Mormon Tabernacle at their Best, December 18, 2000

This is classic Mormon Tabernacle Christmas music. This is a must in everyone's Christmas collection. We have enjoyed them for decades on LP. We were not disappointed in this CD. Their voices are full and vibrant as ever. Their enunciation and diction is so clear you understand each word. Their selection consists of the classic carols, and modern Christmas songs. A choice between the CD,"Sleigh Ride" with the subtitle of the Mormon Tabernacle and this CD favors this one; as the other only has one selection actually song by the choir.

After listening to many recordings by this choir - and many of their Christmas recordings - I have come to the conclusion that their tendency to add elements such as a brass and percussion ensemble interferes with their presentation of music. (In this recording, they are joined by the Columbia Brass and Percussion Ensemble.) The programm here brings out the greatest hits of Christmas - and it is odd perhaps to hear them perform a number such as WINTER WONDERLAND. The singing is uniformly fair to good, becoming exceptional in HALLELUJAH CHORUS and FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN. One thinks back to the great Christmas recordings they have done - two LPs come to mind - THE HOLLY AND THE IVY and THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR SINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS. And their excellent LP under Leonard Bernstein. That is the sound that suits them best. The straightforward, unadorned sound that made them famous.

I had this recording on vinyl in the 80's but broke it off by accident, and I've missed it every Christmas since. I recently purchased it on CD format, I love Xmas music and for me, this certainly is the best Christmas album ever released. The mix between organ and choruses is fantastic. The renditions of the "Carol of the Bells",the "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night" are unforgettable. A must have.