Customer Reviews

The Bells of Dublin

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every year I try to restrain myself until the day after Thanksgiving to bring out The Bells of Dublin. After that I play it almost continually until Christmas, and I never get tired of it. It starts up a giant holiday party in my heart.

From the moment the bells peel on the first track ("The Bells of Dublin"), calling in the season, to the angelic voice of the lad who begins the final medley (beginning with "Once in Royal David's City"), I love every bit. In between there is joy (Skyline Jig), beautiful melody (The Wexford Carol with Nanci Griffith) quiet reverence (O Holy Night with Rickie Lee Jones), the sweetness of voices in harmony (Il Est Ne with the McGarrigle Sisters), celebratory dancing I defy you to sit still to (The Wren medley), and even enough little tongue-in-cheek Irish subversiveness to avoid sentimentality (St. Stephen's Day Murders with Elvis Costello, The Rebel Jesus with Jackson Browne).

The Chieftains' worldclass expertise on traditional Irish instruments is front and center on this album, but the many famous guests also have lots of fun. I have never known a Christmas album that could come anywhere close to the Bells of Dublin for generating the holiday spirit.

There is just no way to get tired of this album. It is so diverse in musical styles that each track takes you into new territory. You settle into the very traditional opening and the next thing you know, you find yourself laughing at Elvis Costello's hilarious (and definitely not traditional) St. Stephen's Day Murders. Jackson Browne contributes a kind of agnostic's hymn (but it works just find for a liberationist Christian like me, too). There are many unfamiliar but beautiful European carols, and some of the more traditional carols are done in not very traditional ways. I especially like the way Rickie Lee Jones does O Holy Night, which is usually performed by singers with big, multi-octave voices, and always seems to have more to do with showing off than with reverence. Jones' quiet version is hesitant and awe-inspired, and seems to me closer to the spirit of Christmas than the showier versions. Threading through the whole album are the Chieftains' wonderful jigs and reels, which make you want to get up and dance (at least it has that effect on me, but I'm Irish, so maybe it's genetic).

I bought two copies of this album, one on cassette for my car and one on CD for home because it is such a priceless and unique treasure. Right after Thanksgiving, it is always the first album I get out.

This excellent CD contains twenty-three (!) tunes by the incomparable Chieftains. Most of these wonderful tunes are the Chieftains working with others, such as the Renaissance Singers and even Elvis Costello (St. Stephen's Day Murders has to be heard to be believed). The tunes themselves uphold the Chieftains tradition of excellence, and make an excellent addition to anyone's Christmas music collection. As a matter of fact, I have to say that this CD is so excellent that it is worth listening to at any time of the year. My family and I highly recommend this CD to you.

The Bells of Dublin is by far and away one of the best productions of the Chieftains without a doubt! I listen to it every Christmas(and months in between)for it is suitable for all times of the year. My favorite's include Burgess Meredith and Kevin Conneff in "Don Oiche Ud im Beithel" and "Wren in the Furze". The Chieftains have succeeded in fusing the spirit of the Christmas season with the uplifting and toe-tapping traditions of Ireland! The Bells of Dublin will sit in a place of honor in your own music collection if you decide to add this CD to your favorites!

This CD is a strictly observed family tradition. I am very particular about my holiday listening and this is the first one played on Thanksgiving night and the last one back in the box when I take down the tree. In a world of done-to-death carols and relentless Xmas pop-schlock, this is so refreshing. Everything from Elvis Costello's hilarious "St. Stephen's Day Murders" to Jackson Browne's "The Rebel Jesus" is good-hearted, sincere and original after all these years. Some of us cry at "O Holy Night". I am deeply moved and inspired by "Once in Royal David's City" which was unknown to me before this. Also included is the best "Deck the Halls" ever. We always turn the volume way up at the mad clanging of the bells that begin and end the album and celebrate the Chieftans on such a fine outing.

Truly an album you don't want to end, and I have a very hard time putting it away after the holidays. I like the fact that they don't do all the same old songs heard over and over every year. And the way many of these songs were recorded makes one feel as if they were in an Irish pub. My particular favorites are the couple of pub-like romps that include medleys of known and not-so-well-known carols (their version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and The Wren Song are out of this world!). Also, I love Marianne Faithfull's vocals on I Saw Three Ships - I'm not saying her singing is of a Linda Ronstadt caliber, but rather fits the mood and gives it that European style that takes one across the ocean to the British Isles. In fact, that's the way I feel about the majority of tunes on this disc.
Throw this CD in the multi disc player with Johnny, Nat, and Bing, hit the shuffle button, then sit back and enjoy a wonderful mix. OK Chieftains, where's volume 2?

A fantastic complilation of both traditional and fresh Christmas music. "The Rebel Jesus" is a great song for those of us who celebrate the holiday, but are not exactly Christian. The mood of this album is sprinkled with old world charm and you feel like drinking a pint of ale as the Chieftains weave their happy magic.

I actually bought this CD because I am a huge Jackson Browne fan and he performs "Rebel Jesus" on it. Turns out that I prefer Jackson's rendition of "Rebel..." on his "Next Voice You Hear" CD MUCH better.
But as for this CD, it's wonderful. I loved it and I have played it every day since it arrived. Light the candles, and turn it up. Even my day care kids love it! I will need to buy another copy...so I have one for my car and one for my home. And a few for gifts for friends and family......a great CD!

If you like Irish music and you like Christmas music, this CD is definitely for you. In their usual inimitable style, the Chieftains transport you to the warmth and hospitality you might expect to find in a friendly village in western Ireland. If such a journey sounds appealing, put on this CD, sit back, and enjoy.

This CD has been in my collection for several years and it is the first Christmas CD I reach for every year. The songs are a nice mix of traditional and modern with the constant Irish influence of the Chieftans that gets your feet tapping and your spirits soaring. Again this year I am completely content to listen to it again and again. A must have for any Irish music lovers Christmas collection.