Customer Reviews

Mittens for Christmas

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This release came out after 9/11. I remember it because it's first piece begins very slowly - mournfully - and then slowly, ever so slowly, starts to pick up in tempo and spirit and become more and more joyful. The rest of the album is equally beautiful, and I am certain the only reason more people don't know of it is because we as a country just weren't in the mood for Christmas music at that time. This is the sort of unusual holiday music that is characterized by ancient, traditional melodies and the passion of the people who perform it for us, today. Once you hear it, you will never forget it. The highest recommendation.

I first heard this CD played in the Abby bookshop of the Pennsylvania
Rennaissance Faire. I think I deprived them of their last copy. The brothers voices fit together seemlessly. I highly recomend this recording
to anyone who is tired of the radio's verison of Christmas music.

Three talented brothers, multi-instrumentalists, take traditional Christmas carols (some French, many English) as their starting points.
Celtic harp, violin, cello, Celtic drums (and there seem to be other instruments, sometimes).
The instruments take turns to open a carol, sometimes quietly, contemplatively.
The violin, especially, can imitate the grace-note ripple-ornamentation of Celtic pipes -- or do Celtic pipes imitate the note-slipping ornamentation of a fiddle? -- or do these folk instruments imitate Celtic singing?
Then the first tune is replaced, medley or pot pourri style, by another: the tempo can pickup, the drum adds a surge of energy.
It becomes hard to keep your feet from dancing.
And, yes, this is all joyful, and beautiful.
The booklet of notes explains the personal background to each track, the sets of carols or medley and their connections, and the origins of each carol.
Happily the booklet also explains the unusual title: Christmas was when newly hand-knitted mittens were received from an elderly, ailing loving relative -- treasured as a remembrance of the giver.
All that's missing is the mulled wine, and a crackling fire, with holly and the scent of the Christmas tree.

Why isn't there are sequel? There are other carols that suit plaintiff Celtic ripples and the driving beat of a reel!
John Gough -- Deakin University -- jugh@deakin.edu.au

I am sitting here listening to the CD right now. It is thoroughly delightful. Light and airy and makes my heart warm inside. Sounds cheesy, but one of the best Christmas CDs I have ever heard!

Excellent clear music played on standard folk instruments - lilting, genuine and wonderful. Will engage you and really speak to you about the holiday. Would be as meaningful to your great great grandparents as it is to us today - timeless renditions of classic Christmas music. Very, very, good!