Liberace - A Liberace Christmas

"Brilliance" is the word to describe this CD

Liberace is remembered for his schmalzy and flamboyant style and this style serves him well in this collection of familiar Christmas selections. The piano & string arrangements of "What Child Is This" and "The Little Drummer Boy" are good as is the operatic type soprano solo on "Ave Maria". I personally consider Liberace's vocal rendition of "Silver Bells" as abysmally bad.

However, the brilliance of the medleys far outshines that one low spot. Rather than just two, three or four songs played side by side, these songs are intricately intertwined with each other, a phrase from one unexpectedly showing up while another is being played. The first medley features "O Tannenbaum" given a majestically dramatic interpretation with "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" interjecting itself at times. The second medley of "White Christmas", "Adeste Fidelis", and "Silent Night" is played with a number of "Jingle Bells" phrases playfully thrown in. The closing medley of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" and "Here Comes Santa Claus" is combined again with "Jingle Bells" for a rousing and fun performance. And for a truly powerful spiritual medley, we have "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" and "Joy To The World" with musical statements from each juxtaposed to each other.

Purists will need to suspend their judgments if they want to thoroughly enjoy this CD, but for most of us, this should be at the top of the list for sheer enjoyment. December 17, 2002

lush sparkle of Christmas

Like a life-sized music box, Liberace's sparkling rendition of Christmas music is a splendid addition to anyone's Christmas music collection. I first purchased this album as a tape then just had to upgrade to a CD. Add it to your music library! December 1, 2001

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