- Noël

I love Christmas, the music, the lights, the music, the gifts, the music, the music, the music... Well, there's nothing like the Christmas carols sung in their originally intended melodies and timing. They are masterpieces! The Priests in this album don't add their own weird timing to make them any more "special" because they're beautiful just as they are. They bring to light the music itself. I LOVE that they don't feel they have to add their own personal stamp to them, don't feel they have to mix up the notes, breathe oddly, add any embellishment. Their voices solo and combined are masculine and magnificent without being flowery as with opera performers. Their harmonies are breathtaking especially on "Away in A Manger" and "The Holly and the Ivy." And "Silent Night" is wonderful. I have always hated "The First Noel," but on this CD I actually enjoyed listening to it. Wow. You simply *must* add this CD to your Christmas collection. Oh, and the last track of "Little Drummer Boy" with Shawn MacGowen took me by surprise but didn't really bother me much. I found it folksy and charming, and, yes, definitely a change in tone from the rest of the CD. One final note... "In the Bleak Midwinter" is unforgettable! It's a more obscure piece but stunningly beautiful, especially the lyrics from the poem by Christina Rossetti; this was my favorite song.

Most of the CD is a good, though not exceptional, Christmas album. It would be the kind of album you could happily throw into the CD changer rotation for the holidays if not for the last track. Unfortunately, the last track ruins the whole CD. I ditched it from the rotation when I found myself racing to grab the remote as soon as "Little Drummer Boy" started.How bad is "Little Drummer Boy"? Imagine a family Christmas party and your drunk uncle grabs the Karaoke microphone and starts belting it out with as much enthusiasm as his semiconscious state can muster. It isn't just that Shane MacGowan sings badly, which he does, but that he seems dubbed on top so that when he sings he is most of what you hear. I cannot understand what they were thinking to include this track in the album.Modern tech is a lifesaver for this album as most of it can be distilled into a MP3 compilation. But MP3s aren't good enough for the home sound system so it gets relegated to the car.

Christmas Albums are judged not by the song choice--we've heard most the selections a zillion times--but by the voices singing and the arrangements. That's why this is a five star album. The Priests have recast old favorites and given a new insight into hearing both music and lyrics by the beautiful arrangements. Ding Dong Merrily On High is exceptional and track 4--The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth is as beautiful as it was when David Bowie sange it with Bing Crosby for the first time just weeks before the old crooner's death a generation ago. Track 15 is a repeat of track 4 with Shane McGowan singing and it is truly awful. Not sure why they included in this album, but it will not affect the 5 star rating I give this work. You will not be disappointed. Just an absolutely beautiful celebration of Christmas music.

I have purchased almost every Christmas CD known to woman. This is the first CD I have purchased that is neither over or underproduced. The balance between beautiful voices, backup singers & orchestra is absolutely perfect. Many artists (Josh Groban), tend to put such a spin on their music that you barely can detect the song plus the orchestra is often so grandiose that it can almost be heard over in Bethlehem! This CD maintains the integrity of the traditional songs while still creating a bit of interest in the arrangements with the music building to a crescendo just at the right time. I had never heard of the Priests prior to hearing a sample on Amazon so am unfamiliar with their background. (To the reviewer that said they weren't true to their Irish roots, (s)he is off base. ) The only imperfection is the final song, Little Drummer Boy featuring Shane MacGowan. He sounds like a drunken sailor stumbling home at midnight after a night at the local pub plus he can't hold a tune. The good news is, it is the last song on the CD so you can just fast forward over it!Fabulous album!Festus

Beautiful music by 3 brothers who all became priests. Heavenly harmony is the best way to describe their voices and music! I highly recommend that you purchase this CD. It has become one of my all time favorites.

I couldn't wait for my order from Amazon to arrive, I bought a copy from B&N today. So glad I did. How absolutely brilliant their voices are! Messages of love, hope and peace are delivered warmly, sincerely and with class, unlike any of the other 8 Christmas CDs I already have.A well-loved repertoire with heartwarming harmonies, a real treat for the ears, heart and SOUL. I will be listening to this CD long past the holidays.

If I could buy one of these cd's for everyone I know I would do it. The three Priests have created the most beautiful Christmas album I have purchased in years. This is the way these songs were meant to be sung and the orchestrations are absolutely magnificent. If you love all the old familiar carols then you need to buy this one.

What a surprise of quality!Wish they performed more!