And Winter Came... by Enya (CD, Nov-2008, Reprise)

If there is one album you should have in your collection this year, it has to be this one. There is a reason why it reached #1 on Amazon's best seller list! This is the release of the year. Every track is outstanding in its own way, there isn't a bad song on it. And Winter Came is Enya's first "winter themed" album. Some may think of it as a "Christmas" album. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when you listen to the album.

1. And Winter Came-The album opener, an instrumental. This is a reworking of a b-side track from Enya called "Midnight Blue" (available on the Wild Child single if you want to hear it) Nice opener, the beginning of the song is the best part. I think an excellent job was done with the tweaking.

2. Journey Of The Angels-A slow, traditional/religious carol. Said by Roma Ryan (lyricist) to be the story of the nativity as it would be written in the 21st century. Gorgeous song.

3. White Is In The Winter Night-A fun, upbeat song. Enya describes it as "very descriptive" and "a song to join in on" which I think is a fairly accurate way of putting it. Its lyrics are quite catchy. This is said to be the second single pulled from the album.

4. O Come O Come Emmanuel-This has to be the most exquisite rendition of this song I have ever heard. If this doesn't leave you with goose bumps, I don't know what will! The lyrics, the arrangement, her voice, just beautiful. The best on the album.

5. Trains And Winter Rains-Everyone knows this one! It reminds me of a mixture of past Enya songs (The Magic of the Night, May It Be, some say Orinoco Flow) Somewhat dark sounding. It's about a journey, there's no turning back. It's the first single taken from the album and I think it was a nice choice.

6. Dreams Are More Precious-This one reminds me of Once You Had Gold, but much better all around. It could be thought of as the "lullaby" of this album.

7. Last Time By Moonlight-This can be thought of as one of her fine moments in song. The lyrics are very moving. The strongest lyrics: Oh, remember this/for no one knows/the way love goes

8. One Toy Soldier-A Long Long Journey-esque song. To quote Roma: "One Toy Soldier is basically a children's song, a song about a little toy soldier. He's a favorite toy. He's been in the family for many years, he's like an heirloom, and as with all things that have been with you for a long time, he's not perfect, he's broken, his little drum is broken." An inspirational piece.

9. Stars And Midnight Blue-On some parts of this song, she almost sounds like her sister Moya. This song reminds me of If I Can Be Where You Are, but much better executed.

10. The Spirit Of Christmas Past-Based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Very wonderfully done. Lyric sample: When tears are in your eyes/it's time to look inside/your heart can find another way

11. My! My! Time Flies!-This is an upbeat, catchy song that is most different from Enya, but at the same time, not radically different. It's a tribute to the late Jimmy Faulkner. There is a clever reference to The Beatles in the song and some nice blues guitar. The most surprising track on the album. Said to be the possible third single.

12. Oiche Chiuin (chorale)-A remake of her classic rendition of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) Richer sound, improved from the original. It's done in the fashion of tracks on Watermark.

This CD is MUCH better than her last one. Arrangements on this give "hints" of her first CD's...Sheppard Moons, etc. HIGHLY recommend this CD for Enya fans!!

Enya has been a favorite since her first album, ENYA, in 1987. AND WINTER CAME does not disappoint. Her compelling voice and haunting music is evocative of the season and soothes the stresses of the holidays. For those of you looking for alternate holiday music this is it.

I do not have a lotta Enya's recordings, but I like this more than the others. Smooth, heart-warming, and very well engineered. I'll put it in my player's tray many times before Xmas day comes in 2009. Enya is among my favorites since 1994. Take a chance!

The music is beautiful, exactly what I would expect from Enya. It's not really traditional Christmas music but very enjoyable.

gorgeous music, great cd. i bought it for my boyfriends mother for christmas. she is a huge enya fan as well as myself. and we both enjoyed it very much.

Over rated, nothing new or unique. The only song was oh come oh come Emmanuel that was worth the whole CD. Cheaper on ebay that the dept. stores and free shipping. Saves time, money,and gas.
Cheryl Kacmarcik
Witter, Arkansas

Compared to Enya's other albums, this one certainly has a style all its own (they all do, but this one especially)The songs are very upbeat, whimsical, and catchy. The traditional Christmas songs are sung beautifuly, too. This is a CD worth adding to your Enya collection.

Enya is my husband's favorite artist, and this is her latest recording. I gave it to him for Christmas. He loved it! I think it is my favorite of all her albums.

it is a holiday collection that is listenable all year, not her best by any means but definetly superior

The sound is pretty much the same as all the other Enya albums, but that's what I want - relaxing, Celtic, ethereal. Unless she turns to rap, I'll buy every new Enya CD.

This is one of my favorite sellers, I received it asap authentic."

It was reasonable and in time as I stated for the holiday." The other person I usually by from said he had to raise his price, and this seller promised
exellent authentic asap delivery, we can be proud of this seller."

It is nice doing business with a honest seller."

respectfully elizabeth cipriano
excellent

We like Enya and we liked the cover. We didn't like this album as well as some of her other ones. The music seemed choppy and didn't sound very Christmacy.

Yes, it's October and I'm playing this Christmas music in my car:-) I purchased it because I like Enya and thought to have her Christmas cd would be perfect for the holidays. I felt her soothing voice would be a great addition to creating a relaxing atmosphere for a cold winter day. As for playing it in my car at this time I have found that it is equally soothing to my 10 month old son!! Bonus!

Great singer, great titles, ecatly what I expected.

I recommend this singer and CD.

I bought it on recommandation of a friend.

Ever since little Enya ventured out into the world behind big sis, Maire's skirts while performing with Clannad, her popularity has grown steadily higher and higher. And Winter Came is rich in her Celtic heritage, but still light-hearted enough to enjoy along with the pop of today. Enya's writing is strong and well arranged, no matter if it made one think of her first release. The similarities are favorable, not negative in the least. This album crowns her long career with pure joy and I can feel Enya's soul in each and every song.....beautiful. Just beautiful. Strong recommendation.

I bought this for my sister.She was very happy with t and plays it all the time.As usual Enya is wonderful.

I love Enya. That being said, I was hoping for a little more on this CD. I love what she's done with the old standards, especially O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (one of my favorite advent melodies), but overall, I could have wished for a little LESS similarity in her backup chords. (Roy Orbison fell into that pit, too. The song may have changed, but hunks of the instrumentals were interchangeable.)
I should also point out that I listened to this on a bright, sunny, clean-snow day, after Christmas and well along toward spring. I might have graded it higher had I listened to it when I should have - in the dreary, dirty-snow, sleeting, lonely days that just keep getting darker and I'm all alone with some tea, a blanket, Christmas barely in sight, and only Enya and my thoughts as my company.
I'm glad I have it, but I won't be playing it a lot.
NBR

Wow!! If this is not her best work it is right up there. This is a CD you will listen to over and over.

i like anything that enya makes and this is no expection. new songs plus some old christian music. i don't think she can make a bad album. i have all of them

I love Enya and this CD is great as all the others I have of hers. I enjoy listening to it in the mornings before my fifth graders come to class. :) It's a very calm way to begin my busy day.

This is one of her best. Christmas music to sooth those harried nerves while getting ready for the Christmas celebration.

As for listening to it any other time... it is so beautiful and relaxing. I play it all the time.

Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Enya has outdone herself once again. She is one of the best and this cd was so soothing and perfect for the season.