The Best of Narada Christmas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A superb two-disc set of Narada's finest recording artists, from David Arkenstone and Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel to Nando Lauria and Dordán. Narada has assembled a wide assortment of musical glad tidings that encompass New Age-like pop arrangements with larger ensembles, Celtic interpretations, jazzy and neoclassical pieces, and a host of acoustic readings, the least of which is Billy McLaughlin's "What Child Is This?" Whether you like straight-ahead arrangements like Arkenstone's playful and more produced "I Saw Three Ships," or improvised pieces such as the enchanting rendition of "Carol of the Bells" by Kostia, The Best of Narada Christmas does a good job of pooling the finer works of its artists in one Whitman Sampler that packs value-plus--and enough seasonal atmosphere to turn your listening environment into a shaken snow globe. --Martin Keller

The Best of Narada Christmas,Various Artists,Narada,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Christmas,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Ethnic Fusion,Neo-Classical,Pop,Post-Bop,Solo Instrumental,V/a Compilations,Xmas Instrumental Collections

Tracks:

I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone
The First Noel - Ralf Illenberger
Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan
Il Est Ne (He Is Born) - Michael Gettel
Joy To The World - Bruce Mitchell
Angels We Have Heard On High - David Lanz
Away In A Manger - David Darling
Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel
We Three Kings - David Arkenstone
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen
Unto Us A Boy Is Born - Michael Jones
What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin
Carol Of The Bells - Kostia
Bring The Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel

Tracks:

Gloria - Nando Lauria
Silver Bells - David Arkenstone
Mistletoe Waltz - Dordan
O Come All Ye Faithful - David Lane
O Holy Night - Brian Mann
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Nancy Rumbel
Do You Hear What I Hear - David Arkenstone
Ukrainian Carol - Spencer Brewer
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Wayne Gratz
Celebration - Tingstad & Rumbel
Coventry Carol/Noel Nouvelet - Bob Read
O Little Town Of Bethlehem/The Holly And The Ivy - Michael Jones
Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming - Sheldon Mirowitz
Hallelujah - His Majestie's Clerkes

Amazon.com

A superb two-disc set of Narada's finest recording artists, from David Arkenstone and Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel to Nando Lauria and Dordán. Narada has assembled a wide assortment of musical glad tidings that encompass New Age-like pop arrangements with larger ensembles, Celtic interpretations, jazzy and neoclassical pieces, and a host of acoustic readings, the least of which is Billy McLaughlin's "What Child Is This?" Whether you like straight-ahead arrangements like Arkenstone's playful and more produced "I Saw Three Ships," or improvised pieces such as the enchanting rendition of "Carol of the Bells" by Kostia, The Best of Narada Christmas does a good job of pooling the finer works of its artists in one Whitman Sampler that packs value-plus--and enough seasonal atmosphere to turn your listening environment into a shaken snow globe. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Not The Frozen Food Section At The Grocery Store.......2007-01-16

I spent HOURS looking on Amazon for instrumental christmas music this year and found this true 2 disc GEM. The compositions are varied and thoughtful and hip enough to entertain your children yet tame enough to play at your family get togethers with your Grandma present. I did not dislike even 1 track on this compilation, and for me to make that statement is a great leap indeed! It is NOT elevator music you are subjected to in the frozen foods section, on an elevator, or on terminal ignore with your credit card company. The styles and interpretations presented here are varied enough to keep you thoroughly entertained and a great stress relief for the holidays. Of particular note is my personal favorite "Carol Of The Bells". If you are as tired as I am of trying to keep up with Sarah M's new Christmas album and whether or not Celine's is worth the money.... give this one a try!

the magic chrismas treasure.......2007-01-09

I'm a collectionist of christmas album. At the moment I have more than 50
different christmas compilation. I think that Narada Christmas collection
is once the better disk for music selection and very high sound quality.
Listenig this album is the good manner to appreciate the magic christmas treasure.

Beautiful, Relaxing Christmas Music.......2004-11-14

This 2-disc set is one of my favorites--and I own over 32 Christmas CD's and over 20 Christmas cassettes.)

Narada is a popular New Age label, and this is a compilation CD from previous Narada Christmas releases. What is New Age music? Many styles fall under New Age music, including neo-classical, instrumental, ethereal synthesized music, Celtic, and light jazz. Some artists don't like to be categorized under New Age, but it's hard to find a place for the beautiful, relaxing, and positive music that often falls under the New Age genre.

This CD features traditional Christmas songs rendered in a non-traditional way, as well as new Christmas songs that are sure to become favorites of the season. There is enough varying of styles to add interest, including songs with beautiful vocals. What you won't find on this CD is drummed up "fake" holiday cheer with songs that grate on your nerves. Every song is truly ear candy that will soothe frazzled holiday nerves and bring the mind and spirit back to a more peaceful and joyful state.

Currently we have both CD's in our car's CD changer, and it was a treat to listen to them as we went Christmas shopping this weekend. Even my 5 year old son called from the back seat "nice singing!" I highly recommend this 2-disc Christmas collection from Narada if you like fresh, inspiring, and pleasant holiday music.

Disc 1

1. I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone
2. First Noel - Ralf Illenberger
3. Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan
4. Il Est Né (He Is Born) - Michael Gettel
5. Joy to the World - Bruce Mitchell
6. Angels We Have Heard on High - David Lanz
7. Away in a Manger - David Darling
8. Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel
9. We Three Kings - David Arkenstone
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen
11. Unto Us a Boy Is Born
12. What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin
13. Carol of the Bells - Kostia
14. Bring the Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel

Disc 2

1. Gloria - Nando Lauria
2. Silver Bells - David Arkenstone
3. Mistletoe Waltz - Dordan
4. O Come All Ye Faithful - David Lanz
5. O Holy Night - Brian Mann
6. Ding Dong! Merrily on High - Nancy Rumbel
7. Do You Hear What I Hear? - David Arkenstone
8. Ukrainian Carol - Spencer Brewer
9. It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Wayne Gratz
10. Celebration - Tingstad & Rumbel
11. Coventry Carol/Noël Nouvelet - Bob Read
12. O Little Town of Bethlehem/The Holly and the Ivy
13. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Sheldon Mirowitz
14. Hallelujah

Sets a happy mood.......2003-11-30

What I demand from Christmas music is that it create a mood. I have Christmas music that is reverent, contemplative, festive, playful, or reminiscent of years gone by. I have Christmas music by which to wrap presents, watch a fireplace fire, visit with friends, meditate, clean house, or write Christmas cards. While this CD does not create some of the strong emotional reactions that I have to some Christmas music, it is happy and light. My husband whistles to it. Although there are many spectacular selections, there are few demands from the music to stop everything and listen. For me, this is the music by which to watch it snow, plan shopping trips, or quietly visit with friends. Except for the ending Hallelujah chorus on Disc 2, I would call this Christmas chamber music.

Some details: Disc 1 is 60 minutes and Disc 2 is 62 minutes. That is a lot of music for the price. I highly recommend this 2 disc set.

IT IS THE BEST..............2003-08-06

THIS IS THE BEST OF THE NARADA COLLECTION BECAUSE IT HAS MOST OF THE MUSIC FROM THE OTHER CDS. BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BUYING ALL
THE COLLECTION BECAUSE YOU WILL GET SO MUCH MORE. THIS IS JUST
A SMALL SELECTION OF THE MAIN COLLECTION. I PLAY IT ALONG WITH THE OTHERS FOR A WONDERFUL 4 OR 5 HOURS OF MUSIC. I HIGHTLY RECOMMEND THIS CD WITH THE OTHERS.......

Peace on Earth: The Best of Tingstad & Rumbel Christmas

Average customer rating:

new, but familiar

Peace on Earth: The Best of Tingstad & Rumbel Christmas
Eric Tingstad , and Nancy Rumbel
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Acoustic Elegance: Ultimate Collection
The Best of Narada Christmas
Paradise
The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season
Pastorale

ASIN: B0002YLCYM
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

O Come, All Ye Faithful
Good King Wenceslas
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
Silent Night
The First Nowell
Catalan
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
We Three Kings
Deck The Halls
O Christmas Tree
Auld Lang Syne

Amazon.com

O come all ye high-end retailers - rejoice! Your holiday soundtrack is upon you! These gentle instrumentals were cherry-picked from the Grammy award-winning duo's best-selling Christmas collections, The Gift and Star Of Wonder, and also offer two previously unreleased bonus tracks, O Come, All Ye Faithful and Catalan. The music of Eric Tingstad (guitars, synthesizers) and Nancy Rumbel (oboes, English horn, ocarinas (!), synthesizer, chimes, piano) exemplifies the tasteful, complacent, unassuming esthetic peculiar to certain publicly-funded and widely syndicated radio shows. The artists themselves refer to their style as American acoustic (despite the synthesizers) and like the works of pianist George Winston, their placid easy-listening pastiches defy facile pigeon-holing. But their avowed aim is to encourage relaxation and this they do, almost to the point of immobility. Their interpretations of timeless carols are pretty, tidy and well-recorded - ideal for holiday get-togethers, fireplace gazing or those long drives to-and-from the mall. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

new, but familiar.......2005-01-15

I picked this up along with the Windham Hill latest Christmas release "I'll be home for Christmas" this past holiday season and they complemented each other beautifully. We had christmas music playing in every room of our 110 yr old Victorian house that was decorated to the nines and this was one of the c.d.s we featured for our Christmas Open House. It was playing softly in our upstairs den inviting our guests to poke their heads in to see the decorations and then welcomed them to sit and talk in peace (no pun intended). Overall it is a very nice c.d. to put on for unwinding from coming home from a visit with family, early in the morning before anyone gets up. This will be one of our new favorites!

Narada Presents: The Best of Celtic Christmas

Average customer rating:

Best Celtic Christmas CD
Something Different
Great
More Isn't Necessarily Better
A Celtic Celebration!

Narada Presents: The Best of Celtic Christmas
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

The Best of Narada Christmas
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
The Very Best of Celtic Christmas
A Celtic Christmas: Peace on Earth
Comfort & Joy: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn

ASIN: B00006LHW7
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Cathie Ryan
Christ Child's Lullabye - Kathy Mattea
Christmastime In Ashland - Cormac Breatnach
Nowel: Owt Of Your Slepe Aryse - Anonymous 4
The Mummer's Fig - Christmas Eve - Boys Of The Lough
Get Me Through December - Natalie MacMaster
I Saw Three Ships - Maddy Prior
Silent Night - William Jackson
The Snowy Path - Altan
Away In A Manger - El McMeen
Nouel - Ensemble Choral Du Bout Du Monde
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Frankie Gavin
Ceol NaNolag - John Whelan
Seacht Suailci Na Maighdine Muire - Aoife Ni Fhearraigh
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Bonnie Rideout

Tracks:

Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan
Leanbh Ghil Mhilis (Bright Sweet Child) - Dordan
Christmas Eve Reel (Tommy Coen's Reel) - Dordan
Mistletoe Waltz - Dordan
Draiocht Na hOiche (The Magic Of The Night) - Dordan
Winter Solstice - Dordan
Oiche Nollag (Christmas Eve) - Dordan
March Of The Dreoilin - Dordan
Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) - Dordan
Failte An Fhanai (The Wayfarer's Welcome) - Dordan
Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil (Because Of The Night In Bethlehem) - Dordan
Polly In the Holly - Dordan
The Gartan Mother's Lullaby - Dordan
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Dordan
Shades Of Auld Lang Syne - Dordan

Amazon.com

The Best of Celtic Christmas is a captivating double CD that is sure to set the right tone for a more reverential Christmas feast, and/or revelry. Packed with fiddles, flutes, and angelic voices, the first disc features a variety of Ireland's most loved traditionalists, from Altan and Natalie MacMaster to the Boys of the Lough and De Dannan's Frankie Gavin (in a spirited version of "Ding Dong Merrily on High" with the Irish Chamber Orchestra), plus many others, among them American country singer Kathy Mattea. Disc 2 highlights the award-winning Galway group Dordan, in a collection of jigs, reels, and carols, many sung in Gaelic, such as "Silent Night" and "Christmas Eve." There's a powerful magic to Irish music, with bright bursts of joy and merriment always tinged with a suggestion of melancholy and contemplation, and this set readily demonstrates it for the most magical time of the year. Recommended. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Best Celtic Christmas CD.......2007-05-05

I purchased this CD Christmas 06. One of the best decisions. I listen to the CD year round.This week I spent a week in the Appalachian Mountains, living in a wonderful 2 story log cabin-nestled in the heart of the Appalachians (out side of Boone, N.C.) and 2 days of rain, and cold weather, the atmosphere and the smoke rising off the mountains put my family in the Christmas mood.

All selections are exceptional, and beautiful. This 2 CD collection will never any further than arms-length from any CD player that I own. The music is very relaxing, and uplifting.

Something Different.......2007-01-16

This 2-disc set has lots of nice, soothing music, most of which you've probably never heard before. These aren't the standard American Christmas songs. I've been unable to find a recording of Polly in the Holly (from CD 2) anywhere but in this CD set.

Great.......2007-01-10

This is beautiful, soft, relaxing, Christmas music one could listen to all year. I kept a copy in my car and when holiday traffic got so bad I wanted to scream I would pop in this CD and it would help me calm right down-didn't help the traffic one lick but what ya spect from a CD. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone, even those who do not care for traditional Celtic music. Classy and refreshing

More Isn't Necessarily Better.......2005-12-24

I've enjoyed the Windham Hill Celtic Christmas recordings for years, so I had high hopes for this one from Narada, particularly since Altan and Boys of the Lough are featured on it. The first thing I noticed is that the quality of the sound on this recording is just awful on just about every track. I have no idea whether I received a defective copy or if the overall production values on the CD are inferior, but the sound quality is unsatisfactory by any standard. Secondly, the songs themselves are just not up to the quality of others of this genre----rather a B list of Celtic holiday recordings. If you're buying your first Celtic holiday CD, start with the Windham Hill recordings, or the Chieftains' The Bells of Dublin.

A Celtic Celebration!.......2003-12-12

This is a truly wonderful celebration of Celtic Christmas music. From the uplifting "The Mummer's Fig-Christmas Eve" by The Boys Of The Lough to Natalie MacMaster's bittersweet "Get Me Through December" (sung by sweet-voiced country artist Alison Krauss) to the beautiful reverence of "Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil" by Dordan, this is a must-have for your collection. Highly recommended.

Selections From "The Best of Narada Christmas"

Average customer rating:

Selections From "The Best of Narada Christmas"
Various Artists , David Arkenstone , Ralf lllenberger , Dordan , Michael Gettel , Bruce MItchell , David Lanz , David Darling , Tingstad & Rumbel , and Michael Whalen
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000KBNSKI

Product Description

Selections From "The Best of Narada Christmas"! Top Artists Play Holiday Favorites. This 14-Track CD Sampler Showcases Highlights From "The Best of Narada Christmas" Set On One Single CD! TRACKS: 1. I Saw Three Ships - David Arkenstone; 2. The First Noel - Ralf lllenberger; 3. Enniscorthy Christmas Carol - Dordan; 4. Il Est Ne (He Is Born) - Michael Gettel; 5. Joy To The World - Bruce Mitchell; 6. Angels We Have Heard on High - David Lanz; 7. Away In A Manger - David Darling; 8. Silent Night - Tingstad & Rumbel; 9 We Three Kings - David Arkenstone; 10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Michael Whalen; 11. Unto Us A Boy Is Born - Michael Jones; 12. What Child Is This? - Billy McLaughlin; 13. Carol of The Bells - Kostia; & 14. Bring To Torch - Tingstad & Rumbel.

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