Customer Rating: Summary: don't believe I've ever heard anything lovelier Comment: I had not heard this album until this year (2008) when my local NPR station played about half of it at one go while I was driving down the highway. Like all the previous reviewers (but one), I think it's absolutely lovely. My only complaint was that my eyes kept tearing up while I needed to see the road. I simply can't imagine a more beautiful voice, or more beautiful delivery of these songs. (A little later I heard the great Jessye Norman singing some of the same material, and my feeling was that her versions are very impressive to the ears -- but Kathleen's strike right to the heart.)
Customer Rating: Summary: All that glitters... Comment: Sometimes lovely but marred by an overall sense of caution. Kathleen Battle, who sang with such warmth on "Pleasures of Their Company"(her "Ave Maria" on that recording is miraculous)reins her voice in on every song. Incredibly, she shies away from the vowel 'e', turning Maria into Mariah. As pretty and brittle as a glass ball.
Customer Rating: Summary: Shimmers and shivers Comment: This is a glorious Christmas CD that everyone who loves the season should have. What a joyful noise spills from the throat of this lady! If you have this album along with Maureen Mcgovern's Christmas CD...believe me you will be set for Christmas with Kathleen providing the Classical and Maureen providing a Pop/Jazzy feel. You won't be able to help playing these albums year round!
Customer Rating: Summary: Bathleen Battle Celebration of Christmas Comment: Kathleen Battle has a crisp,clear voice that is un-equaled. This cd is a joy to listen too all year round not just during the Christmas season.
Customer Rating: Summary: Sublime! Comment: (Review by Minionette)
I rarely buy Christmas music, but I came across this CD at a garage sale & went for it because of the performer. For pennies, it was worth trying out. Oh my. This album dropped down from heaven. Battle's voice is soaring yet sweet, & great care is evident in her impeccable styling & phrasing of even the foreign language carols. You may feel, as I have, that one is finally hearing each song as it was meant to sound.
