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Our Review

Care for a Celtic moment? Katie McMahon's bright 'n brilliant "Celtic Christmas" will have you dancing a jig before you know it! This former Riverdance queen possesses a soprano voice that is simultaneously pure as silver and warm as honey. The fiddlin' and other instrumentation are equally superb. The ample liner notes provide all the information you need to know, including the lyrics and background for each song.

The 15 numbers provide a charming mix of seasonal selections; perhaps four were unfamiliar. Some numbers are rousing (such as "The Boar's Head Carol" and the instrumental "Christmas Day & Christmas Eve Tunes"), and many are sweetly gentle ("The Wexford Carol", "The Holly and the Ivy"). The opening "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" is a knockout. McMahon sings an emotionally-charged a cappella lead-in and close; in the middle, other voices and gentle instruments chime in exceptional harmonies. One song "Christmas Pipes" is totally new and totally wonderful--upbeat, rollicking, classic and classy, and it incorporates "Good Christian Men Rejoice" as a mid-song interlude. Surprisingly, I was humming along to "Christmas Pipes" even during the first run-through.

"Celtic Christmas" is crowded with favorites. I have always loved "My Dancing Day," and McMahon's version swept me away. Her high voice so effortlessly alights upon the top notes with no hint of shrillness. Amazing! The haunting-yet-heavenly vocals on the gorgeous lullaby "Suantrai" are exceptionally enchanting. McMahon's solo a cappella gymnastics on the closing number "The First Day of the Year" are alone worth the price of admission.

In the end, it's all about "the voice," and Katie McMahon carries the day without hesitation. Her vocal instrument should be declared a national treasure and put under heavy guard. Celtic lovers unite behind "Celtic Christmas"; just be certain to keep your CD where you put your valuables.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Musicians:

Katie McMahon:
Vocals: All tracks except 4.
Harp: Tracks 4, 9, 10 & 11.
Tom Schaefer: Fiddle on all tracks except 10 & 13-15.
Karen Mueller:
Autoharp, Guitar & Bouzouki on all tracks except 10 & 13-15.
Michael Bissonnette: Percussion on 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 14.
Singers: Lisa Gulbranson, Sue Krueger, Mark Uecker (solo on track 8) & John Gisselquist: All tracks except 3, 4, 9, 10 & 15.

From the promotional materials:

Katie's new CD is a collection of your favorite carols and traditional Irish Christmas music that will set your feet tapping. Of note are "Silent Night," "Good King Wenceslas" and the catchy, never before recorded "Christmas Pipes," which is sure to become a new Christmas standard. If you like Enya and the Chieftains, you're sure to love this new release.

Katie McMahon

Celtic Christmas

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Track List