Christmas [IMPORT] [Import]

Bruce Cockburn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: True North Records
• ASIN: B00006JRWQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,369 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

,

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, unique treatments of Christmas classics, December 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas (Audio CD)

This C.D. has been a staple of my Christmas gift list for friends and family for 3 years-- and here I am, ordering it again. If you don't know Bruce Cockburn, he is a Canadian, and this C.D. contains Christmas classics such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Joy to the World, but with guitar, drum-- even fiddle-- arrangements that make them somewhat primitive, native, and-- well, different. But very warm and wonderful. Bruce Cockburn sings, in addition to classics, some terrific arrangements of" Riu Riu Chiu" and" Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes," so you can see, this C.D. takes Christmas music to a whole new level. This C.D. is great background music for Christmas parties. Ages 14 through 84 would love it (I promise.) I was turned on to it by a rock musician but I have given it to people in a folk church choir. That's how diverse and musical it is. This C.D. is a MUST for your Christmas music collection-- and a great Christmas gift as well.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Little Gem, December 25, 1999

By 

Bruce Caines (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas (Audio CD)

Bruce Cockburn doesn't have the most amazing voice but to be honest, that is one of the things that make this recording the standout it is. This collection of Christmas tunes (instrumental tracks and songs) is one of my favorite holiday albums. I have given it as a gift to several people--all with vastly different musical tastes because it transcends many of our musical prejudices.

The disc features songs ranging from the familiar "Go Tell it On The Mountain" (a jangly foot-tappin' banjo driven version) and a beautiful and all too brief instrumental solo acoustic guitar version of "Joy To the World" (no--not the Three Dog Night song) to the more esoteric "Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes" a French carol from the 18th century.

What comes across in this disk is Cockburn's desire to create a collection of personal favorites that was a labor of love. Cockburn's sometimes strained yet passionate vocals only make this recording more homey. I could easily imagine this being the songs he would play to/with a group of friends and family. There are moments that sound like a bunch of friends jamming--celebrating the joy of the season.

In past years I've included many of the tracks on my personally mixed holiday tapes which I've sent to friends. I've shared this disc with several people--sending them their own copy so they would have the pleasure of experiencing this recording as one complete body of work.

SMALL BONUS--the cover photography is quite wonderful and will inspire you to make some hot chocolate!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a fan now, January 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Christmas (Audio CD)

My spouse has been a Cockburn fan for many years, but I have to admit it was the Christmas album that did it for me. The ONLY version of 'Go, Tell it on the Mountain' I have ever enjoyed [normally it sounds like a funeral march, but in this version the musical arrangement captures the JOY of the lyrics]. I also love 'Mary Had a Baby' and 'Early on one Christmas Morn' both unlike anything I've heard on other Christmas albums. For anyone who wants to introduce a friend or loved one to the magic of Bruce Cockburn's music, I recommend this CD. It sold me!