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Traditional Folk Instrumental Music for Christmas

Julie | 11/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection by Otis Read and fellow musicians is by far some of the best traditional instrumental Christmas music I've ever heard. I bought it just by chance back in 1990 for my parents and it became a family tradition. Now it's a tradition in my own family. Unlike other Christmas tunes with singing that "gets old" after the second play, I can listen to this CD over and over again and it is not repetitious. There's 22 carols altogether and all instrumental with no singing: We Three Kings, Joy to The World, Silent Night, O Come Emanuel, Angels We Have Heard on High, to name a few. A total of 14 musicians perform on a variety of instruments, among them flute, mandolin, piano, guitar, violin, cello, bass, banjo, concertina, accordion, tin whistle, vielle, hurdy-gurdy, harmonium and Irish pipes. All songs are performed in small instrumental ensembles. It's rich in traditional folk sounds. As Otis himself says on his website, "This has become a fireside, tree-trimming, gift-opening classic."



Otis sells his CD collection on his web site if you google "Otis Read". I don't think Amazon will allow me to include a direct URL/link here. He sells this and other CDs for approximately $14 brand new plus a $2 shipping charge. I've seen some people on here selling for almost $70 which is really unfortunate if you aren't aware that you can buy direct from the musician (via PayPal) for under $20."

Excellent holiday folk music!

05/30/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the first "traditional instruments" versions of holiday music on the scene in the late '80s / early '90s. I used to have both volumes one and two on cassette tape. I've only been able to locate Vol 2 on CD and I wish I could complete the set. Both are still in print but difficult to locate.Well rounded collection of songs from European traditional to early American and contemporary folk."