Ireland's world-class ambassadors the Chieftains seem determined to play with anyone who is anyone, regardless of genre. On The Bells of Dublin, they do an exceptional job of teaming up with the likes of rockers Jackson Browne and Elvis Costello, as well as songbirds Marianne Faithfull, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and Nanci Griffith. There are many resplendent performances here, the least of which is Costello and company's raucous "St. Stephen's Day Murders." Like a banquet of traditional Irish fare with some updating to accommodate individual guests, Bells is the kind of holiday record you don't want to end. --Martin Keller
1. The Bells of Dublin/Christmas Eve
2. Past Three O'Clock - The Renaissance Singers
3. St. Stephen's Day Murders
5. Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil
6. I Saw Three Ships A Sailing
8. O The Holly She Bears A Berry
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
15. The Arrival of the Wren Boys
16. The Dingle Set - Dance - The Voice Squad
17. The Wren In The Furze - The Voice Squad
19. Brafferton Village / Walsh's Hornpipe
20. The Farewell: The Piper Through The Meadow Strayed; This Is The Season To Be Merry - The Voice Squad
21. Once In Royal David's City - The Renaissance Singers
22. Ding Dong Merrily On High - The Renaissance Singers
23. O Come All Ye Faithful - The Renaissance Singers
All used disks are professionally refurbished and test played before shipping and will play well in most machines.