E. M. Holderman | Perryville, Kentucky USA | 11/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With the Holiday's fast approaching, most are looking for some really good Christmas music to buy for themselves or as gifts. Trust me on this, you can't go wrong with "The Carols of Christmas." It's one of my most favorite Christmas cd's (the other being "A Charlie Brown Chritmas: The Music of Vince Guaraldi"). It has become a Holiday classic in our home! With a delicate, yet strong balance, this cd is beyond beautiful! Musically, the sounds vary from solo paino, acoustic guitar & synthesizers to saxaphone, clarinet, harps & percussions - It's totally instrumental. Windham Hill fans, rejoice! George Winston, Will Ackerman, Liz Story, Brian Keane, Jim Brickman, John Boswell, Tracy Silverman, David Darling, etc....it is a holiday sampling of Windham Hills' best. And yes, this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone - I always give a couple each year. Perhaps the best way to describe this compilation is "New Age meets Light Jazz"...and thats a wonderful thing. It will leave you with a soothing, serene excitment for the Holidays. Makes for wonderful background music at any Christmas celebration! Cuddle up with a hot cuppa peppermint tea or some hot cocca and let "The Carol's of Christmas" work it's magic on your heart."
Christmas music for the soul
E. M. Holderman | 11/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD! I generally go for really traditional Christmas music, but this adds a soothing, contemporary element to those familiar carols, in a purely instrumental form. The blends of sounds, the moods conveyed, all come together to give a wonderful listening experience. This intimate, sometimes melancholy music makes you want to snuggle up to someone you love."
A must-have
Jane | United States | 12/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never write reviews or anything remotely close, but I have to throw in my two cents here...and rather than gush, I'll just say that I have now purchased this CD 4 times since it came out - and they've all been for me (I tend to lose all my good CD's). There isn't another album out there that would make me consider doing the same. The holidays, simply put, are not complete without "The Carols of Christmas.""
Beware of "sabotage" reviews
Tiros | Cleveland, OH USA | 12/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Windham Hill label has been around since the early 80s, providing some of the best of what was once called "New Age" music. If you purchase a WH disc, or an artist on the WH label, you generally know what you're getting. If you purchase a disc without knowing anything whatsoever about the label or the performers, than that's on you.
I've noticed a disturbing trend in the past two years where some people are posting significantly negative reviews of a book or CD, which are exceedingly contrary to all other reviews. Ten reviewers may give a product 5 out of 5 stars, and then there will be a reviewer who gives it 1, along with some inane comments that really don't tell you about the product. I'm starting to think these reviewers are just trying to sabotage products that are otherwise well received.
There is nothing patently offensive about this CD. In fact, it contains some very interesting instrumental arrangements of songs we've all heard thousands of times. Some are classic WH "New Age" interpretations, while others have a "Lite Jazz" feel. This CD will work well in many settings, such as dinner party or holiday gathering music, or as a de-stressing agent in your car while shopping and facing holiday traffic.
It really deserves nothing less than 3 stars. Christmas music is not offensive, the performers haven't done anything with the presentation or arrangements that render the songs unlistenable, and the sound quality is up to the usual WH high standards."
An Elegant Collection of Traditional Carols
Tiros | 12/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a beautiful and moving collection of instrumentals. I purchased it last season and find that it is now one of my favorites. It is perfect as background music for a holiday gathering but also wonderful for focused listening."