Christmas With the New Christy Minstrels: Complete by New Christy Minstrels (CD, Dec-2004, Collectors' Choice Music)

In the late 1960's my parents bought a New Christy Minstrels Christmas Long Play record. I have had a Christmas song from that record banging around inside my head for over three decades. I've spent hours looking through old vinyl in used book stores and Salvation Army stores, but I never could find that record. I even wondered if I might have been mistaken about the group that recorded it. Enter, the World Wide Web! This summer I searched for the lyrics of my long lost song, Sing Hosanna, Hallelujah.

Then I checked Amazon.com, and found that long sought album in used vinyl for a pretty hefty price. Having bought and sold over 600 items under various eBay ID's, I quickly searched and found both LP's on a single CD for well less than the scratchy used vinyl album (under $15, including shipping; YES!) I shouldn't mention the seller here, and though the shipping took longer than usual, I was so happy to play this CD that I gave him all 5's. It was late in July, and I was loving this great Christmas music!

Along with the great music are some great notes on the group and the individual singers and who played what instruments. So many of these musicians went on to form other famous groups. One of the most striking aspects on the New Christy's music is their sheer vocal ability, their precision and the clean crisp sound they produced. To write this review, I put the CD back on and played it as I barbequed beef-kabobs for the family. It is September 4th as I sit listening to it the second time this evening. My kids said the kabobs were fantastic, but it is this music that I’m really enjoying. Cut six, “Sing Hosanna, Hallelujah” still makes me just shut up and listen, ‘till the high tenor hangs on to the last note of the chorus and turns it into a coda… I CAN”T HELP singing along, and I’m no tenor!

Maybe I wouldn’t enjoy it so much if I hadn’t had this tune in my head (with too few of the words) for the last 30 some years, but I think I would. Like so many others, I sang in high school and college choral groups. The two albums were made by completely different groups of singers (same group, different people), and I prefer the first for it's more folky style. Their choral sound, accuracy, harmony and enthusiasm still force me to listen. I’m sold! Ladies and gentlemen, let me recommend, for your listening pleasure, “Christmas With the New Christy Minstrels!” If you enjoy GOOD vocal music, you will enjoy this CD at a fantastic eBay price! Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

Paid for CD with paypal in December but never received the product. I would appreciate being told why it has never been send and would like a tracking number.

I grew up with this album playing at Christmas time. My dad made a cassette tape of it and my kids and I wore it out. So this year I treated myself to the CD with a bonus second album included. The songs are great to sing along with. Now I have to buy it for my sister next Christmas.