Search - The Ames Brothers :: There'll Always Be a Christmas

A New Christmas Favorite

rodney wiltin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 12/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew this would be good. I did not know it would be this 'good.'



This mid-1950's christmas album has quickly grown to be up there with my absolute favorite christmas cd's. Out of well over 200 christmas cd's I own, this would be somewhere in the top 10-15 range. It really is that good. And it could even be higher up than #10.



This album (now cd) gives that perfect, old 'croonerish' type christmas sound that you may get on a christmas album or cd of PERRY COMO, BING CROSBY, or FRANK SINATRA. Out of all the 4 person harmony groups who have released christmas albums (that I have anyway) such as THE LETTERMEN or THE LENNON SISTERS, this is easily and by far the best of them.



Every song, even the bonus songs, are wonderful expressions of that old-time christmas sound of the 1950's. And a very nice, clear sound too.



The AMES BROTHERS singing on this album is unequaled from any 4 part harmony singing group, at least to my liking. They hit the perfect note seemingly every single time and just the natural sound of their voices is perfect. No wonder ED from the group had such a great solo career. By the sound of their singing on this album, they all could have had great solo careers. What I'm saying is that whether singing as a group or taking solo turns on this album, they are all as professional as the best solo 'crooner' singers that have ever lived.



The backing orchestra of SID RAMIN is absolutely superb with wonderful, often lush strings that give the mood of christmas whenever they are used. The brassy, big band parts are just as wonderful. For me, the backing orchestra is just as important as the singing to give that 'complete' christmas sound and SID RAMIN AND HIS ORCHESTRA provide just that. This is a complete and beautiful christmas cd in every way.



As is customary with my favorite christmas albums, every song on this cd is great. When you put it on, I'm sure you'll be letting it go through the whole thing without skipping any song. And what a great cd to put on for some christmas background music when you are entertaining friends and family at your house over the christmas season.



THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE) begins the cd off in a very lush and powerful way. It really introduces us to the great 'christmas' sound that this album has. The singing and backing orchestra (with some nice strings) is flawless. This version is also one of my favorite versions of the song ever recorded.



DECK THE HALLS follows and has some real nice 'christmas' sounding strings to it. And of course, the great singing of the brothers here is just fantastic. Again, one of my favorite (perhaps even my favorite version) of a song on this album.



C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S is fantastic with a little nice speaking introduction from one of the brothers that begins the song off, GOOD KING WENCELAS and SILVER BELLS are just amazing, my favorite version by far of GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN is on this, SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN and JINGLE BELLS are wonderful fun takes of each of them, etc.. You know what, I could actually write about every single song here since thay are all great enough to write about.



I'll have to end this review by saying that if you want that classic 'crooner' christmas styled sound, by all means, this is one to get without hesitation."