Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

Wow! Christmas music overload alert! This four CD set from Classic Fox Records might be a tad overwhelming, but at least there's enough music here to fill the whole Christmas season. Each CD highlights a different genre so at least there's some variety. The first CD is the most different from the usual Christmas fare, featuring seasonal tunes in Celtic style - plenty of fiddles, mandolins, harps and accordions. The playing is adequate, and spirited, though there are a few tracks whose links to Christmas are rather tenuous - the bluegrass style 'Auld Lang Syne' is an oddity in this collection. The Classical Piano and Cello CD includes some quality playing without breaking any new ground, though I suppose some will like it all the more for that. The cello certainly has the ability to stir emotions. The title of 'Cathedral Choirs' speaks for itself, with standard choral performances from mixed choirs and boy choirs, some with organ accompaniment, others with small orchestral ensembles. The 'Woodwind Quintet' CD is probably the least commercial one, but if you like this sort of thing you'll be moderately pleased. All in all the collection is good value, but I would have liked something with more originality and more distinctiveness. The album packaging is pretty but woefully inadequate - no indication as who is playing or singing, but I suppose Classic Fox are aiming at an audience that just wants to hear some nice music for Christmas, and on that level the album scores.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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