CD Review – Orla Fallon (Celtic Woman Christmas Album)
Celtic Christmas
Elevation Records
I love Irish music, both contemporary and traditional and Orla Fallon is one of the best at both. The former Celtic Woman – now solo chanteuse has given one of the best Christmas gifts of 2010: Celtic Christmas. This album takes some of the best traditional Christmas tunes and gives them a contemporary Irish feel, complete with guests! She brings in fellow Celtic Woman Meav for “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and Anuna lends some beautiful harmonies on “Away in a Manger.” A couple of the more surprising guests take away a little of the Irish feel of the record, but they are still decent (especially her duet with Vince Gill on “Little Drummer Boy.”) Orla proves, however that she doesn’t need any help as her angelic voice transcends “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/The First Noel” and makes “Emmanuel” one of the best renditions I have ever heard. If you like Christmas music and Irish music, then this is a must have.
