Larry Sanders

We teach voice improvement for singing and speaking so it is heart warming to be able to use such an incredible master to sing along with
in our mother language of English.
Michael White, Director, The Optimal Breathing Institute

Placido Domingo is a legend and this CD only prooves that he is not only a legend in the field of Opera but as well as popular music (Crosover). Excellent interpretation. I love it.

Classical artists' attempts to cross over to the many varied popular music genres, and vice versa, are rarely pleasant experiences especially for informed and knowing devotees on either side. Domingo's is by far is not only one of the worst but one of the saddest. Domingo's own liner notes attests to the "huge influence" and "lasting inspiration" that the sources of these popular songs had on him. Domingo must have devoted a remarkably great degree of effort overcoming these to become one of this generation's great classical vocalists. But despite this Herculean effort, they tragically resurfaced as evidenced by the universally poor quality of virtually every element of this album. The recordings of Florence Foster Jenkins illustrate well what happens when someone doesn't know any better. Domingo does know better and still couldn't help himself proving bad habits never die. That is what makes Jenkins' effort so funny and, regrettably, what makes Domingo's so sad. The great Domingo "tradition" is more than well documneted in so many previous wonderful recordings and this CD clearly demonstrates he has little left to do in the studio except discredit himself. But he's is only following the same path so many before have traveled in their declining years. And as usual, those in the know are amazed but never surprised.

Classical artists' attempts to cross over to the many varied popular music genres, and vice versa, are rarely pleasant experiences especially for informed and knowing devotees on either side. Domingo's is by far is not only one of the worst but one of the saddest. Domingo's own liner notes attests to the "huge influence" and "lasting inspiration" that the sources of these popular songs had on him. Domingo must have devoted a remarkably great degree of effort overcoming these to become one of this generation's great classical vocalists. But despite this Herculean effort, they tragically resurfaced as evidenced by the universally poor quality of virtually every element of this album. The recordings of Florence Foster Jenkins illustrate well what happens when someone doesn't know any better. Domingo does know better and still couldn't help himself proving, once again, bad habits never die. That is what makes Jenkins' effort so funny and, regrettably, what makes Domingo's so pittifully sad. The lasting Domingo tradition was documented on recordings many years ago and "Songs of Love" represents all that's left for him to do in the studio. Like so many before him, he's simply following an all too familiar path in his declining artistic years. Those in the know are always amazed but never surprised.

Yep, that's American Idol Bad Girl, Frenchie Davis, belting "O Holy Night" ... THE reason to buy this CD.

I purchased this CD on a whim, and I was absolutely shocked when I got to track #4- "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel," by the cast of "Hairspray." I loved the upbeat humor, and as the song progressed, I realized I'd heard this version before- it was on South Park! I could not BELIEVE what I was hearing, but I completely adored it. As I listened through the rest of the 2-CD set, I concluded it would undoubtedly be one of my favorite holiday albums. It was a wonderful combination of traditional renditions, such as a beautiful "O Holy Night" performed by the cast of "Rent" and new, humorous songs, including "Too Fat to Fit" by the cast of "The Producers" which was had a personality reminiscent of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Angelo Rosenbaum," sung by Thom Christopher Warren of "Lion King," and "Sing Out" by the cast of "Gypsy."

Overall, the CD set was a wonderful surprise; I had expected a 2 CD set filled with well-sung music, but I was rewarded with a compilation as diverse as peoples' view of the holidays, ranging from the somber expression of religious value to the whimsical, with a jab at the commercial attitude in the middle!

This series of albums draws on the forces of today's Broadway show casts who each contribute a holiday song to this double CD. All proceeds go to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Song list:
DISC ONE --
The Holiday Hop (cast of 42nd Street);
O Holy Night (Rent);
Los Peces en El Rio (Nine featuring Antonio Banderas);
Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel (Hairspray);
This Christmas Day (Beauty & the Beast);
A Christmas Lullaby (Mamma Mia!);
The Coming of Christmas (Thoroughly Modern Millie);
Rod's Christmas (Avenue Q featuring Rod);
Silent Night (Big River);
Wrapped Up Nice (Boy From Oz featuring Hugh Jackman);
DISC TWO --
I Saw Three Ships (Wicked);
Sing Out (Gypsy);
Too Fat To Fit (The Producers);
I'll Stay Strong (Aida);
Ave Maria (Taboo);
Chicago Style Jingle Bells (Chicago);
Angelo Rosenbaum (The Lion King);
How Great Our Joy / Joy to the World (Phantom);
Christmastime on Highway 13 (Urinetown);
O Tannenbaum (Cabaret featuring Raul Esparza).

It's all good, or at least interesting, and it's for a good cause.