Audio CD review:
Melissa Manchester - Joy

Melissa Manchester - Joy

Band: Melissa Manchester Title: Joy Rating: Release Date: 1997-11-04 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Melissa Manchester, Blane, Ralph 2: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Melissa Manchester, Berlin, Irving 3: Please Come Home for Christmas - Melissa Manchester, Brown, Charles [1] 4: When You Wish Upon a Star - Melissa Manchester, Harline, Leigh 5: I'll Be Home for Christmas - Melissa Manchester, Gannon, Kim 6: There's Still My Joy - Melissa Manchester, Rollings, Matt 7: White Christmas - Melissa Manchester, Berlin, Irving 8: Christmas Angel - Melissa Manchester, Manchester, Melissa 9: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Melissa Manchester, Torme, Mel 10: Christmas Time Is Here - Melissa Manchester, Guaraldi, Vince 11: A Cradle in Bethlehem - Melissa Manchester, Stock, Larry

Melissa's Romantic Christmas Each cd is different, Peabo's leans more toward traditional, Roberta's r&b, and Melissa's a quiet jazz piece featuring small ensemble. I bought this cd along with Roberta Flack's and Peabo Bryson's when Angel records, a subsid of Capital, released holiday cd's from these seasoned professionals at the same time in 1997 and each artist was between recording contracts so these albums is a one-off for each of them. Roberta and Peabo recorded a duet "As Long As There's Christmas" for a Disney project and the song ended up on both their cd's. Melissa wrote the beautiful "There's Still My Joy" and her version has a Celtic feel, Roberta covered it for her Christmas cd and her reading leans toward r&b. I had the pleasure of attending a holiday concert featuring both ladies touring to support their cd's and "There's Still My Joy" was one of the songs featured and Melissa stated the song takes on a life of it's own at each venue, not knowing in advance what the genre will be. The version I heard at that concert was a pop version, I much prefer Melissa's. This album as a whole is beautiful vocal jazz, "When You Wish Upon A Star" is a surprise, stripped of it's sugary gloss and laid bare; a startling beauty. This entire album is an acoustic delight and Melissa's voice is complimented by her accompaniment and doesn't go into full voice which creates a laid back listening experience. . 10 Years of Joy = Classic Joy This Holiday collection is alot softer which shines with warmth. Melissa's trademark has been big ballads. Each song flows nicely with the last. Melissa made this a unique holiday CD by adding the children's classic When You Wish Upon A Star and the standard I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (which is my favorite track!). There are also 2 originals. The stunning There's Still My Joy and the tasty jazz-tinged Christmas Angel (Reminds me Holly Cole's Christmas EP). Other highlights include Christmas Time Is Here from Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, The Christmas Song and The Eagles made popular Please Come Home For Christmas. There is also a very rare video of the later song as well. It has been 10 years since the original release of Joy in 1997 on Angel Records. Capitol picked it up shortly thereafter and now Koch does a great job at this re-issue. Everything is exactly as the original. The sound is even better! I am surprised that they did not include last years, My Christmas Song For You, which would have been a great opening song for this set. The other 3 songs missing from here are her awesome version of Silent Night (recorded in 1990). There is a slightly different version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Amy Grant's, Breath Of Heaven from The Colors Of Christmas released in 1998. This is a classic holiday CD in the tradition of Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole and Doris Day or Tony Bennett. Melissa's Voice Shines Her voice is as clear as a bell. Like a Christmas star, Melissa brightens the holidays with a jazzy, heartfelt Christmas album that is an instant classic. "There's Still My Joy" is an amazing song. But every song on this album is given a beautiful rendition and an impeccable arrangement. A must have to listen to while trimming the tree. Melissa Is a Joy! A mixture of holiday and seasonal songs that can be enjoyed throughout the winter season. Melissa shines in this jazzy holiday treat. A welcome addition to anyone's holiday music collection. A REAL Joy! This Holiday collection is alot softer which shines with warmth. Melissa's trademark has been big ballads. Each song flows nicely with the last. Melissa made this a unique holiday CD by adding the children's classic When You Wish Upon A Star and the standard I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (which is my favorite track!). There are also 2 originals. The stunning There's Still My Joy and the tasty jazz-tinged Christmas Angel (Reminds me Holly Cole's Christmas EP). There are 3 songs missing from here. Her awesome version of Silent Night, a slightly different version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Amy Grant's, Breath Of Heaven. The later 2 are from Colors Of Christmas. She could have easily included her new solo version of A Mother's Prayer. Nevertheless, this is a Classic holiday CD in the tradition of Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole and Doris Day. You can see a complete list of all Melissa Manchester discography, or go back to the Melissa Manchester tabs