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O Holy Night

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Sara Groves

October 21, 2008
I actually would like to rate this album 4.5 stars. It's not perfect, but its highs pull it towards 5 stars more than its lows pull it towards four stars.

I often think that artists tread upon dangerous ground when they alter the melodies of all-time favorite hymns and carols. Sometimes it works (see Fernando Ortega), often it doesn't. Sara Groves alters the melodies of several standard carols on this album, and I have to say, the results are fabulous. They are actually the strength of the album in my opinion. In particular I found "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" to be excellent renditions that I am excited to add to my Christmas music rotation.

In addition to the standard carols, ... Read More:

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Home for Christmas

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Barlowgirl

September 23, 2008
If you're looking for some nice Christmas music this holiday, you've found it here. I wish it would have included a bonus cd of rock versions of these songs in the vein of their version of 'O Holy Night' that is on a different compilation, but that's ok this is still great!

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All Over the Place

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
starring: Frank Caliendo
directed by: Frank Caliendo

September 16, 2008
Frank is a funny guy with a lot of voices, but unfortunately this routine doesn't really do much with them. If you're a fan of Frank's CD release, you'll have heard about 80% of this act. It's kind of sad that he's had years between that CD and this release, but he hasn't come up with much new material. Brian Regan and Jeff Dunham have released 2 DVDs in the past two years and come up with completely new acts.

What little new material that is there is funny at times. Absolutely the standout moment in the show is a part of the bonus materials. It's an encore presentation in which Frank does a Jonathan Winters impression that is absolutely hilarious and spot-on. Then it's back to his standard "Chris Farley is Batman" closer.

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Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Frank Sinatra

October 26, 2004
I enjoy Frank, I enjoy crooners. This cd has a number of very good songs on it, however, it has some that are not as enjoyable. It is nice to hear Mr. Sinatra and the family sing some songs together, however, they aren't really great to listen to more than once. I'm terribly sorry I didn't like it. Again there are a lot of good tunes on this cd, just be preparred for a few you won't always want to listen to.

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Songs for Christmas

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Sufjan Stevens

November 21, 2006
This is what introduced me to Sufjan (and I have never been the same!). My mother, who is in her mid 50s, loves this set. I secretly look forward to Thanksgiving because I can put the album in my cd player for the next couple of months...and we play it while we're taking our tree down so we can enjoy it one last time before putting Christmas stuff up. It has many traditional Christmas songs, as well as some he has written, and some stellar renditions of old hymns that will be familiar to many. This has to be the best Christmas album ever.

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December

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Chris Botti

October 10, 2006
Chris is to the trumpet what musak (sp.?)is to the elevator. It's not that he's not a proficient player--he is. It's that his music is so homoegenous and bland. It just drones on and on regardless of what he's playing. Too bad--he could be very creative and engaging, but not to these ears.

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Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - The Complete First Season

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
starring: Brooks, Harry, Beverly Keeley, Andre Millan, Cesar Millan
directed by: Jim Milio, Mark Cole, SueAnn Fincke

May 23, 2006
Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - The Complete First Season
This is a very helpful tool for improving the human canine bond. Every time I watch it, I learn something new. It is great for people who can't get the National Geographic Channel.

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Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: Various Artists

September 17, 2002
I have to say I'm kind of addicted to Christmas music, usually beginning to play it each year in August. I always make it a point to try and add 2-3 CDs per year to my collection. This happens to be one of my favorite seasonal collections. It has a great range of songs and artists, from Bing Crosby to the Beach Boys to the Chipmunks. Although this is a two CD version of a larger compilation from Time-Life that was advertised for years on TV it still provides plenty of seasonal music to enjoy.

Some of my favorites included here is Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" (a much better version that Madonna's more recent attempt), Burl Ives "A Holly Jolly Christmas", The Drifters version of "White Christmas", and one of my all time favorites, Bing Crosby ... Read More:

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Christmas Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
by: The Carpenters

September 22, 1998
a very touching album. it was so much cheaper to get this double CD set. a very pretty, touching sound. it's karen's pretty voice. the cd cover photo is a bit grainy & the rest of the group should have been on the front cover. enjoy.

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Free to Be You and Me

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Miscellaneous
starring: Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda, Harry Belafonte, Mel Brooks, Rita Coolidge
directed by: Fred Wolf, Len Steckler, Bill Davis (VI)

November 20, 2001
What's to say?
Free to Be You and Me is timeless, brilliant, and super fun for kids of all ages.
Great cast, wonderfully imaginative songs.
Too bad nobody's making an updated version!