Nat King Cole: The Magic of Christmas Nat King Cole is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of his era, and his timeless hit "The Christmas Song" has become a holiday classic. In his album "The Magic of Christmas," Cole showcases his smooth and velvety voice, giving listeners a truly enchanting musical experience. Released in 1960, "The Magic of Christmas" features 19 tracks that capture the essence of the holiday season. The album includes beloved Christmas standards like "Deck the Halls," "O Holy Night," and "Silent Night," all arranged and performed with Cole's signature style. Each song is delivered with heartfelt sincerity, evoking feelings of nostalgia and joy in listeners. One of the standout tracks on the album is, of course, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).
My favorite thing about The Vine Witch is the setting. Set in turn-of-the-century France, the story is so saturated with history you can almost smell the wine in the pages. The language is beautiful and the writing is marvelously descriptive. The characters are interesting, and Elena especially is a great main character. She’s clever, confident, and has a tongue sharp as a whip. She sees the world through a fantastical lens of magic and superstition that will have you wishing it’s true.
As the plot thickens he gets pulled deeper and deeper into those traditions, struggling to keep his grip on his belief that there s always a scientific explanation. A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France.
One of the standout tracks on the album is, of course, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." Cole's rendition of this song has become synonymous with Christmas and is played on radios and in homes around the world during the holiday season. His warm and soothing voice combined with the timeless lyrics create a magical atmosphere that transports listeners to a cozy winter's evening by the fireplace.
Caffeinated Reviewer
A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France.
For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.
Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, and he certainly doesn't endorse the locals' belief in witches. But Elena knows a hex when she sees one, and the vineyard is covered in them. To stay on and help the vines recover, she'll have to hide her true identity, along with her plans for revenge against whoever stole seven winters of her life. And she won't rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley.
The Vine Witch written by Luanne G. Smith and narrated by Susannah Jones transports the listener to twentieth century France as it shares a tale of witches, magic, mystery and love.
Elena Boureanu is a vine witch who casts spells to enhance the vineyards of the Château Renard, situated in the Chanceaux Valley. Or at least she did before someone cast a spell on her.
She had been missing seven years. Most suspected she was dead. Upon her return she discovers the woman she thinks of as a grandmother has sold the vineyards to Jean-Paul Martel. Jean-Paul is a former lawyer and man of science who doesn’t believe in the areas practice of vine witches, but something is wrong with the vineyards. Elena will need to do some serious work to save them. She has other plans as well and those involve poison and revenge.
What a delightful tale from the setting to the paranormal elements. I loved everything from the characters to the dirt in the vineyards. I can hardly believe this is Smith’s debut novel. Fans of fantasy like the Discovery of Witches will want to add this series to their bookshelves. I am actually hoping the movie rights are acquired as these would be delightful on the big screen.
The tale delivered a few twists, as we discover who cursed Elena. This first book wraps up nicely, and I am curious to see what book two, The Glamourist, brings us in June of 2020.
Susannah Jones was a new to me narrated by she quickly added voice to these characters enhancing emotions, tensions and quirks. Through pacing and tone she helped to build the suspense and add tension to key moments. Subtle inflection brought a genuineness to the romantic elements.
A fantastic debut, The Vine Witch has left me excited to read more from this author.
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Another highlight of the album is "Joy to the World," a jubilant and uplifting interpretation of the traditional Christmas carol. Cole's dynamic performance brings an infectious energy to the song, making it impossible not to feel the holiday spirit. In "The Magic of Christmas," Nat King Cole demonstrates his remarkable vocal range and ability to effortlessly convey emotions through his singing. His seamless phrasing, impeccable timing, and smooth delivery make every song on the album a true masterpiece. Cole's captivating voice combined with the timeless holiday melodies have made "The Magic of Christmas" a cherished album, loved by generations. Even though Nat King Cole is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his music. His magical interpretation of Christmas songs continues to enchant audiences and remind us of the joy and beauty of the holiday season. "The Magic of Christmas" is a testament to Cole's extraordinary talent and his ability to create music that transcends time. In conclusion, Nat King Cole's album "The Magic of Christmas" is a must-listen during the holiday season. His captivating voice, combined with the timeless Christmas classics, creates a truly magical and nostalgic experience for listeners. Whether you are gathering with loved ones, decorating the Christmas tree, or simply enjoying a cozy evening at home, this album is the perfect accompaniment to create a festive and joyful atmosphere. Nat King Cole truly captures the magic of Christmas with his remarkable talent and heartfelt performances..
Reviews for "Nat King Cole's Christmas: A Tradition to Cherish"
1. John - 2 stars
I was extremely disappointed with "Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas". While I adore Nat King Cole's voice, I found the arrangements on this album to be lackluster and uninspiring. The songs all seemed to blend together, with no standout tracks that really grabbed my attention. Additionally, the production felt dated, and the overall sound quality was subpar. I had high hopes for a magical and enchanting Christmas album, but unfortunately, this one fell short for me.
2. Emily - 1 star
I can't understand why "Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas" is considered a classic. The performances on this album lack depth and emotion, and it feels like Nat King Cole was just going through the motions. The songs lack the festive spirit and joy that I look for in a Christmas album. It's all so forgettable, and I found myself wanting to skip to the next track within seconds of each song starting. Save yourself the disappointment and choose another Christmas album to listen to this holiday season.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas" given its title, but sadly, it failed to live up to its promises. The arrangements were predictable and uninspiring, and it felt like I've heard these versions of the songs a million times before. Nat King Cole's voice is undeniably beautiful, but it wasn't enough to salvage the lackluster performances. Overall, this album left me feeling indifferent and craving something more unique and exciting for the holiday season.
4. Mike - 3 stars
While I didn't dislike "Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas", I found it to be rather underwhelming. The album features many well-known Christmas classics, but the arrangements were too traditional and stayed too close to the original renditions. I was hoping for more of a fresh take on these songs. Don't get me wrong, Nat King Cole's voice is still exceptional, but the lack of innovation and creativity in this album made it feel like just another run-of-the-mill Christmas album.
5. Lisa - 2 stars
"Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas" left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. The album lacks diversity in its song choices, with many of them sounding similar and blending together. It didn't bring anything new to the table. While Nat King Cole's voice is undeniably soothing, it couldn't save this album from being forgettable. I was hoping for more depth and enchantment, but unfortunately, it fell short in delivering a truly magical Christmas experience.