Harmony

From "The David Frost Show"

Another fine selection of traditional Christmas carols sung in the Inimitable Ray Conniff style.

Songlist: White Christmas, Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Frosty The Snowman, Silent Night, Holy Night, Silver Bells, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Tennenbaum, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Joy To The World, Here Comes Santa Claus, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Medley: The First Noel, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come, All Ye Faithful, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

"Ray Conniff," we were thinking as we opened "Christmas With," "elevator music." Then we played the CD, and found ourselves flooded with memories of what Christmas was like for us, growing up in the 50's and 60's. The smell of hot roasted nuts and fresh chocolates at the bustling five and dime as we stepped into the warmth out of a snowstorm, and what was playing in the background was Conniff's "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer." There are 12 delightful songs here, each lightly (and jazzily) accompanied, and each arranged by Mr. Conniff in his inimitable manner, using the voices as the main focus of the orchestral fabric, and gaining special inspiration from the cheery character that most of the songs have. Of course there are ballads like the classic "Silver Bells," the romantic "Christmas Song," "Greensleeves" and "White Christmas," but most of the songs, "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Winter Wonderland," "Frosty The Snowman," "Sleigh Ride" and "Christmas Bride," are as bright, innocent and jolly as befits a Christmas dancing party. We loved every cut and bet you will too!

Songlist: Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, The Christmas Song, Here Comes Santa Claus, Winter Wonderland, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Christmas Bride, Sleigh Ride, Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)

Previously released as a Columbia LP that was probably pulled out and played to distraction every Christmas thereafter, this reissue captures the joyous innocence and cheer of Christmas in the 50's and 60's like the tiny flakes in a snow globe. Each of these 12, all lightly accompanied songs has "Arr: R. Conniff" under them, and it's physically impossible to feel sad while listening to a Conniff arrangement. The title tune, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Joy To The World," "Go Tell It On The Mountain," "O Tannenbaum" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" are given upbeat, jazzy-pop tempos, while "Silent Night," "Away In A Manger," "Adoremus Te," "The Real Meaning of Christmas," "What Child Is This" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" are slower ballads. The Singers' sound is bright, sweet and sincere-exactly how we like it!

Songlist: Here We Come A-Caroling, Silent Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Adoramus Te, The Real Meaning of Christmas, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, What Child Is This?, O Tannenbaum, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Little Town of Bethlehem

A great twofer featuring two original LPs on this one CD. With such classics as "Buttons & Bow", "Let's Put Out The Lights" and "They Say It's Wonderful" this will be a great addition to your collection.

Songlist: It's The Talk Of The Town, You're An Old Smoothie, Buttons & Bows, Let's Put Out The Lights, It's Been A Long, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Deep In The Heart Of Texa, Love Is The Sweetest Thin, They Say It's Wonderful, Hands Across The Table, My Heart Cries For You, Rosalie, Remember, You'll Never Know, Dancing With Tears In My, I'm In The Mood For Love, I'll Be Seeing You, It's Dark On Observatory, These Foolish Things (Rem, He's Making Eyes At Me, Young At Heart, If I Loved You, Harbour Lights, I'll See You In My Dreams

"So Much In Love" offers a refreshing and different Conniff singers step out from the orchestra to sing twelve great love songs which are paired off so that eachmedley tells a musical story about people who are "so much in love." For example, in the first medley, the girls sing the nostalgic "Autumn Leaves," recalling a lost or distant love. The men answer with "Just Walking In The Rain," as they find themselves in the same situation.

Songlist: Autumn Leaves / Just Walking In The Rain, I Fall In Love Too Easily / My Heart Stood Still, Dancing On The Ceiling / Dancing In The Dark, I Wish I Didn't Love You So / Bewitched, Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) / True Love, Chances Are / It's Not For Me To Say