Customer Reviews

Victorian Christmas Revels

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My favorite piece on this CD is not a song, but actually the 'sounds' of London (or any English town) of the 19th century-the first track called, "Street Cries." As for the rest of the disc, the best tracks fit in perfect with the rest of my 'Victorian Era Music' (see my other reviews), and they include "Past 3:00," "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," "Gooding/Wessel Cup Carol," and a great, somewhat eclectic (but truly authentic)version of "The 12 Days Of Christmas." And, my second favorite on this CD, "Shepherds Arise." A couple songs are, to me, duds for being supposed Christmas songs like "Down At The Old Bull And Bush," and "Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" (although they would be very good as non holiday music of the period). But the rest of the music (and there is alot) truly makes up for these. And, as with other Revels CD's, there is an excellent booklet included explaining the history of the music therein. I really love the Revels music. I have most of their CD's, including the complete Christmas collection. Search out these other Christmas CD's as well, even if they arrive after the holidays, as they are a wonderful collection to own. If you've liked my other recommendations, you'll like this one as well. Merry Christmas.

This is Victorian music at its finest. If you want to explore some magnificent old carols and gorgeous vocal arrangements, then buy this. If you want to be transported back to the time and place of Charles Dickens, then buy this. If you want to hear Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and Frosty the Snowman, then don't buy this. The Revels have five quality Christmas CDs, and this is the best one.

Sorry to be the dissenting opinion here, but I must respectfully disagree with the gentleman who feels that this is the best Revels project. Perhaps it is, if you particularly enjoy Victorian music, but as a lover of the Medieval Revels style - and their other albums - I found this to be too great a change of pace. But that isn't why I'm giving this only 3 stars (mayhaps a bit harsh...3.5 if I could). There are some wonderful songs on the album, e.g. Past 3 O'Clock, In Dulci Jubilo, Malpas Wassail...very nice...and this Revels album isn't full of poems you just can't bring yourself to care about like some of the others...that's a plus. But a few of the songs - and specifically those sung by the very annoying voice of Maggie Peirce - sounded like horribly cheesy show tunes. Not exactly the music I'd like to listen to over a Christmas feast. And - I really am sorry if this comes across too harshly - the Children's Waits choir is very grating, like fingernails on a chalkboard, sounding like a rough-and-tumble bunch of kids in a school cafeteria. Maybe that's the effect that Revels wanted...don't get me wrong, I enjoy hearing kids sing at church and as carolers, etc, but I don't like coughing up my hard-earned dough to hear great songs made awful by kids that don't sound good. Anyway I would highly encourage those not familiar with this genre to do their homework on this one before buying it. Cheat a bit and listen to the sample tracks. I didn't do my homework and thus didn't really get what I expected - my mistake, but an understandable one considering how high Revels set the bar with their other projects.

I've heard lots of Revels recordings - this is the best of them all. Good musicians, fun music - the brass group is perfect. And - Don't Have Any More, Mrs. Moore! If you can listen to that and not smile, you're dead. Or you might as well be!

This CD is, IMHO, the absolutely best Christmas Revels concert ever! We played it five times in the space of two days and never grew tired of it. Doesn't just have to played at Christmas...many of the songs are season-less. The music choices are great, the performances stellar and it was just plain fun!! We bought three (3) more to give as gifts. If you love things Victorian, good music and to have a smile on your face for 50 minutes straight (as you listen) than this is the CD for you!

Some very nice touches and flourishes of an early American, Colonial Era Christmas stage production.

Charming and festive listening for Holiday season of colonial era Christmas harmonies.

Ken Cybulska