Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0886972441429
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
MPN: 724414
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 2008-10-14
Studio: Sony

Imagine a party, a musical party inspired by the holiday season. A party that celebrates the universal hopes, dreams and joy animating seasonal festivals the world over - Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha, Kwanzaa, Yule and New Year's Day. That is what brought Yo-Yo Ma together with a remarkable group of friends - some old, some new - to create SONGS OF JOY & PEACE. It is Yo-Yo's hope that everyone who listens to this album will hear a song familiar, comfortable and beloved to them as well as discover and fall in love with music that is brand new.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Elegant "Joy and Peace"
Comment: This is a beautiful addition to any Christmas collection. Great dinner music,or all day as guests come and go. Also enjoyable driving home from work!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Buy the deluxe version!
Comment: I usually buy one Christmas CD each year, and I was happy to see that Yo Yo Ma had put together a great compilation of songs. Then, I watched the 60 minute video that accompanies the deluxe version, and I realized what a treasure this really is - these artists are the best of the best, each one working with Yo Yo to achieve a perfect recording of a favorite song of Joy and Peace. This project was clearly one of love, and we are the happy beneficiaries -- this is one to keep for many years, and to give as a special gift to your closest music-loving friends.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Wow--I feel like Maestro Ma has given me one of the best Christmas gifts ever
Comment: What an amazingly generous gift. To start with, this collection's 22 songs and lasts 1.3 hours at a time when we're lucky to get more than 10 songs and 40 minutes.

Listing this CD as classical is somewhat of a misnomer. You've got a great mix of classical, traditional and contemporary songs here. No need to program a playlist, Yo Yo's a great DJ--just cork out the bubbly and your favorite treats and crank up the volume.

The tunes are all upbeat. You'll tap your foot to more than one of them and some may get you up on your feet and dancing.

"You Couldn't be Cuter" features Diana Krall doing a jazzy version of this tongue in cheek Christmas song. This one's definitely one that'll get you up on your feet--and how many of us can so relate to the lyrics?

"Joy to the World" has Dave Brubeck on the piano doing a fine tribute to Vince Guaraldi's style.

"My One and Only Love" with Joshua Redmon is a lovely slow jazz number that will have longtime couples and new lovers looking for the mistletoe.

I'm not as familiar with the classical additions. I admit, I've had this CD in my changer since I bought it and I keep going back to it in quiet moments. It, as well as Ma's "Silk Road" collections are family favorites.

If you like traditional Christmas with just a little flair of jazz and classical that won't upset the senior relatives, this CD's one you should add to your collection. Like me, you'll be thanking Ma for the lovely gift.

Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Sour Notes
Comment: I like Yo Yo Ma and many of the people he collaborated with on this album. However, this album suffers in so many ways, and I will just get to the point. The song choices lack cohesion. Yo Yo Ma - he can't be found on a majority of the tracks. I wanted to hear his cello soar. The arrangements were poor. I feel that that what may have hurt this album the most was the producer. The production is haphazard. There seems to be so many musicians involved that you get this cloudy effect on most of the songs. It's a mess. I bought the CD and I gave it to someone anonymously that likes classical and holiday music. If they like it more the better, if not, all the same. The album is just utter crap. I must say that James Taylor - what do people see in him? He butchered Here Comes the Sun. UGH! What a crap Xmas CD!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Another stunner from Yo-Yo Ma
Comment: I listened to this disc and was immediately captivated. Such a variety of wonderful artists with music familiar and unfamiliar, a celebration of the holiday season unlike anything else I have. Indeed, it has led me to purchase CD's from some of the artists incl. Chris Botti, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile, Diana Krall, and Joshua Redman. I shall surely be looking for works by some of the others as well. I paticularly liked the variations on Dona Nobis Pacem. I will listen to this often.

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