Very Splendid

Several people have called this CD too short, but one must understand that this is not a real album, but and EP. One must also remember that this was made at the same time she was making "The Book of Secrets" and didn't have enough time to make a full lenght Christmas album. If you are and Enya listener who has some singles that are about 10, 15, or 20 minutes long, you will not be bothered by the length of this CD.

Anyway, this is a very beautiful collection of music, exactly 22:28 minutes long. I really loved the Middle-East beat of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen", a one of a kind style! I also really loved the old traditional Celtic sound of "Good King Winceslas", which I heard on the radio a few weeks ago. I'm very glad that she was able to include uillean pipes in the music, for it gave the music feeling and old style. Loreena also did a new version of "Snow" which sounded very nice, but I found it to be a little too fast paced. I also liked "Coventary Carol", but found it to be too fast paced. I highly recommend people to hear the version on Charlotte Church's "Dream A Dream", which was slower and brought more meaning to the music and lyrics. But then there also is the traditional English "Seeds of Love", which I really LOVED. It sounds so traditional, clear, simple, and lovely. Though the music is very different from the original version, it sounds just as old and traditional as the real version. Though I have to admit that I did have one disappointment and that was that the booklet did not explain the meaning of the words of the song. You see, "Seeds of Love" is not a Christmas song(though it brings meaning to the title 'A Winter Garden', but a tradtional English song about love and sorrow. The flowers are meant to symbolize characteristics. The violet symbolizes modesty, the lily is purity, and the pink is curtesy. The red rose means true love and the twisting willow tree is sorrow. The version on this CD omitted the last verse, which brings meaning to the message of love. I have to go now, but let me say that this is a very good Christmas album.

Five Celtic Christmas Songs

Loreena Mckennitt's A Winter Garden is her second Christmas album after To Drive The Cold Winter Away.Unlike that album that has sparser music and an acoustic feel to it,Winter Garden has more instruments and was recorded in a studio.Traditional favorites like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Good King Wenceslas are given an upbeat almost Middle Eastern sound.Snow a song she first recorded on To Drive The Cold Winter Away is also given stronger music.Seeds Of Love is another traditional song, though it doesn't have a Christmas theme.The best song on the album is Coventry Carol.It's a beautiful and moving song and Loreena does an excellent job with the vocals.Overall this is a great Celtic Chrismas album her fans should enjoy.

Emotional

As others have said, there are some traditional Christmas songs here but the mix is such that you could listen all year long. I defy anyone to listen to Snow and not be truly moved by its beauty.