1. The Flight into Egypt - Traditional 2. Strathglass - Cunningham, Phil 3. The Green Fields of Amerikay - Traditional 4. By the River Shannon - Walden, W.G. Snuffy 5. Ga Gréine - Fitzpatrick, John 6. Flow Gently Sweet Afton - Traditional 7. Barbara Allen - Traditional 8. The Heron - Blennerhassett, Jam 9. Carolan's Farewell - OCarolan, Turlough 10. No Room at the Inn - Nightnoise 11. An Clár Bog Déil - Traditional 12. Down the Chimney - Johnson, Jeff [1]
Amazon.com
Number five in Windham Hill's Celtic Christmas series, this may be the best of the lot with evocative compositions and arrangements that don't slip into seasonal sentimentality, better known as schmaltz. Produced by Micheal O'Domhnaill, the guitarist and founder of Nightnoise, the disc centers on members of that band. Nightnoise gives a Celtic chamber music feel to the traditional Irish carol, "The Flight into Egypt," while also offering up the serene original, "No Room at the Inn." Nightnoise singer Triona Ni Dhomhnaill duets with her sister Maighread on the quavering harmonies of "Barbara Allen," while Micheal O'Domhnaill joins fiddler Paddy Glackin on "The Green Fields of Amerikay." William Coulter and Benjamin Verdery provide dual acoustic guitar filigree on "Flow Gently Sweet Afton" and Nightnoise flutist Brian Dunning joins Jeff Johnson on "Down the Chimney." There's something about that Celtic lilt, the sound of low whistles, cranky uilleann pipes, and Turlough O'Carolan tunes that instantly conjure up the warmth, quiet, and mysticism of Christmas. And it's all on A Celtic Christmas: Peace on Earth. --John Diliberto
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A Celtic Christmas: Peace on Earth
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1999-09-14)
- Publisher: Windham Hill Records
- Label: Windham Hill Records
- Studio: Windham Hill Records
- Average Customer Review:
based on 10 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #9991
Avg. Customer Review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: An escape 2006-11-11
Comment: This cd is a wonderful investment. 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)? 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. 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.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: a marketing gimmick 2005-12-18
Comment: This is certainly a pleasant enough album. It definitely has a Celtic feel, unlike some albums that claim to be Celtic and are not. 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. My biggest complaint is that this is marketed as a Christmas album, but only 25% ( 3 of 12) tracks are actually Christmas songs. The rest are Celtic tunes, some traditional, others apparently of recent composition. 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. It can be played just about any time of the year. No one listening would identify it as a Christmas album. That is exactly why I rated it a three star album. It isn't what it purports to be and I have a problem with album producers that misrepresent their product. It is a good album, but certainly NOT a good CHRISTMAS album. I am disappointed that Windham Hill would resort to subtrefuge in order to market a nice album. If you are looking only for Celtic music, I would recommend this album. If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, look for something else.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: It isn't just for Christmas! 2004-12-02
Comment: 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!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Christmas Time or Not, This is a Great Album! 2003-12-04
Comment: 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. 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. What a cure for the stress of the holiday! If you are looking for brilliant music, with a wintery feel, pick up this album.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great CD 2000-08-12
Comment: 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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