The Bottom Line
More Carols from the Birds is a whimsical, entertaining collection of favorite holiday songs enhanced with bird songs and calls, sure to be a hit with birders and bird lovers as a gift or holiday party soundtrack.
Pros
- Includes a list of bird species appearing in the music.
- Mix of religious and secular carols.
- Clear sound with bird sounds well integrated into the arrangements.
Cons
- Some bird species names incorrect or incomplete.
- Not available as a digital download from AniMelodies.
- Some songs far more instrumental than bird calls.
Description
- Name: More Carols from the Birds
- Number of Tracks: 14
- Total Length: 38:32
- Release Date: 2006
- Cost: $15
Guide Review - More Carols from the Birds
It's easy to get into the holiday spirit with More Carols from the Birds featuring the Avian Chorale and FowlHarmonic Orchestra from AniMelodies. This set of 14 popular Christmas carols includes both secular and religious carols in outstanding instrumental arrangements highlighted with harmonious chirps, tweets and whistles from a range of birds. Compiled by Gary Sattazahn, this CD is a surprising addition to any holiday music library and a real treat for birders and bird lovers.
While one track on this album is the same as on Sattazahn's earlier album, Carol of the Birds (And Other Christmas Tweets), the arrangement is vastly different. All of the songs include beautifully synthesized sounds that give familiar carols a fresh, unusual sound, made even more astounding by how perfectly harmonized the bird sounds are with the music. The "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Frosty the Snowman" tracks, in particular, are upbeat and unique, both in the instrument choices and the bird accompaniments.
Birders will instantly recognize many of the bird calls in these holiday songs: more than two dozen birds are featured, including the blue jay, common loon, red-tailed hawk, northern flicker and western tanager. The album's inner cover lists many of the birds starring in the songs, and with so many backyard favorites, this holiday CD is perfect for any birder to enjoy even when those backyard birds are far south enjoying their own holidays.
Track Listing:
- "Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer"
- "The Cradle Song"
- "Carol of the Bells"
- "Ding Dong Merrily on High"
- "A Holly Jolly Christmas"
- "Winter Wonderland"
- "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"
- "Waltz of the Flowers"
- "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella"
- "Frosty the Snow Man"
- "The Little Drummer Boy"
- "Is Est Ne le Divin Enfant"
- "Still, Still, Still"
- "Auld Lang Syne"
