Search - Petula Clark :: Merry Christmas/Joyeux Noel

A wonderful classic Christmas collection

03/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you think you'll like this one, just buy it. You'll LOVE it. Since it first came out in 1997 it has become one of the sounds of Christmas in our home. It contains virtually every Christmas release she has recorded in her long career. Each one as good as the next. -HC Phillips"

Petula shares the joy and happiness of Christmas

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 09/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the vast number of albums that Petula recorded, she never recorded a Christmas album. This set is a compilation of various Christmas singles and EP's, some recorded in English and some in French, and contains all Christmas songs that Petula recorded for Pye/Warner except Baby it's cold outside. That song, which Petula recorded as a duet with Rod McKuen (and is available on Spirit of Today), isn't really a Christmas song, but has become accepted as a Christmas standard (just like My favorite things, which is included).



The emphasis here is on the spiritul aspect of Christmas, including carols and other uplifting songs of hope and joy.



Once in Royal David's city is one of those Christmas classics, like In the bleak midwinter and While shepherds watched their flocks, which is popular in Britain but is relatively unknown in America, but it's always been one of my favorite carols and it might become one of yours after you hear Petula's beautiful rendition.



Do not be put off by the French songs - you will recognise some of them (Silent night, O holy night, O Christmas tree) from the melody anyway. I had doubts about buying this originally because of them, but I was so impressed that I bought Petula's other French recordings and have also bought some other foreign languge recordings.



In any case, if you play this as background at Christmas, you probably won't be listening to the words anyway."

Incredible French Recordings Of Christmas Songs

masterbill | Long Island, New York | 12/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't generally listen to Christmas music, but purchased this CD because the songs were recorded by Petula Clark who in my opinion, was the best International female recording artist of the past fifty years. Most of these songs were recorded when Pet was vocally at her peak in the 1960's, displaying her flawless vocals and elegant, impeccable interpretations. She had perhaps better control of her voice than any other female pop singer. Pet was a master at creating a wide array of effects including romantic, soft, subdued, light, sad, tragic, eerie / haunting, serious, and happy.Even the quality of the weakest tracks is comparable to Christmas albums recorded by the best recording artists in the 1960's and 1970's. Her version of Silent Night, Holy Night seems slowed-down and over dramatic, and her trademark jazzy improvisations do not work. However, the French version on this CD, Belle nuit, Sainte nuit is a beautiful, traditional interpretation. Some excellent English recordings include a beautiful, moving recording of Once In Royal David's City, a dramatic version of The Happiest Christmas which creates a haunting effect, a vintage Pet recording of Away In A Manger, Christmas Cards, a playful, upbeat 1950's recording, and My Favourite Things. The French recordings are brilliant and probably could not be equaled by any other female pop/rock singer. Minuit Chretien is magic, Il Est Ne Le Devin Enfant is characterized by Pet's exquisite, rich, clear vocals, Celle Nuit La is a moving, dramatic recording, and Mon Beau Sapin is fantastic.Fans of Petula Clark will enjoy this CD."