[.ca] Holiday Pops

PRETTY DARN GOOD:
Recently saw the Philly Pops Holiday Concert in Philidelphia. Great concert, great music, great performance. Haven't listened to album yet, but since it is the same music, it must be good. Unbelievable songs, nicely done.

Neo-Sixties Holiday Cheer:
This album is something of a mixed bag. The first cut, "Celebration of Christmas," is a medley of traditional tunes that is, frankly, bad, with tacky arrangements and insipid choral singing; even the glorious Ann Hampton Calloway, trying her best, cannot drag "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" out of the lugubrious mud. The final cut is a vigorous account of Leroy Anderson's evergreen "Christmas Festival," not as suave as the classic Boston Pops version, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. The nine cuts in between are just dandy. Groovy sixties rhythms showcase Nero's signature piano stylings, while Ms. Callaway's ballads are plush and creamy. So if you hanker for some sixties pop nostalgia, skip track one and enjoy the rest of this evocative blast from the past.

A Holiday Album Like No Other:
Throw away all the other tacky trite holiday albums you've heard. This one is a jolly, hip, modern breath of fresh air. You won't believe your ears when you hear Allyn Ferguson's very clever updated take on Leroy Anderson's classics, which are artfully and spiritedly executed by Nero and the Philly Pops. Ann Hampton Callaway has a silky rich voice... and listen to that brass! This one is just plain great!

• Celebration of Christmas
• Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
• Christmas Lullaby
• White Christmas
• The Christmas Song
• Jingle Bells
• I'll Be Home For Christmas
• We Three Kings
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• Sleigh Ride
• A Christmas Festival