Customer Reviews

The Christmas Album

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the latest of a number of fine Christmas LP's and CD's, which the Canadian Brass has released over the years. Alas, none of the others appears to still be available, but be not dismayed, this is the best of the bunch.

The wonderful level of performance is what we have come to expect, and almost take for granted from the Canadian Brass. The addition of the Elmer Iseler Singers on about half of the recordings adds a further lyrical component to the already high quality of this CD. It would be a meaningful addition to anyone's holiday music library.

This is the sort of cd that makes you want to listen to christmas music all year round. The humour in twelve days of christmas is absolutely superb - don't miss it!

This is yet another top-notch Canadian Brass Christmas album. These guys, once again, demonstrate why they are the best in the world at what they do. With the addition of the fine choral singing by the Iseler Singers, this is the complete Christmas CD, one you'll never get tired of year after year. Buy it!

Just be sure to buy this version (18 tracks) rather than what appears to be a very pared-down later issue (same cover, only about half a dozen tracks).

This is by far the best holiday album I have ever heard. I am a double-reed player and I must take issue with the complaints about intonation and musicianship by the one negative reviewer on this page. The song selection, mix of secular and religious, mix of serious and light, mix of familiar/less heard - Good as driving music, gift wrapping, or sing-along. This is the Holiday CD I listen to year round. If you are looking for ONE CD to buy for the season- for your collection or as a gift- This is it!

Certainly worth the price is the Canadian Brass version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" - track eleven. Everyone I've played this for enjoys it, whether they are classical fans, Christmas music fans, or neither. A real treat for classical fans, though. The other tracks are what you would expect, brass Christmas standards. There may be an issue with the audio mix, though, as I could never get the voices (on the tracks with a choir) to sound right.

This C.D. will be a great addition to anyones Christmas music collection. The Canadian Brass sound is very strong, and will give you goose bumps from their majestic sound.

This CD is on the short list of my favorite Christmas albums: 'Charlie Brown Christmas,' Handel's 'Messiah' by the Robert Shaw Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony, and 'A Holiday Note from Home' by the USAF Airmen of Note. "The 12 Days of Christmas" is one of my least favorite Christmas songs, but I absolutely love the version of it on this album. "Carol of the Bells" is a a great arrangement as well: polyrhythms, countermelodies, the whole bit. Good stuff.

The Canadian Brass musicians always produce great music, and this is no exception. This Christmas disk is outstanding throughout. Their own take on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is deligtful-- each day brings music from a famous classical composer instead of things.

I was at first disappointed because I had expected an all-instrumental collection to be used as background for a social gathering, but the few vocals by a very good choir served to aid and enhance the Christmas spirit of the music.

I will certainly buy more Canadian Brass music and I may look into the chorus.

This CD is great for Christmas dinner. I discovered that in 2007 when I borrowed a copy of it from my library and brought it to my girlfriend's house, where she, her extended family, and I had a Christmas get-together.

It's not jarring or loud, and ideal background music for a Christmas feast.