VOA标准英语2009年-Neil Diamond Celebrates Holiday Season

In case you missed Neil Diamond's first two Christmas releases in the 1990s, you now have a chance to catch up with his latest toast to this most wonderful time of the year.

Doug Levine | Washington 16 December 2009

 
Neil Diamond's 'A Cherry, Cherry Christmas' CD

Singer Neil Diamond rings in the holiday season with a compilation¹ of Christmas classics on his new album,  'A Cherry Cherry Christmas.' 

The album includes nine songs from his previous holiday tributes, from "Sleigh Ride" to "Winter Wonderland," as well as two original recordings², "Christmas Dream" and "Cherry Cherry Christmas." 

Diamond puts a seasonal³ spin on one of his earliest hits, "Cherry Cherry," with "Cherry Cherry Christmas."

For a slightly different take on holiday cheer, Neil updates Adam Sandler's comedic melody, "The Chanukah Song."    

Neil Diamond, who celebrates his 69th birthday in January, is closing out the decade on a high note.  In addition to the release of his new Christmas album, he's the subject of a new biography, titled Neil Diamond Is Forever: The Illustrated⁴ Story of the Man and His Music. 

Diamond is one of a handful of pop stars who performed at the "Christmas In Washington" concert at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.  The show also featured Mary J. Blige, Sugarland, Rob Thomas, Usher⁵, and 15-year-old singing sensation Justin Bieber.
 

1 compilation   

n.编译，编辑

参考例句：

• One of the first steps taken was the compilation of a report.首先采取的步骤之一是写一份报告。
• The compilation of such diagrams,is of lasting value for astronomy.绘制这样的图对天文学有永恒的价值。

2 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

3 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

4 illustrated   

adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• His lecture was illustrated with slides taken during the expedition. 他在讲演中使用了探险时拍摄到的幻灯片。
• The manufacturing Methods: Will be illustrated in the next chapter. 制作方法将在下一章说明。

5 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。