Stereo alone can t make a great album - What many people may not know is that Lanza recorded the Lanza Sings Christmas Carols LP twice: A mono version in 1956 (RCA # LM-2029), recorded in America, and a stereo version in 1958 (RCA #LSC-2333), recorded in Italy. Unfortunately, Lanza s performance isn t nearly as good the second time around. The first album offers Lanza at his very best, putting his entire heart and soul into every note, on the second album he sounds like he s singing in his sleep. However, substandard Lanza is still miles ahead of the competition, and both albums are now available on CD for fans to compare for themselves: The second album is available under its original title, and the earlier album has been reissued (with several bonus tracks) as Christmas With Mario Lanza (RCA # 6427-2-RG, with the cover showing a smiling Lanza against a red backround).
Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols - Haven t heard these beautiful songs since I had the original RPM records. It was marvelous to be able to find and purchase this CD. Many Thanks
Missing a song - I have the original Lanza Sings Christmas Carols on LP. Strangely, the CD is missing It Came Upon A Midnight Clear which is on the LP.
Stirring Christmas Carols - One of the best Christmas albums ever - Mario Lanza is amazing. Great songs, great singer - buy it, you won t regret it.
Contractual obligation spoken here - Mario Lanza was truly one of the greatest tenors of all time. No one before him or since has intrepreted Christmas music with the same religious fervor, the same passion, or the same touch that he brought to the most beloved hymns and carols. So why this poor excuse of a CD - recorded just months before his death- would ever be released when so many of his better recordings - made earlier in his career - are available, is a mystery. Those looking for the best Christmas offerings by Lanza need look no further than Christmas Hymns and Carols, or the later, more available release, Christmas with Mario Lanza, which contains all the same recordings plus a few other offerings as well (including Deck the Halls and I ll Walk With God). The problem with Lanza Sings Christmas Carols is that, like another reviewer here notes, there is little passion in these recordings. It sounds like a collection of one-takers recorded in a single session. For example, in the recording of God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen, Lanza forgets the meter on the line and unto certain she-e-perds.. and instead sings it unto certain shep-errrds. It sounds clumsy. Later in the song, his emphasis on how that in Bethlehem wazzzzz born is misplaced and almost comical. I think he did add a few verses to some of the recordings (it s been a long while since I heard this CD), but for the most part, they re just re-hacked remakes that don t even come close to replicating the versions recorded before them. The worst ommision on this CD is Lanza s immortal recording of Oh Holy Night, which, to my knowledge, has only one version available. My guess is that Mario knew he couldn t improve on perfection, so he opted to pass on an attempt to re-record what to many has become his signature song. I realize that even a bad Lanza is better-than-average by most people s standards. Even so, if you like this CD, you ll be pleased to know that there are better offerings out there to hear.