Celtic Christmas

Katie McMahon

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alternative Dis
• ASIN: B0007MYMR8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,948 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Katie McMahon is best known for her exquisite soprano solo in the original Riverdance single, which topped the charts in Ireland for three months. Her voice was described by the Irish Times as "poetry, perfection and purity". Before Riverdance, Katie, (born and bred in Dublin), was classically trained in voice and harp and studied Italian and Drama Studies in Trinity College. During a break from her studies, Katie joined the vocal group Anuna and is a featured soloist on their first two CDs. Bill Whelan (Riverdance composer) heard her perform with Anuna and asked her to sing the solo in the interval piece at the Eurovision. This of course went on to become the hugely successful show Riverdance and Katie toured the world with them for five years as their lead vocalist. While touring in America, she met her husband Ben Craig and has made her home in Minnesota for the past three years. During this time she has formed her own band and troupe of Irish dancers. They are in great demand all over the States and play Irish traditional music with a Classical edge. Two of the many celebrities who have enjoyed Katie's performances are President Clinton and Bono (U2), who pulled her aside afterwards and kindly told her that she had "an amazing voice". She has released two critically acclaimed solo CDs "After the Morning" and "Shine". Katie's new CD is a collection of your favorite carols and traditional Irish Christmas music that will set your feet tapping. Of note are Silent Night and Good King Wenceslaus and the catchy never before recorded Christmas Pipes, which is sure to become a new Christmas standard. If you like Enya and the Chieftains you're sure to love this new release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrates the holidays in style, December 20, 2005

By	Tom Knapp "Rambles.NET editor" (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

First brought to the public's attention as a vocal soloist for Riverdance, the former Anuna singer (now touring with Secret Garden) uses her perfect soprano voice to great effect and celebrates the holidays in style. "Celtic Christmas" can't help but put you into a festive, yet contemplative, frame of mind.

The 15-track CD is a joyous occasion all by itself. And Irish singing sensation Katie McMahon provides a varied playlist for the party, with songs that range from sacred to secular, somber to sprightly.

The recording benefits from the work of several fine musicians, including Katie on harp. The green-on-green liner notes are excellent, providing the lyrics as well as brief notes from Katie explaining the history of the music or some personal significance to her. All in all, this is a package Christmas enthusiasts will love to find under their trees.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Christmas CD of 2006, November 20, 2006

By	K. Giorlando "amateur social historian" (Eastpointe, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

OK, so my title is misleading since this disc came out in 2003, but I have put this disc in the player more than any other Christmas CD so far this year.
Katie McMahon's soprano voice is beautiful - not irritating like so many other sopranos - and has a happy feel to it. The instrumentation is excellent, very light and fits her vocals perfectly. And best of all, it's done in a traditional style!
Highlights on this disc include The Boar's Head Carol (which goes through several rhythm changes in its course), My Dancing Day (first time I have ever heard vocals to this carol), Good King Wenceslaus (known but not over-played), and In The Bleak Midwinter (simply beautiful!). She also sings Silent Night partially in German.
As you can see there is quite a mix of carols on this disc - a few well-known, but many (if not most) not quite as familiar, and it's these not so popular tunes that I bought this CD for.
With the sizable Christmas music collection I have obtained over the years, it's always exciting to find a CD that not only am I unfamiliar with, but one that I like so much I listen to it over and over. Katie McMahon's Celtic Christmas is that disc for me for this year.