These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Songlist: This Is Christmas, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, Sleep, Baby Mine, All On A Christmas Morning, Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, We'll Dress The House, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Nigh Bethlehem, What Are The Signs, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye

"All On A Christmas Morning" is one of the least performed but most hauntingly beautiful of the Alfred Burt Christmas carols, this male chorus version features tight four-and five-part voicings and jazz reharmonizations throughout, a rare step-out solo for the second bass, followed by another step-out solo for the first tenor. Rangy, but worthy addition to any Christmas program. This arrangement of "Away In A manger" seeks to give the lyrics their proper focus. It very effectively catches the mood that was intended with the lyrics, alternating shimmering harmonies with unison lines. Each member of the quartet is featured with one verse per person. This jazz waltz arrangement of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" is reminiscent of Blue Rondo a la Turk. The top tenor has the melody throughout, sung sweetly above the energetic rhythmic bed of the others. Other than a few slightly tongue twisting lines, this arrangement is not at all difficult, but it is very effective. "What Are The Signs?" This little Alfred Burt Christmas carol is effective on its own or as a prelude to other carols in the program, especially other Burt carols. It begins with a Gregorian chant effect with all voices in a very quiet, low unison, then opens into a beautiful four-part male chorale in its second half. Requires good low range in the second bass part.

Songlist: All On a Christmas Morning, What Are the Signs?, Away In a Manger, We Wish You a Merry Christmas

15 carols that started as a family Christmas card tradition and ended up as part of the standard Christmas carol repertoire. This collection also features a bio on Burt. Voice and piano.

Songlist: Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintery Wind, All On a Christmas Morning, Carol of the Mother, Christ in a Starnger's Guise, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Jesu Parvule, Nigh Bethlehem, O Hearken Ye, Some Children See Him, The Star Carol, This Is Christmas, We'll Dress the House, What Are The Signs?

Alfred S. Burt died in February of 1954 at the age of 33, already a legend. The slender minister's son, the young jazz trumpeter who composed Christmas carols, was carrying on a tradition started in 1922 by his father, the Reverend Bates G. Burt, who began sending his own composed carols as Christmas messages to friends and family. Rev. Bates proudly saw his son take over music in 1941, while he supplied the lyrics. These are the only carols created in modern times that have obtained international acceptance in the music community, from local choirs to stars like Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Lennon Sisters and many others have recorded Burt carols. So listen to these "mini-masterpieces," beautifully performed by the Columbia Choir with occasional light accompaniment by the Ralph Carmichael Brass Ensemble and organ. "Caroling, Caroling," "The Star Carol," "Christ in the Stranger's Guise," "Come Dear Children," "Some Children See Him," "All on a Christmas Morning," "O Hearken Ye." "Jesu Parvule," "Nigh Bethlehem," "This is Christmas," "Ah, Bleak and Chill" and "We'll Dress the House." At the end of the CD is a very nice instrumental medley of the carols. We have enjoyed these carols as particularly wonderful ones for years, never knowing the story of their gifted composer, now we see them with a new appreciation. Recommended!

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, Christ in the Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, All on a Christmas Morning, O, Hearken Ye, Jesu Parvule, Nigh Bethlehem, This is Christmas, Ah, Bleak and Chill, We'll Dress the House, Instrumental medlies:, Caroling, Caroling, All on a Christmas Morning, We'll Dress the House, The Star Carol, Some Children See Him, Come, Dear Children, Ah, Bleak and Chill, Jesu Parvule, O, Hearken Ye

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Songlist: This Is Christmas, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, Sleep, Baby Mine, All On A Christmas Morning, Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, We'll Dress The House, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Nigh Bethlehem, What Are The Signs, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye

The Haven Quartet's a cappella Christmas includes Bach's 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring,' 'Silent Night,' 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' and the 'Wexford Carol,' among others. In other words, whether an Irish traditional, American spiritual or Alfred Burt carol, the common thread is the versatility of this Contemporary Christian group. 'Mary, Did You Know' is revitalized, with a soulful lead by Randy Crenshaw, transforming it into an emotional pop ballad; the resonant 'Noel! Noel!', augmented by a refrain played on recorder, and a lively renaissance country-dance rhythm, is joyful and festive. Each Haven member's voice possesses an attractive brilliance of tone, and the four voices together have an exceptional depth.

Songlist: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Joy to the World, Mary, Did You Know?, Noel! Noel!, Wexford Carol, Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy, All on a Christmas Morning, Do You Hear What I Hear?, On Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Lo, How a Rose, What Are the Signs?, Go, Tell It on the Mountain

Since Moira Smiley and VOCO's surprise win at the 2007 Harmony Sweeps Finals, NBC's launch of their new hit "The Sing-Off," based on the Sweeps, and the runaway hit "Glee," Los Angeles seems to have become a musical hotbed, an a cappella Mecca if you will. In the thick of this vocal revolution, rising like sweet harmonic cream out of UCLA's crazed a cappella scene in 2008, 3-man, three-woman Sonos performed their debut concert at a hotel cafe, and released their debut CD, "SonoSings." Group member Jessica Freedman: "We do our best to defy stereotypes." Ben McLain: "The whole approach has been to distance ourselves from kitsch." Rachel Bearer: "And we don't go 'dow.'" Freedman explains: "That's one of the words vocal groups use to emulate an instrument, like a guitar, with a made-up syllable." Sonos' sound is clean and rich, resonating with technically augmented vocal percussion, perfect leads and a surprising blend of intricately arranged harmonies. The result is a powerful, moving experience that invites comparison with such artists as the Real Group, Vox One and The Idea of North. There are 10 cuts here, and we had to listen two or three times to the album to fully appreciate songs like Priscilla Bearer's original "Ave Maria," Bates & Alfred Burt's "All on a Christmas Morning," Jessica's original "Come December," the traditional tunes "O Holy Night," "Greensleeves," "I Saw Three Ships," "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" and "Janette Isabella," all very non-traditionally arranged; another stunning Priscilla Bearer original, "For Samuel," and Ben McClain's haunting (possibly synthesizer accompanied) "Home." Amazing. One of the best we've heard this year (or ever). "December Songs" is what the LA a cappella revolution sounds like!

Songlist: Ave Maria, All on a Christmas Morning, Come December, O Holy Night, Greensleeves, I Saw Three Ships, Come thou Fount of every Blessing, Janette Isabella, For Samuel, Home