Customer Reviews

The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas

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

 

 

I had a hard time finding this in Amazon.com's "Popular Music" database. I found out why - it was in "Classical" and Amazon.com knew best. I had to go through "All Products" to find out.

Empire Brass took nineteen familiar holiday tunes (including "Arabian Dance") and arranged them NOT necessarily for brass (and Empire Brass is quite a quintet), but PERCUSSION - bells, cymbals, glass beads, bongos, whatnot, acoustic as well as electronic - PLUS electric and acoustic guitar and violin. What the resulting group does with rhythm and syncopation and string is probably not duplicated in any other album, Christmas or otherwise.

On seven of the nineteen cuts, you will hear the rich voice of soprano Laurie Monahan really "deliver the goods" also in a unique way.

You will hear these familiar holiday songs in a brand new way and in a way you've never heard before. I am very glad I added this album to my now very extensive Christmas collection.

Empire Brass has my admiration for their musicianship and sense of history. Don't miss out on the "Oh! G" medley on Track 18 - the Brass really strut their versatility. Warning: "Joy to the World", the conclusion, is really surprising done Dixieland with drums done "Buddy Rich" style.

Strikingly original, gorgeous, and someday this will likely be considered a Classic. Christmas CDs are a penny-a-dozen, and they often take a safe, predictable route, but this one is a true original. On this CD, the Empire Brass' arrangements are often haunting, as, for example one of the opening arrangements of "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen". Some tracks explore Middle Eastern territory- a VERY appropriate, usually unexplored theme, considering Jesus' birthplace. Quiet tracks like "Bring a torch" have feeling of quiet snow falling on a medieval village centuries ago in Europe somewhere. Others are wildly, ecstatically played ; "The Holly & the Ivy" for example. Some carols features very original & exciting percussion - but none of it overbearing; the percussion stays in the background & does not overtake the other players. A beautiful medieval track is a real gem-"Ave Regina Caelorum" is quietly played by the brass with the wonderful soprano soloist. This one has an appropriaterly mysterious air, filled with wonder & pathos. As does the frequently recorded "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", but here it is arranged differently than I've ever heard, as if I'd heard the words for the very first time. As usual, Telarc's recording is very realistic & with great dynamic range. There's only one track that seems a bit odd because it follows a few very touching tracks at the end. It's a Dixieland/Ragtime flavored Take on "Joy to the World"; very creative, perhaps it would be better somewhere else on the disc. Overall, this is probably my favorite of dozens of Christmas CDs.

Boston's Empire Brass' Christmas Album THE WORLD SINGS is an interesting mix of Christmas music. Listeners certainly will find Empire's polished and powerful sound in many of the tracks. While the group is a classically trained brass quintet, there are tracks that include contemporary musicians as well as a vocalist Laurie Monahan. The album includes many Christmas standards such as "Joy to the World," "Angels We Have Heard On High" and the like. Less familiar carols are included such as "Pat-a-pan" and "Still, Still, Still." A personal favorite is the group's unique rendition of the "Arabian Dance" from THE NUTCRACKER. People desiring a traditional brass quintet album will probably be better off looking at the Philadelphia Brass Ensembles A FESTIVAL OF CAROLS IN BRASS (a must have for all lovers of brass music), but listeners who enjoy creative sound rooted in classical music but open to contemporary music will certainly enjoy this wonderful collection.

The Empire Brass is one of the premier brass quintets in the world, but you will not hear this on this Christmas album. Almost every single track has some kind of electronic backbeat or guitars, which frankly, is quite annoying, and the arrangments (though many might call them "original") are very poor. If you like "ecelectic" you might like this, but if you are in any shape or form a brass aficionado you will play this once and then it will begin to collect dust on your CD rack. Very disappointing!

I always collect unique Christmas albums. Where someone gives an old familiar carol a new, fresh spin. There are quite a few to choose from on this album.

I really enjoy "O Come All Ye Faithful," with its steady crescendo and addition of instruments. "The Little Drummer Boy" is similar, starting with a soloist.

"Oh! G," a montage of several Christmas carols is manic, fun, and really enjoyable. The tuba player is practically a virtuoso!

All in all, a very nice refreshing change of style.

Empire Brass is very good, as usual. 6 of the 19 tracks include a vocal, which is OK, but not great. Worth getting if you like brass.

This recording is not for anyone who prefers traditional Christmas music done in the way the composers intended. Empire Brass and friends have taken serious liberties on every track. Most disappointing was the sinuous Arabian Dance shattered by dynamics that produce cringes rather than sighs of pleasure. If you like jazz riffs, drum solos, and electric guitar sounds, then by all means explore this unusual recording. Otherwise, you might be better advised to spend your money elsewhere.

Congratulations Empire Brass, this CD will be given away as a white elephant present to some poor, unsuspecting friend this Christmas.

I was expecting brass and also tasteful. Instead I was assualted by obnoxious electric guitar and Stompesque percussion. Too much singing too, even if done more tastefully than the guitar and percussion. Some songs were so bad that I couldn't even finish them before skipping to the next track.

A disagreeable disc that highlights the Empire Brass' less desirable features. The technical brilliance is undeniable. However, the arrangements are annoying and detract from the subject at hand. Just play the music and let it speak for itself!

Expected more with this CD. One time listening is enough.