Sporadic Saturday--Christmas CD Review and Giveaway (closed)

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Comment 8 won and is being contacted.

Anyone else feeling like getting in the Christmas spirit?  I have to admit that I am rather feeling like it.  I know Halloween is coming up, but it just seems like Christmas will be here before you know it.  Just the other day, I was hoping for Christmas music on the radio station. 

For me, music and Christmas go hand in hand.  I suppose that is the musician in me.  I have quite a stash of Christmas music.  I thought I'd recommend some to you, and then I would offer a giveaway at the end.  By the way, I am not saying that all of these are my very favorite, but they are some that are pretty good.  Some even surprised me.

8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child is surprisingly not too bad an album.  Let me get this out first--I am not a Beyonce fan--honestly.  I only discovered Destiny's Child through my students.  Most of their music does not even interest me.  I think Beyonce has too big of a head, and Kelly is my favorite in the group.  And what is up with Michelle?  But oh well, this album is pretty good.  In fact, Beyonce does not hog this album!!  Go figure.  It has been a while since I listened, but I remember that I liked "The Opera of the Bells" the best, I think.  The harmony is nice.  If you want a light pop Christmas album, this is pretty good.  

Now, I do not own this specific album, but I am very familiar with this!  I have several Andy Williams Christmas albums, and this one has some of the really good old songs.  The opener "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is one of Andy's signature songs!  It's just not Christmas without this song.  "Some Children See Him" is a song that you just don't hear any more, and I think it could have a lot to say to this generation.  Prejudice still exists, and I think it shall as long as people are walking away from the Lord.  I don't think I've heard the song "Christmas Holiday."  But "A Song and a Christmas Tree" is a fun adaptation of "Twelve Days of Christmas."  I love his rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?"  That particular version is the same version I sang in high school choir.  It was a difficult version to sing, and I can remember practicing my parts along with Andy!  It has some omissions, but for the price, you sure can't beat it!

Now, sweet Charlotte Church is not what she once was.  When she was a sweet, teenager who sang classical music, she was awesome!  I have all her albums from that time except her compilation album--don't need that since I had all the other ones.  All the songs on this album are simple, clear renditions of the specific carol or song.  I have always loved "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and "The Coventry Carol" but who records these but her?  If you are in the mood for a lovely, crystal clear soprano singing simple Christmas songs, get this album.

Okay, I love Amy Grant's old stuff.  I can remember when she first came out, and her music was so different from what we had heard.  And when she sang Christmas music, you knew it was Christmastime!  How can you beat "Breath of Heaven" and "Emmanuel"?  And don't forget about "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."  She brings such warmth to each song she sings.  And it is nice to have a Christian singing these songs.  Okay, maybe she's not a perfect Christian, but who is?  Oh, and "Grown Up Christmas List" is a very different take on Christmas.  I think I got this album just for "Emmanuel" though.  I love that song!





Now no matter what you think of Celine Dion, this is a fun album, I think. This was when she was at the top of her game.  "The Magic of Christmas Day" is so great that it became the title song to my Christmas musical at school a few years ago. The kids loved it.  "Feliz Navidad" is a chance to hear her whole family sing together.  And you cannot beat her version of "The Prayer" with Andrea Bocelli.  I seriously think that this is the definitive version of this song.  And she has a really good mix of songs that are well-known  and that are new.







And this one--what is Christmas without Bing Crosby's rendition of "White Christmas"?  That song was at one time the top-selling song of all-time.  This is a really fun album.  While he has the old carols such as "Adeste Fideles" and "Silent Night", it also has "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the lovely Andrews Sisters! And you've got to have "Mele Kalikimaka."  What a Christmas song!  I know you always wanted to know how to say Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, right?  I used to have this on LP, and I was so glad it was available on CD.  And at a bargain price!






Okay, last one for now.  This was a surprise to me.  I had only heard of NSYNC (I didn't listen to pop music in the 1980's and 1990's.).  I didn't even know that Justin Timberlake had gotten his start there.  I only learned as I was researching musicians to share with my students a couple years ago.  And I fell in love with NSYNC.  At least their early stuff.  One of their first songs I heard was from this album.  It was "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"--truly a fun song.  Most of the songs on this album are mediocre, but I will tell you that there is a real surprise on this album.  You must listen to the a capellaNSYNC would have sung more songs like "O Holy Night."



Okay, on to the  giveaway.  First of all, I am financing the giveaway, and so what you will receive will more than likely be used.  All of these albums can be purchased for bargain prices on Amazon, and so that is the main reason I chose these.  But in order to get the bargain price, I have to buy them used but in playable condition.  I can also only ship within the U.S., but I don't think that's a major problem.  If you are international (including Canada), I will send these to you if you want to pay the extra shipping cost and any fees your country may charge.

So here are the details.  One person will win their choice of CD's in this review.  If you win, you will be contacted by me for your shipping address, and you will let me know which one of the CD's you want.  If for some reason the CD you choose is no longer available, I will have you pick from the remaining ones. 


How do you win?  I will list the various ways below.  This giveaway is open now through Saturday, October 30 at 9:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.  Have fun, and enjoy!  

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry.  Also, make sure that your e-mail is available in your profile or it is listed in the comment.  Each entry can only be done once unless otherwise stated.


1. Become or let me know you are a Google Friend Connect follower of my blog.
2. Post my button and leave the link to where I may find it.
3. Become my facebook friend.  Leave your facebook name in the entry.
4. Share this giveaway in any way you choose (facebook, blog, twitter, etc.) and let me know where you shared it.

Unlimited entries:  Share a brief review of a Christmas album.  You may do this as much as you would like.  Be sure to leave a separate comment for each review.