HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYONE!

We're well and truly into the season, now, with the winter solstice and Christmas just around the corner. In this month, I have three very special, Yuletide-inspired CDs to share with you: Blackmore's Night, Enya and Everstar.

I hope you enjoy them! Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday!

Artist:   B L A C K M O R E ' S   N I G H T
Album:  W i n t e r   C a r o l s

I am overjoyed to be reviewing Blackmore's Night's new 12 song Christmas CD, Winter Carols.

The CD starts off with a whimsical medley of "Hark the Harold Angels Sing" and "Come All Ye Faithful". This is a fun and light-hearted song with drums and horns adding a majestic quality!

The frolicking "I Saw Three Ships", featuring fairy-like vocals and festive hand clapping mixed with flute and masterly guitar playing, makes you want to get up and dance!

Candice's vocals shine on the peaceful "Ding Dong Merrily On High" - filled with such beautiful lush harmonies making it absolute Christmas magic! Let's not forget Ritchie Blackmore's magical guitar work mixed with church bells and church organs - truly a Yuletide masterpiece.

Candice starts the gorgeous song "Ma-O-Tzur" in another language, Hebrew maybe, and then switches to English. "Ma-O-Tzur" is very soft and tranquil accompanied by soft guitar and strings.

In a softer version of "Good King Wenceslas", Candice Night's voice is in perfect pitch. Flutes, tambourine and guitar create a very Gaelic, Celtic, Renaissancey feel to this powerful version of the Good King.

I absolutely adore "Lord of the Dance"; so majestic and enthusiastic, it is a song fit for a King or Queen and their Royal court - at Christmas time of course.

In the majestic "We Three Kings" the mandolin, horns and guitar mix with Candice Night's beautiful angelic voice to bring new life and magic to this classic. I love it!

Blackmore's Night original song "Christmas Eve" is my favorite on this disc. Its festive and enchanting harmonies - filled with church bells, hand clapping and sleigh bells - bring visions of dancing around a Christmas tree with people you love - leaving a warm feeling in my heart. Without a doubt "Christmas Eve" conveys the feeling that Christmas = Love.

Those were just my favorites thus far. All 12 songs are brilliant. This Yuletide release has a different flair than some of the other Holiday CD's out there in CD land.

Blackmore's Night have captured the spirit of Yuletide in this fabulous disc of wonderment - ready to be discovered by you!

A Five star release!

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

Artist:    E N Y A
Album:   S o u n d s   O f   T h e   S e a s o n

First, I have to say, the one person I would expect the most fabulous Christmas CD from would be Enya. The queen of the New Age music industry has finally put out this 6 song EP. 4 songs are new and 2 are from previous releases. At this time you can only purchase Sounds of the Season at Target stores but I just read on Enya's official website that the four new Christmas songs will be on a special edition 2 disc CD set Amarantine (2cd Christmas Edition) out November 20, 2006.

My two favorite songs on this disc are "The Magic of the Night" and "Christmas Secrets". Both are filled with that ethereal, angelic, voice-over magic that only Enya can deliver - with a Christmas twist. These two songs are also written by Enya & Roma Ryan. The other two new releases are "Andeste, Fideles" (the original Latin version of "O Come All Ye Faithful") and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Both of these songs are beautiful as well. The two previous releases included are "Amid the Falling Snow" and "Oiche Chiuin" ("Silent Night").

If you love Enya and Christmas (and I know I do!) you will love this disc!

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

Artist:    E V E R S T A R
Album:   Y u l e t i d e  I n   T h e   S h i r e

Yuletide in the Shire, inspired by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, really gives us a Celtic flavor of soothing Yuletide favorites that come to life in this mystical Christmas fantasy of eleven traditional Christmas songs.

The enchantment of flute, harp, piano, synthesizers, classical and 12-string guitars bring wonderment to this release.

Everstar's members are Myrin Lore, Arathar, Elor Gildomir, Landis Farwind, and David and Steve Gordon. It is composed and produced by David and Steve Gordon.

Truly a passionate and blissful release. What can I say - these soundscapes mesmerize and enchant me.

Hands down a beautiful release Everstar!

Give it a whirl!

If you wish to listen to music samples, or purchase this music,
please click on the CD cover above.

© Tony Tolin, 2006

Attention New Age Artists,  I would like to mention an excellent marketing tool that you can take advantage of at MySpace.com - www.myspace.com. It is a great way to get your name out there and it's free. Groups and musicians such as Twinflame , Blackmore's Night, Paul Avgerinos, Chris Conway, and even Kitaro have taken full advantage of this opportunity. So consider trying out this free exposure and make some great friends and fans along the way. Namaste' - Tony

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony Tolin was born and raised in Denver, Colorado where he currently resides. He considers himself a spiritualist, lightworker and all around metaphysical type of guy. He loves music and gravitates toward progressive styles from New Wave to New Age. In general, he tends to be attracted to music that has a positive message or that plays to your soul in an uplifting, healing manner. Tony believes music has a unique power to transform one's self.

Tony has an artistic background and expresses himself through the use of many mediums. He enjoys exploring the manifestation of his inner visions through external forms while gaining inspiration from the mystical realm, animal kingdom, and cosmic energies. Tony believes in animal and human rights and feels we should all do what we can to help create a better Earth.

If you have a CD that you would like to submit for possible review in his column please contact him by email here: cosmict2000@yahoo.com . He welcomes you and your correspondence.