CD Review
Celtic Woman
A Christmas
Celebration
What did it take to dislodge the platinum-selling Celtic Woman CD from eighty-one weeks atop the Billboard World Music charts? Why nothing less than another effort from Celtic Woman. This time it's a Christmas offering from the talented female troupe from Erin. The follow up to the fabulously popular, self-titled 2005 recording, is entitled Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration.
A Christmas Celebration is a musical disc that can fit almost any environ. The collection is traditional while never losing its contemporary feel. It's classical, yet it also has a popular musical quality. The orchestral production is tasteful and appropriate, never leaving a saccharine taste on the listener's palate. While the introduction of Celtic instruments gives the recording an Irish accent in places, the influence of the Emerald Isle is not overpowering or pronounced, leaving the audience to savor the polished vocals of Chloe Agnew, Orla Fallon, Lisa Kelly and Meav Ni Mhaolchatha as well as the enchanting fiddle of Mairead Nesbitt.
A Christmas Celebration includes traditional carols and songs as well as classical and Celtic-tinged tracks. The traditional sounds are comprised of O Holy Night, Away In A Manger, Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful. The angelic voices of the group, whether in solo, duet or ensemble, lift these familiar favorites to new heights. Holiday classics covered are The Christmas Song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and an energetic version of Let It Snow! Other gems are Carol Of The Bells, which features an inspiring fiddle solo, and The Little Drummer Boy, which is supported by a chorus of Gregorian chants. Several songs of classical and Celtic origin such as Panis Angelicus with the Irish Film Orchestra and a Celtic version of That Night In Bethlehem help complete the album. While many of the songs on A Christmas Celebration are the usual fare of many holiday endeavors, one track, Christmas Pipes, seems to rise above the rest with its superb vocals and the addition of uilleann pipes, low whistles and bodhran.
A Christmas Celebration from Celtic Woman is a fresh addition to anyone’s holiday collection. It’s perfect as background music during a festive gathering or for anyone that enjoys carefully listening to quality Christmas music with an excellent vocal performance. For something a little different for the holidays, perhaps a bit of the Emerald Isle is just the thing.
Kirk deCordova
**** 4/5
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