Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Songs of Joy & Peace
Skip to main content
Try Prime
EN   Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart
All
Select the department you want to search in
Go
12 Days of Deals Best Sellers Find a Gift Customer Service New Releases Registry Gift Cards Sell AmazonBasics Coupons Whole Foods Free Shipping Shopper Toolkit #FoundItOnAmazon

  • Songs of Joy & Peace
  • ›
  • Customer reviews

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
206 customer ratings
5 star
72%
4 star
11%
3 star
8%
2 star
5%
1 star
4%
Songs of Joy & Peace

Songs of Joy & Peace

byYo-Yo Ma
Format: MP3 MusicChange
Price:$11.99
Write a review
See All Buying Options

Add to Wish List

Top positive review

See all 171 positive reviews›
Dr. Debra Jan Bibel
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 starsNo Dark, Sullen Winter Here!
October 16, 2008
These days anthologies of a given leading musician with assorted guests are commonplace, and we have seen them in rock, jazz, blues, and even country. But Yo-Yo Ma is a classical musician who ventures far into other realms, from his Silk Road Project to Bossa Nova and Tango. Here is a stunning winter holiday album (not all strictly Christmas songs) where Ma makes music with major artists from around the world in unusual instrumental combinations. This album has excellent sound quality, as you would expect, but it is also an unusual 79 minutes long. The great jazz and Latin clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera appears on three tracks. Ma is joined with fiddle and bagpipes in support of an Alison Krauss vocal. Another Celtic combination, French Canadian, includes harp, piano, drums, and Natalie Macmaster on fiddle. Dave Brubeck and his cello-playing son Matt Brubeck appear; that is correct, two cellos. Cello and saxophone combine care of Joshua Redman, and how about cello and ukulele via Jake Shimabukuro! A work composed by Osvaldo Golijov brings together a sheng, santur, tabla, ney, kamancheh, shakuhachi, pipa, and Western strings of cello, violin, violas. Four different improvisations on Dona Nobis Pacem are interspersed among the tracks to help unite the recordings. And the jazz, Celtic, classical, rock, Latin, and pop tunes are all remarkably infused with holiday joy and Ma's sweet and sonorous cello. These fine and mellow pieces are not for dance parties but for enjoying the coziness, warmth, and peace of sitting with friends, viewing a fireplace or holiday lights, and tasting special food and drink. When you finish listening to this CD, expect to find a smile on your face and happiness in your heart.
Read more
165 people found this helpful

Top critical review

See all 34 critical reviews›
Old KY homebody
3.0 out of 5 starsSome wonderful tracks, but overall it won't be a favorite.
December 3, 2019
I gave this three out of five stars because I only liked half of the tracks. The ones I liked, I liked a lot, but the ones I did not like, I detested. Some might think people who can't sing, or instruments played off-pitch, are cool, or edgy, but that's not my style. It made me wish for an edit feature so I could delete them. Honestly, I only bought this because I saw a "making of" video on YouTube a few days ago, of Allison Krauss singing the Wexford Carol, which was exquisite.
Read more

Search
Sort by
Top rated
Filter by
All reviewersAll positiveAll formatsText, image, video
Showing 1-10 of 171 reviews(Positive). Clear filter

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 starsNo Dark, Sullen Winter Here!
October 16, 2008
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
These days anthologies of a given leading musician with assorted guests are commonplace, and we have seen them in rock, jazz, blues, and even country. But Yo-Yo Ma is a classical musician who ventures far into other realms, from his Silk Road Project to Bossa Nova and Tango. Here is a stunning winter holiday album (not all strictly Christmas songs) where Ma makes music with major artists from around the world in unusual instrumental combinations. This album has excellent sound quality, as you would expect, but it is also an unusual 79 minutes long. The great jazz and Latin clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera appears on three tracks. Ma is joined with fiddle and bagpipes in support of an Alison Krauss vocal. Another Celtic combination, French Canadian, includes harp, piano, drums, and Natalie Macmaster on fiddle. Dave Brubeck and his cello-playing son Matt Brubeck appear; that is correct, two cellos. Cello and saxophone combine care of Joshua Redman, and how about cello and ukulele via Jake Shimabukuro! A work composed by Osvaldo Golijov brings together a sheng, santur, tabla, ney, kamancheh, shakuhachi, pipa, and Western strings of cello, violin, violas. Four different improvisations on Dona Nobis Pacem are interspersed among the tracks to help unite the recordings. And the jazz, Celtic, classical, rock, Latin, and pop tunes are all remarkably infused with holiday joy and Ma's sweet and sonorous cello. These fine and mellow pieces are not for dance parties but for enjoying the coziness, warmth, and peace of sitting with friends, viewing a fireplace or holiday lights, and tasting special food and drink. When you finish listening to this CD, expect to find a smile on your face and happiness in your heart.
165 people found this helpful
Helpful
66 comments Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Steve Taylor
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 starsOutstanding Blend of Magic
September 10, 2019
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
There's enough reviews here already so I won't go into length. First, as an audiofile, I'd say this is a very well produced CD. It sounds incredible with a good pair of headphones on. Those that reviewed otherwise may have received an illegal copy. It truly sounds wonderful.

The talent is amazing and everything is played magically. Dave Brubeck gives a great performance on two songs (he will be missed). Allison Krauss sends shivers up the spine with her incredible voice. Sergio Assad has the magic touch on the guitar. Evwryone does a tremend job.

Yo-Yo Ma isn't famous because he has a catchy name, he's famous because he is very gifted.

Even if you hate Jesus you'll love this album. It's timeless style will be with you always.
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


David BurchTop Contributor: Guitars
5.0 out of 5 starsA Christmas album for people who are sick of Christmas
September 13, 2009
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
Sometimes, when a classical artist decides to branch out into other forms of music, the result is laughable -- perfect chops but no soul. Yo-Yo Ma has managed to beat that result several times, and this disc is one of them. He is the sort of musician who notes artistic worth even if the player didn't graduate from Julliard, and chose a great mix from his acquaintances outside the concert-hall world. Who else would even know Jake Shimabukuro, a uke player who takes his tiny instrument waaay beyond beach-party noodling? If you're sick of the pathetic carnival of modern Christmas, play the Wexford Carol some December evening when you're alone. Light a candle and let Alison Krauss remind you what Christmas meant before it was ravaged. And sometime in the middle of July, play the Natalie MacMaster cut on the car stereo, top volume, windows down. You don't need sub-bass for music to transport you away from your cares. This is a fabulous album that you will enjoy all year, and treasure in December.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Gengler
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 starsNOT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT....EVEN BETTER!
December 25, 2008
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
I aproached this CD apprehensively.

Was it another all-star holiday CD? A banal collection of forgettable music that would disappear on the shelf after one or two playings?

Hardly.

Yo-Yo Ma has assembled an all-star cast of musical titans who have managed to create a collection of timeless, harmonious, and utterly original soundings arrangements of beautiful music.

Playing it for friends and family this holiday season has elicited many queries as to who is palying; "what IS that CD?" A wonderful amalgam of classical, popular, new age, jazzy, and new world music, Songs of Joy and Peace never devolves into cliched sentiment or ephemeral new age music. Instead, it is classic and timeless.

With his many classical recordings, Silk Road ensemble, and collaborative works such as this, Yo-Yo Ma has become a national treasure.

If only all of our musicans musically aged as gracefully.

I urge you to purchase this fine disc. You will not be disappointed!
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Jay Rodriguez
4.0 out of 5 starsI Am Just a Boxer
February 26, 2014
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
And my story's seldom told. I have this terrible tendency to put musicians into a box. Marsalis should play nothing but Baroque. And Yo-Yo should play nothing but classical. I bot this largely as an exercise in listening to one of my favorites do something ELSE that he enjoyed. It took a couple of listenings, but I enjoy this. Growth is good. Better than stagnation or sliding back into the fetid pools of We've Always Done It This Way. This album took only a slight bit more effort that Ray Charles Duets, which took none.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Lawrence J. Gubas
5.0 out of 5 starsA nice surprise
January 6, 2009
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
I have always found Yo Yo Ma a consumate artist with taste and charm both personally and musically. Yet, I come to this album with a little trepidation with the various styles and approaches. I was prepared to be happily surprised but cautious in that usually such albums are cuts of half hearted material devlivered just as half heartedly. However, the mix of artists is quite wonderful and each work is a little treasure and a delight to the ear. The video is wonderful to see although a bit contrived. There are wonderful jazzy numbers but also some interesting and quite novel combinations of instruments. So, this was not the disappointment that I had feared. It is new, bright and something wonderful to the ear. You can easy listen but you will be brought to pick up the album package quite often and fulfill the want to know exactly who the guest artist is and find out more about them. Quite a nice surprise.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Pileated
5.0 out of 5 starsBeautiful Recording
December 26, 2008
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
Yo-Yo Ma's album "Songs of Joy and Peace" brings together a fairly wide range of genres and musical backgrounds into an exploration of musical joyousness. There's a compelling unity here above and beyond the cellist's influence on each track, and, considering how diverse the tracks are, I think that's quite an accomplishment in itself. The virtuosity of every individual performer is striking, and in combination with Yo-Yo Ma and others the result of their playing is often breathtaking. If you're looking for something fresh in the way of holiday music, choosing this beautifully performed and recorded CD is a sure bet.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Wendy
5.0 out of 5 stars5 Stars - Oh My!
November 1, 2013
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
I bought this CD a few years ago and it is still one of my favorite Holiday CDs. I almost never give 5 stars to anything but this is so enjoyable and the "friends" who participated in this recording are so widely diversified that it appeals to almost everyone. My "Holiday Ipod Loop" of about 100 songs includes 5 of the tracks from this CD & I own over 40 holiday CDs. This is a very non-traditional Holiday CD, some of the songs which I play during other seasons as well.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


Bobby-47
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat music, well recorded
November 21, 2019
Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase
Excellent performances and sound quality. I enjoy hearing this any time of the year.
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


M. Wolf
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Amazing Holiday Album
December 17, 2008
Format: MP3 MusicVerified Purchase
While I enjoy all of the songs on this wonderfully composed album two stick out for me that in addition to Christmas also point to the Solstice and the return of the light

"This Little Light of Mine" is a wonderful blend of Bourbon Street, Caribbean, and Classical themes (also probably some other layers I have failed to recognize). The simplicity of the layers makes this a brilliant composition that thrills me each time I hear it.

James Taylor's "Here Comes the Sun" is another artful composition. These two songs add wonderful breath not often found in a Christmas Album.
Helpful
0Comment Report abuse
Comment

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

    Showing 0 comments
    Sort by:
  • Newest
  • Oldest

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.


  • ←Previous page
  • Next page→

Customers also viewed these items

The Wexford Carol
The Wexford Carol
byAlison Krauss;Yo-Yo Ma;Natalie MacMaster
$1.29
5.0 out of 5 stars16
Essential Yo-Yo Ma
Essential Yo-Yo Ma
byYo-Yo Ma
$16.99
4.6 out of 5 stars158
Six Evolutions - Bach: Cello Suites
Six Evolutions - Bach: Cello Suites
byYo-Yo Ma
$16.99
4.8 out of 5 stars65
What Child is This
What Child is This
byAlison Krauss
$0.99
An Appalachian Christmas
An Appalachian Christmas
byMark O'Connor
$7.99
4.2 out of 5 stars72

Need customer service? Click here
‹ See all details for Songs of Joy & Peace

There's a problem loading this menu right now.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.

Get fast, free delivery with Amazon Prime
Prime members enjoy FREE Two-Day Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books.
> Get started
Back to top
Get to Know Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • About Amazon
  • Press Center
  • Investor Relations
  • Amazon Devices
  • Amazon Tours
Make Money with Us
  • Sell on Amazon
  • Sell Under Amazon Accelerator
  • Sell on Amazon Handmade
  • Sell Your Services on Amazon
  • Sell on Amazon Business
  • Sell Your Apps on Amazon
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Advertise Your Products
  • Self-Publish with Us
  • ›See More
Amazon Payment Products
  • Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Cards
  • Amazon.com Store Card
  • Amazon Business Card
  • Amazon.com Corporate Credit Line
  • Shop with Points
  • Credit Card Marketplace
  • Reload Your Balance
  • Amazon Currency Converter
Let Us Help You
  • Your Account
  • Your Orders
  • Shipping Rates & Policies
  • Amazon Prime
  • Returns & Replacements
  • Manage Your Content and Devices
  • Amazon Assistant
  • Help
    EnglishChoose a language for shopping.
    United StatesChoose a country/region for shopping.
      Amazon Music
      Stream millions
      of songs
      Amazon Advertising
      Find, attract, and
      engage customers
      Amazon Drive
      Cloud storage
      from Amazon
      6pm
      Score deals
      on fashion brands
      AbeBooks
      Books, art
      & collectibles
      ACX
      Audiobook Publishing
      Made Easy
      Alexa
      Actionable Analytics
      for the Web
       
      Sell on Amazon
      Start a Selling Account
      Amazon Business
      Everything For
      Your Business
      Amazon Fresh
      Groceries & More
      Right To Your Door
      AmazonGlobal
      Ship Orders
      Internationally
      Home Services
      Handpicked Pros
      Happiness Guarantee
      Amazon Ignite
      Sell your original
      Digital Educational
      Resources
      Amazon Rapids
      Fun stories for
      kids on the go
       
      Amazon Web Services
      Scalable Cloud
      Computing Services
      Audible
      Listen to Books & Original
      Audio Performances
      Book Depository
      Books With Free
      Delivery Worldwide
      Box Office Mojo
      Find Movie
      Box Office Data
      ComiXology
      Thousands of
      Digital Comics
      CreateSpace
      Indie Print Publishing
      Made Easy
      DPReview
      Digital
      Photography
       
      East Dane
      Designer Men's
      Fashion
      Fabric
      Sewing, Quilting
      & Knitting
      Goodreads
      Book reviews
      & recommendations
      IMDb
      Movies, TV
      & Celebrities
      IMDbPro
      Get Info Entertainment
      Professionals Need
      Kindle Direct Publishing
      Indie Digital Publishing
      Made Easy
      Prime Now
      FREE 2-hour Delivery
      on Everyday Items
       
      Amazon Photos
      Unlimited Photo Storage
      Free With Prime
      Prime Video Direct
      Video Distribution
      Made Easy
      Shopbop
      Designer
      Fashion Brands
      Amazon Warehouse
      Great Deals on
      Quality Used Products
      Whole Foods Market
      America’s Healthiest
      Grocery Store
      Woot!
      Deals and
      Shenanigans
      Zappos
      Shoes &
      Clothing
       
      Ring
      Smart Home
      Security Systems
      eero WiFi
      Stream 4K Video
      in Every Room
      Neighbors App
      Real-Time Crime
      & Safety Alerts
      Subscribe with Amazon
      Discover & try
      subscription services
      PillPack
      Pharmacy Simplified
      Amazon Renewed
      Like-new products
      you can trust
      Amazon Second Chance
      Pass it on, trade it in,
      give it a second life
      • Conditions of Use
      • Privacy Notice
      • Interest-Based Ads
      • © 1996-2019, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates