2008 Press Archives

Christmas discs arrive just in time

The Star-Ledger

Friday December 05, 2008

Bradley Bambarger

Death has not stopped Elvis Presley from releasing a Christmas album this year. His "Christmas Duets" album, featuring virtual duets with country-pop artists like Gretchen Wilson and Martina McBride, was released in October. As usual, lots of living artists — including big names like Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Yo-Yo Ma and Al Jarreau — are getting in on the holiday CD action, too. Here are reviews of some of the best of the '08 crop. . . .

"A Princeton Christmas: For the Children of Africa, Vol. 2"

Various artists

(Princeton Christmas)

After an admirable first volume of "A Princeton Christmas" last year, various Princeton vocal groups have banded together for another reminder of the holiday's giving spirit. Proceeds from sales of this 18-track, mostly a cappella album — available as either a CD from princetonchristmas.org or downloads via iTunes — will go to the United Nations' World Food Program. The Princeton University Chapel Choir sings the ever-touching "Welsh Lullaby," while the Princeton Girlchoir voices "This Christmastide (Jessye's Carol)." Joe Miller and the Westminster Choir turn in a lovely "Bululalow," and the American Boychoir excels in an item from Britten's "Ceremony of Carols." Other groups contributing include the Princeton University Tigerlilies and Tigertones, the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel Choir, the Tartantones of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, the Princeton Day School Madrigal Singers and the Princeton High School Cloud Nine.

For more information, visit Friends of the World Food Program (http:/ www.friendsofwfp.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to building support for the WFP (http://www.wfp.org).

Contact:
Tom Meagher (A Princeton Christmas) / 908-907-3377
Maria Reppas / mreppas@friendsofwfp.org / 202- 530-1694 x 111