There are varying degrees of Celtic music -- the diluted, Americanized McCeltic music and the real stuff. This album is the real stuff. Celtic Christmas Sojourn features a total of 17 songs from a number of relatively unknown Celtic performers. Yet the focus here is not on the performers' name recognition but rather the music itself, and that's where this album shines. Most of the inclusions are traditional songs, with only a few universal favorites like "Silent Night" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" thrown in for good measure. If you consider yourself to be a serious Celtic aficionado, this album should correlate with your interests. If not, you may be in for a surprise -- which may or may not be pleasant. ~ Jason Birchmeier
