Customer Reviews

On Christmas Night

5 star:		(13)
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I recently purchased this album and can't recommend it enough! I have been a big fan of Cherish the Ladies for many years but I'm so happy they made a holiday album because I own many celtic Christmas albums and this is the best yet! Beautiful stunning singing from Heidi Talbot backed by the wonderful harmonies in favorite songs of the holidays and ones that I didn't know but are sure to become new favorites. The tunes are interspersed with wonderful traditional music - Joanie Madden leads the band with her masterful whistle playing setting the tone for a great foot stomping album that I know won't be leaving my Disc player for the holiday season!

I first became aware of Cherish the Ladies when Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops released a collection of Celtic music which features the group as guest soloists. I later saw a slide show of images of Ireland set to their music. It was at that point I was hooked on their music. The music of the group has an authentic Irish feeling to it, but it's not the same old same old that so many recording artist claiming to be Celtic produce. The ballads, jigs, and reels are authentic and original, and in the case of works that the group did not compose, performed in a new manner. The group brings these same qualities to its Christmas collection ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

The arrangements of the holiday music are similar to their other recordings. Some of the music is grouped in medleys while others are stand alone works. The arrangements vary in content. Some contain vocals while others are instrumental, and as always, the familiar is blended with the lesser known which creates a great listening experience.

Ireland may not be known for its rich treasury of Christmas music. There is the "Wexford Carol" and "Christmas in Killarney" but while risking blaspheming the name of Bing Crosby, I'm not sure the latter can be considered immortal. This recording demonstrates how Christmas music is truly at home in Irish music and listening to it can almost transport a person to a pub in Ireland during the Christmas season, enjoying the company of friends and quenching thirst with a pint of Guinness. I suppose I sound like one of the "all of the folks at home" mentioned in the song "Christmas in Killarney," but the music of Cherish the Ladies can transport me back to Ireland and this collection can give the listener a feeling of Christmas in Ireland.

What? You're tired of "traditional" Christmas music? I can't imagine why, they only play the same 20 songs nonstop for 3 months a year in every shopping venue in America.

If you want something different that will still appeal to the traditionalists (we all have a few of those in our families), look no further. This is not only a top-notch Christmas album, but generally a top-notch Celtic album as well. Cherish the Ladies is undoubtedly one of the finest Irish groups in the world, not to mention one of the finest all-female groups! This album is a great collection of classic Christmas tunes, some common, some obscure, that will make for such a nice change come this holiday season.

This CD is simply beautiful.

The soulful beauty of Celtic music melding with rich and sweet Christmas tunes...the amazingness of Cherish the Ladies as a band and Heidi Talbot's clear, deep, soothing voice...ahhh, its so perfect.

This has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas CD's, but it is of such quality that no doubt I'll find myself listening to it during the rest of the year as well.

I'm not a huge fan of Cherish the Ladies and all their music, though no one can say they lack talent. However, their Christmas album is exquisite, with very lively tunes that we all know, and a few that most people have never even heard. Being an extreme traditional Celtic music fan, this is the Christmas CD I had been looking for.

This is a replacement for a wonderful overused and damaged CD. Joannie Madden is magnificent as are all of the other players and singers on this unit.

Perfectly titled lovely mix of instrumental and vocals. Soothing, inspiring and different from the same old versions of Christmas songs. I loved almost all of the songs.

This has been my favorite Christmas album for at least 3 years. Heidi Talbot is amazing as the lead singer of Cherish the Ladies. The Celtic sound is joyful and melodic. Each year I give the album to new friends.

This CD is a blend of tradition and Celtic Christmas songs both vocal and instrumental performed in the Celtic style of music by these extremely talented women. It contains well known favorites which include Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, and the overdone The Little Drummer Boy which still enjoyable song when performed by these ladies, it also contains a different version of The French carol The holly and The Ivy with slightly different lyrics and a different melody which greatly enhances the meaning of the carol. For those who enjoy Celtic music this is a CD worth owning. If it has one fault it is that since it is strictly a Christmas album and must be set aside after the holidays, however when taken out again it brings that much more warmth to the season.

The singer's voice on this cd is incredible. I had never heard of the group, went to see them at the UMASS Fine Arts Center and decided to buy the cd. ($20 at the concert, $10 at Amazon!) They were awesome in person with lots of stories and dancing to accompany but the music does speak for itself also!

My only disappointment was Amazon. Not up to their usual great selling process. I actually ordered 3 cds then opened the package to wrap gifts and only found one, with a broken case! That was a bummer but the music did not disappoint. If you ever get a chance to see the ladies in person, do not pass it up!