Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan, Finbar Wright - We Three Kings

There's a commercial inevitability to holiday song collections that can tempt music fans to mutter "humbug" under their breath. Yet while this collection (released in conjunction with the Tenors' Christmas Spectacular tour of 2003) is no less market savvy, in the end the trio's earnest, energetic performances earn their fair shair of respect. The trio's Celtic shadings impart considerable warmth to "Fairytale of New York" and other performances, but it's the range of influences they (also in solo and duet turns, all solidly backed by the Czech National Chamber Orchestra) bring to bear elsewhere that adds compelling new dimensions to these holiday favorites. Anthony Kearns' "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" may be solidly traditional, but Ronan Tynan imparts "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with some deft, jazzy drama while Finbar Wright gives "Mary's Boy Child" an unexpected Carribean spin. Elsewhere, the folk-classical influences behind "We Three Kings," "O Holy Night," and the gospel traditional "How Great Thou Art" span renaissance, baroque, and modern with a grace missing from the on-the-sleeve sentiments of the closing duo of patriotic warhorses--what would the Prince of Peace make of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," anyway? --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

What has Christmas to do with the Civil War?

As an avid fan of the Irish Tenors I thoroughly enjoyed this CD until the last three songs. While I appreciate the Irish Tenors showing their respect for this country and their American fans by recording "God Bless America" etc., I fail to understand what such songs are doing on a Christmas CD. I am especially surprised by the inclusion of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." This song was a marching melody for the Union Army during the civil war and I think it shows a naive misunderstanding of history to include that track on this CD. What has Christmas to do with the Civil War? The tenors need to realize they don't have to include American songs in order to sell to American citizens. Stop catering. December 14, 2007

Somewhat disappointing

I love these Irish tenors, and am so happy to hear Finbar Wright replacing John McDermott..BUT - - am disappointed in this CD, mainly in the balance of tone. Sometimes the one carrying the melody is overpowered by the other two, and the orchestra on occasion drowns out the voices. Likely a problem not addressed by the engineer. The voices are gorgeous, though, as usual. My favorites on the CD are the solos and duets. "O Holy Night" is quite stirring. I have the disk on as I write this, and actually, I like it better the 2nd time than the first, but I won't want to play it very often, in contrast to the original trio on video. That one I like to play over & over. IMHO, "How Great Thou Art" is rather pedantic; very little feeling in the rendition by Finbar. In contrast, Anthony does a great job with "The Lord's Prayer." Makes you want to cry.

In these days when so many people are finding fault with America for so many things, it does my heart good to hear the Irish Tenors choose to sing "America the Beautiful"! October 23, 2007

We Three Kings

The 3 Irish Tenors are a joy to listen to in the Christmas season. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. January 16, 2007

3 Tenors Christmas

This was VERY disappointing - too noisy & just the wrong type of music for these guys. I played it once & will try to get someone to take it off my hands - I love listening the them, usually, but this album is just a dud. January 12, 2007

Beautiful and Amazing

When I fist listened to the clips from this CD on Amazon I wondered why on earth they put the patriotic songs at the end, and also wondered a little at the other non christmas songs. After listening to it several times however I realized why. They don't leave Jesus in the manger, but take him all the way up to today! Wow. To me that is totally amazing. There arn't many christmas CD's that do that, but I think it really balances things out. I really enjoyed the Drummer Boy, and all of the rest of the songs. I would definantly say that this was a good buy. December 18, 2004

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