The Belmonts, Daniel Elliott, Fred Milano, Warren Gradus and Angelo D'Aleo, are a Doo-Wop group that goes way back-as we can tell from the Sonny Bono outfits they're sporting on the cover. An unusual mix here-'Annual Animal Christmas Ball' will delight the younger set, a folky, inspirational 'Miracle on the Hill,' and a lilting 'The Child Divine.' 'Our First Christmas as Mr. and Mrs.' is pure streetcorner doo-wop. Then we have the rousing minor-keyed Hanukkah carol, 'The 8 Days of Hanukkah.' 'A Lot Like Santa Claus' spills the beans on the bearded one's true identity. Our favorite cut is the traditional 'Mary Had a Baby.' The cd closes, as will the year, with 'Old 365' a sweet song to the year gone by and the 'new kid on the block.' A unique holiday collection by some talented guys! |