Track Listing

1. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
2. Hope We Hold
3. Glow Worm/It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
4. Silver Bells
5. Christmas Without You
6. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
8. Winter Wonderland
9. Christmas Song
10. White Christmas
11. Hold Out for Christmas
12. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28625 in Music
• Released on: 2000-10-24
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Holiday music is a great tradition for vocal groups everywhere, so it seems a natural choice for a cappella quintet Rockapella. The rock-pop-jazz group that went from cult favorite to national Folgers Coffee phenomenon fills their first Christmas album with the standards you'd expect ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Christmas Song") as well as three originals by member Scott Leonard: "The Hope You Hold," "Christmas Without You," and "Hold Out for Christmas" (a lovely ballad that had been included on their J-Bird debut). While the album as a whole is somewhat conservatively tilted toward jazz and doo-wop sounds, they enjoy a bit of whimsy with "Glow Worm," and fans of big bass Barry Carl will especially enjoy his featured spot on the funkiest track, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Another triumph from these indescribably talented gentlemen
Back in May, Barry Carl suggested using this album as "Xmas Prozac." More mellow than the usual Rockapella offering, this CD features the band's outstanding ability to sing crystal clear harmonies. While many of the songs include Jeff Thatcher's inventive vocal percussion, several have no VP at all ("I was eating falafel," he joked in the newsletter). This is the perfect type of music to play while the family is eating the holiday dinner or opening presents. The first two tracks are uplifting tributes to the spirit of the season; I was affected by the pure strains highlighted in "I Heard the Bells..." "Glow Worm" is a welcomed import from a Japanese CD and is one of several on this album that are nostalgiac... that 1940's band feel. Superb! Those who have come to expect a heart-wrenching ballad by Scott Leonard each release will not be disappointed by "Christmas Without You": "At least you left the lights; okay, half; probably the ones that blink." The final cut, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," is the strongest rock tune here and puts Barry's expressive bass in the spotlight. Buy the CD, play it in traffic, and I defy you not to drive around with a giant grin on your face. If you're ready to be put in a festive mood, this is a flawless addition to your holiday tunes collection. It hits the spot like soft chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate. Even the album liner is clever and warm-fuzzy inducing.

If only the radio would play these guys!!
Let me tell you right off the bat here people, this cd is a classic. Sure these songs of have been recorded before by thousands of artist, but these guys turn these songs into new and refreshing material. They have two originals that are, or should be up there with the old classics. The first song must be heard with headphones on to hear all harmonies intertwined inside the words. Unbelievable!! I can't say enough how talented ROCKAPELLA is and how they can establish new inovations with thier voices. Barry... you have got the only voice that could ever do "your a mean one mr grinch" and the laugh at the end...man...gives me goose bumps.

Rockapella Christmas
Yup, I am a diehard fan. I actually saw Rockapella two times this weekend, as they were touring in my area. Even better in person, and realy nice guys to talk to. Anyway - my review :-)

This CD has a good mix of traditional Christmas music, as well as some Christmas songs written by Scott Leonard, a member of Rockapella. Scott has a way for writing sentimental, tug at the heart-strings type songs, so of course his Christmas material proves no different.

Rockapella, as always, has a very unique sound, with 5 very talented men in the group. Each one is an asset in themselves. Put them together, and you have something that borders on vocal perfection.

I highly recommend any Rockapella recording, whether it be this one, or another.

There are a total of 12 songs on the CD. Three of them, I believe, are original material, and the rest are adaptations of traditional Christmas music. Songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Silver Bells" are just a few of the well known songs on this CD.

This CD is a sure thing to play for a holiday gathering! Happy Holidays.