Reviews of Celtic

Books
Recordings
Live Music
Theater
Movie
Restaurants

Recordings


	Reviewed by Cindy Reich, Celtic Connection, December, 2007 December is the time to enjoy the music of the season, and I am usually ready earlier than most. There is a lot of great Celtic music for the Christmas season, both past and present, and here is a sampler of what might put you in a non-Scrooge mood for the month. Enjoy
CHRISTMAS PAST — OLD FAVORITES “THE BELLS OF DUBLIN” THE CHIEFTAINS RCA VICTOR Released 16 years ago, it has held up far better than many more contemporary fare. If you were fortunate enough to buy the VHS tape at the same time as the then quite new “CD”, you were in for a visual treat as well. Featuring Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithfull, Nancy Griffith, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and (the late) Burgess Meredith. A combination of contemporary and traditional fare as only the Chieftains and their many musical friends can do. Stand out cuts include “St. Stephen’s Day Murders” with Elvis Costello, “Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil” with Kevin Conneff and Burgess Meredith, “The Rebel Jesus” with Jackson Browne, “O Holy Night” with Rickie Lee Jones and the wonderful “The Wren! The Wren!” With all of the Chieftains in full form in the best wren music in the world. This is a cracking CD and I never tire of hearing it.. “A CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS” BOLHOLA BOHOLA MUSIC Released in 2000, this CD has become a staple on my annual Christmas radio show. I wonderful blend of traditional music, story and poetry from the always superb group Bohola. Jimmy Keane, Sean Cleland and Pat Broaders along with Kathleen Keane have put together a seamless production of tunes such as “The Frost All Over”, “The Christmas Jig”, “Deck the Halls” (as a hornpipe!) and wonderfully narrated stories with music backing such as “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, and “A Christmas Childhood”. For a real Irish flavored Christmas, this is the deal. JOHN MC DERMOTT “CHRISTMAS MEMORIES” ANGEL RECORDS John McDermott, one of the original Irish tenors uses his golden voice to great effect on this lovely collection. If your tastes run to gorgeous songs and hymns sung by a master, than this CD will take pride of place. John’s versions of “O Holy Night”, and “Ave Maria” are not to be missed. I particularly love the evocative “Suo Gan”. There are two instrumental medleys to give the ear a chance to perk up for the next set of songs. Although released in 1994, this is still on the CD player every Christmas at home. JOHNNY CUNNINGHAM/SUSAN MCKEOWN “A WINTER TAILSMAN” SHELIA NA GIG RECORDS One of my fondest recordings. The last time I saw Johnny, Susan and Aidan Brennan, they had performed a live version of this CD in Denver. Shortly after, Johnny died unexpectedly and far too young. This recording always brings back warm memories of the performance. A great collection of songs, tunes and Johnny’s witty poetry. Susan McKeown needs no introduction for her vocal prowess—she is a stunning singer. Combined with Johnny’s fiddle and Aidan’s guitar, the music is first class. Outstanding cuts include “A Winter Charm of Lasting Life”, “An Urbane Scotsman in Alaska”, “As Warm as Winter Snow” and “The Bonny Blue Eyed Lassie”. Released in 2001 MEN OF WORTH “A WINTER’S CAROL” MAHOG MUSIC Popular duo Men of Worth team up with Maureen Brennan and Kevin Carr to bring a well thought out package of tunes and songs. Not only attractive listening for the warm vocals of James Keigher (Ireland) and Donnie Mac Donald (Scotland), but for the great selection of tunes. “Angels We Have Heard On High” is paired with the “Kesh Jig” to good effect. I particularly like the set “Christmas Day in the Morning/Calum Breugach/Ballinasloe Fair/Last House in Connaught” as well as “Up Mayo/Christmas Eve” John McCutcheon’s “Christmas in the Trenches” is also a highlight. A very listenable, very likeable, very lovely group of tunes and songs. MOYA BRENNAN “AN IRISH CHRISTMAS” BEO MUSIC From the famous Brennan family of “Clannad” fame, Moya has used her beautiful vocals and proficiency on the harp to sublime effect on this release. She is joined by a rake of great musicians such Maire Breathnach (viola, fiddle), Anto Drennan (guitar), Cormac DeBarra (harp) and Eamonn Galldubh (uillean pipe, whistle, flute), just to name a few. Brennan has put together a great collection of well known carols such as “Deck the Halls”, “What Child is This”, “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” and included a nice combo of “Do You Hear What I Hear with “Don Oiche ud I mBeithil”. Her version of “Oiche Chuin” (Silent Night) is not to be missed and is fittingly and beautifully the final track. CHRISTMAS PRESENT — RELEASED THIS YEAR EILEEN IVERS “AN NOLLAIG” AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Compass Eileen has put out a solid and satisfying Christmas release that combines a lot of energy, fun and Christmas spirit into one convenient package! Eileen’s fiddle playing is second to none and she has fun making “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” into jig. Similarly, I have to say, the version she does of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s desiring” is equally danceable and great fun to listen to. I like shaking up the hymns a bit…gives it a bit of spark. Lest you think it is all jigs and reels however, there is a lovely version of the “Wexford Carol” and a beautiful Danish piece, “The Time is Approaching”. We even get Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time is Here”, recognizable to most of us as the theme to “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. If you want a distinctly Irish flavored set of tunes and hymns with a bit of energy and pizzaz, this will fit very well in the Christmas stocking. ANDREW T. MILLER “THE BIRTH OF CHRIST” NARRATED BY LIAM NEESON SONY MUSIC On August 18th, 2006, an extraordinary event occurred in Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. It was the world premiere of a profound musical event, “The Birth of Christ”. Composed by American Andrew T. Miller, it brought together choirs from both the Protestant and Catholic churches to unite in a celebration of Christ’s birth. Soloists and other musicians from around the world make this a truly global collaboration. Liam Neeson not only introduces the piece, but also narrates from the gospel of St. Luke in addition to the music. In 13 parts, this amazing cantata will put chills down your spine. Put out on DVD as well as CD, this is scheduled to be broadcast on PBS during the Christmas season. A soaring, glorious, unforgettable 85 minutes to consider what Christmas is really all about. FIONA MACKENZIE “DUN NOLLAIG” A GAELIC CHRISTMAS GREENTRAX RECORDS Fiona Mackenzie is one of the stellar voices of the Gaelic language in Scotland. In this 2 CD set, she has set down many traditional Scottish hymns in Gaelic as well as more traditional hymns. Beginning with “Leanabh an Aigh” (The Blessed Infant) with the tune that most would recognize as “Morning has Broken” but has always been credited as an old Gaelic melody. Fiona provides great liner notes as to the origin of the songs and even covers Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluiah”. The second CD is for youngsters of all ages and sets out a lot of familiar carols such as “Away in a Manger” in Gaelic but also has lots of other fun songs such as “Preasantan” (Presents) and “Bodach na Nollaig” (Father Christmas). For those who love the Gaelic language and want to have a really, truly Scottish Christmas sound experience, you won’t find better than this. If you want to start the kids singing Gaelic—get them started on CD two! JEFF JOHNSON & BRIAN DUNNING “DREAMS OF A CHRISTMAS NIGHT” ARK RECORDS 4 track single A lovely little Christmas present of former “Nightnoise” members contains their trademark atmospheric music and vocals on four cuts—“The Waits Song”, “Walking in the Air”, “Down the Chimney” and “Noel, Noel, Voice L’Enfant”. With loads of other lovely pieces on various Windham Hill Christmas releases, I think we could well do with a full CD, guys. This is a tasty bite, but one longs for more. Back