Customer Reviews

Winter Dreams for Christmas

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found out about this CD in a recent catalogue that I received in the mail. I am a longtime fan of R. Carlos Nakai and was thrilled to see that he had released a CD of traditional Christmas carols reinterpreted for cedar flute and guitar.

Some of the songs are more improvisational than others and may not be to everyone's taste if you're expecting a more traditional collection of holiday songs and carols, but all are strikingly beautiful and reflective with a recognizable melody. I love the Navajo chorus on "Silent Night"--it's worth buying the CD just for this inspiring new version of a beloved song.

The album evokes the some of the same sense of wonder and contemplation as Loreena McKennitt's Christmas album "To Drive the Cold Winter Away." Hearing the Native American cedar flute carrying the melody and accompaniment was a very pleasant surprise. The cedar flute is hauntingly beautiful and mysterious, much like the holiday season itself.

I am not familiar with William Eaton, but his guitar playing is superb, gentle and radiant, shimmering like the lights on a Christmas tree. It is a perfect compliment to the flutework of R. Carlos Nakai.

"Winter Dreams" is among my most cherished Christmas albums but it is appropriate year-round as it is a deeply spiritual and beautiful CD. It captures the magic of the first snowfall, the winter silence and crisp air, peace and comfort. Buy this for yourself if you seek a little wonder, contemplation, and peace in your holiday season. Happy Holidays.

The hauntingly beautiful cedar flute of R.Carlos Nakai comes alive in each selection. Interwoven accompaniment by William Eaton enriches the Christmas selections and Winter Dreams carries you away, to another place and another time, filled with beauty, ecstacy and simplicity. The presentation of Silent Night is breathtaking!

This is my favorite Holiday music by far. Carlos Nakai demonstrates his genius with wonderful adaptations of Christmas classics. I've been a fan of Nakai/Eaton for a long time and this is their best effort yet. Absolutely beautiful. Buy this one!

I received this wonderful cd over 10 years ago as a Christmas
gift at work and its been part of my Christmas music for the end of the year
holidays. Beautiful, haunting music created by Carlos Nakai and
William Eaton with the theme of introspection and renewal at
its core. Something about this music, I guess the southwestern
desert landscapes and the open space created in the music just
make this a classic. Timeless melodies and familar songs created
by master musicans featuring flute, guitar, lyre and harp guitar. Unforgettable.

This is one of the most exquisite collections of Christmas music I have ever heard. It will take you on a magical, winter-y, spiritual journey.

As a fan of the cedar flute and Native American music, I happened upon this gem whilst looking for an enjoyable Christmas CD that was relaxing and made me appreciate the songs again. What I love the most about this CD is, once again, R. Carlos Nakai's stunning ability to perform the music in such a way that takes familiar sounds and transforms them into something recognizable but very refreshing. This is definitely a CD to buy and because of the change of the sound, it will be appealing throughout the year. Definitely a great buy.

Canyon Records' recording of R. Carlos Nakai and William Eaton's Winter Classic has become a standard part of my Winter Solstice / Christmas holidays. This intercultural blending of Native American styles and Western Christian carols transcends sectarianism for universal peace. Highly recommended for all!

I have owned this CD for years. I still buy it as a gift for friends. It remains one of my all time Christmas favorites. The music is hauntingly beautiful. It melts away the stress that sometimes comes along with the season and helps me remember what the season is all about. Treat yourself and your music loving friends to this great CD.

This is one of the most beautiful Christmas CD's ever produced. Although an obscure artist Carlos Nakai always creates an enchanting dreamlike environment for his listeners.

I bought this CD a number of years ago to add to my Christmas music collection. It immediately became my favorite. Nakai's and Eaton's interpretations of these mostly sacred songs was superb. When the final song, Silent Night, came on with the Navajo Chorale singing in the Navajo language, I was blown away. Now, when the Christmas season is over, I put this CD on as the last CD of the season, and let the season end with the echoes Silent Night being sung in the Navajo language.