Kate The Great At Christmas!
Brian | Connecticut | 11/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Only recently have i become aware of all the music the late Kate Smith
recorded,so i decided to take the time and listen to more since i had only heard her sing God Bless America,a song she totally owned.
I was way too young to remember Kate on Tv or her lp's but knew she
was a favorite of my family's.
I went searchung trying to find The Kate Smith Christmas Album,
but only could seem to find it on LP version, and did not want to
spend the time or money to get it converted to CD.
Luckily, i decided to search Amazon to see if it was there,
and to my surprise discovered that this 1960's gem of a recording was re issued in 1992, but sadly has been out of print for years..go figure.
It is sad that mostly all of Kate's lps are not on cd, we all miss out !
It is also sad that the music scene is all too busy with the fake
and trashy music of all the Beyonce's and Mariah types, to reissue a True
singing talent, that was Kate Smith.
I was happy to see Amazon offered the Kate cd as a album download,
so i quickly bought it, and happy that i did!
This album is one of the Best Christmas lp's i have heard, right along
with Connie Francis,Doris Day, and Julie Andrews,Peggy Lee..well you know what i mean.
Kate's version of O HOLY NIGHT ,is a powerhouse performance , that makes you get goosebumps! This woman had Pipes!
I have heard O Holy Night done superbly by Mario Lanza, as well as the wonderful Donna Summer, but now my new favorite version of this song is from the late Great Kate Smith.
Get this holiday album,you will not be sorry! A True Classic!"
Among The Best Christmas Albums Ever Released
rodney wiltin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 06/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1966 christmas album, KATE SMITH - THE KATE SMITH CHRISTMAS ALBUM, is at the top of the pile as one of the greatest christmas (and 'crooner' styled christmas) albums of all-time. It is the best female christmas album ever recorded along with CONNIE FRANCIS and her 1959 album, CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART. Words can't even begin to describe this christmas classic and masterpiece.
This album is made up of songs by themselves and songs in medleys. It is a mix of non-religious, popular christmas songs and the religious and sacred songs of christmas. And you can bet there isn't a weak song on this cd. From start to end, the mood is a 'traditional, magical, dreamy, crooner christmas' style.
The cd starts off with a very cheerful and one of the most powerful and beautiful versions of THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE) I know of. KATE'S wonderful singing, the majestic music of the orchestra, and the great voices of the backing chorus creates an immediate and over-the-top christmas mood setter straight from the beginning of this album. Just fabulous with a very magical and dreamy christmas feeling.
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR follows next with about the same power as the above song (THE CHRISTMAS SONG). I like the chorus alot here but KATE'S singing and the orchestra shine just as much (believe me, everything is powerful in this version). I will even go as far as saying that this may be my favorite version of the song as it is just so powerful in 'every' way.
A powerful version of WHITE CHRISTMAS is soon heard that starts off slow but nice with KATE'S singing leading the way alongside a piano. It then moves into the full orchestra and backing chorus to KATE'S flawless singing for the remaining time of the song.
SILEVR BELLS is easily one of the best versions of that song ever done. And very powerful, kinda similar in the magical and dreamy style of THE CHRISTMAS SONG mentioned above so you can know that everything in this song (KATE'S singing, orchestra, chorus) has the very best of christmas in it. In fact, so great is it that I believe this was a hit for KATE as well in some sort. You have to listen to this version to know just how great it is.
CHRISTMAS EVE IN MY HOMETOWN was a nice new christmas song for me that really expresses the 'christmas at home' feeling which is a most important feeling to have during christmas time. Again, as with all the other songs I've thus far mentioned,, KATE'S singing, the orchestra and chorus, they're all just fabulous. It really continues to set the mood of christmas, this time for a nice 'home christmas.'
A most special moment on this cd is the medley of DECK THE HALLS/JOY TO THE WORLD/IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR. The first two songs in this medley have a most magnificient and joyous christmas sound in them, but the gem in this medley and perhaps the best christmas song on this album is IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR. It slows down from the previous two songs and allows KATE SMITH to show her voacl power like no other has ever shown in this song (to my liking anyway). Her vocal technique such as delivery is second to none. KATE puts 'power' in the word power in this song. Of course, in all three songs, the orchestra and chorus shine along with KATE in each and every song.
However, with all the above songs mentioned, I think KATE'S biggest hit from this album is IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS. This may be my favorite version of the song and perhaps the best song on this album. I know this may be a little repetitive, but KATE'S singing, the orchestra and chorus, they all once again work to a perfect and old, traditional 'crooner' christmas sound that actually goes above the walls of just 'crooner' music and delivers something so magical (and often dreamy) in the christmas sound. That's what IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS sounds like (as do all the songs on this album).
Of course, how else can I finish this review except by saying that this is a definite christmas must if you can find it on cd or any other listenable format for yourself."
Kate Smith = Christmas
Kerry J. Koenig | 10/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No Christmas playlist is complete without Kate Smith! Her versions of "Silver Bells" and "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" are definitive. "Christmas Eve In My Home Town" has become a family favorite. This album, along with the Carpenter's "A Christmas Portrait" are essential!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
