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Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Joy to the World |
| 2. Still, still, still |
| 3. Carol of the Bells |
| 4. Veni, Veni Emmanuel |
| 5. Once in Royal David's City |
| 6. O Holy Night |
| 7. White Christmas |
| 8. Corpus Christi Carol |
| 9. In Dulci Jubilo |
| 10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas |
| 11. Sing the Story |
| 12. Coventry Carol |
| 13. The First Nowell |
| 14. Jubilate Deo |
| 15. While Shepherds watched their Flocks |
| 16. Lullabye (Goodnight my angel) |
Product Description
Review
It seems extraordinary that Libera have taken until 2011 to release their first Christmas album. It isn't just that this chart-topping choir of seven- to 16-year-old boys has been in existence in its current form since around the mid-1990s, performing the arrangements and original compositions of their musical director, Robert Prizeman. It's also that their very raison d'être is to bestow warm, fluffy feelings upon their listeners. Read their promotional blurb and you'll be promised "unique celestial sounds for the modern age", with "shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies". Underlining these promises are album titles such as Eternal and Peace, and their performing garb of white monastic cowls. Certainly, if ever a choir were made for Christmas it's Libera, and The Christmas Album's 16-track programme is a reassuringly familiar mix of traditional carols such as Joy to the World and Once in Royal David's City, and more recent favourites including White Christmas and Carol of the Bells. Less familiar is how they've been reinterpreted, Libera-style, by Prizeman.
Given that the Libera product is essentially tranquil mood albums, perhaps it's wrong to feel surprised and disappointed to discover this disc to be a one-flavour offering. Somehow, though, it's impossible not to be. Christmas music is wonderful for its variety, from the bright punch of Joy to the World and the awe-filled reverence of Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, to the heart-warming schmaltz of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. However, under Prizeman's pen, a programme that on paper looks stylistically wide-ranging has become a homogenous mass of smooth, sweet, limp sentimentality, heavy on the keyboards and unable to shake off an all-pervasive air of being over-produced. The boys themselves have attractive voices and effortless top registers, but their vocal delivery has been developed to complement Prizeman's compositional style and sounds manufactured. It's as though they've been told, "Sing as you imagine a chorister should sound, but with a hint of boyband, too." It's soft, occasionally breathy, sweet and smooth, with the odd portamento thrown in for good measure. It lacks the clear, true, crisp boyish exuberence produced by the trebles of top UK cathedral choirs such as Westminster Abbey, King's College, Cambridge or Wells Cathedral choirs, whose own Christmas discs will provide much longer-lasting listening pleasure.
It's such a shame. Libera is a non-profit choir. Its boys are drawn from a wide range of south London schools, encompassing a good spread of social backgrounds. They're evidentally talented, and they work phenomenally hard. It would have been far more satisfying to have given their disc a glowing review. Humbug.
--Charlotte Gardner
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Libera's long-awaited festive collection, The Christmas Album, features a mixture of popular, secular and sacred Christmas repertoire. Ideally suited to this type of music, the boy band's unique "celestial sounds for the modern age" are aimed at music lovers seeking peace and respite in the midst of today's chaotic world.
"We're delighted to be releasing our first ever Christmas album on EMI", said Robert Prizeman, Libera's Music Director. "It's something the group has long wanted to do, having performed a number of these songs on stage over the past few years as well as featuring on Aled Jones's Christmas albums. We're very proud of the results."
Well known in the UK through appearances on programmes such as the BBC's Last Choir Standing, the Royal Variety Show and Songs of Praise, Libera was formed in 1999. The name comes from the band's signature song based on the Libera Me portion of the Requiem Mass. The 24 boys aged 7-16 who make up Libera come from a variety of backgrounds and attend local schools in South London. They do not think of themselves as choirboys, but as an alternative kind of boy band. Through their involvement in Libera, they have travelled the world, recorded movie soundtracks and CDs, and served as backing singers to Elton John, Björk and Pavarotti. Their love of singing comes across clearly in their performances and recordings.
Previous bestselling albums from three-time Classical BRIT nominees Libera include Peace, Angel Voices, Free, Visions, and New Dawn. Peace, released in 2010, reached #1 in the UK, Japanese and Philippine classical charts.
This deluxe edition includes a special Libera Christmas tree decoration and 16 exclusive postcards featuring song lyrics and pictures of the Libera singers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
You can always tell when Christmas is approaching round our way. The shops that have been decorated since September, the light shows on the houses, the Christmas trees, the smell of mince pies...and the sound of 'Angel Voices 3' emanating from my house. Yes, this album of Yuletide songs by St Philips Boys' Choir (Libera in a previous life) has been an annual favourite of mine for many years and I couldn't imagine Christmas without it. Until now.
Because Libera have once again shown that it is possible to improve on perfection by bringing out this superb collection of carols and Christmas songs, some familiar and some not, but all with the traditional stamp of Libera quality. A brilliant blend of nostalgia and the contemporary, 'The Christmas Album' will make your Christmas complete.
So I'll now just lay my 'Angel Voices 3' CD to rest in the attic. Its work is done.
Additional notes added 26th November 2011: Having just read the laughable BBC review above, I'm just wondering if we're talking about the same album! The reviewer talks about over-production and compares this superb CD with Christmas contributions by other church choirs. What nonsense! That is like comparing champagne with petrol. They are completely different.
Libera has a unique style that is extremely popular with their fans worldwide. It may not be in the style of traditional cathedral choirs but that, surely, is the whole point. If he wants to listen to Christmas music done the way it has been done for decades, there is plenty to choose from. And he can keep it! Libera is the most refreshing phenomenon to hit the music industry in years in a style that I, for one, absolutely love!
Because Libera have once again shown that it is possible to improve on perfection by bringing out this superb collection of carols and Christmas songs, some familiar and some not, but all with the traditional stamp of Libera quality. A brilliant blend of nostalgia and the contemporary, 'The Christmas Album' will make your Christmas complete.
So I'll now just lay my 'Angel Voices 3' CD to rest in the attic. Its work is done.
Additional notes added 26th November 2011: Having just read the laughable BBC review above, I'm just wondering if we're talking about the same album! The reviewer talks about over-production and compares this superb CD with Christmas contributions by other church choirs. What nonsense! That is like comparing champagne with petrol. They are completely different.
Libera has a unique style that is extremely popular with their fans worldwide. It may not be in the style of traditional cathedral choirs but that, surely, is the whole point. If he wants to listen to Christmas music done the way it has been done for decades, there is plenty to choose from. And he can keep it! Libera is the most refreshing phenomenon to hit the music industry in years in a style that I, for one, absolutely love!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I totally agree with Jeff Carter's review above. I must have listened to a different album than the BBC reviewer.
Quote: "However, under Prizeman's pen, a programme that on paper looks stylistically wide-ranging has become a homogenous mass of smooth, sweet, limp sentimentality, heavy on the keyboards and unable to shake off an all-pervasive air of being over-produced." It's as though they've been told, "Sing as you imagine a chorister should sound, but with a hint of boyband, too. It's soft, occasionally breathy, sweet and smooth, with the odd portamento thrown in for good measure. It lacks the clear, true, crisp boyish exuberence produced by the trebles of top UK cathedral choirs such as Westminster Abbey, King's College, Cambridge or Wells Cathedral choirs, whose own Christmas discs will provide much longer-lasting listening pleasure."
What utter rubbish, Libera are Libera. That is what I and many thousands more like about them. They have their own sound and style which is unique. That surely is something to be commended, not scorned upon. They have taken choral music into the 21st century and given it popular appeal.
I presume this is the same BBC reviewer as the one that derided their Peace album (must be one of the - The only music is classical music brigade). I just cannot see the point in reviewing an album when you so blatantly do not like them, it just seems pointless.
I do not like 99.9% of classical music - it is dull, dreary, and goes on far to long. So what would be the point in me reviewing the vast majority of classical albums - none!
Now I have that rant out of the way on to the album. It is superb like the rest of their albums, beautiful harmonies and stunning solos. Stand out song for me is Veni, Veni Emmanuel, wonderful, spine tingling stuff.
If you are unsure about buying the album, don't be, it is fabulous.
Just for the record I do not work for EMI!
Quote: "However, under Prizeman's pen, a programme that on paper looks stylistically wide-ranging has become a homogenous mass of smooth, sweet, limp sentimentality, heavy on the keyboards and unable to shake off an all-pervasive air of being over-produced." It's as though they've been told, "Sing as you imagine a chorister should sound, but with a hint of boyband, too. It's soft, occasionally breathy, sweet and smooth, with the odd portamento thrown in for good measure. It lacks the clear, true, crisp boyish exuberence produced by the trebles of top UK cathedral choirs such as Westminster Abbey, King's College, Cambridge or Wells Cathedral choirs, whose own Christmas discs will provide much longer-lasting listening pleasure."
What utter rubbish, Libera are Libera. That is what I and many thousands more like about them. They have their own sound and style which is unique. That surely is something to be commended, not scorned upon. They have taken choral music into the 21st century and given it popular appeal.
I presume this is the same BBC reviewer as the one that derided their Peace album (must be one of the - The only music is classical music brigade). I just cannot see the point in reviewing an album when you so blatantly do not like them, it just seems pointless.
I do not like 99.9% of classical music - it is dull, dreary, and goes on far to long. So what would be the point in me reviewing the vast majority of classical albums - none!
Now I have that rant out of the way on to the album. It is superb like the rest of their albums, beautiful harmonies and stunning solos. Stand out song for me is Veni, Veni Emmanuel, wonderful, spine tingling stuff.
If you are unsure about buying the album, don't be, it is fabulous.
Just for the record I do not work for EMI!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've long been a fan of Mr Prizeman's "Libera",the best Choir on the planet!
Last year, I posted that I wish they would release a Christmas album; well,
they just did, so thanks so much for listening to your fans:-)
As always, the vocals are awesome,a very good and generous mix of secular and
sacred songs; I love it so much I'm ordering additional copies to give as gifts;
I listen to it all the time; the addition of beautiful pictures of the band with
the words from the songs,as well as the extra Christmas tree ornament is a nice touch!
Get the Deluxe Edition, it's a must!
The quality presentation of this deluxe edition is a much appreciated
addition to my Christmas music collection; congratulations on this new Masterpiece
and Happy Holidays to all Libera members, past and present, you guys bring so much
joy and inspiration in my life; Cheers from Canada!
and Thank You,Thank You,Thank You!!
(P.S.: you can listen to samples on Amazon.com)
Last year, I posted that I wish they would release a Christmas album; well,
they just did, so thanks so much for listening to your fans:-)
As always, the vocals are awesome,a very good and generous mix of secular and
sacred songs; I love it so much I'm ordering additional copies to give as gifts;
I listen to it all the time; the addition of beautiful pictures of the band with
the words from the songs,as well as the extra Christmas tree ornament is a nice touch!
Get the Deluxe Edition, it's a must!
The quality presentation of this deluxe edition is a much appreciated
addition to my Christmas music collection; congratulations on this new Masterpiece
and Happy Holidays to all Libera members, past and present, you guys bring so much
joy and inspiration in my life; Cheers from Canada!
and Thank You,Thank You,Thank You!!
(P.S.: you can listen to samples on Amazon.com)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Libera The Christmas Album
I really enjoyed this album. It has the distinctive sound of Libera,singing classic Christmas carols in their own beautiful style. Read more
Published 6 days ago by maggiesollors
Sounds of Christmas
Having once heard this beautiful spine tingling choir sing you will make it part of your Christmas for years to come.
Published 4 months ago by physical
worth the wait
all of the carols and others are so beautiful.I thought I could only play at Christmas but no it will be played as often as I want to hear the album which will be over and over... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ms. B. M. Gallagher
Great CD & music
All the songs, and generally also the whole music of Libera, is wonderful and worth to everyone command. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MJ
Simply superb!
The Christmas Album (Libera) is a wonderful collection of Christmas music presented with stunning arrangements. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jim E.
The BBC are so wrong
Did the person from the BBC who wrote the review for Libera`s Christmas Album, have a bad day, or did they give him the job because he always talks rubbish? Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. Jeens
A fresh sound of Christmas
In a time when just about every recording artist cuts a "Christmas" album, the London-based boy choir Libera offers us a fresh and new, truly Christmas-like, selection which should... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Edwin R. Ibanez
Fantastic!
This purchase was my first Libera CD, bought mainly because I wanted a recording of Carol of the Bells. Read more
Published 5 months ago by E.P.
Libera = perfection!
[...]
Once again Libera have proved that whatever they turn their attention to, they make it absolutely perfect in all respects. The BBC review above is pure trash. Read more
Once again Libera have proved that whatever they turn their attention to, they make it absolutely perfect in all respects. The BBC review above is pure trash. Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. P. Luckwill
libera The christmas Album
This is simply Beautiful.
A great mixture of mostly traditional carols mixed with a few standard favourite Christmas songs. The voices are sublime. Highly recommended.
A great mixture of mostly traditional carols mixed with a few standard favourite Christmas songs. The voices are sublime. Highly recommended.
Published 6 months ago by Keith Hancock
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