Christmas Present

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Matthew Kern is a pianist based in the Pacific Northwest. He has played professionally since 1998 and has gained a loyal and growing fanbase that responds to his emotionally moving yet simple style of playing. His first album, "Afterhours" was released in 2003 and contained jazz standards such as "If I Had You" and Jobim's "Meditation" but also explored more recent material by Sting, Neil Young other contemporary artists.

Product Description
Matthew Kern's second solo piano CD is a relaxing collection of holiday favorites ranging from carols such as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" to the Nat King Cole classic "The Christmas Song." Arranged and performed in Matthew's distinctive style, the disc is both a relaxing and inspiring experience, evoking the best of what the season has to offer. The perfect dinner music for holiday evenings.

Christmas Present,Matthew Kern,Matthew Kern Music


Christmas Present

Christmas Present
Christmas Present From Polyphony
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Choral perfectionists.
  • Sublimely beautiful!
Christmas Present From Polyphony
Polyphony , and Stephen Layton
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  5. Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

ASIN: B00030NU4A
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Choral perfectionists........2007-02-19

This is an essential Christmas choral CD. The program itself is fabulous and unique, lacking the tacky "favorites" found on most recordings of this type. Entirely a cappella except for two Rutter arrangements with orchestra. Not a single track is lacking in depth and sincerity.

Polyphony is one phenomenal choir. For its small size, it has truly unmatched sustaining power and control (demonstrated most astonishingly in Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium and the end of Howells' A Spotless Rose). The only disappointment on the entire disc is Grieg's gorgeous "Ave Maris Stella" in which, for whatever reason, the men sing with a rather unblended and even wobbly sound while the women are almost entirely straight-tone. "Sing Lullaby" by Howells is a priceless gem worth several times the cost of this CD....a powerfully haunting piece performed here to utter perfection and taste. You will also find what is most assuredly the most perfect and definitive recording of "O Magnum Mysterium" to be found anywhere. The balance and length of line this incredibly gifted ensemble achieves in this too-often-performed piece will leave you breathless.

5 out of 5 stars Sublimely beautiful!.......2005-02-01

Heavenly music, beautifully captured in a location with fantastic acoustics. This is music that needs to be heard on headphones or outstanding surround sound to be really appreciated. Here I am in February still listening to this CD of Xmas music... it's very calming to the soul. I can't recommend this highly enough.
Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits: 1955-Present
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • More holiday classics!
  • The Only Christmas Music I Can Tolerate
  • Not all songs are original...
  • This is my favorite Christmas album ever!
  • Very Good
Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits: 1955-Present
Brenda Lee , and the Chipmunks with David Seville
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000032JO
Release Date: 1989-07-31

Tracks:

  1. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
  2. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
  3. The Chipmunk Song - Chipmunks With David Seville
  4. The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simone Chorale
  5. Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte
  6. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
  7. Nuttin' For Christmas - Barry Gordon
  8. Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown
  9. White Christmas - Drifters
  10. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo 'N Patsy

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars More holiday classics!.......2007-01-11

Can you say Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?! My family can. This cd was full of fun songs for the entire family. A must purchase!

5 out of 5 stars The Only Christmas Music I Can Tolerate.......2004-12-23

My grandmother used to have this collection on CD when I was younger, and to this day it's really the only Christmas music I really enjoy listening to. I pretty much hate everything else, it's all very annoying, but this collection is great! It has a really great version of "White Christmas" by The Drifters and also "Grandma Got Run Over..." is a classic. It's a variety of different styles and that's what I like best about it. It's sure to please anyone at a holiday party.

4 out of 5 stars Not all songs are original..........2004-11-23

Apart from what other posters have said, not all the singles here are the originals. Most notably, I found out the hard way that "Please Come For Christmas" by Charles Brown is NOT the original 1961 version, but instead a later version recorded by the same artist, and very over-produced. I was rather disappointed, as this was the main reason I bought the CD.

Other than that, the songs are all the originals as we've heard on the radio and such.....

5 out of 5 stars This is my favorite Christmas album ever!.......2000-10-29

When I was in the third grade, our school chorus sang Jingle Bell Rock for the Christmas program. I wanted to learn that song so badly that my mom went out and bought this for me. I couldn't stand it! I thought that it was the wrong version. But eventually, I grew to love this album. I listened to it all the time through the holiday season, and I lost my tape. My grandma bought me a new one and the following year, I found my old one. To this day, I still listen to and love this album. If you have just one Christmas album in your holiday colection, let it be this one. However, off that note, though I'm sure none of you care, we ended up singing the same sets of songs both years I was allowed to be in chorus, and none of them were Jingle Bell Rock.

5 out of 5 stars Very Good.......1999-11-26

My daughter loves this CD. When I first got it I had to make a tape copy for her so she could listen to it in her room. And know I have to get another CD for my mother. She got a CD player for Christmas last year and has been looking for this CD you are the only ones who have it. This CD is listen to every Christmas since I first found it. I think it should be a part of everyone's CD collection of holiday music.
Christmas Present
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Andy Williams plus 70's Music Schmaltz
  • Another Christmas Masterpiece from Andy Williams
  • Christmas Present by Andy Wiiliams
  • ANDY'S "CHRISTMAS PRESENT" IS JUST THAT..
  • "Christmas Present"---Indeed this collection is
Christmas Present
Andy Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000253I
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. Christmas Present
  2. Joy To The World
  3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
  4. Christmas Bells
  5. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
  6. Ave Maria
  7. O Come All Ye Faithful
  8. Angels We Have Heard On High
  9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  10. Ave Maria
  11. What Child Is This
  12. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
  13. The Lord's Prayer

Amazon.com

Of all the Andy Williams Christmas albums available, Christmas Present is by far his most religious collection. The release consists of thirteen tracks and all of them, with the possible exception of the title track, could be considered hymns. Like other male crooners from the 1960s, Williams was portrayed as a bit of a swinger, but here when he sings the "Ave Maria" he sounds as pious and pure as an altar boy. In fact, the sensitive take is one of his best--if the "Ave Maria" isn't proof enough, give "What Child Is This" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" a spin. Williams picks up the tempo a little bit with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "Joy to the World." --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Andy Williams plus 70's Music Schmaltz.......2007-06-27

I love Andy Williams' Christmas Album. It's my favorite Christmas album ever, so when I spotted a CD version of "Christmas Present," I jumped all over it. Unfortunately, while Andy's singing is still excellent, the album is troubled in spots by really bad 70's music production: "wacka wacka" guitars, heavy-handed basslines, and some hippie-dippie flute solos.

The good thing is that it doesn't persist across all the songs--the way it does with Dean Martin's later albums. Many of the songs have nicer baroquish guitars in them. For my money, I prefer the big beautiful band orchestrations of the 50's and 60's Christmas albums. If Amazon offered a half-point rating scale, I'd give this 3.5.

5 out of 5 stars Another Christmas Masterpiece from Andy Williams.......2006-12-16

Andy Williams' first two Christmas albums from the 1960's are probably his most successful and best known holiday recordings. However, this beautiful 1974 effort is another masterpiece that is up to the level of the finest Christmas albums ever made. Christmas Present is a more mellow Christmas album than Andy's first two albums, and the 70's era musical arrangments and production sound a little more modern while still retaining the authentic Christmas flavor that makes Andy Williams Christmas music so great.

The result is one of the most soothing and tranquil Christmas albums of all time.

Andy focuses on a great set of religious carols here instead of the often-covered secular Christmas classics. Each one of these songs flows smooth and gentle, including "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World" which are often loud and dramatic in other versions. "Christmas Bells" is the only song that picks up the tempo at all. "O come all ye Faithful", "O little town of Bethleham", "I heard the bells on Christmas Day", and "It came upon a midnight clear" are some of the best versions of these songs you will hear anywhere. The soft, angelic voice of Andy Williams only enhances the relaxing mood of the album. If you love the easy listening style of Christmas music, this great CD belongs in your collection.

5 out of 5 stars Christmas Present by Andy Wiiliams.......2003-12-17

This is by far the best CHRISTMAS album I have ever heard. I have an LP and I am looking for it on CD. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME What else can I say.

5 out of 5 stars ANDY'S "CHRISTMAS PRESENT" IS JUST THAT.........2001-12-12

Mid-December '60. I'm twelve and contentment reigns in my world because the living room is warm and Dad is in his chair-Ward Cleaver come to visit- reading the paper and sipping a brandy and the clanging and clinking coming from the kitchen tells me Mom is wrapping up, the dinner pans and dishes and glasses being directed to their designated spaces. The "Hi-Fi" is playing Christmas records. But wait! That isn't a "Hi-Fi!" That's two hundred pounds of solid cherry, encasing a brand new technological marvel: Separated sound, a sound the developers call "STEREO."

And so, within the security of this suburban holiday womb, I listen. I listen to Johnny Mathis ( his original Christmas album, the one where he's in that red sweater and holding the skis.) I listen to Bing and to Perry and to Nat and to Percy Faith. And I listen to Andy Williams.

Andy's first two Christmas albums have received insightful Amazon reviews. They remain classics. My father felt, however, in typical Ward fashion, that the secular side of the first album was too "wild." (His word. Thirty-eight years later, I still remember.) "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" was the most egregious transgressor. I loved it. Of course, I eventually drifted away from Andy in the mid 60's and early 70's, inevitably relegating him to the trash heap of irrelevancy. ("Hey You, Get Off Of My Cloud!")

Despite periodic seasonal listenings granted to the first two albums, I had no intention of EVER buying another Williams recording. How can you do THAT when Meat Loaf and Kansas and Boston and Rush beckon? ("Rush: This Christmas Spent With You?" Gag!) And then one day, in the early 80's, I found "Christmas Present" residing on a truck stop cassette wheel, those shrines to the quick, impulse-driven 2.99 purchase that formerly popular artists abhor, Billy Joel's "If I go cold, I won't get sold, I'll be put in the back on the discount rack" nightmare come true. It is the type of musical purchase that is dropped upside down on the counter next to the coffee and the cupcakes and the dominant thought that, "Gee, I hope she doesn't notice I'm buying Andy Williams!"

What can I say? That it's the best 2.99 I ever spent? Maybe. The album is Andy's BEST Christmas venture, I believe. What is striking to me is the originality of the arrangements. The first three cuts, "O'Come All Ye Faithful, "Angels We Have Heard On High," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" surprise. Rather than the usual bombastic, goose-bump seeking arrangement, we get a folk-like, guitar opening to Faithful that builds, ever so slowly, to Andy's familiar soaring climax. "Angels" opens with reserved keyboard and remains lovely and restrained throughout. "Hark" presents us with an opening that renders the hymn unrecognizable until Andy enters. Rather than detract, the arrangement makes us feel as though something we have heard hundreds of times is fresh and new. Each cut successfuly demonstrates that familiarity does not have to be synonymous with boring. Ironically, the least successful effort is the album's one original effort, the title track, "Christmas Present," a quintessential, early 70's, "Jim Webb writes a Christmas tune" mediocrity. A moving, understated, "Joy To The World," and pristine "Little Town of Bethlehem" follow, bringing the album back on course. Several other delights conclude this moving Christmas musical experience.

Andy is obviously deeply involved in these arrangements (as opposed to some of the perfunctory Christmas exhibitions I've heard recently. Shame, Vince Gill.) On a nostalgic whim I searched the offerings for Andy on Amazon. I anxiously scrolled the multitudinous offerings until finally, on page two, I found this album. The cassette has resided for twenty years in my Christmas case, the one I grabbed unfailingly each First of December and transported to my car for the holiday listening. Now I'm gonna get the CD! And at under ($$$), like the cassette twenty years ago, it may be the best ($$$)(inflation, you know) I've ever spent.

5 out of 5 stars "Christmas Present"---Indeed this collection is.......2001-11-10

This wonderful album from 1974 perhaps conveys the "true" spirit of Christmas like no other recording ever has. Andy angelic Ave Maria is worth the price of admission alone. Interestingly enough, Keats Tyler (Andy's long time photographer) penned the title track "Christmas Present" and gives us another gift. Andy Williams has recorded at least eight original Chrsitmas albums (Christmas Album, 1963; Merry Christmas, 1965; Christmas with Williams Brothers, 1970; Christmas Present, 1974; Andy Williams CHristmas Show,1985; I Still Believe in Santa Clause, 1990; New Christmas Album Live, 1993; We Need a Little Christmas, 1996) over the years. All wonderful, but this is indeed the top of the list. THANK YOU ANDY!!!
A Christmas Present... and Past
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • My fellow Americans, be merry. Count your blessings for a while.
  • Not your average Christmas album
  • A Christmas Present revisited
  • TRACK LIST:
A Christmas Present... and Past
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AXWHLW
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

  1. Introduction
  2. Wear A Smile At Christmas
  3. Jingle Bells
  4. Brotherly Love
  5. Rain, Sleet, Snow
  6. Peace
  7. Valley Forge
  8. Dear Mr. Claus
  9. Macy's Window
  10. Chirstmas Spirit
  11. A Heavy Christmas Message

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars My fellow Americans, be merry. Count your blessings for a while........2006-12-18

Paul Revere and the Raiders were a popular pop-rock group in the 1960s. This CD is definitely not what I was expecting from the group. Instead of the lighthearted pop-rock I was expecting, I was "treated" to a surprisingly cynical album. The group seems to have an axe to grind against Christmas, and they took the opportunity to criticize everything that they don't like about the holiday. I especially didn't care for the song complaining about late delivered Christmas cards. Aside from the songs that are complaining about one thing or another, there is a boring instrumental titled "Peace" and an intentionally terrible version of "Jingle Bells". There is one song on the album which is actually pretty good, which is "Wear a Smile at Christmas", which complains about people not taking time to smile at Christmas. I should also mention that a Salvation Army Band appears on the album, playing very brief Christmas instrumentals in between the songs. Don't buy this album.

4 out of 5 stars Not your average Christmas album.......2006-10-24

Word has it that the A&R man for the Raiders smashed this record to bits when he heard it for the first time. Ouch. Nonetheless, it manages to keep popping up. There are just enough of us who like it to get it reissued every few years. I got my first copy when I was in high school in the early nineties. I had developed a liking for the band after seeing their current touring lineup. Just about everything of theirs was out of print at the time, so I gobbled up a copy of Christmas Present from the cassette cutout bin for $3.99. While the rest of their catalog can sound bit dated, this still sounds pretty fresh. It's a bizarre concotion of holiday cheer that could have only come from the 1960's. If you're looking for crooners at Christmas, see my other reviews, but if you want something a little out of the ordinary, try it. At least most of the songs are original, and the Jingle Bells jam is certainly unique. There's only one throwaway, "Peace," but it's okay when you put the cd on and play it through. A warning: there are no singles here. This is a concept album in the truest form. Koch will hate me for this, but their reissue is a little shoddy. The title is wrong on the spine (perhaps an intentional joke? if so, it doesn't work.) and the liner notes are naked. No bonus tracks, and the cover varies enough from the original album to be noticiable to hardcore fans of the original (admittedly, I might be the only one.)I recommend the Alala version, or the Columbia release if you can save a few bucks. So I recommend this album and hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years. Grab it while you can- this thing disappears out of print quickly! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

4 out of 5 stars A Christmas Present revisited.......2005-12-07

When I bought this album, I was still in high school. I was madly in love with Charlie Coe...or was it Freddy Weller? Anyway, this I think is PR&R's only Christmas album. Intermingled with the Raiders' songs are snippets of an actual Salvation Army Band. Some of the songs are funny (Dear Mr. Claus won't you bring me a real live doll?) and some are very thoughtful .. A Heavy Christmas Message (Who took the Christ out of Christmas?)- always my favorite. I would recommend this album if you are a PR&R fan or if you just want to hear some different Christmas music.

5 out of 5 stars TRACK LIST:.......2005-10-25

[1] Wear A Smile At Christmas [2] Jingle Bells [3] Brotherly Love [4] Rain, Sleet, Snow [5] Peace [6] Valley Forge [7] Dear Mr. Claus [8] Macy's Window [9] Christmas Spirit [10] A Heavy Christmas Message
Christmas Present: Music of Warmth & Celebration
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Christmas Present: Music of Warmth & Celebration
    Rick Braun
    Manufacturer: Wea Corp
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0000DELTS
    Release Date: 1994-09-20

    Tracks:

    1. The Little Drummer Boy
    2. Bell, Book, And Candle
    3. Christmas In Gorgonia
    4. The Christmas Song
    5. Jingle Blues
    6. Far Away
    7. Christmas Present
    8. O Tannenbaum
    9. It's Christmas
    10. The Christmas Clock
    11. Do You Hear What I Hear?
    12. Newborn Christmas
    13. Maybe Next Year
    14. Grandma's Music Box
    Christmas Present: Music of Warmth & Celebration
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Fantastic, Fantastic!
    Christmas Present: Music of Warmth & Celebration
    Rick Braun
    Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B0000034CD
    Release Date: 1997-10-14

    Tracks:

    1. Little Drummer Boy
    2. Bell, Book and Candle
    3. Christmas in Gorgonia
    4. Christmas Song
    5. Jingle Blues
    6. Far Away
    7. Christmas Present
    8. O Tannenbaum
    9. It's Christmas
    10. Christmas Clock
    11. Do You Hear What I Hear?
    12. Newborn Christmas
    13. Maybe Next Year
    14. Grandma's Music Box
    15. Sidewalk Souls

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Fantastic!.......2004-12-06

    This is a very unique Christmas album. Some jazzy versions of standard Christmas songs are included with some songs perfect for background music while relaxing or entertaining.
    Christmas Present
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Brings back my childhood Chirstmas memories
    • Back Home Again
    Christmas Present
    The Statler Brothers
    Manufacturer: Polygram Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
    Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
    Pop VocalPop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
    $7 - $10$7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
    Pop VocalPop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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    1. Christmas Card
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    3. 10th Anniversary

    ASIN: B000001FCV
    Release Date: 1990-10-25

    Tracks:

    1. Christmas Eve (Kodia's Theme)
    2. Christmas Country Style
    3. Brahms' Bethlehem Lullaby
    4. Somewhere in the Night
    5. Old Fashioned Christmas
    6. No Reservation at the Inn
    7. Mary's Sweet Smile
    8. Whose Birthday Is Christmas?
    9. Old Toy Trains
    10. For Momma

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Brings back my childhood Chirstmas memories.......2005-12-05

    This album is one of the Christmas memories as I have from childhood. My parents would get tired of me listening to it SO much, but it was my favorite I would play it again and again and I still love it. My parents loved it too - it was there tape after all. I would reccomend it to anyone wanting to get the old fashion country Christmas spirit. - Listening to it just makes me want to snuggle up with some hot cocoa in a log cabin and watch the fire and Christmas lights.

    5 out of 5 stars Back Home Again.......2000-10-18

    As soon as Christmas Club checks are distributed the first week of November, I get out my Christmas music. My favorite is The Statler Brothers Christmas Present. The homegrown songs transport me back to my small town roots and bring tears of happy memories to my eyes. In the rush and jostle of city life, "An Old Fashioned Christmas" has the power to pick me up from these city streets and take me back home to Mt. Solon Virginia, a small town about twenty miles from the home of the Statlers. I need a new copy of this CD!
    Christmas Carol: The Movie
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Christmas Carol: The Movie

      Manufacturer: EMI
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Cornelius, PeterCornelius, Peter | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      NoelsNoels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Movie ScoresMovie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
      ASIN: B00005RRQ8
      Release Date: 2001-01-01

      Tracks:

      1. Come Gather Round The Christmas Tree - The Tiffin Choir
      2. Quis Est Deus - Charlotte Church
      3. Hospital - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      4. Fezziwig's Jig - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      5. Three Kings - The Tiffin Choir
      6. Resolution - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      7. What If - Kate Winslet
      8. The Coventry Carol - The Tiffin Choir
      9. Nos Galan (Deck The Halls) - The Tiffin Choir
      10. Scrooge's Theme - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      11. Marley's Ghost - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      12. Scrooge Awakes - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      13. It's The Heart That Matters Most - Charlotte Church
      14. The Holly & The Ivy - The Tiffin Choir
      15. The Reading Of The Will - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      16. The Ghost Of Christmas Present - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      17. Dickens Arrives - The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
      18. Cradle Lullaby - The Tiffin Choir
      The Spirit Of Christmas Present
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Spirit Of Christmas Present

        Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Dello Joio, NormanDello Joio, Norman | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by HolstAll Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Vaughan Williams, RalphVaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        NoelsNoels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Movie ScoresMovie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        Holiday MusicHoliday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        ASIN: B0000037IL
        Release Date: 1996-09-15

        Tracks:

        1. Shout The Glad Tidings - Kansas City Chorale/Charles Bruffy
        2. O Come, All Ye Faithful - Huw Tregelles Williams/Fanfare Trumpeters Of The Welsh Guards/BBC Welsh Chorus/John Hugh Thomas
        3. In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 751 - Kevin Bowyer
        4. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - Huw Tregelles Williams/Chris Stock/Mark Walker/BBC Welsh Chorus/John Hugh Thomas
        5. The Skater's Waltz - The Gulbenkian Orchestra/Michel Sweierczewski
        6. Love Came Down At Christmas - James Higdon/Kansas City Choral/Charles Bruffy
        7. I Saw Three Ships - Kansas City Chorale/Charles Bruffy
        8. In The Bleak Mid-Winter - Christ Church Cathedral Choir/Stephen Darlington
        9. Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 645 - Kevin Bowyer
        10. The First Nowell - Huw Tregelles Williams/BBC Welsh Chorus/John Hugh Thomas
        11. Fant On 'Greensleeves' - English String Orchestra/William Boughton
        12. 'Silent Night' - Pamela Williamson/Lyra Pringle Pherigo/Wesley Kelly
        13. 'Walking in the Air' - Kevin Bowyer
        14. Once In Royal David's City - Huw Tregelles Williams/Fanfare Trumpeters Of The Welsh Guards/BBC Welsh Chorus/John Hugh Thomas
        15. The Holy Infant's Lullaby - James Higdon/Kansas City Chorale/Charles Bruffy
        16. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Huw Tregelles Williams/Fanfare Trumpeters Of The Welsh Guards/BBC Welsh Chorus/John Hugh Thomas
        A Christmas Present
        Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
        • We celebrate the day a King was born.
        • The better of the two Merle Christmas CDs
        • A Christmas Present
        A Christmas Present
        Merle Haggard
        Manufacturer: Curb Special Markets
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
        Honky-TonkHonky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        Pop VocalPop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
        CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Honky-Tonk | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Honky-Tonk | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        $7 - $10$7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        Pop VocalPop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
        4-for-3 Country4-for-3 Country | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
        4-for-3 Pop4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
        4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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        1. Goin Home for Christmas
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        3. Christmas Shopping
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        5. It's Christmas Time

        ASIN: B000000CVI
        Release Date: 1990-08-16

        Tracks:

        1. If We Make It Through December
        2. Santa Claus And Popcorn
        3. Bobby Wants A Puppy Dog For Christmas
        4. Daddy Won't Be Home For Christmas
        5. Grandma's Christmas Card
        6. White Christmas
        7. Silver Bells
        8. Winter Wonderland
        9. Silent Night
        10. Jingle Bells

        Amazon.com

        Christmas wasn't always the easiest time of year when Merle Haggard was growing up in Oklahoma. Money was tight and the elements were harsh, but faith helped the family get through. That's exactly the sense the country legend puts across on this holiday collection. Hard times are chronicled on songs like "Daddy Won't Be Home for Christmas" and "If We Make it Through December," but joy is found when the smallest of pleasures ("Grandma's Homemade Christmas Card") saves the day. --David Sprague

        Customer Reviews:

        3 out of 5 stars We celebrate the day a King was born........2006-12-07

        This Christmas album by Merle Haggard was originally released in 1973. The first half features new songs written by Merle, the second half features traditional Christmas songs. The album's highlight is Hag's classic #1 Country hit "If We Make It Through December". The rest of his original songs aren't all that memorable. The older songs are decently done, but not done in a way to set them apart from the countless other versions of "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells". But the CD is arguably worth getting just to have "If We Make It Through December".

        3 out of 5 stars The better of the two Merle Christmas CDs.......2004-12-02

        This CD gets released over and over with different names and the songs in different orders. I consider it a must because it's got the best version of "Silver Bells". I collect Christmas CDs and make Christmas CDs for family, and so I've got a dozen versions and Merle's version has the best pacing and arrangement, a classic. (The other Merle holiday CD available through Amazon does not contain "Silver Bells".) Then, of course, it's got the other classic "If We Make It Through December".

        5 out of 5 stars A Christmas Present.......1999-12-10

        Amazon was the only place I could find this CD by Merle Haggard. The music on this CD brings back fond memories of Christmas past. My mom would play this album all through the holidays and we knew every word to every song. I am so happy to have it again so that now I can play it for my daughter. Merle Haggard is very talented and this album contains some of his best. Take my advice, if you love country music, buy this album! You'll be glad you did.

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