Search - Guy Lombardo, Royal Canadians :: Sing the Songs of Christmas With Guy Lombardo

A great Christmas album

Allan | Calgary, Alberta Canada | 12/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD re-issue of a Capitol Records album of Lombardo's from the early 1960s, and it has not been on CD before now. It also has bonus tracks which did not make the original album. Unlike Guy's other Christmas album (for Decca), this album features carols as well as contemporary songs. The arrangements are typically Lombardo: smooth, happy, and respectful of the songs. The children's voices (under the leadership of Kenny Gardner) are a perfect fit for Christmas. A welcome addition to both Lombardo and Christmas collections."

A New Christmas Classic For My Collection

rodney wiltin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 12/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a surprise this was. Until very recently (and despite my constant searching for christmas cd's, especially old lp's reissued to cd's) I did not know about this album (cd). Am I ever glad I found it. And the surprise isn't just that I found another christmas cd release of an old lp, but that this is as good as it is.



The music is in the laid back brassy, big band style that GUY LOMBARDO is famous for. And that's the first plus because it gives the cd a real old-fashioned musical sound. There is also some nice band/orchestra christmasy sound effects added to some songs that really adds some greatness to this first plus.



A second plus is the children's choir. I'm not always a big fan of children's choirs as an adult choir can have so much more power but let me tell you, there is real power in this children's choir. They sing in a very professional way and sound real joyful while doing so.



A third plus is the adult male lead singer, KENNY GARDNER, who leads the kids in the singing of every song they sing on (which is the first 15 tracks, the last 2 tracks which are bonus tracks are instrumental but very nicely done in that brassy, big band sound). It sounds real nice and christmasy to have KENNY GARDNER singing along with the kids. I can't think of another christmas album or cd that is like this. It's really wonderful and refreshing from the usual.



A fourth plus is the simple introduction of each song on the cd (except WHITE CHRISTMAS and the 2 bonus songs) by GUY LOMBARDO (which is similar to the FRED WARING AND THE PENNSYLVANIANS 1961 album, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS). It just sounds nice and creates an extra dimension of the mood of christmas.



A fifth plus is also something that adds that extra dimension of the mood of christmas. It is the sound of the congregation gathered together in the background whenever Guy Lombardo introduces each song (and on occasion, the congregation is heard during the song too). It really, really sounds nice and christmasy.



As for the songs themselves, every song is great, not a weak one anywhere and so no skipping a song to get to the next good one. The cd flows from song-to-song really nicely due to the wonderful introductions by GUY LOMBARDO. This is a sixth plus.



A seventh plus is one of the greatest album covers to any christmas album. Just the cover which has been thankfully used as the cd cover immediately puts one in the christmas mood.



A 100% must have for that great traditional christmas sound.

"

At long last on CD!! A Christmas classic!!

The Big RG | West Coast | 11/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I, too, did not know of this much cherished Christmas album release on CD until last year, a full twelve months after its release. I was so overjoyed I purchased copies on CD for friends that Christmas.



I had discovered this album around 1970 when I was ten years old. My brother had a friend who was selling records to make extra money. When it came to music and records my older brother was very excited and got my father to buy some, which meant I had to be included. So the two of us were allowed to buy two LPs each from the selection my brother brought home from his friend. At age ten I wasn't very picky about music and I saw this album by Guy Lombardo. Those were the days when Lombardo was still a staple of New Year's Eve celebrations on television every December 31st, and kids back then knew who he was. It was a Christmas album and since I love Christmas music I chose this particular title.



I soon discovered that it was a good album and I would play it every Christmas thereafter. It was my first introduction to such songs as "Winter Wonderland." Also, the fact that a children's choir sings on this album made it all the more reason for me to like it so much.



I eventually outgrew the album as I got older and later in my forties I began looking for a much less scratched up copy on perhaps maybe a reel to reel tape release, cassette or a sealed LP. I found a reissue cassette in the 90s but was disappointed to find out that Guy Lombardo's spoken intros to each song were removed. So I began hunting down a sealed LP on eBay and eventually found one, the edition I had as a child with lyrics on the gatefold cover.



Thank goodness someone saw fit to get this released on CD and whomever that may be I salute you! The original album is intact on this CD, complete with Guy's intros to each song. The kids sound crispier than ever on CD. I most definitely recommend this Christmas CD to anyone, especially if you have children who will enjoy the kids' choir. Incidentally, the church that is featured on this circa 1960 Christmas album still stands in Stoneham, Massachusetts, verified by a good friend who lives nearby. I plan on visiting this church someday to see in person, all because of this much beloved album."