Search - Joan Osborne :: Christmas Means Love

Fantastic Christmas

groove daddy | 09/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's put it this way. I'm not even Christian and I love this album. Simply out, this is the most unique sounding Christmas album I have ever heard. Covering tunes from "The Band" and gospel classics like "Children Go Where I send Thee," this couldn't be a more catchy, yet eclectic album all at the same time. Of particular note is the Osborrne original, "What Do Bad Girls Get?" which is the nicest and subtlety naughty type of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" type of song.Great job, Joan!"

From the Sky

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 09/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This repackaging of Joan's 2005 Christmas CD of the same title is essentially the same set, minus the introduction. This causes all the songs to be incorrectly labeled when opened on the computer. While I did think that this was a new set this 2007 Christmas, I didn't have the previous one; so am pleased with the updated release from Time Life with the new cover. Joan looks a bit more provocative and less reverent on the new cover as compared with the old. Morris Dollison, Jr. wrote a number of tunes for Cash McCall and contributes the title tune that has a spoken bridge by Joan. John Dolphin owned several record labels in the early 50s. Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys witnessed his murder as a disgruntled songwriter sought royalties. Joan dusts off Dolphin's "Santa Claus Baby" in a rocking retro Christmas track. "Away in a Manager" fits comfortably into Joan's pop treatment, "I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky & stay by my cradle till morning is nigh." Recorded originally by the Band for their album Northern Lights-Southern Cross, Joan's version of "Christmas Must Be Tonight" is a stately reading, "I saw it with my own eyes, written up in the skies, A quiet simple herdsman such as I." Joan Baez and Judy Collins have also recorded "Cherry Tree Carol." Joan's alto hugs the melody deliciously, although the lyric seems a bit unusual with Jesus talking before He's born, "Then out spoke baby Jesus from in Mary's womb, 'Bend down the tallest tree that my mother might have some.'" One of my favorite tracks on the CD is Joan's refurbishing a Louis Armstrong holiday standard "Christmas in New Orleans" with its great shuffle beat and Joan's swaggering vocals, "You'll see a Dixieland Santa Claus leading the band to a Creole beat; Golly what a spirit, you can only hear it down on Basin Street." Joan's gospel-flavored "Children Go Where I Send Thee" was a favorite of mine from a holiday collection "Snow Angels" from a few years ago & sounds great included on this set. "Angels We Have Heard on High" is such a lovely traditional melody. Joan seems deeply in the spirit as she sings, "Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing." Joan cuts a blues groove on her self-penned secular holiday song "What Do Bad Girls Get?," "Do you cross me off your list for flirting & for teasing? Yes, I pouted & I cried, but I had a real good reason." Claude Jeter was part of the gospel group the Swan Silvertones from the 1930s to the 1960s. His "Great Day in December" is given a strong gospel reading with Joan vocals nailing the urgency, "Through the night, storm and rain, A little child, Jesus, surely had to be born." The set concludes with "Silent Night" in a tender rendition. This is a good holiday collection from one of our best singers. Enjoy!"

Best Christmas yet

musicmom | 10/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say? I LOVE Christmas! The feeling of love during this special time of the year is unmatched and what better way to spend it than listening to great music. Joan Osborne has exceeded all expectations on this CD by creating something that is not your typical Christmas (we certainly have enough of that material!) and given us listeners something that is absolutely fun and poignant to listen to all at the same time. Her vocal chops never cease to amaze me and the selection of tunes is so very cool! Really cool to see John Leventhal on this album (great guitar player!) and it's another fine production from Tor Hyams who also produced her latest album, "Breakfast in Bed. Great job, Joan! I can't wait for the next one,but be sure I will be spinning you and Dean Martin in heavy rotation near the big green tree this year!"