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   Christmas Music  

A wonderful Christmas CD appeared in the Christmas bargain bins this year. Entitled "Currier and Ives Holiday Collection," the 1999 BMG release is credited to the London Symphony Orchestra. The arrangements on this CD are lush and beautiful and it is a huge orchestra, accompanied by a large chorus on half of the cuts. We never saw this release before this year, so who knows where it's been. Pick one up if you can find it--ours came from the Christmas section at Long's Drug Store.  (Click cover to enlarge.)

New for 2002: Jose Feliciano: Feliz Navidad

Some folks may say, "Jose Feliciano"? Who are you kidding? Well, we're not kidding. This is a re-release of Feliciano's 1970 Christmas album that should have won an award for being pressed on the noisiest vinyl of the year. It's been digitally remastered and adds songs that were recorded but never released on the original.

Don't be misled by the popular vocal of "Feliz Navidad." Jose is a very accomplished guitar player and some of the songs feature him playing solo classical guitar, backed by an orchestra. Arrangements are by Perry Botkin Jr. This is the type of release that may be around for only one season, so if you want it, be sure Santa knows so that he'll put one in your stocking.

Songs include:

Cherry Tree Carol
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)
Feliz Navidad
The First Noel
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Jingle Bells
Las Posadas (bonus track, previously unreleased)
Little Drummer Boy
Mary's Boy Child
O Come All Ye Faithful (bonus track, previously unreleased)
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (bonus track, previously unreleased)
Silent Night
We Three Kings of Orient Are
White Christmas

In 2001 we featured the Raymond Lefevre Orchestra CD, Joyeux Noels. It is now apparently out-of-print. However, we have found a listing at Music Selection for the CD White Christmas by Lefevre (inventory number C1300477). Like many Japanese CDs, it's rather pricey, but as these things tend to disappear quickly and without warning, our suggestion is: If you want it, buy it now rather than regret it later.

Not exactly easy listening or beautiful music, but we wanted to make you aware that Collectors' Choice has released two very sought-after Christmas albums. The first is the Don Ho Christmas Album (Reprise) which has been out of print for years. The second is a two-fer which contains all of the songs from both Christmas albums by the New Christy Minstrels plus bonus cuts! The two vinyl issues on Columbia were bringing big-time prices on the collectors market in recent years. More details, plus track listings, can be found on the Collector's Choice website.