Linda Ronstadt - Merry Little Christmas (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

A lovingly crafted holiday keeper

larry | 10/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a lovely Christmas album with beautiful singing throughout. Be prepared for the fact that its a rather schizoid album, though, with different styles throughout (much like Ronstadt's career, as a matter of fact!)The first four songs are arranged much like Linda's Nelson Riddle albums and shine beautifully - the duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" especially glows. Only "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas" jarred a bit, with Ronstadt turning up the volume and belting a bit too strenuously on a tune that doesn't really need it that much.Joni Mitchell's "River" is included - its got a Christmas-time background, but isn't really a Christmas song. I'm glad its included, though, both because I've always loved it, and because Ronstadt does such a fine, assured job with it. First-class!The real reason to buy the cd in my opinion is the concluding section, though. Ronstadt does a version of "I Wonder As I Wander" that sent shivers up my spine, and they stayed there for the rest of the cd, as one exquisite example of choral singing followed another. Linda sort of retreats into the background and blends in with the chorus, but the sheer beauty of the singing will leave you stunned. I was a bit disappointed with one thing: an early pre-release listing of the songs I saw included "In the Bleak Midwinter", one of my very favorite Christmas carols, and its unfortunately nowhere to be found. I'd looked forward to it, but its a small disappointment with what would be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of holiday music. Great job, Linda!"

Sharing the spotlight

larry | Washington, DC | 10/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cd features beautiful singing by Linda Ronstadt throughout, but be aware that after track five, (with the exception of I Wonder As I Wander) the voice that you may be used to - warm, big and belty, disappears. From that point on Linda steps out of the spotlight and displays her soprano as an understated member of the choir. The musical selections and arrangements are inspired and the vocals are flawless, but if you're expecting Silent Night with an acoustic guitar and three part harmony you might be surprised. She does serve up some tasty "Nelson Riddle style" treats on the first half of the cd, including a gentle duet with Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" and a powerful version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Joni Mitchell's classic "River" gets a pretty treatment, but stays too close to the surface for my taste . All in all, the generous talents of Linda Ronstadt are on full display and that will certainly "help to make the season bright"."

A Gorgeous Holiday Recording!

Sara Stromseth | Cresco, IA USA | 10/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Linda Ronstadt has been something of a musical chemeleon over the course of her 20+ year career: she has done everything from operetta ("The Pirates of Penzance") to traditional Mexican music, from country-rock to light standards. With the release of a holiday album, Ronstadt brings her clear, rich soprano to popular Christmas standards and haunting, lesser-known choral pieces. The results, of course, are brilliant. Whether the heartwarming duet with the legendary Rosemary Clooney on "White Christmas" or Ronstadt's confident stride up her high register with "Lo How A Rose 'Ere Blooming," this recording showcases the versatility of a voice that has never been afraid to tackle the road less traveled. Listen to the beautiful duet between Ronstadt (on soprano) and an alto on the affecting "Xicochi Xicochi," and the haunting "Welsh Carol," in which Ronstadt takes a solo mid-way through. It is interesting to note that, throughout the chorale pieces, Ronstadt takes the soprano parts, hitting notes that most of her contemporaries in popular music would shy away from. This ability is a showcase for Ronstadt's boundry-crossing talent in any type of music she chooses. The beautiful renditions of these songs separate and elevate her musicality from that of so many popular singers, who too often choose dramatic embellishment to cover their own limitations. Rondstadt seems to have no musical limitations, and her heartfelt rendering of these pieces, illuminated with the clear power of her vocals, is refreshing and worth a permanent spot in anyone's Christmas music collection."

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

GeoDvo | NYC, New York | 10/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronstadt fans rejoice! Finally America's most thrilling pop voice has put together a stunning Christmas collection. Her sultry belt is perfect on seasonal favorites like THE CHRISTMAS SONG and HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. She delivers a trip down memory lane with Rosemary Clooney on WHITE CHRISTMAS. Her cover of RIVER will make Joni Mitchell proud. But the last 8 cuts will stun and surprise. Ronstadt's trilling soprano has never sounded better. AWAY IN A MANGER is heavenly and LO, HOW A ROSE E'RE BLOOMING brought a tear to this listeners eye with it's harmonic beauty. In a time when pop stars are cranking out over-produced Christmas drivel, Linda Ronstadt has given us a Christmas Classic."

A bit of a surprise

cyclista | the Midwest | 11/30/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The first song, "The Christmas Song" starts out with an orchestral sound, switches to a light jazzy lounge sound with a breathy Linda Ronstadt singing. It switches back to an orchestral ending. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are orchestral and Linda still sounds a little breathy. The third song is the duet with Rosemary Clooney. Quite a bit of it is sung by backup vocalists, but this song is really worthwhile. "River" is a beautiful song. The music is mostly simpler, with mainly strings and piano. I liked this selection quite well.Now for something completely different! This must be the beginning of the work of the second producer. It's as if I changed the CD. "O Come O Come Emmanuel", "Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming", "Welsh Carol", Past Three O'Clock", "O Magnum Mysterium", and "Silent Night" are a cappella choral music. Linda's voice blends in completely with the choir. These are nice songs, done in a traditional choral way. The seventh song "Xicochi, Xichoci" is a lovely lullaby that translates: "Go to sleep, little baby, Surely the angels will carry you on your path, little green one." You can clearly hear Linda's breathy voice on "I Wonder As I Wander". The background is cello, harp, bass, and backup vocals. I liked "Away In A Manager" with Cookie Rankin singing beautifully.I've read the reviews here and tried to sort out what's happening. I think that if you like a Christmas CD to create a mood or "hang together" somehow, then you may not like this CD. If you're still listening to Linda's classic "Blue Bayou", this CD could be a disappointment. I've been disappointed by other Christmas CD's and then gone on to love them. However, I wonder if the breathy singing style that Linda has adopted on several songs really works for her. I can't personally recommend this CD, but a lot of other people loved it. Some stores will let you listen to a CD before you buy it and that may be the way to go.Some details: The liner notes are contained in a 12 page booklet that is quite good and contains the words to the songs (except for "I'll Be Home For Christmas"). The CD is 45 minutes long."

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