Search - Frankie Gavin, Joe Bernie, The Carl Hession Chamber Orchestra :: Shamrocks & Holly: An Irish Christmas Celebration

Shamrocks & Holly: An Irish Christmas Celebration
Frankie Gavin, Joe Bernie, The Carl Hession Chamber Orchestra
Shamrocks & Holly: An Irish Christmas Celebration
Genres: Folk, International Music, Special Interest, Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

These musicians, probably best known for their recordings with De Danaan, seem to be able to play just about any kind of music (short of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony) in any style, using arrangements by Gavin (who plays whis...  more »

     
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These musicians, probably best known for their recordings with De Danaan, seem to be able to play just about any kind of music (short of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony) in any style, using arrangements by Gavin (who plays whistle, flute, fiddle, and viola) and Hession (who plays all kinds of keyboards). The traditional religious carols ("Silent Night," "Adeste Fideles," "Angels We Have Heard on High") get a reverent treatment, sometimes flavored with folk instruments. Festive tunes ("Deck the Halls," "Tommy Coen's Christmas") come out as jigs and reels, and one of the best numbers on the disc is "The Holly Reel," an original composition by Gavin. Some modern songs get an old-fashioned jazz treatment ("Ragtime Rudolph" and "Jingle Bells Jazz"). This is an imaginative and well-played collection, neatly mingling new and familiar pieces, and giving a new twist to the older items. --Joe McLellan

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CD Reviews

A holiday jewel
Mary K. Ruggiero | Petaluma, California United States | 11/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is extremely difficult to get, but well worth any amount of effort. I'm addicted to both Irish music and Christmas music, so this CD is made in Heaven for me (or anyone, for that matter). Frankie Gavin's talent is awe-inspiring, and it's on fine display here.



The CD is a fairly even mix of religious and secular pieces. The religious songs are played very sweetly and lovingly, while the secular numbers are a party waiting to happen. There's even an original composition of Frankie's, The Holly Reel (and it's wonderful). I don't think he has a wrong note in him.



This is a beautiful Christmas gift from a truly magnificent artist."