Reviews (6)

An outstanding choral Christmas collection
Timmins is a mining town in Ontario, Canada where Shania Twain lived for several years of her childhood. The Timmins youth singers (now the Timmins concert singers), founded by Rosanne Simunovic, are a choir in which there are about two female singers to every male singer. They have recorded a series of Christmas albums, of which this was the first. Helped by the appearance of both Patricia O'Callaghan and Kevin Closs as soloists, this 1994 album has proved hugely successful and deservedly so.

The songs are a great mix of old chestnuts and original material. If you are looking for a collection of obvious songs, you'll find some here, but not many. Classical composer John Rutter wrote the first two songs (Good ale and Blow blow thou winter wind) and also arranged the ancient but rarely recorded Here we come a-wassailing. Old-fashioned Christmas, Unto you this night, Let their celestial concerts unite, Let there be praise and I Remember December are among the songs that are new to me.

Patricia was originally a member of the Timmins youth singers and has since become a successful cabaret singer. Patricia has a clear, operatic soprano voice, which she controls perfectly as you can hear on the three songs she sings - Have yourself a very merry Christmas, O Holy Night/Cantique De Noel (both featuring her as soloist) and I remember December (which also features Kevin Closs).

Kevin is a renowned Celtic folk singer-songwriter and would seem to be an unlikely choice of guest on an album of choral music but his contribution is outstanding. He is the featured soloist on The Christmas song and Unto you this night.

This is an interesting choral Christmas album made more so by the addition of Kevin and Patricia as soloists on selected songs.

From Carol Swanson at WWW.ChristmasReviews.Com
Rosanne Simunovic, the accomplished founder and conductor of the Timmins Youth Singers (subsequently called the Timmins Concert Singers), told me in recent correspondence that I Remember December is the group's most popular CD. It is easy to see why.

Snow, children, and Christmas make for a potent blend, and that potential is realized on I Remember December. This CD features 15 wonderful tracks, nicely blending popular favorites with classical compositions. On the classical side, Composer John Rutter, a great favorite of mine, has three winning songs here, beginning with the opening number Good Ale. Although it may be somewhat disconcerting to have youngsters boisterously singing "Bring me good ale!", the upbeat and celebratory tune sets the tone for this fine holiday offering. As the young singers move into Rutter's Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, the ambiance becomes much moodier, and you can almost feel the cutting winter wind whipping through Timmins. The final Rutter number, Here We Come A-Wassailing, is a natural fit for these young voices; you can just picture the children moving up and down the snowy streets, wassailing with natural joy and energy.

As for popular numbers, Christmas Is presents a wonderful solo by featured guest artist Kevin Closs, and when the Timmins Youth Singers do The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, the sentiment rings entirely true. The short, but fun, Jingle Bells almost explodes with cheeriness; the young singers' enthusiasm permeates every note.

I Remember December ends on another high note (literally). Guest performer Patricia O'Callaghan (a former member of the Timmins Youth Singers) possesses a crystalline soprano voice and joins with Kevin Closs on the title number. Their voices form a lovely blend on this bittersweet tale of holiday memories. It should be noted, too, that O'Callaghan does a masterful job on the prior cut, singing a gorgeous soprano solo on O Holy Night/Cantique De Noel.

Considering that these immature voices are relatively untrained, the Timmins Youth Singers demonstrate a surprisingly even musicianship throughout. Timmins, the hometown of Shania Twain ("Timmins' Singing Sweetheart"), obviously must have music magic in the water. After all, Timmins (in northern Ontario) is not a major metropolitan area (population about 43,000); supporting a quality vocal ensemble like this one in such a setting is no small feat. In fact, in recent times, the Timmins Concert Singers have gone on sabbatical, although their web site and their conductor remain quite active. The group already leaves a substantial legacy of music (A Christmas Legacy and Scenes From A Dream, both also reviewed on this site) for their many fans throughout North America.

If you are looking for a well-balanced set of memorable holiday songs presented by a talented youth choir, you have found the right CD. You will remember to put I Remember December on your audio system each December year after year after year.

--Carol Swanson

Reviews (7)

The BEST Christmas CD EVER!
I love all of Barry Manilow's works, but this has to be the BEST Christmas CD EVER!I absolutely love the horns at the beginning of Because It's Christmas, which has to be the most beautiful Christmas song I've ever heard.Barry works wonders with classic Christmas songs.A must have for your Barry collection!

JustRight!
If you're looking for something to put you into the Christmas mood, this is a wonderful CD to help you out. Barry Manilow is an amazing musician. He sings, he writes, he arranges, he does it all. He even updates some of the old Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters Christmas classics with 90's girl group Expose. The songs flow seamlessly from one to the next making this CD more of an "experience" as opposed to just a bunch of songs thrown together.

There was a companion video that came out when this CD was first released. If you're a Manilow fan (and you can find it), I recommend it. Watching Barry sing "Everybody knows a turkey (pause)" is really pretty funny!

Reviews (6)

Top 10 Christmas Album
Any true lover and connoisseur of Christmas music would put this in their "Top 10" of Christmas recordings.Why?Few modern Christmas recordings genuinely revere the Birth Of Christ.John Rutter literally worships at the feet of the Christ Child.Rutter offers 23 choral selections, most his compositions, others of European tradition, that imbue the rootedness and wonderous awe that is the spirit and 'magic' of Christmas.

Noteworthy are 'Mary's Lullaby,' a Rutter original and 'Fantasia on Christmas carols,' the 1912 compilation by R. Vaughan Williams that balances a baritone soloist against the choral discipline of the Cambridge Singers to invoke several spine-tingling and misty-eyed moments.

A Masterwork among Chrismas recordings.

A Beautiful and Rich Collection of Christmas Music
The Cambridge Singers, led by John Rutter, certainly add joy to the Christmas season. This recording has familiar standards, lesser known carols, and some Rutter originals. Rutter's "Jesus Child" had a contagious calypso flair, his "Star Carol" has a feel of innocence and beauty, and his reflective "Very Best Time of the Year" can put a person in the mood for the holiday. The ensemble's is beautiful. It is easy to see why so many people add this disk to their music collection.

Reviews (4)

Great follow-up to I remember December
The Timmins concert singers (originally the Timmins youth singers), founded by Rosanne Simunovic, are a choir in which (at the time of this recording) there were about five female singers to every two male singers. This is their second Christmas album. It is somewhat from its predecessor in that it was recorded live in concert (November 1999) and did not feature any guest soloists (though there is a guest conductor - Howard Cable, a renowned figure on the Canadian music scene). It is therefore a less varied but more cohesive collection than I remember December.

The live aspects of the recording have been mostly edited out, though you can still hear the clapping at the end of the tracks. All the banter with the audience has been cut out except for a little towards the end of the final track.

The songs are a great mix of old chestnuts and original material. Classical composer John Rutter wrote two songs (Christmas lullaby and Star carol). Noel nouvelet, though apparently a traditional song, is new to me. It is great that old songs that have faded into obscurity are revived occasionally. Here within these walls is also new to me. Ding dong merrily on high (a great traditional Christmas song) will be familiar to Brits though I don't think it's popular in America. Dashing through the snow is really a re-arranged version of Jingle bells. There are three medleys that include lots of familiar standards. New world carols focuses on the religious aspect while the other two medleys focus on the festive aspects - snow, Santa, reindeer, bells and having a good time.

This is a brilliant choral Christmas album that you could use as party music or play during those quiet moments.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS CD
What a wonderful Christmas treat!!All of your favorite carols are included on this recording and brilliantly arranged by Canadian legend, Howard Cable.The Timmins Concert Singers and Timmins Symphony Orchestral Ensemble are in top form.The voices of the singers are filled with such joy and enthusiasm and, at the same time, exhibit a high degree of musical discipline.

I will play this CD all year around....I already play their first CD "I Remember December"...with Patricia O'Callaghan and Kevin Closs, all through the calendar year.

Bravo!!!

A CHRISTMAS LEGACY IS A CHRISTMAS TREAT!
What a beautiful CD!! I love the arrangements by Howard Cable!There is so much variety and the Timmins Concert Singers sing with enthusiasm and outstanding musicianship.All the Christmas favorites are there.....the Christmas Song, White Christmas, Silver Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph & Frosty beautifully intermingled with traditional carols such as Go Tell It On The Mountain, The Huron Carol, The Little Drummer Boy....the list goes on and on.

There is a beautiful rendition of Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter...absolutely gorgeous.

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Reviews (14)

Sing a Torch, Jeannette Isabella
Say what you want about Kathie Lee Gifford, she at least had the good taste and savvy to champion singer Nancy LaMott (during the latter's lifetime) and did her part to promote this great but somewhat obscure cabaret singer to a national audience.Of course, Nancy LaMott is still not the household name she should be if this were a just world.Posthumous stardom isnot an impossibility, as the success of Eva Cassidy's records have proven.Nancy LaMott was certainly as big a talent--and as compelling a story as Ms Cassidy, but her recorded legacy has been (apparently) been tied up in various legal wranglings, which is more than unfortunate.It's almost criminal that her records are not more readily available.She was among the greats, and if megastardom was not something to be realized in her all too short life, at least let her be discovered now.

But, hey, it's the holiday season, and I'm in a generous mood, so let me just do my bit to promote Nancy LaMott's music--and in her Christmas album in particular.For some reason, I found myself going on a holiday music bender this year.Perusing the old collection, it became ridiculously clear how many holiday albums I owned, and how few I had actually listened to.Nancy's was one I had played quite a bit back when it was new, and then it joined the ranks of the other Christmas recordings stashed away "until next year."

So I made a point to rediscover these yuletide treasures once more this season.And many of them really were quite good.Of course, one hears the many of the same tunes over and over and over again.I'm sure that I could get into numerous debates over which singer "owns" this song or does "the definitive" take on that one.Such arguments are pointless, and not exactly in keeping with the holiday spirit anyway, but I will say this: when Nancy LaMott takes on one of those old holiday chestnuts (whether or not it's roasting on an open fire) you will, at least for the moment, put all other fondly remembered versions out of your mind.She makes all those old songs new again--no mean feat when you're talking "The Christmas Song" or "I'll Be Home For Christmas."And the new stuff is pretty wonderful too.A little cabaret irony on the title track and "All Those Christmas Cliches," a little unabashed mush on numbers like "Earth and Sky" and "Some Children See Him."It all works, in part because of who Nancy LaMott was--a great interpretive singer who could interpret just about anything.

Sparkling Christmas album by cabaret singer extraordinaire.
In this 1994 recording Nancy Lamott puts her unique stamp on familiar Christmas fare, along with some newer songs.Her cabaret approach is showcased by her arranger and accompanist on piano, Chris Marlowe, who keeps the accompaniment simple, allowing Nancy's voice to capture the moods and vitality of the season without the distraction of big orchestrations.Ranging from softly sweet to full-out, Nancy Lamott is "on" here, communicating the spirit and messages of these songs in her own style.

In "Some Children See Him," the simple piano accompaniment, in the same range as Nancy's voice, blends with it and feels like a duet, with her voice sounding as clear as the piano itself.The lovely "(Christmas) Stay With Me" once again keeps the background piano simple, while a muted trumpet answers Nancy's bluesy lyrics and starts a dialogue, ending in a stirring trumpet solo by Glenn Drewes.

Not all songs are simple, however."Baby, It's Cold Outside" features a walking bass and a lively duet with Michael Feinstein, as Nancy and Michael, delightfully at cross-purposes in this song, argue whether he will stay with her or go home."Just in Time for Christmas," one of the most memorable songs on the album, is a love song, with Nancy announcing "You brought me the greatest gift of all," a message which grows in volume and orchestration until she is singing full-out at the conclusion.In "All Those Christmas Cliches" the singer, sadly jaded by holiday decoration and tradition, now wants it all--the tree, the wreath on the front door, the plywood reindeer, sentimental cards, kids, and laughter--a poignant reminder that for Nancy these dreams did not come true.

As always, her powerful voice remains totally under control, ranging from the softest whisper to some full-out belting.Her diction and phrasing give the album a sense of immediacy--as if she is singing to each listener personally--and though many songs are sweetly sung, Nancy is simultaneously tough and strong--never demure or coy.According to the press, difficulties between the Lamott family and Midder Music, her recording company, have now been resolved, and up to ten new albums of never released material should start being available by the summer of 2005.Mary Whipple

Reviews (22)

Christmas Songs Like You've NEVER Heard Them Before
When you consider the fact that the man who virtually defined pop music culture, as we know it today, worked up a contemporary Christmas album, what you get is an extraordinary blend of traditional sounds with pop flare, mind blowing arrangements, and precise, almost perfect, musical integrity.I offer you : David Foster The Christmas Album.

The Breakdown :

>> Track 1 - Carol Of The Bells (Instrumental) <<
An absolutely amazing rendition.Short, sweet, and oh so powerful.Considering that this piece (with the exception of the horns) is done entirely on keyboards, the Magical Mr. Foster puts his almighty thumbprint on this album and sets the pace for what's to come.

>> Track 2 - Blue Christmas (Vocals: Wynonna) <<
Bluesy rendition with a rich "piano bar" atmosphere.The orchestra makes all the difference.

>> Track 3 - The First Noel (Vocals: BeBe & CeCe Winans) <<
A Two parter.Nice violin work with a soft, angelic, vocal beginning (you can definitely pick up on the "Fosterization" of the music).Magically becomes a light, solid, jazz riff that is Foster all the way.

>> Track 4 - It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Vocals: Johnny Mathis) <<
Upbeat fanfare.Energizing. Very busy orchestration perfectly suited for this happy, happy song.Mathis is the only one that could have done this.....perfect choice!

>> Track 5 - Grown Up Christmas List (Vocals: Natalie Cole) <<
A Foster original.Much better than the Amy Grant version.Foster's bass work in this song makes it.

>> Track 6 - O Holy Night (Vocals: Michael Crawford) <<
Can the "Phantom Of The Opera" sing "Oh Holy Night"?Answer: "Oh YES!!!"Show stopping vocal performance with what is probably the most POWERFUL orchestration and music on the entire album (or any other album for that matter).The backing boys choir will raise the hair on the back of your neck (guaranteed).

>> Track 7 - Go Tell It On The Mountain/Mary Had A Baby (Vocals: Vanessa Williams) <<
The preacher's wife would love this one.Most people can't pat their head and rub their tummy at the same time, and likewise, most people can't sit down and listen to THIS song at the same time.Starts with a nice southern vocal rendition of Mary Had A Baby, the literally explodes into a foot stompin', hand clappin' full blown gospel rich Go Tell It On The Mountain.Excellent piano work!!!

>> Track 8 - Ill be Home For Christmas (Vocals: Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack) <<
Very nice contemporary jazz version of the song (one of my favorites on the album).Boz Scaggs would be proud of this one.The electric bass work by the wonderfully talented Nathan East makes this juicy track worth playing over and over again.

>> Track 9 - Mary's Boy Child (Vocals: Tom Jones)
No Las Vegas Here.Mr. Jones rips a very good and powerful performance on this somewhat obscure and little known Christmas song.But hey, with Foster behind the wheel, you can't go wrong.

>> Track 10 - The Christmas Song (Vocal: Celine Dion) <<
Oh Celine, Celine.....what can I say.Absolutely beautiful.Makes you want to roast chestnuts on an open fire.Again, a swaying, piano bar feel with a composite orchestration thrown in for spice.If this song doesn't put you in the Christmas "mood", nothing will.

>> Track 11 - Away In A Manger (Vocals: Tammy Wynette) <<
After hearing this, you won't think of this song as a mere "children's" tune any more.Tammy's country vocal "twang" mixes beautifully with an angelic orchestration that will leave a pleasant smile on your face and a warm feeling in your soul.The narrative part of the song is mood altering.Excellent.

>> Track 12 - White Christmas (Vocals: All Of The Above)
Music Master Jeremy Lobbock teams with Foster to put the exclamation point on this album.Nice. Jazzy.Total Foster evident here.The transitions are perfect, progressions absolute.Gotta love it.

Hey, buy this album.Put it on.Decorate the tree.Light a fire in the fireplace.Drink Egg-Nog.Have a wonderful Christmas!!

One of my favs
I used to work for a music store ... a while ago. And when this CD came out I put it on for in store Christmas music, and never took it off. I had to buy it for myself and it's about the only CD I play at Christmas time.
The mix of artists and the pick of songs are perfect.

Five stars on the first song, one to three on the rest
The only reason we have this CD, I'm afraid to admit, is because of the first track. I think most of the value in this CD are in the big names such as Tammy Wynette and Celine Dion listed for some of the songs. If you are a fan of some of these names, then good, you'll probably enjoy this CD. For those of you who, like me, don't have a clue who some of these folks are, most of the rest of the songs are only of marginal quality.

Track 1 (2:54): This track is so absolutely, mind-blowingly good that it was worth buying this whole CD just for it. A fabulous rendition of the Carol of the Bells, its grandeur and splendor are unequaled by any other song I've ever heard! David Foster has come up with the ultimate version of the Carol of the Bells, and I say that even with Mannheim Steamroller's music in mind. If you like half the tracks on this CD but aren't sure, let me be the first to tell you, this track makes it all worth it. It's the perfect grand beginning to kick of a season of Christmas music.

Track 2 (3:42): Famed country singer (and now DUI-charged) Wynonna Judd sings on Blue Christmas. It's not bad, if you like Wynonna.

Track 3 (6:04): I think this due usually sing love songs and stuff, but their version of The First Noel isn't bad, at least not at first. It kinda breaks into more modern sounds and percussion. If you like these folks, you'll probably like the song. It's definitely the longest song on the CD.

Track 4 (2:24): I'm going to shock you by saying I've only heard a handful of songs by Johnny Mathis, although I hear he's sort of THE traditional singer for Christmas. He sings the song pretty well, I'd say.

Track 5 (3:37): Almost everyone (including me, wow) knows who Nat King Cole is. This song is sung by his daughter, and probably the second best on the CD. It's a very pretty song sung about desiring peace and love for all mankind. I have one teensy little problem with this song, namely, the two lyrics of the chorus that cannot be reconciled. In the "Grown-up Christmas list", Natalie Cole sings of her wish that "wars would never start and ... right would always win." How can Right win if it cannot fight Wrong? A small thing, perhaps, but one that folks would do good to remember. The song is still pretty, and I like it.

Track 6 (5:05): My favorite Christmas song, and it's done pretty well. In my opinion, most artists who can remain true to the tune of the original song will sound good, solely because of how good the song is, and this guy Michael Crawford does it very well.

Track 7 (5:46): This song is sung in a negro spiritual traditional style. If you like it, you'll probably like this. I say the song is only marginal.

Track 8 (4:08): I'll be Home for Christmas by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack
It's not bad. I don't these people either, but they sing an okay version of the song.

Track 9 (4:28): Go ahead and gasp, because I've never heard of Tom Jones either. However, I'd say his rendition of this somewhat obscure and unused song. I like it.

Track 10 (4:13): Yes, I have heard of this singer, she sang in that movie about that big boat, right? I don't know, all I can say is she does an okay job on the Christmas Song. No special beauty or grandeur about it.

Track 11 (3:35): Sung by Tammy Wynette, the way it's sung rather sounds like a soft country song. That's the only way I can compare it. Once again, it's not that bad, but nothing super special.

Features

• Live

Reviews (5)

Diverse anthology of choral music
The Timmins youth singers, founded in 1978 by Rosanne Simunovic, changed their name to the Timmins concert singers 20 years later. This anthology is compiled from tapes recorded at various live concerts between 1984 and 2000. Most of the tapes were only recorded for local use with no thought of commercial release so the quality was variable, but there was more than enough of a suitable standard from which to compile a double-CD. Whatever else you might think about this anthology, the sound quality cannot be faulted.

The performances feature not only the choir but also various guests who, at one time or another, have sung with the choir. The star guest, Patricia O'Callaghan, was originally a choir member. As a returning guest, she can be heard as featured soloist on three tracks.

The Essentials, an a cappella pop group, are featured on covers of River of dreams (a Billy Joel song) and Lean on me (the classic Bill Withers song). I've heard a few versions of Lean on me in different genres of music but nothing like this amazing version.

Three original cast members of the Canadian productions of Cats (Larry Herbert, Greg Bond) came to Timmins in 1988 and joined the choir for a concert featuring songs from Cats. Three of the songs are featured here but Memory, the only famous song from the show, is not included. Other guests include two original cast members of Phantom of the opera (Gregory Cross, Paul Massel), though no songs from that show are included, and tenor singer Henry Ingram.

The other songs come from a variety of sources including Peter Pan, The Mikado, Godspell, Kiss me Kate, A chorus line, Guys and dolls, Annie get your gun, some Christmas songs and there's even a 1930's big band song. Two different Requiems are each represented by two songs. The last three songs are from West Side Story - one featuring Patricia O'Callaghan, one featuring Gregory Cross and one featuring both of them.

The set is well packaged with plenty of comments and pictures and an extensive cast list of well over 100 members, although the most famous former member of the Timmins youth singers (Eileen Twain) is not among them. I can only assume that they didn't have any suitable recordings, because her inclusion would have generated extra sales from Shania's fans.

This is an incredibly varied collection of choral music that is ideal as an introduction to the genre but should certainly appeal to anybody who is already a fan.

pleasing recording
I enjoy listening to this recording very much and I am now a member of the amazing choir