An Irish Christmas

Maire Brennan, Moya Brennan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B000FVGNLY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,330 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > British Folk
  • #25 in Music > World Music > Celtic > Fusion
  • #27 in Music > World Music > Celtic > New Age

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Blending moods of reverence and quiet good cheer, Moya Brennan's first seasonal recording is a dignified, easy-to-like assortment of familiar standards and a few lesser-known carols, all well suited to her crystalline voice and the recording's prevailing themes of innocence and humble joy. Celtic influences and instruments at times serve more as adornments than centerpieces (e.g., "Deck the Halls" exudes a sort of Fleetwood Mac vibe), yet the disc's most distinctive tracks tap more deeply into Brennan's Irish roots, particularly the ethereal textures and vocal tenderness exhibited on "The Wexford Carol" (a carol Brennan traces to 12th-century Ireland). Beyond the tympani-powered opening track, "Carol of the Bells," the 47-minute disc embraces the season's softer, gentler moods, concluding with a lovely, unhurried version of "Oíche Chúin" ("Silent Night"). Here, Brennan--the principal voice of Clannad and the elder sibling of Enya--breathes the lyrics as much as she sings them (it's one of just two tracks sung in her native tongue), then closes by adding the voices of her own children. Pleasant listening. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You should get this album, September 26, 2006

By 

Joshua Inman (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Irish Christmas (Audio CD)

"An Irish Christmas" is Moya's 6th album and was released last year in the UK. This CD is a beautiful listening experience for Christmas in Moya's signature sound. Many will know Moya as the first lady of Celtic music, the voice of Clannad and older sister to Enya. "An Irish Christmas" is a collection of Christmas carols celebrating Moya's beliefs in the Nativity. The good thing about this CD is that there are two songs added that where not included on the UK release but the bad thing is Moya's two original songs from the UK release where not included on this CD. My favorite song from this CD is "Carol Of The Bells" which is perfect for Moya's haunting vocal style. Her song "Oiche Chin" Galic for "Silent Night" is sure to be a hit as her two children sing with her on it. This CD brought a touch of Ireland to my home last year with the UK release and I am sure will this year with this release.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was the most popular gift I gave for Christmas, February 6, 2007

By 

J. Ash (Belmont, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Irish Christmas (Audio CD)

I was in Barnes and Noble when they were playing this and I was enchanted and bought a copy. One of my friends heard it and was likewise enchanted. By the time I was finished sharing it I had handed out 14 copies to friends, many of whom cited this as their favorite Christmas album this year! Absolutely lovely voice and unique, so that it's not just another version of the same songs sung by a different artist. You can tell that she is moved by what she sings and also that some of these songs are definitely being sung with the heart of a mother singing to her children and wanting them to feel warmth and magic of the Christmas season.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celtic Chrismas Music, January 26, 2006

By 

Joshua Inman (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Irish Christmas (Audio CD)

"An Irish Christmas" is Moya's sixth album. It is a beautiful Christmas experience presented in Moya's signature sound. Many know Moya as the voice of Clannad and the older sister of Enya. She has been called the first lady of Celtic music. "An Irish Christmas" has a collection of Christmas carols that celebrate Moya's beliefs in the Nativity. "I Still Believe" and "Love Came Down" are the two original songs on the album which Moya helped to write. "Oiche Chin" which is Gaelic for "Silent Night" is sure to be a hit as Moya's two children, Aisling & Paul, join her in this song. My favorite song on the album is Moya's version of "Carol Of The Bells". This song is perfect for Moya's haunting vocal style. It brought a touch of Ireland to my home for Christmas 2005. It is a great album and I highly recommend it to everyone. Moya has six solo albums at this time which I highly recommend to you as well. "Two Horizon's" is my personal favorite. She is also the lead singer for the Celtic group Clannad which is where Enya got her start.