"Every time I play this album during the busy holiday season, I am taken back 20 years. As a little girl lying on my parent's green sofa with the night sky darkening, I would listen to this album and think about Christmas and all of its meaning wrapped up into child-like dreams. The bouncing Christmas lights on the tree seemed to dance along with the music. "Mary, Mary", is one of my favoite songs. Harry Belefonte's voice just booms with feeling! What a fabulous trip down memory lane this album provides me every Christmas. I hope that it one day does that for my boys too."
Superb, Inspirational Experience
lacorrigan@hotmail.com | New Jersey, USA | 02/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD duplicates in original recordings from 40 years ago the crispness and clarity of Belafontes voice. Most of the Christmas songs here are not the normal, run of the mill, songs you hear everyday. They are beautiful and inspirational. I listen to this all year long but especially at Xmas. You can't go wrong with this CD."
Replaced at last
Reg Forsyth | Concord, NC USA | 11/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Over 30 years ago I fell in love with this album and played it until the outer edge was warped and I could only play the center songs. But I would play them Christmas after Christmas, anyway. The expected traditional is here and the unexpected, less well known pieces are here, combined to make a magical album. I am introducing it to my daughter and her Nanny [who is also from the south]. And it is being loved all over again.Another tradition worthy of preserving."
Highly Spiritual AND High Spirited...Belafonte Style!
L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 12/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""To Wish You A Merry Christmas".....
Already need a little change of pace from Frosty and Rudolph? Can't get Jingle Bells out of your head? This album is the perfect way to go. This highly spiritual and high spirited mix of Belafonte's Christmas album was originally recorded in the 50's, and now we are lucky enough to have them remastered. Harry's clear and sweet voice will give you a great nostalgic feeling and put you in the holiday mood.
The album includes the tenderness of songs like "Mary's Boy Child", "Silent Night", and "A Star in the East". Put beautifully to music is Longfellow's poem "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".Harry also mixes it up a little with an upbeat rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", a great medley of standards, and the delightful "Christmas is Coming".(For a complete list of songs, see buying info)
This is the first album I pull out of my Christmas arsenal at holiday time. It really gives me that total holiday feeling while decorating and wrapping presents(also nice to listen to while unwrapping as well). It will also be the last Christmas music I listen to until next year as I put it on one more time as those credit card bills start rolling in, so I can get back in the "Spirit" one more time!
Happy Holidays to All.......Laurie
more holiday stuff:
Christmas Visions
The Magic of Hanukkah
It's a Wonderful Life"
An outstanding collection of classics
L. Shirley | 11/25/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Belafonte's Christmas collection combines lovely renditions of seasonal stand-bys with less well known but beautiful songs which will quickly become family favorites. For sheer beauty, warmth and style this selection is the best of its class."