The Christmas Album CD (2011)

[Lumi]

I listened to a few of the longer samples earlier – but now I almost regret doing so because I don't want to spoil the moment of finally getting the album and listening to it for the first time in its full length... So I think I'll just keep listening the sample tracks on Amazon over and over again.

[Malibu]

I hope no one will spoil the CD by posting the full songs...

I hope for the exact oppersite !!

But why?
I don't want to get in an argument, but I think when a song or album is leaked, that it's very disrespectful to the artists. I'll be honest, I would like to hear the songs before I buy the CD, but unless Libera or EMI releases the tracks, I would hope that no one would leak the entire album.
Tim

[hannah_kirstin]

I don't want to get in an argument, but I think when a song or album is leaked, that it's very disrespectful to the artists. I'll be honest, I would like to hear the songs before I buy the CD, but unless Libera or EMI releases the tracks, I would hope that no one would leak the entire album.
Tim

Agree with that 100%. I think somehow it also allows for illegal downloading of the songs. I'm all for short sample tracks for those who want to know what to expect. However, I like surprises too. When I bought the album, all I had to go on was the "Joy to the World' track. On first listen, the album exceeded all my expectations. This is now my favorite Christmas album ever after Celtic Woman's album.

[Lauren]

I don't want to get in an argument, but I think when a song or album is leaked, that it's very disrespectful to the artists. I'll be honest, I would like to hear the songs before I buy the CD, but unless Libera or EMI releases the tracks, I would hope that no one would leak the entire album.
Tim

Agree with that 100%. I think somehow it also allows for illegal downloading of the songs. I'm all for short sample tracks for those who want to know what to expect. However, I like surprises too. When I bought the album, all I had to go on was the "Joy to the World' track. On first listen, the album exceeded all my expectations. This is now my favorite Christmas album ever after Celtic Woman's album.

I agree that it's no fun to have the entire album leaked. But longer samples can be helpful. Let's face it. Libera could sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and most of us diehard fans would buy the album. But there are many who may not have a lot of money or have other music they'd like to buy also. They don't want to spend money on the unknown. This helps nudge them toward buying this album by showing how really excellent the music is.

[hannah_kirstin]

I agree that it's no fun to have the entire album leaked. But longer samples can be helpful. Let's face it. Libera could sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and most of us diehard fans would buy the album. But there are many who may not have a lot of money or have other music they'd like to buy also. They don't want to spend money on the unknown. This helps nudge them toward buying this album by showing how really excellent the music is.

ughhh, I doubt even Libera could make Row Your Boat sound fun. But I get your point! That's why we're diehard fans eh? haha.. Longer samples are good too, as long as they aren't entire tracks. Could also use them to win some new fans! Have an awfully hard time convincing my friends to even listen to a Libera track. They hear 'boy choir' and are all Will now post the longer sample tracks to my Facebook page.

[chris17]

I agree, I don't want the songs to be leaked either, especially not before the album comes out worldwide. I was really happy to hear the Amazon samples, but that's as far as I'm going to go before I get the real thing. I think longer samples are fine for people who might not buy the album otherwise, but it would bother me if the whole album ends up on YouTube.

Anyway, based on the Amazon samples, my favorites so far are Coventry Carol and Veni Veni Emmanuel, and my second favorites are Sing the Story and Carol of the Bells. I think it was a great idea to have Josh sing a solo (I admit that I was really hoping he would). I think that his lower voice will make a nice contrast with all the high voices, especially if someone buys this who isn't as used to treble voices as we are - even for me, I've always like treble voices, but it took me a long time to like them as much as I do know. And I really like the depth that lower voices (particularly the deep-but-not-adult voices in Libera) bring to a choir.

Also, Libera has really started branching out more, soloist-wise, in this album and in Peace. From 2007-2009, there were 6 soloists on CDs, Tom, Josh, Ed, Liam, Joe, and Ben. I'm not really complaining, because they were all really talented and they sounded great. But on Peace, there 9 soloists, 6 of them new (not including live performances). So we got to hear quite a few boys we hadn't heard much of before. And on this album they have 10 soloists, 4 of them new. I don't think they've ever had 10 soloists on an album before, except when they've re-released material. So we're really hearing a lot of the boys now, and that's a good thing. And if it means that Josh gets a solo too, that's wonderful! Also, Josh is not only the most veteran soloist on this CD, but he's the only one left from the old bunch of boys. So for me at least, he's kind of a connection between Libera as it was a few years ago and Libera as it is now. And his changing voice is kind of a reminder that Libera is changing as well, and that it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, that's my take on Josh's solo, which (as I said) I absolutely love! Daniel also sounds fabulous on Veni Veni Emmanuel! I hope his voice isn't changing, but it does sound kind of "wispy." Oh well, I guess we'll find out eventually. I'm really happy that he's singing one of my favorite songs on this album, anyway.

Other than that, I think the whole album will be great! I can't wait until it comes out.

[hannah_kirstin]

I agree, I don't want the songs to be leaked either, especially not before the album comes out worldwide. I was really happy to hear the Amazon samples, but that's as far as I'm going to go before I get the real thing. I think longer samples are fine for people who might not buy the album otherwise, but it would bother me if the whole album ends up on YouTube.

Anyway, based on the Amazon samples, my favorites so far are Coventry Carol and Veni Veni Emmanuel, and my second favorites are Sing the Story and Carol of the Bells. I think it was a great idea to have Josh sing a solo (I admit that I was really hoping he would). I think that his lower voice will make a nice contrast with all the high voices, especially if someone buys this who isn't as used to treble voices as we are - even for me, I've always like treble voices, but it took me a long time to like them as much as I do know. And I really like the depth that lower voices (particularly the deep-but-not-adult voices in Libera) bring to a choir.

Also, Libera has really started branching out more, soloist-wise, in this album and in Peace. From 2007-2009, there were 6 soloists on CDs, Tom, Josh, Ed, Liam, Joe, and Ben. I'm not really complaining, because they were all really talented and they sounded great. But on Peace, there 9 soloists, 6 of them new (not including live performances). So we got to hear quite a few boys we hadn't heard much of before. And on this album they have 10 soloists, 4 of them new. I don't think they've ever had 10 soloists on an album before, except when they've re-released material. So we're really hearing a lot of the boys now, and that's a good thing. And if it means that Josh gets a solo too, that's wonderful! Also, Josh is not only the most veteran soloist on this CD, but he's the only one left from the old bunch of boys. So for me at least, he's kind of a connection between Libera as it was a few years ago and Libera as it is now. And his changing voice is kind of a reminder that Libera is changing as well, and that it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, that's my take on Josh's solo, which (as I said) I absolutely love! Daniel also sounds fabulous on Veni Veni Emmanuel! I hope his voice isn't changing, but it does sound kind of "wispy." Oh well, I guess we'll find out eventually. I'm really happy that he's singing one of my favorite songs on this album, anyway.

Other than that, I think the whole album will be great! I can't wait until it comes out.

Chris, have you heard the longer samples posted on YouTube? Might wanna listen to those. Coventry Carol is amazing, especially once Stefan and Ralph blend in with Josh during the chorus. Veni, Veni Emmanuel is also one of my favorites. Somber and hauntingly beautiful. Ditto what you said about the deeper voices, adds a new color to the Libera sound, IMO. You can't really appreciate the difference unless you hear the songs in their entirety. Excited for you to hear the album in full!
Oh and, I like your comment about Libera as it was and as it is now. I love how they continue to evolve and surprise us!

[Malibu]

I'm debating whether or not to listen to the longer samples. My biggest thing is, I don't know 75% of the songs on the album. If I know most of them, I know Libera would do a good job but maybe listening to the longer sample will convince me. Granted, I'll buy the album anyway. I didn't know most of the songs on their previous albums, and have come to like almost all of them, so I assume it will be the same with this one.

I think it's nice that Josh gets a solo, but I have to reiterate what I said before. I hope they don't go too far in that direction. One of the things that I liked about Libera is that all the choristers were trebles. I don't mine some lower voices, and even in the background, but to me, Libera is a treble choir. That being said, Josh still has a wonderful voice (and he was great on his solo in the US concerts - but I do like it sung at a higher octave personally) and I hope he continues singing, but just maybe not at the forefront.
Tim

[dani]

Just my opinion .




I have no issues when albums leak. The real fans will buy the album no matter what and the people who don't would never of brought it in the first place. If this album does not leak I still won't buy it as I won't buy a £11 that is dated within a month and not playable come the 26th December .
I won't buy the whole album unless I buy it at the concert as I am not going to like half the songs. So from a personal point I want to hear what I am buying as at the moment from the samples I would only buy , Carol of the bells , veni veni and Jubilate . But if the songs leak then I hear the other songs and I may like them and download them as as MP3's on ITunes.

[Yorkie]

Have to say that the song I was most looking forward to and and am most disappointed by from the samples is Coventry Carol. Perhaps the full version in CD quality will change my mind but I would prefer it to be a little faster and in my opinion Josh's part would work better being song by a higher voice with Josh supplying a deeper counter melody.

[plumpuff6]

Listening to longer sample tracks was great! It does give a better overall feel of the album.

The one track that absolutely blew me away was "Veni, Veni Emmanuel"! I liked the short sample track on Amazon, but this longer sample really cemented that. I was just amazed. I can't even explain it...I just think the harmonies were brilliant, and the overall atmosphere produced was perfect: melancholy and pleading all at once.

And "Carol of the Bells" was a fantastic arrangement. Usually I think the song is boring and repetitive but Libera's take on it is unique, as usual. I'm looking forward to hearing the full track.

I'm not sure how I feel about having more lower voices. I think that I like it, because it gives a fuller sound, but I also love the treble voice and how Libera is principally a treble choir. Well having more lower voices featured more prominently is the direction Libera is gong right now, but of course, who is to say what will happen in a few years' time?

While I would listen to the full tracks if they were leaked, I guess I hope they're not, because the anticipation and then gratification of listening to the newly-released album is second to none. I am always so eager to hear new music by Libera, and I have to say that when full tracks of Peace were made available before the release date, it kind of spoiled the album for me when I eventually bought it because then only about half of it was a surprise. (Of course I'm not complaining much or criticizing, as I listened to the early released tracks with great excitement.)

[YukiBOL]

I was asked from Lauren how to buy "Winter Songs"at Tower Records Japan, so rechecked their site. Then realised that ordering from out of Japan is unavailable.
And, you can buy it at HMV Japan, but they say "Winter Songs" has 1 disc. That should have 2 discs (CD & DVD) though... It's kinda weird. (I don't ask them about it.)

So you should buy it at Amazon JP, if you live in out of Japan. I think it's the better way.

[Sue]

I heard the track previews on youtube, completed it with the samples on amazon & now wanna give a little feedback bout some stuff.
The songs i liked the most are 'Sing the story of the glory' & 'Carol of the bells'.
First one I loved even when Michael Horncastle sang it, it's one of my Libera-favorites & always makes me cry.

To the soloists..
Cassius seems to have a very good high voice, perhaps cause he's still so young & small or perhaps cause he's a natural - not trained - treble.

I knew before that I could expect a high quality solo from Daniel Fontannaz (you remember his Panis Angelicus) & he hasn't disappointed me It's always a very special experience to hear his solos on the albums, in Veni veni Emanuel, too. This boy is sooo goooood, I'm proud of him!

In Coventry Carol I discovered another male voice together with Josh's tenor, the other voice is a bass. You can hear it well at the beginning, it starts together with Josh. Which of the older boys can have a bass now? I think it could be Samuel Leggett or Jonathan Barrington. I could heard that it's not Benedict or Sammy M.
To Joshua I have to say, if you knew his boy treble all these years (remember 'Secret' for example) it's hard to understand that this male voice belongs to the same person. It's effect to female ears is quite different than a boy treble, but not different in a bad way Don't wanna say his tenor voice is sexy, that would be expressed exaggerated. But I can say it sounds very manly & strong now, like a protector & that's very, very hot

[john45]

In Coventry Carol I discovered another male voice together with Josh's tenor, the other voice is a bass. You can hear it well at the beginning, it starts together with Josh. Which of the older boys can have a bass now?

I believe Tiarnon may be a bass.

[FanInPlymouth]

I received an email from amazon.co.uk this morning (6th October) informing me that the release date has been put back to 21st November; the release date on their site is also listed as 21st. The email did not cite any reason. Amazon.com and Amazon.jp still list is as November 1st.