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"Deck The Halls" with copies of this album

Tyler Goodwin | 02/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, so you like Christmas music. That's good, I usually hate it. I find the month of December is often used as an excuse to flood the radio stations with tasteless nonsense. Its almost as though the human race ceases to enjoy music with any artisitc value during the season of advent.

This kind of thinking was altered drasticly when I was introduced to "Cristmas with the Lettermen". This collection of soulful, well-harmonized and orchestrated Christmas tunes will turn every night into a holy one. Each track is worthy of high praise. I particularly enjoy the extreme versatility of each Letterman. There are so many vocal styles displayed on this recording. You hear Beach Boys style vocals on a few tracks, and this is sometimes followed by three part harmony that fools you into thinking that the Lettermen are actually a full size male choir. We hear wonderful solo displays from each member, sometimes in the styles of Johnny Cash (on "Go Tell It On The Mountain), Cynthia Slay (on "We Three Kings" (the verse about Frankinsense)), and Graham Mcpherson (on "What Child Is This"). The instrumental choices are a great compliment to the vocals. We hear the arranger's trademark canonic imitation in the soprano saxophone, mandolin, and other vastly underrated instruments. The arranger's love of exotic rhythms shines through as well, with one track including a latin style breakdown with percussion feature.

Perhaps the most important contribution in the history of Western Music, the tenor solo on "Go Tell It On The Mountain" turned December 25th into the most blessed Christmas morn I've ever experienced. Its very rare that you hear so many types of vocal sonic realities compressed into so few words. In short, this is Christmas music that even a former hater of Christmas music will cherish forever."

Go Tell It on the Mountain: THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!!

Alan R. Munshower | 02/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I stole this album from my Mom. I don't believe that she knew what she was sitting on, but to her credit, she did buy this album with her own money.

Let me start by saying that there are many highlights on this disc, but I will try my best to pick some of my favorites. 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas/Up on a Housetop' switches between deep funk and swing jazz. 'We Three Kings' incorporates stellar mandolin and triangle playing in support of solo features for each Letterman. On 'Deck the Halls', the 'fa la la la la' chorus is sung straight over the underlying swing. I have not heard this type of 'rhythmic transposition' excuted so cleanly before! Perhaps their most daring tune on the album, 'What Child Is This?', layers synopated vocal lines over a half-time rhythm track, reminding the educated listener of Madness' 'Night Boat to Cairo'. The Lettermen's 5+ minute of this tune culminates with a Latin breakdown and one final chorus of a straight 4 beat that will have everyone, young and old, dancing.

Don't be put off by negative reviews in reference to the production of this album. The Lettermen's vocal harmonies are still front and center. The production perfectly compliments the vocal arrangments interspercing them with very tasteful classical guitar, trumpet and trombone solos.

This cd may not bring you back to the 'College Standards' days of our Lettermen, but if you are looking for a fine vocal album to enjoy as you gather 'round the fire on a snowy Christmas eve, this is the one. 'Christmas with the Lettermen' is destined to be a Christmas classic in my house.

Do as the other reviewer did...give everyone in your family copies of this Xmas spectacular!"

This is my favorite Christmas cd of all time

johnny-b-good | 12/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought it at the 99 Cent store(I bought 15 of them), all of my relitives & friends are gettign this for christmas!!! It is GREAT!!! What harmonies. You will love this if you liked thier classic version of "When I Fall In Love", they sound ebtter then ever here! A GREAT Holiday cd, and it's a wonderful stocking stuffer!"