Night Before: Celtic Xmas

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Dordan consists of four female Irish musicians--Mary Bergin on whistles and flute; Kathleen Loughnane, harp; Dearbhaill Standun on fiddle and viola; and Martina Goggin, providing guitars, percussion, and occasional vocals (employing both English and Irish-language lyrics). The group originally convened as an instrumental trio in 1991, then two years later enlisted their manager/publicist, Goggin, to handle vocal chores. This album of Christmas-themed material is their third recording and reflects a group preference for dignified, Baroque- influenced arrangements. Dordan's renderings of several obscure traditional selections, a few stylized chestnuts (e.g., "Silent Night"), plus three originals frequently are structured on waltz-like patterns that suggest the feel of a Celtic minuet. Nearly all of the album's 15 pieces revolve around Bergin's whistles or Loughnane's harp, and collectively they convey a daintiness that brings to mind the delicacy of porcelain figurines or precision needlepoint. For most ears, only three of the album's tracks trigger an immediate association with Christmas, making this a holiday disc that, with a few properly placed track skips, could be played year-round. --Terry Wood

Tracks:

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

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What makes this more distinctive than most similarly produced and played Celtic holiday records is the spirit and sensibility Dordán brings to bear. Here is a Christmas Eve concept record meant to re-create the Irish tradition of mixing poetry, song, and traditional music with family and friends the night before the big day. There is serenity and mirth-making aplenty throughout the 50 minutes. Especially memorable, however, is the magical reading of "Silent Night" ("Oiche Chiuin," in Gaelic) and a few other noteworthy pieces. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Must have!.......2006-05-10

This is a "classic"! I mean, you just have to own it! It complements a collection of Christmas music quite nicely: some pieces are light, other invite to dance while others are sweet and tender.

I'm telling you: it's a must! Enjoyable, even out of season!

Emotionally Pure.......2003-12-30

There's not a whole lot to say about this incredible work, it would be like "dancing about architecture" but I can say that these pieces, and particularly The Mistletoe Waltz for me, are an absolute beauty.

I sent this to my friends in Ireland........2003-11-25

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas CDs. It's an annual tradition in my home to play this one on Christmas Eve since the entire album's theme is the night before Christmas and the Irish tradition of welcoming wayfarers in from the cold on that night. The CD was originally released as "The Night Before" a few years ago.

I sent this CD to my Irish friends in Dublin, and they called me to say that they were playing it it over and over again, finding it the perfect traditional Irish music for Christmas.

This is no schmaltzy "Celtic" holiday music, this is the real thing.

traditional celtic holiday sound.......2003-10-24

This is a must-have for fans of Celtic music; give it a try even if you aren't but just love Christmas music. This was also issued (in Ireland?) under the title "The Night Before" with the same tracks. One of my favorites.

Music Album:

Music Album