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This has been our family's favorite holiday CD since we first acquired it four or five years ago. Because it is instrumental only, it can serve as nice background music for any holiday occassion. This CD has become the traditional music for our Christmas morning festivities. The dulcimer is played expertly, and the selection of songs is diverse and instrument appropriate.
It makes a great Christmas gift, as well. This is a wonderful album which we have listened to for years. The variety of tunes is enjoyable.
Unfortunately, many people - especially those who are employed in the record stores - would probably consider this 'New Age' or E/Z Listening Christmas music. But it's the not-so-well-known tunes that really jump out at you, such as Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, Wexford Carol, Gower Wassail, and Baloo Lammy. Nor do they probably care to as long as they have the so called holiday music of Mariah Carey and the like to dilute their senses. Sansone is just one in a long line of Old World style Christmas Music (see my other reviews for more of this type of music) that is pretty much only available at Amazon.
Then you realize something: you've been spending your Holiday Season listening almost exclusively to this Old World Christmas Music and you're not sick of it. After a few listens you'll begin to recognize and anticipate these lesser known songs every bit as much as the popular ones. Just ask anyone who collects it. And you don't even miss Santa Claus Is Coming To Town or Feliz Navidad or so many of the other over-played carols. Next thing you know you'll be playing it for your friends, who of course, will want copies of THEIR own. That's because most of those record store people do not know their musical history.
By the end of the Season you'll be scouring Amazon for more of this style of music - it becomes an addiction. Because you now have fresh Christmas music to give you the spirit.A fine collection to brighten the Holidays. This collection by Ms. It's a great introduction to this type of instrumental Christmas music for those who want to get their feet wet, mainly because many of the wonderful well-known tunes are here: Deck The Halls, Joy To The World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, etc.
Mixed in are wonderful medleys of melodies that round out the cast of regulars perfectly: #9 ("Il Est Ne/Jeannette Isabella) brightens my mood every time I hear it. Hammered dulcimer lends a magical, peaceful quality to the holiday spirit in the air. Throw on the Christmas tree lights, mull some cider and kick up your heels (either in a jig or on an ottoman).to these uplifting, instrumental versions of traditional carols.
You will love it. Maggie Sansone's Sounds of the Seasons is an absolutely sensational recording. After listening to it every year I just enjoy it more and more.
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