The Canadian Brass Noel with Guest Stars

I've had this CD before and lost it when my CD player broke with this title in the cartridge. Then the business repairing the CD player never notified me to pick it up before closing its doors. The CD was so good, I had to replace it.Fortunately, I was able to find a copy. Shipment was quick and packing was good.

As the heading says I love the group and love the Christmas music. It help make my christmas season complete.

I am very happy with this purchase. We love the Canadian Brass and it was especially nice to get it at a good price. It arrived within 10 days and we are enjoying the music! I've used the site before and will do so again!

You must know that I am a huge Canadian Brass fan, and I absolutely love Christmas music. With that combination, what could be better than a Canadian Brass Christmas album? Well, this one left me wanting more.My primary objection to this recording is its frequent use of guest artists. Six out of the eighteen tracks include rather random musical additions like a flute, a guitar, a clarinet, and various singers. Though each of these musicians are highly capable at their craft, I found their presence to be always unnecessary and often cumbersome and intrusive.Ultimately, the Canadian Brass (and brass music, in general) provides such a distinctive and glorious sound that I find it to be considerably shortchanged when accompanied by other musicians. I would have much preferred a purely Canadian Brass album.Of course, it is still the Canadian Brass, so it is musically outstanding, especially on the tracks which feature them alone. The album remains quite solid, and I listen to it each December. I just wish that they had done their own thing, discarding the need to include others into the mix. I would recommend many other Canadian Brass albums ahead of this one.

That said, I enjoy this CD. It's not the traditional Christmas CD you would expect from the brass. If you want that, pick up "The Christmas Album". Someone complained that these guys have released too many Christmas CDs. I don't know. I just know that this one is different and maybe that justifies another release. It has a variety of styles and is more contemporary-sounding. It sounds at times traditional or classical and at times like big band and at times like light jazz. The added musicians and soloists add even more textures and sounds. So, no, this is not a typical brass recording, however, it is a very creative and enjoyable recording. Why does every artist have to be pigeon-holed and held accountable to listeners expectations? With an open mind you might really enjoy most if not all of the selections. Recommended.

There is something about Christams music played by brass instruments. The Canadian Brass is a magnificent ensemble, and I have enjoyed almost everything they have produced. There is some magnificent material on this album. I am particularly drawn to Happy Christmas, sung here with the King's Singers and Children's Choir. I would not want to be without this album in my collection.Still, there is something unsatisfying about this recording. Quite a few of these arrangements are jazz influenced, and the mixture doesn't come off very well. I have nothing against jazz, but I would prefer an original song intended for this treatment to the mixture of jazz with traditional carols. Even so, this recording is a fine one, and I highly recommend it.

Is it just me, or are there just too many intonation "disagreements" on too many tracks? The All Stars include a number of pro brass luminaries, but the arrangements are too "corps" style for my taste. That said, in an age when BLAST is on Broadway, maybe I'm just not willing to compromise that much. They all play extremely well, of course, but the mix is "in your face"--a studio mix that doesn't do brass instruments justice. Maybe this project suffered from the ears of the producer, or it was cranked out in a hurry. In any case, I'm disappointed.

I really like this album. I tend to enjoy vocal music for Christmas, so this isn't in the "love it" pile. There are some very nice, rarely heard tunes (Sweet Songs of Christmas is my favorite of those). If you enjoy brass music, I think you'll love it.

Un CD qui demande à être réécouté plusieurs fois. Peut-être pas le meilleur du Canadian Brass. Les contributions de différents autres artistes apportent un plus pour tous ceux qui trouvent le Canadian Brass trop classique. Un style enjoué pour ce CD de Noël.