Natalie Cole - Magic of Christmas

Sure To Become An Annual Seasonal Favourite

Each Christmas season there is a glut of single-artist and multi-artist compilations vying for your attention (and dollars), but if you see this one, which first entered the scene in 1999, and you are thinking about adding to your Christmas music library, my advice would be to grab a copy.

In addition to beautiful renditions of traditional and familiar classic carols like Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Tannenbaum, and Carol Of The Bells, Natalie and The London Symphony Orchestra outdo themselves on Mel Torme's The Christmas Song, Sammy Cahn & Julie Styne's Christmas Waltz, and Leroy Anderson's immortal Sleigh Ride. My particular favourite, however, is their handling of David Foster and Linda Thompson Jenner's My Grown-Up Christmas List, which became a hit single in 2003 for Kelly Clarkson.

The sound quality is perfect, although the fold-out insert is confined to a re-listing of the tracks showing composers and two brief paragraphs from Natalie in which she acknowledges those who worked with her on the album, PLUS another full-length shot of Natalie in that white gown. July 28, 2008

A MAGIC Christmas CD

The wonderful father/daughter duet The Christmas Song alone is worth the cost of the CD. But the whole CD is great. Natalie's Grown Up Christmas List is one of the best versions--heartfelt, sincere (get out your box of kleenex, you'll need it). When she sings this song it is a touching plea for peace and increase human kindness. She doesn't just march through the lyrics in this song (or any song she performs, for that matter)--she LIVES them. I challenge you not to cry after the modulation of the song and the choir comes in.

What makes Cole's version of Sleigh Ride so great is the change of tempo. She has fun with the song, and that makes it a fun song to listen to.

Also recommended:

Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography--this book shows that Natalie Cole is not just a great singer, she is an incredible, amazing, and courageous woman--an awesome example of strength.

Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--remember the box of kleenex you got for Natalie's Grown Up Christmas List? Well, save some tissues for this book. December 16, 2007

A SOLID ALBUM THROUGHT, BUT DRIFTS IN SEVERAL SPOTS

Almost all the cuts focus on Pop-MOR Standards. There is a Bring-Back-The-Dead-Duet with her Dad (Nat 'King' Cole) on "The Christmas Song", yes this worked once on "Unforgettable", but to keep doing this gets to be a little stale or why just do a complete Duet Project with Natalie and her Dad? (Hmmmmmmmm, Something to think about, who knows maybe it could be a Grammy winning project?). Standout cuts are: "Sleigh Ride", "Mary, Did You Know" & "Carol Of The Bells". Now understand, this ain't the type of album to get your party started, but for some real nice Office Party this would work well...Wine, Cheese & Crackers. December 8, 2007

Great Christmas Companion

I originally bought this item because I love the song "Mary Did You Know?" Natalie Cole's voice only made it that much more enjoyable. The best surprise on the CD was a duet with her father. I really love the sound of their two voices together. January 19, 2007

A Natalie Cole Christmas

I enjoyed Ms. Cole's CD. I have always listened to her father's CD during the holidays and now I can listen to hers too. It was quite enjoyable. November 6, 2006

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