Customer Reviews

Christmas [IMPORT]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

This is one CD you'll need to buy several of. For gifts? No. Why multiples? Because either you'll wear the CD out or friends will borrow and not return.

Of all of the Christmas CDs we have, this one tops the list. Unlike some artists who take Christmas/holiday standards and alter them to fit their style, Bruce recreates them with feeling. There are a few standards on here (O Little Town, Silent Night, Joy to the World, etc) there are several surprises, like Don in Yon Forest (very haunting, it has a heavy overtone) and Iesus Ahatonnia (Huron Carol).

The music is very Bruce - lots of his excellent string work and his ability to sing from the soul. The folks backing him up are amazing, this is one crafted CD.

If you haven't see him live, please do so. I saw him in a small setting (about 50 people) and he played with little to no amplification; he had more instruments on stage than people in the audience it seemed. Very talented, he had the crowd in awe the whole evening.

Nice CD, Bruce.

My (personal, non-guaranteed) guarantee is that if you play this at a Christmas party, it won't fade into the background. People will keep asking "What is this music? It's beautiful!" -- let's just say this is the furthest you can get from Christmas elevator fare. A master of folk-rock for as long as I can remember, Cockburn mixed a few wonderful old favorites like O Little Town of Bethlehem and a very happy Joy To The World with some gems from other cultures -- the Riu Riu Riu being a wonderfully catchy melody. My personal favorite is an arrangement by Sam Phillips that appears here in It Came Upon A Midnight Clear -- done in a minor key -- haunting, yet still true to the words and beauty of the original. Be prepared to enjoy Christmas music like you haven't in a long time.

I have been collecting Christmas for many years and I have an extensive collection, but no matter what I buy, I always come back to this CD. I have given it to many people as a gift. This album has been completely overlooked. If you are looking for something a little different and something poignant for the holidays, this is it.

Amazing. Cockburn reinvigorates Christmas music with a startling selection of songs ranging from the well-known (Silent Night) to the creepy (Down in Yon Forest). Brilliant guitar work and arrangements throughout.

I love Christmas music. I own over 60 Christmas CDs and I drive the folks at work crazy when I start listening to Christmas music before Halloween. Bruce Cockburn is simply the best Christmas CD I have ever heard. This one could be played year-round.

Bruce Cockburn's voice is an acquired taste. I'll give you that. Aside from this, however, this has got to be one of the freshest collections of traditional Christmas songs I've ever heard. Gorgeous, sparse, acoustic arrangements of old standards like "O Little Town of Bethlehem," a haunting minor version of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "Silent Night," and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," are interspersed with ethnic folk songs like "Riu Riu Chiu," "Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (Gloria In Excelsis Deo)" and "Iesus Ahatonnia (The Huron Carol)" to great effect. The recording quality is intimate and uncluttered, giving the whole disc a homey, fireside feel.

THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS CD I HAVE EVER HEARD. IT IS PROBABLY ALSO THE ONLY CHRISTMAS ALBUM THAT I LISTEN TO ALL THROUGH THE YEAR, BECAUSE IT STANDS ON ITS OWN AS A GREAT FOLK ALBUM WITH AMAZING ACOUSTIC GUITAR PLAYING AND SINGING, IT SOUNDS GREAT ANYTIME.I DO NOT REALLY LIKE TO MANY CHRISTMAS ALBUMS BUT THIS ONE IS SO GOOD YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT. BRUCE IS AN AMAZING UNIQUE MUSICIAN.!