CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas

from: Time Life Records

Release Date September 11, 2001
When we play this Christmas CD, we suddenly find ourselves back in time when we were kids listening to the stereo at home on Chrismtas Day. It's a perfect way to create or recall Christmas memories.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Colonial America

from: Maggie's Music

Release Date September 01, 2003
This CD is amazing--it is simply the best collection of colonial music I have ever heard. The recording is crystal clear, and while the quality is reflective of modern technology, the music sounds identical to that you might hear in a colonial setting (like Williamsburg, VA, for instance).
I really like that this CD does not have any vocal selections--that may be a plus or minus, depending on your taste, but in my opinion, it makes the CD more versatile, either to play as background music, or to turn it up loudly and dance to it. :)

My family listens to this, non-stop, year-round. I plan to buy the other CD's in this series, too.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

50 Most Loved Christmas Carols

by: Various Artists

Release Date September 13, 2005
The musical tracks and the choir are frequently out of sync. Also,there is a bit of intonation about the choir, I believe it is in the male voices. Lots of songs here, but lacking punch. The 3rd CD contains only instrumental tracks for sing-alongs, if you're into that sort of thing.
If you are looking for a great big bunch of songs, the Mormons are always a good bet.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Fiesta

by: André Rieu, Johann Strauss Orchestra, Georges Bizet, Gioachino Rossini, Mikis Theodorakis, Pascual Marquina, Vincent Youmans, Leo Ferré, E. Ramirez, Filippo Marchetti, Emmerich Kalman, Jacob Gade, P. Shott, Gerhard Winkler, Louis Louiguy, Glanzberg, Vincent Scotto, Luigi Denza, Scottish Traditional, Friedrich Schroder, Anonymous

Release Date January 01, 2000
Information about the product i.e cost, song titles. Availability of other products of this genre. Safety of purchase. Delivery time. Payment security. Redress if product is faulty or damaged.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

On the Banks of Helicon: Early Music of Scotland

from: © 1990 Dorian Recordings

Release Date December 01, 1992
I bought this CD when it first came out and listened to it this evening for the xxxth time. It doesn't get old. Another favorite is the Island of St. Hylarion (early music of Cyprus) under Albion's label. I've been a fan of the Dorian and Albion labels for many years and have dozens of items done under their banners. I think Dorian and Albion have done for eclectic and ancient music what Windham Hill did for New Age music. I started buying their labels when a member of the BMG classical service. If it weren't for their labels I don't think a lot of really great stuff would ever get heard. (And no I don't work for them and they didn't pay me to say this.) Its just great to be able hear music like this that is produced as well as it is performed.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

On My Journey: Paul Robeson's Independent Recordings

from: Smithsonian Folkways

Release Date August 28, 2007
What I enjoyed most about this CD are the songs recorded in 1955 in a private apartment on an early portable tape recorder. Although Paul's voice is past its best by then, the quality is amazing in a less than ideal recording situation. His voice is relaxed, mellow and the simplicity of the song and the simple piano accompaniment highlight the ease with which he sings those low notes.
This CD should be valued not just by Robeson's fans. This historic recording is highly recommended for anyone who loves the bass\baritone sound or just good singing by a mature voice.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Come, Gentle Night: Music of Shakespeare's World

from: Telarc

Release Date January 25, 2000
With their soulful playing and artful, sometimes even ephemeral arrangements, the six women of Ensemble Galilei convey a rare depth of emotion. In the insert notes, gamba player Carolyn Ann Surrick describes their creative process: "[In making this recording, we engaged in]...a kind of work that is so focused and intense that years can go by in one afternoon... Extraordinary music-making requires trust... [We] live for the times when the only thing that exists right then is the music--when the instruments are speaking as if we don't exist, and they are having their own conversation." Thank you, Ensemble Galilei, for allowing the rest of us the privilege of coming along for the ride! It's simply delectable. This chamber ensemble, featuring fiddle, harp, gamba, oboe, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Soviet Army Chorus & Band

from: EMI Classics

Release Date October 25, 1990
The Soviet Army Chorus and Band not only reflects a remarkable group dedication to musical excellence but communicates a verve and excitement rarely heard in choral ensembles of this kind. The range of its repertoire is astonishing. The chorus handles British wartime songs like "Tipperary" with the same exhilaration as Dunayevsky's robust, galvanic patriot "Song of Youth". It captures the very essence of lilting old folk songs with a gentleness and sensitivity conductor Boris Alexandrov imbues superbly into his choir and band. He is a worthy successor to the ensemble's founder, his father Alexander Alexandrov.
A most worthwhile addition to the music lover's sound library

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers

by: English Traditional, Scottish Traditional, Irish Traditional, Welsh Traditional, Sir Henry Rowley Bishop, Hugh Robertson, Manuel Barrueco, The King's Singers, Nancy Hadden

Release Date November 16, 1993
A very pleasing collection, tastefully arranged and very well performed. The recording is a bit too close.Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The King's Noyse, dir. David Douglass: Royal Delight: 17th Century Ballads & Dances

from: Harmonia Mundi Fr.

Release Date September 13, 2005
A very pleasing collection, tastefully arranged and very well performed. The recording is a bit too close.Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers