A lullaby of an album, Celtic Christmas II features two James Galway flute pieces ("The Wexford Carol" and "I'll Rock You to Rest") that set the tone for this gentle collection. Some of the usual suspects, Nightnoise, folkie Luka Bloom, Capercaillie, Triona Ní Dhomhnaill, and others, appear on the 14-track survey of more Celtic music. Flutes and tin whistles seem to dominate the instrumental range here, underscored by strong vocal performances such as Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill's "Johnny Seoighe" and of course a lament or two. Would Christmas be any more joyful if it weren't balanced by world-weary ballads, dirges, and heartsick songs? The Irish know and so they wisely indulge in both the light and the dark. --Martin Keller