Customer Reviews

Christmas Ep

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Just about anything Enya does will be good, this EP is no exception but it is so expensive.
Oiche Chiun is Silent Night sung in Irish Gaelic by Enya, sounds so much like the English version that if you don't really listen you might not even notice the difference. The next three are also Gaelic and very good, #5 Celts is, I believe, instrumental. Although $18.99 is rather steep for me the buyer will be getting good music unlike so many CD's seem to be these days.
If the price is a problem check your Enya CD's and see if you already have the songs. #1 Oiche Chiun can also be found on the maxi-single by that name and on a single with Only Time. #2 As Baile and #3 's Fagaim No Bhaile (this one is also on the Oiche Chiun maxi)are on Book of Days EP while #4 Ebudae (also on Shepherd Moons CD)and #5 Celts (also on Celts CD)can be found on the Paint the Sky with Stars best of Enya CD.

This "Oiche Chiun" EP is a gorgeous way of celebrating Christmas, and will surely be listened to all year long. There are five songs to this release, and the following will describe each one separately.

1. "Oiche Chiun (Silent Night)" is the traditional Christmas carol made into an almost a capella song. Her trademark vocal crescendos and layering blend with her solo voice in an extraordinary masterpiece. A key change near the end of the song adds to the ethereal atmosphere.

2. "As Baile" takes the background and melody from _Watermark_'s "Exile" but the vocals are really Gaelic incantation. The original piece "Exile" already gave the sense of winter, and Enya's remake does so even more vividly, showing that real words are unnecessary to create a feeling.

3. "'S Fagaim Mo Bhaile" is a rare song of Enya's, in Irish Gaelic, about leaving home and wanting to return. Although this song may not make you visualize a happy Christmas morning, the hopelessness that can come from winter is conveyed.

4. "Ebudae" is a familiar piece from _Shepherd Moons_ and was featured in the movie _The Toys_. Incantations and bell-like sounds project a more bright feeling.

5. "The Celts," the first song and title track from both _Enya_ and _The Celts_ is the last song on this album. For some reason, this song always makes me think of people in cloaks marching through the snow. I know that doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but that's what always comes to my mind. The energetic vocals seem to say, "We have survived the winter and will prosper in the year to come!"

Barely over 15 minutes, this EP is quite brief, but is a wonderful CD to own and can be enjoyed year-round. Also, this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys Irish Gaelic or any type of cultural music. Very well done!

Okay, so "Silent Night" sung in Gaelic is the only true Christmas song here, but all four vocals followed by the instrumental, "The Celts" together build up an intense feeling of beauty of spirit, more concentrated than in any of her full length albums. Yes, it's short, it's an EP, not a full length CD, but it's worth the money if only for the sound of her "Silent Night", and the change of pace of a short album that starts with an exquisite vocal and ends with an instrumental...different and refreshing for Enya.

It is because of folks like me that Enya lives well. One would think she would be appreciative of this fact. Instead, she ripped off me and every other fan who bought this cd.

Is it good? Yes. Is it VASTLY overpriced for what you get? YES. It is called CHRISTMAS EP. One Christmas song. One. Oh, there are four other songs on it, lest I forget, but only ONE Christmas song. Hello? Are you reading this, Enya? What part of the words CHRISTMAS Ep were you not getting?

And for this we all got to shell out $20+.

The quality of this cd is excellent, the music (what there is of it) is wonderful. The one Christmas song is absolutely beautiful. When you get right down to it, though, I don't know what she was thinking when she put this together, especially since one of the songs, The Celts, is even on another cd! It's like "Let's get this done, they'll buy anything by me" sort of attitude that is unworthy of her.

I won't buy anything else of hers. Yes, I love her music and will continue to listen to the many cd's of hers I already own, but damned if I'll let her or anyone else treat me like this.

Enya, if you happen to read this, shame on you. Should you ever decide to do another "Christmas" cd, actually do one. Not this expensive rip off.

"Oiche Diun" it's called here, and in my opinion, it is the most beautiful "Silent Night" I've heard sung. That's saying something for one of the most popular of Christmas carols. I presume the next two cuts are Christmas songs, but the last two aren't. But this comes out as the most spiritual Enya ever. Yes, it is an EP and not a CD which means it only has 5 songs on it. And yes, it is an import not available in the United States which means you have to pay a high price for it. So if you're looking for a bargain, go to the Dollar Store; but if you're looking for exquisite music not available elsewhere, get this CD.

I first heard "Oiche Chiun" several years ago when I was in college. I was already familiar with Enya's music but I was still completely unprepared for "Oiche Chiun." It is without doubt the most beautiful version of "Silent Night" I have ever heard. In fact, all the cuts on this EP are beautiful (as is normal for Enya), though not obviously "Christmasy" to my non-Gaelic ears.

By the way, I see many of the reviewers here were put off by the price of the CD, and as I see that the list price is over $20 for 5 songs, I find that understandable. I bought my copy quite a while ago and I don't remember what I paid for it, but I really don't think I paid $20. Shop around.

Aside from Enya's other lesser known EPs ('6 Track' and '3 Track'), this one stands alone because of the inclusion of an exclusive Gaelic track (S' fagaim mo bhaile) which could well be one of Enya's best kept secrets (it featured on few collections and is regarded a 'rarity'). It also features 'Ebudae' which we all know from the 'Shepherd Moons' CD.

This EP is short, yes, but it makes up in quality what it lacks in length. Enya's lovely voice is worth any price, made more evident when you hear her lovely Gaelic rendition of 'Silent Night'. I consider this the best rendition of the classic holiday song ever, in any language or format.

My personal opinion of the Christmas Ep was not entirely negative. Rarely is every track on a CD outstanding. However, my disapppointments with this CD were the lesser overall quality and the inflated cost for a VERY few minutes of performance. I feel short-changed, to put it nicely.

Otherwise, I am a devoted Enya fan.

Only 5 cuts, total of 16 minutes 45 seconds. One cut is "The Celts" available on other CD's. At over a dollar a minute while the music is good, it is very expensive.

Celtic music can be great Christmas music. I especially loved "Oich Chuin." This music helps bring the spirit of Christmas.