Christmas Voices

I don't know where some of these negative reviews ate coming from.The CD is totally awesome!!!It had me in tears severaltimes just from the sheer beauty of the music and lyrics. Could it be that the message of our Saviors birth bothered some.. And if George sounded Jamaican well, Jesus came to save the Jamaican people too.I like the faster tempo of Mary's Boy Child. If the ensemble sounded tinny to some, maybe they should take some Excedrin Migraine cause voices can sound that way as a headache aura..How anyone can say anything negative about Emmet's O Holy Night is beyond me.Ryan can tell us about music heaven style that is beyond description.His solo In the Bleak Mid-Winter is done very well,like a style from heaven to give us the blessed message.Colm singing Away in theManger is so beautiful! Listening to it brings me back to my childhood Christmas programs all over again. Comfort He, sung by Keith, is very well done and if some consider him a surfer boy maybe they should try getting some sun also and loosen up.Carol of the Bells is so well done.It is my 14 year old sons favorite Chcrismas song and he listens to it over and over.The Christmas Medley is so well done and you cant help but smile when you listen to it.Gaudete is simply beautiful.It is one of my. favorites.Tbe harmony is breathtaking.As far as Mary Did You Know is concerned, Ive never listened to it withoutout crying.Neils emotiional voice is so awesome It is like he opens his mouth and out pours the story of our Saviors birth and life.No one on earth coulld sing this better than Neil.All in all, this is the best Christmas album I have ever heard.Many Blesdings to Celtic Thunder and anyone who listens to this album will be blessed also.I recommend this highly.Celtic Thunder shines as bright as Bethlehem's Star!!!!

I'm glad for all the folks that really like this Cd. I wish I could be one of them. I know I wanted to be.My problem is not with the singers, we know how great they are, it's with the way this cd was produced/engineered. I saw them do their Christmas show in Atlantic City and it was amazing. I know how good they can be. But that was "live". Recordings are an entirely different story.I am used to thinking of Celtic Thunder with adjectives like, "incredible", "special", "astounding" but not this time. Gone are the truly incredible powerhouse vocals of the past like Amazing Grace, Silent Night, Christmas 1915. You'll find none of that here. Instead, the vocals on this CD sound distant and tinny. Were they forced to stand outside the studio while recording? The great voices and harmonies I wanted to hear sound stripped of their richness and texture. Where is that distinctive CT sound? CT sounds like a bunch of individuals, singing at the same time, instead of a cohesive group singing together. The ensembles sound mostly like an anytown community Christmas chorus that washes out with the heavy Orchestra. It really reminds me of Christmas with Mitch Miller and the gang. How do you take a premier vocal group of the caliber of Celtic Thunder and reduce them to Mitch Miller sing-a-long status? That's what it sounds like to me. When you know its Celtic Thunder you automatically think, this HAS to be good. Maybe that's what some of the rave reviewers are reacting to. But I'm glad it says "Celtic Thunder" on the CD cover because seriously, sometimes it's hard to tell it's them just by listening. They sound so far away, I keep turning up the volume so I can hear those great CT voices but it doesn't help.I also dislike the slight echo sound. Christmas is supposed to be warm, and close, and personal. That echo makes them sound cold and distant and about as soulful as good ol' Mitch.There was a hopeful glimmer of something special with "Merry Little Christmas" but the weird "row-row-row your boat" arrangement killed it for me. And Jamaican George? Completely out of character for the CD and for him. I like the Scottish Mr. Donaldson thank you. Maybe Keith would have been a better choice for that with his "surf and fun in the sun" personality. And "O Holy Night" should be sub-titled "Emmet vs. the Orchestra". What a relief when the oppressive Orchestra gave way to Emmet for the last few seconds.Last year, both George, and Emmet posted videos of Christmas songs. Those self-produced videos sound way better than this "professional" cd. At least I can HEAR THEM. Just George and his guitar, Emmet playing the piano, the vocals up-front... beautiful.This cd definitely does not showcase their talent in the best light.So, what's good about this CD? It's Celtic Thunder. It's like if a family member put out a CD, you can'tcompletely dislike it no matter how it sounds. But it can still be profoundly disappointing.Maybe 1 or 2 of the solo vocals will make it to the iPod. Not sure yet.

Even if you have the first Christmas album, this will be a most enjoyable addition to your holiday library. No repeat of songsand the ensemble and medley renditions are upbeat, harmonious, and beautiful, of mostly traditional Christmas carols.But on this album, I so enjoy the solos.Neil starts off with his ethereal, angel voice reminding us of the true reason for the Christmas celebrations.Ryan with his unique voice, warm with emotion, brings a song not usually a traditional carol with a humbling Christmasmessage --- "What can I give Him. Give my heart"Keith never disappoints and what he does with George Handel classic work of 250? 270? yrs. ago is simply awesome!Soul-touching and so cool!And then stomp your feet and clap your hands! George brings news of a birthday celebration -- "Mary's Boy Child" ---a song I believe first recorded by Harry Belafonte @ 50 yrs. ago. This has long been a favorite of mine and George'sversion is of course quite different -- fun and I hear Jamaica!Emmet brings back a more sacred mind set with his version of "O Holy NIght" ---- what a superb voice,skin-tingling. WOW!Christmas albums are often the backdrop for holiday baking and wrapping, a tradition. This is not background music. It willcaptivate your attention -- to enjoy and listen. The holidays are not needed -- don't wait!It is CT Excellence! Beauty and Joy!

Easy liqualitystening

Wonderful group of voices to be listened to over and over again during the Christmas period.