Search - Various Artists :: Celtic Christmas III

Like opening a package full of fascinating little gifts!

Brianna Neal | USA | 05/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This remains one of my favorite compilation albums of any genre, despite the fact that it isn't very Christmas-sy in tone or content (at least not in a traditional sense), and really doesn't seem all that Celtic either. Actually, I would consider this more of a Wintery album, with primarily New-Agey and neo-Celtic selections that are gently minor, reflecting the stark beauty of a cold snowy day or, in contrast, the warmth of home and hearth. It is that combination of moods that is most compelling here. Some of the tracks are sweet and soothing, others moody, but all are beautiful and all are moving. Particularly intriguing are the compositions by whistle player James McNally ("Black is the Color"), flute and keyboard duo Brian Dunning and Jeff Johnson ("A Raven in the Snow"), harpist Lisa Lynne ("Circle of Joy" & "Home"), guitarist Snuffy Walden ("Sails of Galway") and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone ("Angels in the Snow"). Don't buy "Celtic Christmas 3" if you're looking for yet another batch of tired interpretations of stock Christmas Carols. There are plenty of those out there already. But DO buy it if you like mellow, high-quality compositions that will sooth your soul and transport you to a place of peace, grace, and more than a touch of mystery--rather like the beautiful, haunting ruins of Tintern Abbey that seem to grace the album cover. Sounds like a perfect Christmas present to me! If you enjoy the tone set by "Celtic Christmas 3", you may also like another interesting Windham Hill compilation CD, "The Renaissance Album"."

You won't see red & green when you hear this one!

Brianna Neal | 09/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As has been true with Celtic Christmas I & II, this collections of songs evokes the holiday without being maudlin or tacky. One can get a gentle feeling of Christmas without a desire to dress in red & green & drink wassail. It's much more than that. It is a journey through finely tuned songs (no pun intended!) with a tasteful delivery that calls up memories of the distant & not so distant past. This collection is a blessed relief from usual Christmas fare."

Beautiful Music, Holiday or Otherwise

Daniel G. Berk | West Bloomfield, Michigan | 09/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While equally beautiful and broader in its approach than simply presenting holiday songs in a Celtic style, this particular collection does present two distinctly Christmas songs: The Wexford Carol and Lully Lullay. As such this CD is somewhat more specifically holiday oriented. However, one should certainly not be put off by that. The two carols, as well as the other 10 selections, are most beautifully performed, and the light, lilting quality of the music is most enjoyable."