Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song

Various Artists (Artist), Va-Excelsis (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 6, 1999)
• Original Release Date: July 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Projekt Records
• ASIN: B00000JCBV
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,293 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Guadete, Guadete - El Duende

2. We Three Kings - Rhea's Obsession With Athan Maroulis

3. The Christmas Song - London After Midnight

4. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - The Cruxshadows

5. Lord of the Dance - Unto Ashes

6. Coventry Carol - The Machine In The Garden

7. Silver and Gold - Faith & Disease

8. The True Present - Lynn Canfield

9. Nerotai Hazarurim (Little Candles) - Sofia Run

10. In the Bleak Midwinter - Siddal

11. Silent Night - Thanatos

12. What Child Is This? - Julia Kent

13. Huraon Indain Carol - Rhea's Obsession

14. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Lycia

15. I Believe in Father Christmas - Human Drama

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More Hell's Bells!, December 12, 2001

By 

Aislinn N. Connolly "literary lunatic" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song (Audio CD)

Where "A Dark Noel", was like an eerie, empty church, the second release "A Winters Tale", initially seems to be the polar-opposite of its predecessor. It is presented on crisp white paper and silver ink, with an angelic child sporting a halo and wings. When listening to this, despite being in the Southern hemisphere, I can imagine a fresh fall of sparkling snow lying outside the window, in a typical northern European winter landscape.

The disk opens with El Duende's Oscar Herrera (the same vocalist behind Black Tape for a Blue Girl) performing a 16th century hymn "Gaudete, Gaudete".
One of my favourite bands, Rhea's Obsession, appear twice: firstly with "We Three Kings" (which interesting does not become stagnant despite Lycia's version on the previous disk) and a more percussive Huron Indian carol with the trademark Indo-Bulgarian style singing of Sue Hutton. Unto Ashes rendition of the traditional Shaker hymn "Lord of the Dance" also rates highly in my book. Lycia (again!) deliver a broken music-box rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" with the doll-like voice of Tara Vanflower.
London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song" is an original and is actually rather nice (it also appears on their Oddities album) in a guitar-spangle shimmery way.

I suspect there was a subtle irony intended in Siddal choosing to perform a wispy ethereal "In The Bleak Midwinter", penned by none other than 19th century poet, Christina Rossetti; sister-in-law of the original Siddal - Elizabeth, of Pre-Raphealite fame.

A good companion piece to the original, but not as dark.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holiday music I can tolerate!, December 5, 2003

By 

CreepyT "CreepyTendencies" (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song (Audio CD)

I absolutely love this CD! Let me begin by saying that I am not the type of person who enjoys most Christmas music. I find that a lot of what gets played on the radio during the month of December to be rather out-dated and bland. This CD is definitely quite the opposite. This compilation is a great intermediate for those who enjoy gothic/darkwave music, yet don't want something too "dark" for the holidays.

The music is ambient and ethereal, and creates a somewhat darker atmosphere than your typical Bing Crosby Christmas songs, but that's a good thing! Some good examples of these darker songs are "Lord of the Dance" by Unto Ashes, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Lycia, and "Coventry Carol" performed by The Machine in the Garden. However, there are many up-beat songs as well. Songs such as the Cruxshadows' version of "Happy Xmas," and the Hanukkah song "Little Candles" by Sofia Run serve to break up the at times bleak atmosphere created by some of the other tracks. Some standout tracks include the 16th century hymn "Gaudete, Gaudete" by El Duende, Julia Kent's cello rendition of "What Child Is This?," and "We Three Kings" performed by Rhea's Obsession featuring Athan Maroulis.

True, this CD is put out by gothic and darkwave artists (under the renowned Projekt label), but that does not, by any means, imply that only "goths" will enjoy this album. There is definitely something for everyone on this compilation. If you are looking for some holiday music that is somewhat "off-the-beaten-path," so to speak, or even if you just want something a little different to place in your CD player this Christmas, then you NEED to buy this CD. You will not be dissapointed. Also, try to pick up volumes 1 and 3 as well! If you are like me and enjoy the creepier, darker aspects of everything, then you should definitely invest in Volume 1, A Dark Noel, in addition to this album.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardly JUST for Goths, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song (Audio CD)

Any fresh and interesting variations to the standard Christmas tunes we trot out every year are more than welcome. This compilation offers several stirring and beautiful songs you may not have listed in your Christmas repertoire. Please don't be put off by the "Goth" label slapped on this CD, if such a thing would otherwise dissuade you. Instead discover this enchanting album that offers a mellower, more etherial version of Christmas than the standard sacchrine ditties...