The Star of the County Down/Sweeney's Buttermilk/Jenny's Chicken's
I'll Rock You to Rest
Johnny Seoighe
Lament - Dunning, Brian
The Dove's Return - Minogue, Aine
James Galway, Nightnoise, Brian Dunning and others perform original compositions on this follow-up to last year's top world music record. — No Track Information Available — Media Type: CD — Artist: CELTIC CHRISTMAS — Title: VO... more »L. 2-CELTIC CHRISTMAS
James Galway, Nightnoise, Brian Dunning and others perform original compositions on this follow-up to last year's top world music record.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: CELTIC CHRISTMAS
Title: VOL. 2-CELTIC CHRISTMAS
Street Release Date: 09/23/1997
A lovely Windham Hill sampler, with -- as has been noted -- apparently nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas.
Points to the label for the major marketing-ploy that cost nothing but a snowy picture and the word "Christmas" in the title, but let's lay that aside for the moment. There's no denying this is a beautiful record, produced by no less than Michael O Domhnaill himself. The credentials are impeccible here, and the music is authentic -- though not "traditional", full of warmth and delicately rendered. The mood is gentle, here.
So ignore the title if you're imagining the worst (pennywhistle renditions of O Little Town of Bethlehem? no) and just enjoy it for the serenity in the music: after all, you'll be enjoying Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill's beautiful voice, James Galway's flute, the close harmonies of Nightnoise and more in the same gentle mood besides.
Or hold it for December anyhow: this record could very easily become entwined with your own traditions, even if there isn't a Christmas Carol in sight, here. Very well worth having for the beauty of the music and the mood of Ireland -- recommended.
CD Reviews
Where's the Christmas!
Kage Baker | Pismo Beach, CA USA | 12/03/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Beautiful listening but badly named. The only seasonal piece on the album was James Galway's arrangement of the Wexford Carol. There are songs about fish, unrequited love, the Great Famine, defeat in battle... heaps of Celtic stuff well worth listening to, but not if you want holiday music. For midwinter celebration you'd do well to give this album a miss and try Celtic Christmas III instead."
A FANTASTIC CD!!!
Kage Baker | 12/14/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is very relaxing. The bagpipes are great I recomend this cd to everyone!"