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This cd is a wonderful investment. The tunes are perfect for the holidays, to turn on in a dark room lit by christmas lights, or just anytime you need to escape into windswept moors and misty isles coated in a thin blanket of snow or fog. Anytime i'm feeling lonely or stressed, or anything that makes me need calming, i turn this on. The compilations are hauntingly beautiful, especially Strath Glass(e). It is relaxing anytime of the year, and echo of the most holy holiday of the year when played at Christmas time. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who once in a while needs an escape.
My biggest complaint is that this is marketed as a Christmas album, but only 25% ( 3 of 12) tracks are actually Christmas songs. That is exactly why I rated it a three star album. There is a hint of New Age, as well, so it is not traditionally Celtic, a minor drawback if you are looking for a totally Celtic album. This is certainly a pleasant enough album. If you are looking only for Celtic music, I would recommend this album. No one listening would identify it as a Christmas album.
It can be played just about any time of the year.
The rest are Celtic tunes, some traditional, others apparently of recent composition.
It is a good album, but certainly NOT a good CHRISTMAS album.
It definitely has a Celtic feel, unlike some albums that claim to be Celtic and are not.
It isn't what it purports to be and I have a problem with album producers that misrepresent their product.
The best Celtic track is #7, "Barbara Allen," performed by Trion and Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill.
If you like Celtic mix albums, this is a pretty good one.
I am disappointed that Windham Hill would resort to subtrefuge in order to market a nice album.
If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, look for something else.
Put this on in the holiday season and don't be surprised that you will be looking for it in the middle of the year. This is definitely a peaceful CD and one which isn't so Christmassy you have to play it only in December. One of the best of the bunch.
From the first track by Nightnoise "The Flight Into Egypt" you are taken away to a new land, where the music is soothing and relaxing. I first discovered this collection about two years ago, and what a find. The music is hauntingly beautiful, and a great diversion from the "normal" Christmas fare available today. What a cure for the stress of the holiday. If you are looking for brilliant music, with a wintery feel, pick up this album.
I popped this one in my CD player at work last Christmas. All my co-workers wanted to know what it was. A very moving collection of Celtic tunes, and definitely not your typical Christmas CD, as some tunes are not "Christmassy". I think it's good for listnening year round.
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