BS: A Celtic Christmas?

Subject: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 06:29 AM

In Woolies yesterday I decided to update our Christmas song collection with a wonderful CD containing all the classics. You know, Wizzard, Slade, Mud and Chas and Daves fantastic version of Auld Lang Syne! Anyhow, the CD's were on offer - 2 for a tenner so I mooched round a bit and found one called 'A Celtic Christmas'.

It is an excelent compilation of both vocal and musical numbers featuring whistles, harps, hooligan pipes etc. But here is the question. Why is it a CELTIC christmas? Here is the track list -

The Christ hilds lullaby
Guadette
The first Noel
Jesum Dominum
The Angel Gabriel
Away in a manger
Puer Nobis
Veni Emmanuel
Nova
Infant Holy
The seven joys of Mary
A virgin so pure
What is this fragrance?
Il est ne
Silent night
Divinum mysterium
Go to sleep my child
Look, a star shines
Our blessed lady's lullaby
Coventry Carol
Rocking
Quem pastores

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not knocking anything. I genuinely do not know how many of these songs are 'Celtic'. Or is it just that they are done in the Celtic (predominantly Irish in this case) style? If so, how come? Do the Celts not have enough of their own music? Or were all these songs originaly Celtic and have crossed to other areas?

Not that it realy matters anyway - as I say it is a lovely album - and a perfect foil to the other louder braher one I got. I am just interested.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: smallpiper
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:08 AM

Its all part of the "Celtic = CD sales" thing so it might have a nod in the direction or be performaed by traditional musicians or even be synthesised mood music with a touch of low whistle and there you have it, a Celtic CD with garanteed sales.

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: greg stephens
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 12:50 PM

As Mr Royle would so aptly observe, Celtic my arse.

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 02:05 PM

And they sell?

he he

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: smuggler
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 04:07 PM

Perhaps its pronounced 'Seltic' and its a football CD?

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:30 PM

I bought that CD too and it is very good - this is not suprising as it features some of Scotlands finest traditional musicians.
William Jackson of Ossian fame seems to be the prime mover behind this album and this is of a quality you would expect from him.

I have nothing against the Celtic term being used for this CD as the tracks are played in what most people would know as a Celtic style - what I am most disturbed by is the interpretation on the cover that this album is Irish when it is clearly Scottish.

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 12:38 PM

Thanks for the info on William Jackson, Guest. I didn't know the name and it explains a lot. In general I like Scottish music better than Irish (Ducks behind the parapet...) I bought it primarily for background music but have found myself listening to it a lot.

Lang may ye lumb reek

Dave the McGnome

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From:
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 06:49 PM

Properly you need "Nollaig Chridheil. It is a set of Gaelic songs and readings. Truly Celtic.

Web to the Crone's web-site. She can supply them.

http://www.thecrone.ca

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 06:58 PM

As soon as you have a whistle and a fiddle its got to be Celtic,If only because that means it will SELL.Ever since Riverdance Celtic is all the rage.We do Sidney Carters Lord of the Dance and people think its Irish for God's sake.It still sounds like a good deal though,and the Hell with the marketing label.

Subject: RE: BS: A Celtic Christmas?
From: hesperis
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:54 PM

Yeah, nice album, definitely counting on the "Celtic" marketing ploy, but nice all the same.