Reviewer:
Christian Ellithorpe
from Streamwood, IL United States
While the Brass Ensemble is the Star of this disc, any Organ enthusiast will quickly fall in love with this Stunning release. A Carillon of bells open, followed by a wave of joyful energy in the finest & most original arrangement of Joy to The World I've ever heard. This carol is so ubiquitous, it's hard to remember the last time it seemed fresh and new to me. There's some rarely featured pieces. A perfect case in point is track 4, one which will resonate especially well for Brass Ensemble fans. It's the Classic Philip Jones Brass Ensemble/Elgar Howarth arrangement of Greensleeves. The Bay Brass Ensemble's performance EXCEEDS that of the Legendary PJBE. Organ also has moments which burn as brightly, such as Handel's "Hallelujah". Finally, any truly "Great" Christmas album generally features one or more rare pieces. My favourite on this disc is the Majestic Schutz "Psalm VIII", the first time I've ever heard this piece on a Christmas disc. This CD is full of surprises like this. A++!
Stunning! 
