My Thoughts On The Album!!

It might be a bit late for me to do this, but I needed time to fully listen to each track before writing a proper review. (Please can someone tell that to my TikTok because my goodness I cringe at some of those old reviews 😭).

NOTE: I won’t mention Mairéad as much as Muirgen and Caitríona when it comes to group performances and I just want to say that it’s not because I dislike Mairéad at all!! I love her voice, it’s just that overall, Muirgen and Caitríona stood out more to me. Caitríona is the newest vocalist and she’s given larger parts in the group songs, and Muirgen is my favourite of their current vocalists, so she stands out to me more purely because of that. I’ve been in love with her since A Stór Mo Chroí! I do love Mairéad as well and just want to make that clear if it seems that I’m leaving her out.


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
I’m kind of disappointed with how short it is, but just because they left out most of the verses doesn’t necessarily make it bad, right? I mean, Loreena McKennitt left out two verses in her rendition of The Highway Man, one of which was arguably extremely important to the plot, and that’s still one of my favourite songs! And short songs can still be amazing! Some of my favourite songs barely make it past the two minute mark!

But honestly, I’m just not too fond of the arrangement overall. First of all, I don’t think it gives enough attention to each member. Muirgen has a verse all to herself that is incredible (I also love the tempo of that verse as well), but they don’t do the same with Mairéad and Caitríona, which does seem rather unfair, especially for Caitríona seeing as it’s her first song ever with the group. Caitríona also seems drowned out a lot in this song, and I think part of it is that the song seems as highly tuned as possible. Maybe it’s just my sensory issues, but there were times where the high pitch was hurting my ears, especially on the final note. I do like Tara’s instrumental solo, though, it’s very beautiful and catchy.

The song is quite catchy, however, and I think that it will probably sound a lot better live when they’re not trying to be a knockoff Alvin and the Chipmunks. I think if it weren’t tuned so high, I would’ve liked it a lot more. And would I have done things differently if I were the musical director? Yes, but the song would also probably be about ten minutes long.


Nollaig na mBan (featuring Sibéal)
I like this song! The story is nice and everyone sounds wonderful! Caitríona especially shines through.


Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I love what they did with this arrangement!! It’s very unique and sweet! Máiréad especially is wonderful, her voice really fits the song!


River (Mairéad solo)
This is one of my favourites. Mairéad’s voice always brings a special element to her songs with the way her voice delightfully floats on the melody, and this song is no exception! I love the way she goes lower on some of the lines as well, as if she’s diving in the melody a bit. I love when they give Máiréad more sombre or sentimental songs, they always suit her so well!


Codail A Linbh (featuring Sibéal)
This is one of my favourite Christmas carols, and everyone performs this magnificently. Sibéal and Muirgen especially perform greatly.


Silent Night (Tara solo)
Silent Night was a lovely tune already, but Tara changed it into something entirely different, almost otherworldly! It’s certainly a deviation from its source, but it’s a magical deviation, and I feel Tara casting a spell on me as I listen.


Wexford Carol (Muirgen solo)
I like it, but I’m not too fond of the production. That’s kind of a problem that I have with much of the album, though. I liked Brian Byrne’s work on the 20th anniversary album, but it doesn’t sound as good here. I think part of it is that the instrumentals aren’t as strong as they were in the David Downes or Gavin Murphy days. This song was begging for a string instrument solo. Maybe I’m just too accustomed to the Loreena McKennitt version with the prominent cello, but I do feel that Tara certainly should have gotten to bust out one of her enticing violin solos. Muirgen does sound wonderful as always, though.


Little Drummer Boy
I was never fond of this carol to begin with, so my expectations were fairly low for this one, but they were certainly surpassed! The arrangement of this is wonderful, and Caitríona especially sounds lovely!


Don Oíche Úd I mBeithil (featuring Sibéal)
Don Oíche Úd I mBeithil is one of my favourite Christmas carols ever, primarily because of the original Celtic Woman version with Méav and Chloë duetting. Sibéal does wonderfully, but this simply cannot compare to the haunting magic of the original. There’s simply not the magic of Órla’s harp or Máiréad Nesbitt’s haunting fiddle. I do wish that we could’ve gotten Tara playing the harp with Ciara on the fiddle or something, but alas, I suppose. Also, it’s pretty diabolical that Sibéal got a solo but Caitríona didn’t.


Silver Bells
I love this one!! The arrangement is unique and catchy, and I love the choir and the instrumentals that sound like falling snow, everything creates a magical effect! Everyone does most wonderfully, especially Caitríona and Muirgen.


In The Bleak Midwinter/Goin’ Home (Medley)
It’s a sweet medley! Muirgen especially shines through! Other than that, I don’t really have any particularly strong feelings on it, though.


The Bells Of Dublin/Christmas Eve/Navan In The Snow (Ciara solo) (Featuring Tara Howley)
This is probably my second favourite song from the album! Ciara’s fiddle and Tara’s woodwinds remind me of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra!! It’s absolutely magical and worthy of listening to all year round.


Auld Lang Syne
My favourite song from this album. First of all, Caitríona is simply extraordinary on this. She has a similar emotive effect to Lisa Lambe’s in the original. I kind of wonder if they should have just let this be a solo by her, but I understand that this as a group song is kind of a classic for the group at this point, similar to what they did to Danny Boy. I love the bagpipes in this as well, they have a grand yet sentimental feel that really ties this song together.


Anyway, those are my thoughts on the album! Overall, I loved it and am incredibly excited to see it all in concert! 😄

I have not read your post all the way through yet. But I did want to say quickly:
Thanks for posting your album review. In general, I would love to see more album and concert reviews on here.

I'll post back later...

I got to take my time to read your review. (I don't like to rush through things.)

Very nice review, and well thought out! Thanks! 

Auld Lang Syne is always one of my fav songs at the Christmas concerts. This version is distinctly different from my two fav versions (Lisa L's version as you mentioned, and The Magic of Christmas w/ "opera Mairead").

I also need to listen to the album more to pick out my real favs. For ex, I notice something new in Silver Bells and Drummer Boy each time I hear them. They did a great job of making it new, or doing something different at least.

I have not read your post all the way through yet. But I did want to say quickly:
Thanks for posting your album review. In general, I would love to see more album and concert reviews on here.

I'll post back later...

Thank you! I love reviewing albums in general (I’ve considered becoming a music critic), so thought I’d seize the opportunity to review the latest one!

I’ve also considered posting reviews for the older albums, but I’m not sure if anyone would care to see my thoughts on the older ones.

I got to take my time to read your review. (I don't like to rush through things.)

Very nice review, and well thought out! Thanks! 

Auld Lang Syne is always one of my fav songs at the Christmas concerts. This version is distinctly different from my two fav versions (Lisa L's version as you mentioned, and The Magic of Christmas w/ "opera Mairead").

I also need to listen to the album more to pick out my real favs. For ex, I notice something new in Silver Bells and Drummer Boy each time I hear them. They did a great job of making it new, or doing something different at least.

Thank you for your feedback and for mentioning the 2019 version of Auld Lang Syne! “Opera Mairéad” sounds absolutely lovely, and Éabha is absolutely astounding (though granted, she usually is).

I agree with you on Silver Bells and The Little Drummer Boy. I know I kind of ragged on Brian Byrne’s production for tracks such as Wexford Carol and Don Oíche Úd I mBeilthil, but his production really suits the more modern songs like Silver Bells or Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

I know it’s been a while but I just listened to Codail A Linbh again…Muirgen is absolutely incredible on the album!!! They should’ve just let this be her solo and had Wexford Carol as a group performance like in The Magic Of Christmas…or given her both…I’m not fond of preferential treatment but I’d make an exception here…

I think Codail A Linbh is actually my favourite song from the album. I wasn’t too fond of the production at first (and I still think it could be better), but I like it more with each listen. It definitely was begging for a harp, though. I wish they’d given this to Tara and maybe Little Drummer Boy or something to Ciara instead. Or even have some other band member play it!

But anyway, everyone performs amazingly, and Muirgen is absolutely magnificent.

I honestly think Muirgen has the potential to be my favourite Celtic Woman member ever (or maybe second to Órla). I don’t think any of the other CW vocalists have been able to move me as much as Muirgen has. The sheer emotive, beautiful power of her voice is unmatched.

Anyway, this turned into more of an ode to Muirgen than anything else, but that’s kind of how I feel with every CW song with her in it! (Except for maybe some of the PFI ones because she was done quite dirtily there 😭).

I know it’s been a while but I just listened to Codail A Linbh again…Muirgen is absolutely incredible on the album!!! They should’ve just let this be her solo and had Wexford Carol as a group performance like in The Magic Of Christmas…or given her both…I’m not fond of preferential treatment but I’d make an exception here…

I think Codail A Linbh is actually my favourite song from the album. I wasn’t too fond of the production at first (and I still think it could be better), but I like it more with each listen. It definitely was begging for a harp, though. I wish they’d given this to Tara and maybe Little Drummer Boy or something to Ciara instead. Or even have some other band member play it!

But anyway, everyone performs amazingly, and Muirgen is absolutely magnificent.

I honestly think Muirgen has the potential to be my favourite Celtic Woman member ever (or maybe second to Órla). I don’t think any of the other CW vocalists have been able to move me as much as Muirgen has. The sheer emotive, beautiful power of her voice is unmatched.

Anyway, this turned into more of an ode to Muirgen than anything else, but that’s kind of how I feel with every CW song with her in it! (Except for maybe some of the PFI ones because she was done quite dirtily there 😭).

Oh my goodness, I too feel the same ever since Muirgen stepped on the scene.

One of my favorite moments about the 20th Anniversay Special is on Dawning of The Day when you see Mairead slowly turning gazing at Muirgen as she shines on her signature parts.

When you say PFI did her dirty all I can assume was she was given only one solo.

I really love that the musical director at that time recognized Susan with the acknowledgement that she would not be able to tour.
So having Susan on Amazing Grace with The Ancient Land Castle in the Landscape backdrop was some how to me giving a little outdoor castle special makeup for she wasn't able to partake in the Ancient Land Special from her pregnancy.

I would say Alex should of been guest or featured on another album, special or holiday special which is why I was saluting Caranua all the way. As Like Susan who has come back to fill in for the girls so had Alex and Lynn for the 10th Anniversary Tour and Lynn for Emerald in 2014. Had the Destiny Special featured Alex and Lynn as Special Guests it would of made more sense than Rebecca, Rebecca knew to play the harp but she never became a Celtic Woman.