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.
An expanded softpak with all 22 CD tracks as well as a 60-minute bonus DVD. 60-minute bonus DVD features behind-the-scenes recording session footage with Yo-Yo Ma and the guest artists, photo gallery and 5 complete music videos: James Taylot "Here Comes The Sun" Diana Krall "You Couldn't Be Cuter" Alison Krauss"The Wexford Carol" Chris Botti "My Favorite Things" Renee Fleming "Touch The Hand Of Love"
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Truly Joyful:
Yo Yo Ma has done it again. Just a delightful, joyful album. I especially enjoy the collaboration with James Taylor on "Here Comes the Sun", their own version creating a new classic and the several improvisations on Dona Nobis Pacem.
A nice surprise:
I have always found Yo Yo Ma a consumate artist with taste and charm both personally and musically. Yet, I come to this album with a little trepidation with the various styles and approaches. I was prepared to be happily surprised but cautious in that usually such albums are cuts of half hearted material devlivered just as half heartedly. However, the mix of artists is quite wonderful and each work is a little treasure and a delight to the ear. The video is wonderful to see although a bit contrived. There... more info
Yo Yo Ma and friends create a perfect musical holiday:
This is a wonderful compilation of talents! With its underlying theme of Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) a number of talented artists sing and play a wideranging variety of sacred and secular music. Some of the music is famililar, some songs are amazing discoveries. All the performances are remarkable. A jig, a carol, a Gregorian chant and a hymn combine to enliven the pleasure of listening to other world music which may be less familiar. Joyful is the best word to describe this album and it is perfect for... more info
I love it, it's not just for the holidays:
There is something so absolutely stirring about the cello to me. I love this cd. It has moments of peace, and moments of fun and I could listen to all day for days. I like Yo Yo Ma's friends and I'm very happy they joined him on this cd. Alison Krauss is simply haunting on the Wexford Carol. Chris Botti is great on the trumpet and even Joshua Redman, I'm not a big fan of the saxophone, but his song is really beautiful.
Tracks:
DONA NOBIS PACEM (Give Us Peace) - Yo-Yo Ma, cello
YOU COULDN'T BE CUTER - Diana Krall, piano and vocals John Clayton, bass
JOY TO THE WORLD - Dave Brubeck, piano and Matt Brubeck, cello Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet
HERE COMES THE SUN - James Taylor guitar and vocals
Improvisation on DONA NOBIS PACEM (Give Us Peace) - Edgar Meyer, bass Chris Thile, mandolin
THE WASSAIL SONG /ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT - Edgar Meyer, bass Chris Thile, mandolin
A CHRISTMAS JIG / MOUTH OF THE TOBIQUE REEL - Natalie MacMaster, fiddle
THE WEXFORD CAROL - Alison Krauss, vocals
PANXOLIÑA: A GALICIAN CAROL - Cristina Pato, bagpipes
Improvisation on DONA NOBIS PACEM (Give Us Peace) - Sérgio Assad & Odair Assad, guitar
VASSOURINHAS - Sérgio Assad & Odair Assad, guitar
Improvisation on DONA NOBIS PACEM (Give Us Peace) - Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet Alon Yavnai, piano
INVITACIÓN AL DANZÓN - Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet Alon Yavnai, piano
MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE - Joshua Redman, tenor sax
FAMILIA - The Assad Familyy
CONCORDIA - Dave Brubeck, piano Matt Brubeck, cello
