Customer Reviews

The Carols Of Christmas: A Windham Hill Collection

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With the Holiday's fast approaching, most are looking for some really good Christmas music to buy for themselves or as gifts. Trust me on this, you can't go wrong with "The Carols of Christmas." It's one of my most favorite Christmas cd's (the other being "A Charlie Brown Chritmas: The Music of Vince Guaraldi"). It has become a Holiday classic in our home! With a delicate, yet strong balance, this cd is beyond beautiful! Musically, the sounds vary from solo paino, acoustic guitar & synthesizers to saxaphone, clarinet, harps & percussions - It's totally instrumental. Windham Hill fans, rejoice! George Winston, Will Ackerman, Liz Story, Brian Keane, Jim Brickman, John Boswell, Tracy Silverman, David Darling, etc....it is a holiday sampling of Windham Hills' best. And yes, this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone - I always give a couple each year. Perhaps the best way to describe this compilation is "New Age meets Light Jazz"...and thats a wonderful thing. It will leave you with a soothing, serene excitment for the Holidays. Makes for wonderful background music at any Christmas celebration! Cuddle up with a hot cuppa peppermint tea or some hot cocca and let "The Carol's of Christmas" work it's magic on your heart.

This is a great CD! I generally go for really traditional Christmas music, but this adds a soothing, contemporary element to those familiar carols, in a purely instrumental form. The blends of sounds, the moods conveyed, all come together to give a wonderful listening experience. This intimate, sometimes melancholy music makes you want to snuggle up to someone you love.

I never write reviews or anything remotely close, but I have to throw in my two cents here...and rather than gush, I'll just say that I have now purchased this CD 4 times since it came out - and they've all been for me (I tend to lose all my good CD's). There isn't another album out there that would make me consider doing the same. The holidays, simply put, are not complete without "The Carols of Christmas."

The Windham Hill label has been around since the early 80s, providing some of the best of what was once called "New Age" music. If you purchase a WH disc, or an artist on the WH label, you generally know what you're getting. If you purchase a disc without knowing anything whatsoever about the label or the performers, than that's on you.

I've noticed a disturbing trend in the past two years where some people are posting significantly negative reviews of a book or CD, which are exceedingly contrary to all other reviews. Ten reviewers may give a product 5 out of 5 stars, and then there will be a reviewer who gives it 1, along with some inane comments that really don't tell you about the product. I'm starting to think these reviewers are just trying to sabotage products that are otherwise well received.

There is nothing patently offensive about this CD. In fact, it contains some very interesting instrumental arrangements of songs we've all heard thousands of times. Some are classic WH "New Age" interpretations, while others have a "Lite Jazz" feel. This CD will work well in many settings, such as dinner party or holiday gathering music, or as a de-stressing agent in your car while shopping and facing holiday traffic.

It really deserves nothing less than 3 stars. Christmas music is not offensive, the performers haven't done anything with the presentation or arrangements that render the songs unlistenable, and the sound quality is up to the usual WH high standards.

This is a beautiful and moving collection of instrumentals. I purchased it last season and find that it is now one of my favorites. It is perfect as background music for a holiday gathering but also wonderful for focused listening.

This is my 4th Holiday Season listening to the CD. If you're starting off a Holiday Collection, this is my top pick. My favorite tune is David Darling's version of "Oh Holy Night" which does a masterful job of taking further some of the most beautiful music ever written. Unfortunately, I have a difficult time listening to other versions which at best don't measure up, or worse, are just plain sappy. Do yourself a favor, sit on the couch in dim light holding hands with someone you care about -listen to that tune on a nice system with healthy bass - Definitely a journey. I drop a few tears every year I hear it.

I have always enjoyed the Windham Hill label. I was at a bass seminar and Micheal Manring was one of the instructors. He mentioned doing Christmas Carols for Windham Hill that sent me searching for the releases. I was very happy when I got to hear this collection of wonderfully crafted Christmas favorites. If you have an ear for GOOD music, don't hesitate to add this gem to your collection !

I always loved listening to this music on my old tape. Hated to part with it so ordered the CD. The music is Windham Hill so you know that it is unique. It is just different enough from your typical Christmas music to be especially enjoyable. It is easy listening with a hint of "new age" touches.

These are traditional carols in the Windham Hill manner. They are not intrusive, but tasteful and beautiful in themselves.

This is the music I play while we decorate our Christmas tree. Another favorite at that time is "Winter Solstice on Ice" (2discs).

This is a great CD! I generally go for really traditional Christmas music, but this adds a soothing, contemporary element to those familiar carols, in a purely instrumental form. The blends of sounds, the moods conveyed, all come together to give a wonderful listening experience. This intimate music makes you feel melancholy and wanting to snuggle up to your loved one.