Our Review
Sprechen Sie Deutsche? Die schöne Frau Ilona Yue is a Canadian transplant from Germany. This accomplished singer possesses a delicate and emotive vocal instrument and presents Ilona's Christmas as a gentle, easy listening offering for the holidays. Although a guest vocalist (Mark Roesler-Yue) does participate on two numbers, Ilona sings harmonies with herself on several cuts (including the enchanting opening number "Leise rieselt der Schnee" and the classic "Ave Maria"). The minimal accompaniment (Ed Henderson on guitars, and Peter Berring on keyboards) provides just the right level of support without overwhelming Ilona's crystalline voice.
The 14 selections are largely German Christmas songs, although about half will be well familiar to all. Twelve are either sung entirely in German, or the verses alternate between the German and English versions. Everything is well-executed here, but certain tracks stand out. My favorites include "Away in a Manger," which contains an achingly beautiful a cappella intro, the sweetly-delivered "O du Fröliche," and the rhythmically mysterious "Do You Hear What I Hear?".
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
All vocals by: Ilona Yue
Guest Vocal: Mark Roesler-Yue ("Stille Nacht" & "White Christmas")
Produced & Engineered by Peter Berring
Executive Producer: Richard Yue
Guitars: Ed Henderson
Keyboards: Peter Berring
This is what we do for Christmas! Christmas has always been a favorite holiday in my family. Every year we start celebrating four Sundays before Christmas Eve. We sit around the kitchen table to light the next advent candle on the wreath, eating Christmas cookies and singing traditional German Christmas songs. We brought this tradition with us ehn we came to Canada and have since added some new favorite songs in English. This Christmas I would like to share our tradition with you and your family.
Diese Lieder gehören in meiner Familie schon immer zu unserer Weihnachtstradition. In diesem Jahr hoffen wir, das wir Sie und Ihre Familie zur Weihnachtszeit mit unserer Musik erfreuen dürfen.
Ilona Yue
Ilona's Christmas
Artist link
Label: Chamax Records
Length: 42 minutes
Genre: Easy Listening
Release: 2001
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Leise rieselt der Schnee |
| What child is this |
| Ave Maria |
| Suesser die Glocken |
| Schneefloeckchen Weissroeckchen |
| Away in a manger |
| Oh es riecht gut |
| Stille Nacht ( Silent night) |
| Do you hear what I hear |
| Guten Abent schoen Abend |
| White Christmas |
| O du Froehliche |
| Der kleine Apfel |
| O holy night |