Customer Reviews

Celtic Christmas IV

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hard-core celtic music fans have a tendency to derisively dismiss this particular form. New age music has (deservedly in most cases) been worthy of the abuse and contempt heaped upon it but this particular collection (and the three previous editions) will make believers out of even the worst of skeptics. This is first-class celtic music that does more to suggest the holiday season than any other traditional sounds making the rounds. Take a chance, sometimes it really is worth the risk.

This a wonderful CD for those who love or are learning to love Celtic music. The tunes are truly beautiful. I do agree with the previous reviewer that the Ricky Skaggs number at the end sounds like a mistake that someone let happen on the master CD. BUY and ENJOY this CD, ignore the last cut.

This represents the 4th installment of this best selling collection. Those who loved the first 3 will not be disappointed. More lovely, haunting music by the usual group of contributors. But why they included Ricky Scagg's "Christmas Time is Coming" as the last track is a true mystery...it ruins the mood of what up till then was a truly beautiful release.

This is Nightnoise at its best, although but one track bears the group's name. However it has nothing to do with standard Yuletide albums- if by that you mean the umpteenth rendition of "God Rest Ye" or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing".

It is pervaded by a Northern Christmas atmosphere that is unmistakeable, and brings to mind the snow-covered flatlands kindled with the small distant lights that go with the image.

(Although to a Mediterranean Roman Catholic as myself, it is quite obvious that Jesus Christ was born on a cool but definitely not snow-ridden night in Palestine)

I totally disagree with previous reviews on the last two tracks. "Kitty Magennis" is a tune by Turlough O'Carolan that has nothing to do with Christmas but in this setting by Patrick Cassidy acquires a certain spirit that makes it fit for the context. And "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" is a beautifully humorous contrast with the rest of the album.

Thoroughly enjoyable, in our family it is one of the two pillars of our Christmas season, together with another album which I highly recommend: Tuck Andress's "Hymns, Carols and Songs about Snow".

I, like so may others, picked this CD up at Christmas time 3 years ago. I love it so much, that I am using it for my wedding ceremony to be held outside in July if that tells you anything. PS- All brides looking for Celtic renditions of "Here Comes the Bride", forget it... it is not out there!

I have I,II and III of the Celtic Christmas cd series and love them. I like IV just as well, except for the last one that they threw in by Ricky Scaggs. Nothing against him, but the song completely disrupts the flow of the cd. All of the songs are definately Celtic in nature, and Ricky's is straight out of the hillbilly hills. I turn it off now at song #9.

I thought I lost this CD and came to Amazon to buy another...once I did, I found my old one. Thats how much I like this CD. I am giving my new "extra one" to a friend. There is just something about it. Its great to relax and sit by the fire and listen to it with a nice glass of wine. Or even in the background of a festive Christmas party. This is just a great CD over all. You will not regreat buying it...although, I am hoping the CD listed for $70.oo is an error. Its great..but not worth $70.00. Thats just a bit crazy. So yes..two thumbs up...and then some. I hope you buy it and enjoy it.. O and yes...the Ricky Scaggs thing????? Yea..no clue on that one. If you buy it..you will see what I mean. Take care all!

Colleen

Vol 4 is great and covers the DIVERSITY of celtic tunes. There's an obvious link to these tunes and the last track and, admittedly Windham Hills didn't do it as gracefully as the majority of folks would wish but plz folks, get over it. I enjoy reading the feedback of others because I generally learn much - I agree and thank the reviewer who pointed out 'Derdriu' - great piece of music. Glad I got 'Light of the Stable' (by Emmylou Harris) in the same shipment with this one; perfect bookend piece.

If anyone out there hasn't heard Vol I, II and III you really should but you might OD on traisping through the highlands, that's why I like Ricky.

This is yet another beautiful collection from Windham Hill. However, to label this as a Christmas CD really seems somewhat of a misnomer. This CD is trotted out every year and displayed in the Christmas music section, and it then disappears for approximately 11 months. That's unfortunate, because this is beautiful music that can be enjoyed in July, just as well as in December.

The one incongruous element is the last track by Ricky Scaggs. It certainly breaks the mood established by the rest of the CD. One has to wonder why it was included and wish that it hadn't been. However, this CD is so good, don't let the last track deter you from acquiring it, and when you play it, you might want to program you CD deck to play only the first 12 tracks.

I greatly enjoyed this CD except for the last two cuts, "Kitty Magennis" and "Christmas Time's A'Comin'."
"Kitty Magennis" seemed too bland and didn't have anything to recommend it. The presence of the Ricky Skaggs song felt like an attempt to make the CD more "Christmassy." Its inclusion in the collection felt like an afterthought or a "throwaway" cut.