Track Listing

1. Cornphíopa Ciorcalach - Maire Breatnach, Seamus Brett
2. Newton Hill - Phil Cunningham
3. Kousket - Maighread Ní Dhomnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
4. Cúl A' Dún - Steve Cooney, Laoise Kelly
5. Annaghdown - Garry O'Briain, Martin O'Connor, Garry Ó Briain
6. Eilí Gheal Chiúin - Paddy Glackin,
7. Sliabh Na Mban - Liam O'Flynn
8. Christ Child Lullaby - Brian Dunning,
9. Sporting Paddy/Adele - Cormac Breatnach
10. On a Winter's Day - Karan Casey, Robbie Overson, Niall Vallely
11. AR Pont Nevez - Nightnoise
12. Cailín Na Gruaige Doinne
13. Longing - Jim Cregan, Kathleen Keane

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #158904 in Music
• Released on: 2001-10-09
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Traditional Celtic instrumentation always sounds beautiful on holiday classics, but Celtic Christmas is different than what its title might suggest. This oddly compelling album is composed entirely of modern New Age Celtic musicians playing their own compositions and obscure traditional folk tunes. Only three of the tracks contain any vocals, and only one of those--Karan Casey's "On a Winter's Day"--appears to be in modern English. It creates a mood, reflecting the meditative side of the holidays as opposed to the festive or religious. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Alternative for the Holidays
So why am I reviewing a Christmas album the day AFTER Christmas? (Because it was half price the day after Christmas!) The silver anniversary edition features all new recordings and if you're familiar with earlier volumes, this one will not disappoint. Each track has a soothing, haunting quality to it. And since none of these songs are recognizable as Christmas songs, you can enjoy this music all year. There are only four vocals here--tracks 1, 3, 10 and 13--and only "On a Winter's Day" is sung in English. The Gaelic vocals and celtic instrumentation provide a wonderful alternative to more traditional holiday fare. This is very enjoyable and calming music. [Running time: 53:14] RECOMMENDED

Gentle music with some backbone
This CD is mostly instrumental and beautiful. It doesn't play the usual Christmas carols to which we are subjected in department stores etc. so it can more easily be enjoyed all year long when one wishes to have contemplative, restful background music. Number 4 is one of my favorite pieces for babies because the hammered dulcimer somehow enters their world in a special way. Many of the pieces are lullaby-like. The pieces move through an array of featured instruments; the variety and contrast makes it more interesting. They include very rustic folk music as well as sophisticated urban fare.There are soft,non-intrusive vocals on a couple of the selections. I have listened to this one for twenty years and have not grown tired of it. It makes a lovely gift.

Basically relaxing, non-familiar music with a Christmas feel
As pointed out in another review, there are only three vocals here, each a lovely female Celtic voice, and only one in English. But it's not the words but the feeling evoked here. The instrumentals include sounds of accordian, guitar, fiddle, harp, flutes, pipes and whistles. Almost half of them are traditional Gaelic or Breton melodies.

This is indeed fine music for one's Christmas mood with the Celtic flavor. There's nothing you can likely sing along with the performers on, but there are haunting melodies and enchanting rhythms here.