Hark the Herald Angels Sing / The Traveler / Lilies in the Field / The Blacksmith's Reel
The Distressed Soldier / Angels We Have Heard on High / The Fairy Reel
The Little Drummer Boy
O' Holy Night / Cill Chais
Ding Dong Merrily on High / The Cordial Jig / Old Apples in Winter / Con Cassidys
Silent Night
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem / The Ballintore Fancy / The Kerry Reel / Limestone Rock
The critically acclaimed women's ensemble Cherish the Ladies extends its theme of traditional Irish music to the holidays. On Christmas Night features traditional Irish melodies and carols like "The Holly and the Berry" an... more »d "The Wexford Carol" interspersed with well-known Christmas carols, including "O Come All Ye Faithful," "What Child Is This," "The Little Drummer Boy," "We Three Kings," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Silent Night," and "The First Noel." All of the arrangements are brought forth with a new freshness by the use of the group's unique Celtic instrumentation (penny whistles, fiddles, accordion, concertina, piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, flutes) and beautiful harmonies, and then heightened by the inclusion of world-class Irish stepdancing.« less
The critically acclaimed women's ensemble Cherish the Ladies extends its theme of traditional Irish music to the holidays. On Christmas Night features traditional Irish melodies and carols like "The Holly and the Berry" and "The Wexford Carol" interspersed with well-known Christmas carols, including "O Come All Ye Faithful," "What Child Is This," "The Little Drummer Boy," "We Three Kings," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Silent Night," and "The First Noel." All of the arrangements are brought forth with a new freshness by the use of the group's unique Celtic instrumentation (penny whistles, fiddles, accordion, concertina, piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, flutes) and beautiful harmonies, and then heightened by the inclusion of world-class Irish stepdancing.
Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 12/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first became aware of Cherish the Ladies when Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops released a collection of Celtic music which features the group as guest soloists. I later saw a slide show of images of Ireland set to their music. It was at that point I was hooked on their music. The music of the group has an authentic Irish feeling to it, but it's not the same old same old that so many recording artist claiming to be Celtic produce. The ballads, jigs, and reels are authentic and original, and in the case of works that the group did not compose, performed in a new manner. The group brings these same qualities to its Christmas collection ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT.
The arrangements of the holiday music are similar to their other recordings. Some of the music is grouped in medleys while others are stand alone works. The arrangements vary in content. Some contain vocals while others are instrumental, and as always, the familiar is blended with the lesser known which creates a great listening experience.
Ireland may not be known for its rich treasury of Christmas music. There is the "Wexford Carol" and "Christmas in Killarney" but while risking blaspheming the name of Bing Crosby, I'm not sure the latter can be considered immortal. This recording demonstrates how Christmas music is truly at home in Irish music and listening to it can almost transport a person to a pub in Ireland during the Christmas season, enjoying the company of friends and quenching thirst with a pint of Guinness. I suppose I sound like one of the "all of the folks at home" mentioned in the song "Christmas in Killarney," but the music of Cherish the Ladies can transport me back to Ireland and this collection can give the listener a feeling of Christmas in Ireland.
"
A wonderful alternative to "traditional" Christmas music
Megan Romer | Ithaca, NY | 12/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What? You're tired of "traditional" Christmas music? I can't imagine why, they only play the same 20 songs nonstop for 3 months a year in every shopping venue in America.
If you want something different that will still appeal to the traditionalists (we all have a few of those in our families), look no further. This is not only a top-notch Christmas album, but generally a top-notch Celtic album as well. Cherish the Ladies is undoubtedly one of the finest Irish groups in the world, not to mention one of the finest all-female groups! This album is a great collection of classic Christmas tunes, some common, some obscure, that will make for such a nice change come this holiday season."
Beauty deep and rare
Miss Lizzy | 12/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is simply beautiful.
The soulful beauty of Celtic music melding with rich and sweet Christmas tunes...the amazingness of Cherish the Ladies as a band and Heidi Talbot's clear, deep, soothing voice...ahhh, its so perfect.
This has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas CD's, but it is of such quality that no doubt I'll find myself listening to it during the rest of the year as well.
"
Simply Amazing
Thomas Lowry | Raleigh, NC USA | 01/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not a huge fan of Cherish the Ladies and all their music, though no one can say they lack talent. However, their Christmas album is exquisite, with very lively tunes that we all know, and a few that most people have never even heard. Being an extreme traditional Celtic music fan, this is the Christmas CD I had been looking for."