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Daily DigestYuck!
 There's a winter storm warning in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected. Be prepared for a messy morning commute as freezing rain and sleet move through the region. The morning commute will be slippery — drive careful!
Some New York schools, including Hoosick Falls Central School and St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls have already canceled classes.
All North County schools are closed; Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Berkshire Hills, Southern Berkshire and Central Berkshire school districts are closed. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Pick of the Week: Racquel RobertsBy Keith Hannaleck - December 09, 2007
 | | Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck |
The Secret Of Christmas
"The Secret Of Christmas" is Racquel Roberts celebrating the holiday season her own way with a divirsifed style and approach. Typically, a Christmas album is filled with a more traditional framework. This CD takes the word tradition and flips it around with great success.
Roberts has a very pleasing, warm voice filled with soul and rhythm. She is an accomplished actress and vocalist who will certainly find a new audience with this recording. She can count one more fan right now, as I enjoyed this album from start to finish.
From the viewpoint of a listener who dreads a plethora of holiday albums every year, I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied after taking in this modern tribute to time-tested tunes. Robertson composed her own vivid and energetic musical interpretations of the tracks with the help of Los Angeles jazz composer Nick Mancini.
Having a seasoned composer in your camp can never hurt and it is evident that there were some good synergies going on with the entire process of recording this project.
The most agreeable aspect of this album is the use of several genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues, pop, funk and more. Listening to this album, I can see Roberts transforming into a blossoming jazz diva.
There are 12 tracks on this CD and never will you lose interest or feel it goes flat for a moment because of the excellent backing instrumentation the vocalist enjoys. You cannot build a house without a foundation and it is quite apparent that Roberts took advantage of what was set in place prior to getting in front of the microphone. Her stellar support aided in bringing out her very best vocals.
This one is a real keeper and if you have been yearning for something different in your stocking this year, this CD is a sure bet to make you smile for years to come. This artist has given the greatest gift of all this year, her heart and soul with good music to deliver the meaning of Christmas.
Tracks:
1. The Christmas Song
2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
3. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
4. Christmas Time is Here
5. The Christmas Waltz
6. Do You Hear What I Hear?
7. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
8. Joy to the World
9. I'll Be Home for Christmas
10. Give Love on Christmas Day
11. O Holy Night
12. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Auld Lang Syne)
Genre: R & B-Jazz-Pop
Label: Peace Rock LLC
Web site: www.TheSecretOfChristmas.net
CD Baby Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/racquelroberts/from/muzikman
iTunes Link: http://tinyurl.com/2rlyd5
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck of Adams offers up his best-listening bets as a regular contributor to iBerkshires. For more reviews, www.muzikreviews.com . |
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