Search - Manhattan Transfer :: An Acapella Christmas

"Christmas Time Is Here"

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 12/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call

Their favorite time of the year"



I'm sure all of us love Christmas time. I do and I've always loved Christmas Season. It always brings out the inner child in me. It also dispels the general notion that "Christmas is for children." To borrow a line from "The Christmas Song," it is for kids from "one to ninety-two." To me, it is that special time of the year that calls to mind cherished childhood Christmas memories. I have to admit that as a child and as a teenager it was my very favorite annual celebration, and as an adult, it holds true that it is still my favorite time of the year.



I have always enjoyed the music of Manhattan Transfer and I recently added "An Acapella Christmas" to my collection. The material includes Christmas carols arranged and recorded in acapella style thereby making them so appealing to the ears. Any album of Manhattan Transfer will always give the listeners an assured enjoyable listening experience and this recording is not an exception. They will sure to impress the listeners with their well-harmonized voices and incredible flair in scatting.



The greatness of a Christmas album is when the material includes songs that epitomize Christmas such as "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." Well, if you love these songs, you are in for a real Christmas goody from Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel. Even without the embellishment of an orchestra or a band to back them, it is still a very enjoyable listen and definitely one of the group's most remarkable recordings.



An added delight is the participation of their children on "Good King Wenceslas" (Gabrielle Skoletsky, Zöe Allen, Lily Hauser, Basie Hauser, Keely Pickering and Arielle Paul) and Zöe Allen again for additional vocals on "My Grown Up Christmas List."



While I did enjoy all the songs, my ears are eternally enthralled with Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson's "Christmas Time Is Here." I call it the album's charming centerpiece.



"Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

Of love and dreams to share



Sleigh bells in the air

Beauty everywhere

Yuletide by the fireside

And joyful memories there



Christmas time is here

We'll be drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year"



Nothing adds glitter to everybody's favorite time of the year than listening to some of the finest Christmas music such as this. It is a uniquely beautiful Christmas album that I merrily recommend to "kids from one to ninety-two." Celebrate a heartfelt, warm and delightful Yuletide Season and make this album a part of your Christmas parties, reunions and get-togethers year after year.



And from my heart to yours...may your Holidays be filled with happy times and warm memories, and bright hopes and good cheers for 2010!"