Customer Rating: 
Summary: Amazing!
Comment: The playing on this album is amazing. If you want to hear what is possible with a trombone, this will demonstate all aspects.
Better yet, the Christmas season isn't complete (to me) without a good brass ensemble laying down some noel tunes.
The arrangments are clever and interesting, complete with goosebump-raising modulations, and the performances are stunning.
The bass trombone work is phenomenal and worth the price alone.
Enjoy!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Christmas Brass
Comment: I collect all types of Christmas music. Years ago, I came across "A Festival of Carols in Brass" by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble (on LP!), and I played it every Christmas. Since then, I've listened to other Christmas brass recordings, and my other favorites are "Christmas Time Is Here" by the Gramercy Brass, and this recording.
Almost every track is tastefully arranged, and the all-trombone sound adds some nice variety to my Christmas music collection.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Comment: I absolutely love this CD. The level of musicianship is phenomenal, as well as the arrangements of the pieces. It's so hard to find good arrangements of Christmas music - most are very bland. You HAVE to have this CD - especially if you play trombone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Awesome
Comment: How anyone could rate this CD under 5-Stars is a myestery to me!?! The playing and arrangements are AWESOME! Do yourself a favor, buy this CD as well as "The Hollywood Trombones - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The Balboa Bachelors weren't disappointed and you won't be either!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: NICE BUT NOT SUPER
Comment: I don't know if its personal prejudice or just my taste, but I don't find the sound of "east coast" symphonic players as nice to listen to as those whose sounds more clearly are "Chicago Symphony" influenced (at least as I hear it anyway). Consequently, I find myself viewing everything with "Chicago Symphony" coloured glasses.I though the CD was "nice". Plenty of competent playing, and solid ensemble work. But,I just didn't hear any real inspiration in the playing of the ensemble. Everything sounded "right", but not magical. For a new trombonist just learning the instrument, this CD will help the learning process; lots of nice sounds, solid musicianship and good ensemble work. However, for a more experienced player, this CD is a disappointment. If you are on a tight budget, or trying to find something that will inspire you, you likely ought to consider putting your money somewhere else.
For anyone reading this review, I am sorry for the negative commentary, but this is just how this CD hit me. As an amateur trombonist of many years, I realize it is easy to throw rocks at an easy target, especially as I knowlingly am unable to aspire to the heights these musicains have rightly attained in their chosen profession. However, I alwasy try to "call em' as I see em'".
