|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
2010 holiday release from the Grammy winning Folk Rock duo. Holly Happy Days features new original songs like 'Your Holiday Song', 'Mistletoe' and 'The Wonder Song' alongside holiday classics and favorites including 'O Holy Night', 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' and 'Angels We Have Heard On High'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Lynne
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Even people who love and collect holiday music sometimes wonder if they haven't enough already. This Indigo Girls CD makes you realize that there is always new music to be discovered and fresh approaches to classics that reveal new things in them.
For me the highlight of the album is "Peace Child," with words by a New Zealand writer and an arrangement by Don Saliers, who plays the piano for the piece. With timely words, a beautiful arrangement and instrumentation, and unforgettable harmonies, this is heart-changing music, a song that can be listened to in any season. The album also includes my favorite carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter," which ends with an intricate reprise of the last verse that makes it fresh. The versions of "O Holy Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" have creative arrangements of the familiar refrains, with Brandi Carlile joining in the harmony, as she does on a number of the songs.
Amy and Emily each wrote songs for the album, and they fit comfortably in this collection. There is also a memorable version of Pete Seeger's "Happy Joyous Hannukkuh," with Janis Ian and Mary Gauthier joining in. As usual for the Indigo Girls, the progression of songs on the album is carefully considered. The first song is a rousing blue-grass piece, "I Feel the Christmas Spirit." The record proceeds with alternating quiet and vigorous music, sacred and secular pieces. It ends--perfectly--with the reflective "There's Still My Joy."
Given how inspiring this album is in October, I think people who love holiday music will find it an important addition to their collections.
For me the highlight of the album is "Peace Child," with words by a New Zealand writer and an arrangement by Don Saliers, who plays the piano for the piece. With timely words, a beautiful arrangement and instrumentation, and unforgettable harmonies, this is heart-changing music, a song that can be listened to in any season. The album also includes my favorite carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter," which ends with an intricate reprise of the last verse that makes it fresh. The versions of "O Holy Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" have creative arrangements of the familiar refrains, with Brandi Carlile joining in the harmony, as she does on a number of the songs.
Amy and Emily each wrote songs for the album, and they fit comfortably in this collection. There is also a memorable version of Pete Seeger's "Happy Joyous Hannukkuh," with Janis Ian and Mary Gauthier joining in. As usual for the Indigo Girls, the progression of songs on the album is carefully considered. The first song is a rousing blue-grass piece, "I Feel the Christmas Spirit." The record proceeds with alternating quiet and vigorous music, sacred and secular pieces. It ends--perfectly--with the reflective "There's Still My Joy."
Given how inspiring this album is in October, I think people who love holiday music will find it an important addition to their collections.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece mixing original songs, obscurities and familiar classics
November 15, 2010
Format:Audio CD
I'd been aware of the Indigo Girls but never actually got round to buying any of their music until buying this album, which certainly won't be the last and could end up being the first among many. The album has an obvious country and bluegrass influence, which I wasn't expecting but suits me fine. I'm told this isn't typical of their music, but my tastes are eclectic so I imagine that I would like most if not all of their other music.
The set opens with a rousing bluegrass song (I feel the Christmas spirit) that first appeared on the Isaacs' first Christmas album, Christmas Spirit. I was very impressed by that album, but it is now out of print and hard to find. I guess that song is the most obscure cover here, but another obscure cover (It really is a wonderful life) follows it. Chely Wright wrote this song for Mindy Smith's Christmas album My Holiday. Two other relatively obscure covers are featured later, these being a Woody Guthrie song (Happy joyous Hanukkah) that Pete Seeger also covered, and a Melissa Manchester song (There's still my joy) that has also been covered by a few others.
The Indigo Girls wrote three songs for the album, one by Emily (Your holiday song) and two by Amy (Mistletoe, The wonder song), Among the traditional songs featured, only two (O holy night, I'll be home for Christmas) could be described as staples of American Christmas albums. Two others (In the bleak midwinter, Angels we have heard on high) should also be familiar, but the other traditional song (Peace child) is a rarity - at least to me, and I've listened to a lot of Christmas albums.
So this is a Christmas album that mostly avoids the obvious songs, which is great for Christmas music fans like myself, but won't necessarily appeal to everybody. If you are looking for a Christmas album with a different selection of songs from the usual fare and if you are also happy to accept a dose of country and bluegrass music added into the mix, this album might be just what you are looking for.
The set opens with a rousing bluegrass song (I feel the Christmas spirit) that first appeared on the Isaacs' first Christmas album, Christmas Spirit. I was very impressed by that album, but it is now out of print and hard to find. I guess that song is the most obscure cover here, but another obscure cover (It really is a wonderful life) follows it. Chely Wright wrote this song for Mindy Smith's Christmas album My Holiday. Two other relatively obscure covers are featured later, these being a Woody Guthrie song (Happy joyous Hanukkah) that Pete Seeger also covered, and a Melissa Manchester song (There's still my joy) that has also been covered by a few others.
The Indigo Girls wrote three songs for the album, one by Emily (Your holiday song) and two by Amy (Mistletoe, The wonder song), Among the traditional songs featured, only two (O holy night, I'll be home for Christmas) could be described as staples of American Christmas albums. Two others (In the bleak midwinter, Angels we have heard on high) should also be familiar, but the other traditional song (Peace child) is a rarity - at least to me, and I've listened to a lot of Christmas albums.
So this is a Christmas album that mostly avoids the obvious songs, which is great for Christmas music fans like myself, but won't necessarily appeal to everybody. If you are looking for a Christmas album with a different selection of songs from the usual fare and if you are also happy to accept a dose of country and bluegrass music added into the mix, this album might be just what you are looking for.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This recent release by Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) is their first ever holiday album; and I can happily report that it has nothing but excellent holiday music for us all to enjoy. They sing wonderfully and the music is just right for the season. There are some songs I hadn't heard already; and their interpretations of other songs and ballads impressed me greatly. The quality of the sound is excellent, too.
"I Feel the Holiday Spirit" has a fine bluegrass flavor; and the music fits in perfectly with their vocals. The musical interlude is particularly well done and everything put together makes this a strong opening number for the album. "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" by Chely Wright features them slowing down the pace; the mellow feel along with those very happy lyrics is instantly easy on the ear, to say the least. I love it! The guitar enhances the arrangement all the more, too. "O Holy Night" showcases Amy and Emily's ability to take a classic Christmas song and breathe fresh life into it with a creative, genuinely passionate performance; even if you're not a fan of traditional holiday music I think you'll enjoy this track.
"Your Holiday Song," written by Emily, uses key modulations for a great effect as they sing this to perfection--and beyond! They never let go of a single superfluous note and that's grand. "I'll Be Home for Christmas," my very favorite holiday song, never sounded so good; they convey all the subtle nuances of all the emotions in the lyrics and they make this shine like never before. Their treatment of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is easily my new favorite version of this poignant ballad.
Amy's "Mistletoe" boasts a very sensitive and emotional tone; and "Peace Child" has an especially fine arrangement for the piano that accompanies their singing faultlessly. "The Wonder Song," another number written by Amy, has a distinct country/bluegrass flavor and it all holds its own very well; I enjoy hearing this song over and over again--what an energetic ballad full of happiness and joy! "In The Bleak Midwinter" is another passionate ballad that couldn't have been done any better; and listen also for both Amy and Emily to do an outstanding rendition of Woody Guthrie's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah."
"Angels We Have Heard on High" features Indigo Girls squarely front and center for this religious song--and that's quite all right by me! They do a fine job with this. The album closes with Amy and Emily performing "There's Still My Joy;" they deliver this with so much style and grace that I can't resist the impulse to push the "replay" button on my CD player to hear the album all over again!
Indigo Girls' fans will want this fine album for their collections; and anyone interested in high quality control holiday music, both traditional and new, will not be disappointed.
"I Feel the Holiday Spirit" has a fine bluegrass flavor; and the music fits in perfectly with their vocals. The musical interlude is particularly well done and everything put together makes this a strong opening number for the album. "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" by Chely Wright features them slowing down the pace; the mellow feel along with those very happy lyrics is instantly easy on the ear, to say the least. I love it! The guitar enhances the arrangement all the more, too. "O Holy Night" showcases Amy and Emily's ability to take a classic Christmas song and breathe fresh life into it with a creative, genuinely passionate performance; even if you're not a fan of traditional holiday music I think you'll enjoy this track.
"Your Holiday Song," written by Emily, uses key modulations for a great effect as they sing this to perfection--and beyond! They never let go of a single superfluous note and that's grand. "I'll Be Home for Christmas," my very favorite holiday song, never sounded so good; they convey all the subtle nuances of all the emotions in the lyrics and they make this shine like never before. Their treatment of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is easily my new favorite version of this poignant ballad.
Amy's "Mistletoe" boasts a very sensitive and emotional tone; and "Peace Child" has an especially fine arrangement for the piano that accompanies their singing faultlessly. "The Wonder Song," another number written by Amy, has a distinct country/bluegrass flavor and it all holds its own very well; I enjoy hearing this song over and over again--what an energetic ballad full of happiness and joy! "In The Bleak Midwinter" is another passionate ballad that couldn't have been done any better; and listen also for both Amy and Emily to do an outstanding rendition of Woody Guthrie's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah."
"Angels We Have Heard on High" features Indigo Girls squarely front and center for this religious song--and that's quite all right by me! They do a fine job with this. The album closes with Amy and Emily performing "There's Still My Joy;" they deliver this with so much style and grace that I can't resist the impulse to push the "replay" button on my CD player to hear the album all over again!
Indigo Girls' fans will want this fine album for their collections; and anyone interested in high quality control holiday music, both traditional and new, will not be disappointed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
bought this for 81 year old mother. She is really happy with this. Thanks a bunch. Great and fast and cheap
Published 3 months ago by Shari L. Swedlund
4.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Music That Won't Drive You Insane
Got this as a gift for my wife, who loves the Indigo Girls and Christmas music. I like the Indigo Girls a lot, but I am generally not wild about Christmas Music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Congaree
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great holiday album
Great mix of familiar songs and original material. Beautiful harmonies and great lyrics - just what you expect from IG!
Published 4 months ago by SDK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Indigo Xmas
Huge fan of the Indigo Girls - happy to hear their take on the holidays. Couple really catchy new songs and traditional favorites.
Published 5 months ago by Grant Stone
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awful in places, but mostly pretty good.
The folk-rock duo puts their guitars, (plus some added fiddles and violins for a blue-grass touch) vocals, and songwriting to the Holiday season, with mixed results. Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. Shelling
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very Subjective Review
I was really looking forward to this cd because I've always wanted the Girls to do a Christmas cd, however,I am very set in my ways I guess, and I think the carols they do on this... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Barb Bordner
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I am INCREDIBLY disappointed in the Indigo Girls' Christmas album. It sounds like a badly produced country album, and the modulation in "Angels We Have Heard on High" just might... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Walter P. Sterneman III
5.0 out of 5 stars
"There's Still My Joy" ...THANKS to the Indigo Girls
If you are a fan of the Indigo Girls (and you should be!) you WILL love this holiday album. Just who are these listeners who posted negative reviews?! Insanity, I say! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ms. Pantz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome holiday album!
I have been following the Indigo Girls since 1987 and they are an unbelievable duo of harmonic vocals. Read more
Published on April 22, 2011 by C. Leandri
5.0 out of 5 stars
It may not be Christmas, but I love this CD!
I bought this CD as soon as I saw that it was in existence -- that was in March. I love it. Many tunes are not too holiday sounding. It is great. I love the INDIGO GIRLS. Read more
Published on April 5, 2011 by Ali P.
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
