Release Date: October
2, 2015
Label: Sony
Legacy
Celtic
Thunder has been brightening spirits with their amazing vocals and world class
performances since their inception in 2007. Current members include Neil Byrne,
Emmett O'Hanlon, Emmet Cahill, Colm Keegan, Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Damian
McGinty, Paul Byrom and George Donaldson. This compilation of holiday music is
a must for any fan.
“Carol of the Bells” is the first tune on the album. It
is a twisting musical confection that is pure holiday magic. Crisp tones,
joyful voices, melodic music ranging from horns to chimes and floating string
and the jingle of bells all combine for an elemental introduction to this
wonderful album. It was composed and written by Mykola Leontovych and Peter J.
Wilhousky.
“In
the Bleak Mid-Winter” was composed and lyrics created by Gustav Holst and Christina
Rossetti. Performed with Celtic textures at the onset, the piece quickly morphs
into a piano movement with light musical flutterings in the background. The
vocals and pipe sounds reach into the still and lonely parts that this time of
year can really make stark and utterly clear. Love of God warms the soul as the
singer remembers the reason for the holiday and the angels that walked among us
to give the child safe passage. “What can I give him poor as I am?” This rings
true for so many of us these days. What value do we offer when we can’t buy the
things we desire or give others the gifts they want. The answer is the same as
it always was. Love. It is the beginning and the end of all things and with it,
we can conquer the world.
“Fairytale
of New York” is the last piece on the album. Written and composed by Shane
MacGowan and Jem Finer this song captures the Celtic reality in all of its
glory. Soft and sweet with pipes and lilting dance music, it swings into a rowdy
bar ballad among other things. Awash in regret but dreaming of the days ahead,
the vocalists bring to life the myriad of emotions that make a man. Drink and
food and laughter bring us all together but in the end, we each of us make the
other strong.
The Classic Christmas Album is a wonderful
compilation of Celtic holiday music, both traditional and original. The
vocalists’ voices join forces to bring us a glimpse into the sounds of the
heavens or the lowest bar in midtown. There is light in the darkness and if you
listen to this music you might just feel a bit of warmth this holiday season. I
highly recommend it.
5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: Carol of the Bells, In the Bleak
Mid-Winter, Fairytale of New York
Tracks:
01. Carol of the Bells (1:24)
02. Gaudete (2:22)
03. Mary Did You Know? (3:09)
04. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (1:55)
05. In the Bleak Mid-Winter (4:12)
06. Gabriel’s Message (2:50)
07. Christmas Medley: Sleigh Ride, Here Comes Santa Claus, Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (6:00)
08. Away in a Manger (2:40)
09. Comfort Ye (2:50)
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1:58)
11. The Christmas Song (3:34)
12. Oh Holy Night (4:44)
13. O Come All Ye Faithful (3:47)
14. Fairytale of New York (4:00)
Tracks:
01. Carol of the Bells (1:24)
02. Gaudete (2:22)
03. Mary Did You Know? (3:09)
04. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (1:55)
05. In the Bleak Mid-Winter (4:12)
06. Gabriel’s Message (2:50)
07. Christmas Medley: Sleigh Ride, Here Comes Santa Claus, Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (6:00)
08. Away in a Manger (2:40)
09. Comfort Ye (2:50)
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1:58)
11. The Christmas Song (3:34)
12. Oh Holy Night (4:44)
13. O Come All Ye Faithful (3:47)
14. Fairytale of New York (4:00)
Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer
December 16, 2015
Review
Provided By Write A Music Review
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