Product Description

Special guests James Galway, Jerry Hadley, Richard Stoltzman, the King's Singers and Angel Romero join the Canadian Brass for this recording of traditional and popular holiday favorites, including "The Holly and the Ivy," "Ave Maria" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: CANADIAN BRASS
Title: NOEL
Street Release Date: 09/23/1997
Domestic
Genre: XMAS CLASSICAL VOCAL

Track Listing

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
2. Holly and the Ivy - Canadian Brass, James Galway
3. Let the Merry Bells Ring Round
4. Short Fantasy on a Catalan Carol - Canadian Brass, Angel Romero
5. Angel Choir and the Trumpeter
6. Toy Trumpet
7. Angels We Have Heard on High
8. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Canadian Brass,
9. O Holy Night
10. Tuba Lullaby
11. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Harolyn Blackwell, Canadian Brass
12. Sleigh Ride [Medley]
13. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
14. Little Drummer Boy
15. Sheep May Safely Graze
16. Ave Maria - Canadian Brass, Jerry Hadley
17. Sweet Songs of Christmas
18. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Canadian Brass,

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42389 in Music
• Brand: CANADIAN BRASS
• Released on: 1994-08-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Fine Job by the Canadian Brass
There is something about Christams music played by brass instruments. The Canadian Brass is a magnificent ensemble, and I have enjoyed almost everything they have produced. There is some magnificent material on this album. I am particularly drawn to Happy Christmas, sung here with the King's Singers and Children's Choir. I would not want to be without this album in my collection.

Still, there is something unsatisfying about this recording. Quite a few of these arrangements are jazz influenced, and the mixture doesn't come off very well. I have nothing against jazz, but I would prefer an original song intended for this treatment to the mixture of jazz with traditional carols. Even so, this recording is a fine one, and I highly recommend it.

Intonation difficulties and sterile mix...
Is it just me, or are there just too many intonation "disagreements" on too many tracks? The All Stars include a number of pro brass luminaries, but the arrangements are too "corps" style for my taste. That said, in an age when BLAST is on Broadway, maybe I'm just not willing to compromise that much. They all play extremely well, of course, but the mix is "in your face"--a studio mix that doesn't do brass instruments justice. Maybe this project suffered from the ears of the producer, or it was cranked out in a hurry. In any case, I'm disappointed.

Favorite for the whole family
For the past two or three years, this CD has been our family's favorite Christmas CD. Brass is a great sound for Christmas, with both sparkle and mellow richness. This CD packs a nice variety of music, with upbeat jazzy pieces and soft soothing pieces ("Sweet Songs of Christmas" is just lovely). Many pieces really show off the brass, while others allow the guest artists to shine. Our small children, ages 3 and 7, adore this CD and have several favorite selections. They especially love the opening fanfare, "The Toy Trumpet," and the brass-made horse whinny at the end of the sleigh ride medley. My husband enjoys the unusually upbeat version of "The Holly and the Ivy," which spotlights James Galway. There are many clever,unique, and special arrangements, all pulled off with great quality. Something for everyone that can be listened to over and over without becoming tiresome.