Customer Reviews

Celtic Christmas (Silver Anniversary Edition)

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

 

 

So why am I reviewing a Christmas album the day AFTER Christmas? (Because it was half price the day after Christmas!) The silver anniversary edition features all new recordings and if you're familiar with earlier volumes, this one will not disappoint. Each track has a soothing, haunting quality to it. And since none of these songs are recognizable as Christmas songs, you can enjoy this music all year. There are only four vocals here--tracks 1, 3, 10 and 13--and only "On a Winter's Day" is sung in English. The Gaelic vocals and celtic instrumentation provide a wonderful alternative to more traditional holiday fare. This is very enjoyable and calming music. [Running time: 53:14] RECOMMENDED

As pointed out in another review, there are only three vocals here, each a lovely female Celtic voice, and only one in English. But it's not the words but the feeling evoked here. The instrumentals include sounds of accordian, guitar, fiddle, harp, flutes, pipes and whistles. Almost half of them are traditional Gaelic or Breton melodies.

This is indeed fine music for one's Christmas mood with the Celtic flavor. There's nothing you can likely sing along with the performers on, but there are haunting melodies and enchanting rhythms here.

This CD is mostly instrumental and beautiful. It doesn't play the usual Christmas carols to which we are subjected in department stores etc. so it can more easily be enjoyed all year long when one wishes to have contemplative, restful background music. Number 4 is one of my favorite pieces for babies because the hammered dulcimer somehow enters their world in a special way. Many of the pieces are lullaby-like. The pieces move through an array of featured instruments; the variety and contrast makes it more interesting. They include very rustic folk music as well as sophisticated urban fare.There are soft,non-intrusive vocals on a couple of the selections. I have listened to this one for twenty years and have not grown tired of it. It makes a lovely gift.

My husband bought me this CD years ago and it was one of my favorites. Beautiful songs and not the same old same old that you hear every year. Somewhere along the line it disappeared and I was heartbroken. He bought me another Celtic Christmas CD but it just wasn't the same. It had more of the traditional Christmas songs on it and I really have enough versions of all of them.

I have looked and looked for this CD. I couldn't find it because apparently it is out of production judging from the prices I saw at amazon for two new ones available - over $150!!! As much as I like it I wouldn't pay that much for it. Itunes had only two songs available from the album for download so I searched Amazon and found a seller of a used "like new" one for under $5!
I can't wait to receive it!

There is nothing like listening to this CD while baking Christmas goodies and watching the snow come down outside!

Brian Dunning & Jeff Johnson's version of Christ Child Lullaby is quite striking and meditative, and just might be worth the purchase price in and of itself.

Sliabh Na mBan, on the other hand, although Liam O'Flynn does a very nice job with it, what's it doing on a Christmas album?? With my lack of Irish, I can't tell what the other Irish-titled songs are, but I'm really having doubts as to whether this is truly a *Christmas* album.