they last..........2005-05-17

Elly Ameling held the quiet stage for recitals of great artistry and dignity for several decades and sadly most of the enormously successful CDs of her long career output are now unavailable. For those who have little access to the documentation of this very special artist, this box set is a must. It is a compilation of many of her recordings with differing accompanists, conductors, orchestras and composers. And while not all of the choices for inclusion here would be considered her greatest moments, there are enough works that sustain the warm memories of the little Dutch hausfrau who quietly and simply paid homage to composers with her clear and intelligent musicianship and radiant voice.

Ameling was known to schedule recitals of Schubert cycles and songs and in the afterglow of her performance answer the demand for curtain calls with additional Schubert melodies: she gifted her audience with the dignity of honoring a composer's works by maintaining the focus on that composer rather than milk the audience with the usual encore applause-getting favorites. And special moments such as quietly and pensively strolling through the orchestra during the Mahler 4th symphony to arrive at front stage, unapplauded, just in time for the opening line of her singing - those simple homage to composers and collaborators made her selfless manner endearing to audiences.

Despite the fact that Ameling's voice was on the small side she was always able to muster the projection to carry her message solidly in context with an orchestra. Yes, other more famous singers have recorded Ravel's quintessentially French SHEHERAZADE, but few have the perfection of diction and aura of mystery that Ameling maintained. Whether singing with piano or orchestra, or interpreting Bach, Mozart, Handel, and Vivaldi with the same degree of involvement as Brahms and Schumann and Schubert, Elly Ameling spanned a career that engendered passionate commitment from her fans. And this boxed set is a pocket full of memories to be treasured. Buy it before this too becomes unavailable. Grady Harp, May 05

Treasures From a Treasure.......2004-09-25

Treasures from a Treasure.

Ameling, one of the world's most beloved recitalists is captured here in a 5 CD collection offering some of her most beautiful recordings of song. While we are used to her perfection in songs of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Faure and Hahn, an added joy is her "pop" side, tackling - without a whiff of pretension, Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Ellington, et al.

What an absolute joy it is listening to this amazing artist sing these songs with an almost uncanny natural ease. There is no resorting to a "pop" voice and yet most of these pop standards songs sound as though they could have been written for her. Clean attacks, sometimes a bit of the pop technique of hanging on to a consonant longer than a classical artist normally would shows an appreciation and understanding of the style. Still, there is never once a compromise of her vocal beauty.

I like the way the songs have been arranged for her voice in that she sort of sings them clean, unaffected in the first half and then lets loose and kinda "swings" with it adding embellishments but never really changing her voice (Price, von Stade and other favorite singers of mine seem to have always added a breathy quality to much of their crossover material.)

Ameling doesn't resort to trying to "let her hair down" or get down and dirty, but rather the honest with which she approaches every one of these songs shows how much she enjoys singing them and her style is as refreshing as stumbling onto a cool spring on a sweltering summer's afternoon. A wonderful surprise.

More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer........2003-07-15

As I had the privilige of hearing this outstanding Lied-singer during her long career in Holland and being the proud possessor of almost all her recordings, I cannot but fully agree with the professional and joyful review of Mr. Robert Holliston from Victoria, B.C. Canada.
Yes, it is unbelievable that of about the 150 recordings Mrs. Ameling made during her long career (for the greater part of course on the 'oldfashioned' LP's, as well as the innumerable Dutch live-recorded radio-concerts), so few CD's have been released.
Speaking of tradition: it was the page-turner of the Wigmore Hall in London who told Mrs. Ameling after her first recital in this hall, that she reminded him of Elisabeth Schumann. (And he certainly didn't mean her looks only!)
For those who are eager to hear her singing Ravel's Shéhérazade (just one example of stirring imagination combined with her Art of Singing) I can tell you that Philips released a 2-box CD of this work in 1999, combined with Debussy's La Damoiselle élue and a compilation of French mélodies, i.e. Debussy, Fauré, Duparc, Satie. One of the gems is Caplet's Le Corbeau et le Renard which even make children, who know the fables of La Fontaine, revel in the singing of the quarrelsome birds....
Her brilliant accompanyist is Rudolf Jansen. Let us cherish great artists in their art!

Average customer rating:

Christmas has come!
Beautiful & Soulful Christmas Cheer
A Wonderful Christmas CD!! 5 STARS!!
Something Warm for Christmas
Smooth tunes for the holidays!

Something Warm for Christmas
Jeffrey Osborne
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love)
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Emotional

ASIN: B00006IK1U
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Christmas Time Is Here
Just A Little Space
First Noel
Little Drummer Boy
Christmas Song
O' Holy Night
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Can't Wait For Christmas
Silent Night
Angels We Have Heard On High/ Hark The Harold Angels Sing

Amazon.com

Jeffrey Osborne is often compared to R&B contemporaries Luther Vandross and James Ingram. But Something Warm for Christmas shows how much he has in common with the great Johnny Mathis, who has recorded a few Christmas albums of his own through the years. With George Duke producing and playing keyboards on half the tracks, there's more of a smooth-jazz tint here than Mathis ever used. And Osborne brings more seasonal obscurities to this recording, including an original he cowrote titled "Just a Little Snow." With its kiddie chorus and lament about spending the holidays in a sunny locale, the latter may not match "White Christmas" as a musical statement, but it's not bad, either. Nevertheless, Osborne is best when sticking to traditional tunes, be it a soothing take on "The Christmas Song" or a glorious "Angels We Have Heard on High." --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

Christmas has come!.......2007-06-03

I'm a great fan of George Duke and I think that the voice of Jeffrey is wonderful... so when I saw they collaborate on this CD I had to buy it!

Beautiful & Soulful Christmas Cheer.......2007-01-08

Osborne shares the gift of his voice on this well crafted Christmas collection. His vocals are strong, soulful and articulate and every song expresses a distinct lyrical and vocal beauty which will quickly warm your heart and soul.

This collection gets you in the spirit of the season from track one, Christmas Time is Here. Another one of the highlights is an Osborne original called Just A Little Snow. Osborne's articulate lyrics on this track create a vivid imagery which quickly elevates your mood and spirit to the holiday season.

This is beautiful, relaxing Christmas music to enjoy with your loved ones by the fireside, during dinner, or snuggled with your spouse or lover.

A Wonderful Christmas CD!! 5 STARS!!.......2006-12-17

This is one Christmas CD I play over and over during the Holidays! Jeffrey Osborne is a wonderful singer! I can't praise him enough. He is so pleasing to the ears. A Must have for anyone's Christmas CD Collection. Every song is so good! Jeffrey Osborne you are the MAN!! Your voice is Heavenly! The Music and arrangements are first rate! The children singing in "Just A Little Snow" makes for an awesome, one of a kind holiday song! I can't say enough on how much I enjoy Jeffrey's voice and these wonderful Christmas songs!

Something Warm for Christmas.......2002-12-03

The gentle, respectful and traditional interpretations of Christmas classics, along with the high-quality original tracks are what set "Something Warm for Christmas" by Jeffrey Osborne apart from other holiday offerings of recent years.

The sanctity of the religious classics "O Holy Night", "The First Noel", "Silent Night" and a medley of "Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark the Herald Angels Sing", are preserved flawlessly and masterfully through Osborne's presentations.

Osborne's version of "The Christmas Song", while not quite up to the standards of renditions by Nat King Cole and to a lesser extent Al Jarreau, is sure to provide a relaxing ambience. Osborne's take on "Little Drummer Boy" is quite pleasing as well.

Two new songs are part of the package. "Just a Little Snow" lamenting the season's lack thereof in the warmer climates, and "Can't Wait for Christmas" are charming inclusions.

Perhaps the one fault with this CD is its number of tracks, with only 10. All in all, though, Jeffrey Osborne has put together one of the better holiday sets by a modern artist. The typical over-exaggerated and emphasized synthesizers, guitars and drums are missing, as are the trendy digitally modified vocals. The Jeffrey Osborne sound is pure and clear, and is perfectly evidenced by this fabulous recording, which I highly recommend.

Smooth tunes for the holidays!.......2002-11-25

If you are a fan of Jeffrey Osborne and even if you aren't, this is the BEST holiday CD. His voice is so smooth and you can't help but make it part of your holiday CD collection. He hasn't changed and still has the best sound that's slightly R&B but also just "good listening" for everyone. I highly recommend this CD. Have I convinced you?

Average customer rating:

Warm for Christmas
Christmas in October,2000
makes christmas even better
You like Xmas music? GET IT!
You like Xmas music? GET IT!

Something Warm for Christmas
Jeffrey Osborne
Manufacturer: Platinum Ent.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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ASIN: B00000084G
Release Date: 1997-11-04

Tracks:

Christmas Time Is Here
Just A Little Snow
First Noel
Little Drummer Boy
Christmas Song
O Holy Night
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Can't Wait For Christmas
Silent Night
Angels We Have Heard On High

Customer Reviews:

Warm for Christmas.......2001-12-18

This CD is excellent. Jeffrey Osborne is a singer of singers. His voice is strong and soulful. He sings a couple of secular tunes but there are also a couple that maybe you haven't heard, at least not by Jeffrey. You really get that fuzzy, warm feeling that you used to get as a kid at Christmas time. At least that is what I feel everytime I hear it. I loved this CD so much that I wanted to hear it in the middle of July. One of my favorite tracks is No.2 "A Little bit of Snow". If you can find it, get it. I promise, you'll put it on your list of favorites.

Christmas in October,2000.......2000-10-29

Jeffrey Osborne and his Christmas cd, is truly Something Warm for Christmas. I own a lot of Christmas music, but nothing of this magnitude. Christmas is for the children, and this cd, has children singing in harmony and with joy in their hearts. Ive started to play this cd now (in October), and I'm in the Christmas mood already. Some of my favorite songs on the cd are, Little Drummer Boy, Just A Little Snow, Angles We Have Heard on High, O'Holy Night, Christmas Time is Here and Christmas Song. No Christmas cd will be complete with out Silent Night, First Noel, I'll Be Home For Christmas and Can't Wait for Christmas, and all this is included in the cd. The vocals, the harmony, the music, are what makes this cd a must buy for the up coming season. All of the songs are traditional Christmas songs and this is why the cd is so unique, and special. The song, Just a little Snow, was writted by Jeffrey Osborne and Paul Mirkovich, and the back ground vocals make this song so special and heart felt, for Christmases to come. This song was so well put together, and it's a California Christmas. Good Job Jeffrey, on bringing back tradition into my house hold this year and years to come.

makes christmas even better.......2000-01-20

this is my favorite artist i have been a fan for over 20 years and this christmas album is wonderful

You like Xmas music? GET IT!.......1999-12-24

This is a awesome Christmas cd. Mr. Osborne was truly blessed by Jehovah God with his voice.

You like Xmas music? GET IT!.......1999-12-24

This is a awesome Christmas cd. Mr. Osborne was truly blessed by Jehovah God with his voice.