X-mas Cheer

Most Recorded Song: (tie) "Silent Night" and "What Child is This" ("Greensleeves") appeared on six of the 12 albums I reviewed.

Best New Year's Song: "Bringing in a Brand New Year" by Charles Brown. Guaranteed to have me hopping into January.

Best Cover Art: The Miracle of Christmas displays a child's (or childlike) drawing of the Magi at the manger. I want to know how the lamb got on the stable roof.

Most Unusual Line: From "Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake" on North Country Christmas. The gastronomic effect of the brick-like comestible is described thusly: "It would kill a man twice/ after eating a slice." The recipe's been in my family for generations, too.

Most Improvised Tune: "Greensleeves" (the melody to "What Child is This?") Everyone who did this number let their improvisational juices go wild with terrific, though wildly divergent, results.

Best Dance Tunes: Kwanzaa Music. I played this at work and someone I didn't know walked in, danced for a minute, then left. Never seen anything like it.

Best Album to Get Snowbound Until February With: We Three Kings by The Roches. The layers of vocals reveal something different with each playing. The sisters have woven a vocal magic carpet here, and it'll take awhile to unravel and investigate the individual strands.

There are many other superlatives found in these recordings, but you'll have to listen for them yourself. Meanwhile, let me be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

- Tom Mobbs (Worcester, MA)

Lorraine and Bennett Hammond Peace on Earth [Soundworks SW2001 (1994)] Peace on Earth contains the same high calibre of musicianship and arranging skill that's to be expected from a Lorraine and Bennett Hammond release. Bennett is an impressive guitarist with a clear mastery of both fingerpicking and tone, and Lorraine stands out as one who has set new standards for the mountain dulcimer. The subtitle of this release appropriately describes the music as "instrumental seasonal music on guitar, harp, dulcimer, whistle and flute." The material features traditional carols, some of which are not well-known (such as the 15th century English number, "Lullay My Liking," or the French song "Il est Ne, Le Divin Enfant"). There are also a couple of originals,including Lorraine's sprightly "Jig for Joy." (IE)

Kim Robertson & Virginia Kron Celtic Christmas II [Invincible INVCD119 (1995)] This standard instrumental Celtic harp/cello Christmas recording has a refreshingly non-standard selection of tunes drawn from a wide range of sources including French, Spanish, Italian, and American. The tunes are performed in a quiet, formal, but not stuffy, manner. This is one of the few seasonal recordings that actually could be played at other times of the years. (JL)

Dave Foster On That Christmas Day [Stormwarning CDF01 (1994)] There are some good ideas behind this recording. Original songs deal with different perspectives of the holidays, such as homelessness and divorce. Rousing kids songs feature choruses of real kids. A few religious themes are presented, goodwill wishes are extended in waltz time, and there's even a Christmas polka. However, the performance is disappointing. Much of the material is beyond Dave Foster's limited vocal range. Hammer dulcimer renditions of traditional tunes are overpowered by synthesized horns. The delivery doesn't measure up to the potential of the written verse. (TM)

Various Let's Have a Cajun Christmas [Lanor LRCD 1049 (1994)] This album features several Cajun bands with original holiday tunes, with intriguing titles such as "Pray for the Ones That Have Nothing to Celebrate," "Christmas in Prison," and "I Want Some Tennis Shoes for Christmas." However, since they are all sung in French, the stories they have to tell were lost on me. Since my comprehension was limited to the music, I found Camey Doucet to be the only really interesting band on the album, especially on their dance number "Santa Claus Will Pass Tonight." While there were occasional highlights, much of the other music was a twangy country style with accordion overtones, which did little to put me in the yuletide spirit. (TM)

The Roches We Three Kings [Rykodisc RCD 10311 (1994), reissue] This re-release of the Roches 1990 Christmas album features two dozen songs, everything from hymns to Christmas pop. The musical arrangements range from the full band on "Silver Bells" and on the title tune, to several a capella numbers, including "Jingle Bells," "Sleigh Ride," and "Angels We Have Heard On High." The trademark harmonies of the three sisters make these songs a delight to hear. Other gems are the sassy "Deck the Halls," and the kid's chorus and Hoboken accents of "Frosty the Snowman." The arrangements are varied enough to make each song a unique adventure. (TM)

Liz Story The Gift [Windham Hill 01934 11151 (1994)] This is a serious solo piano offering, the only other instrument being an acoustic bass on half of the 14 seasonal songs. Story's interpretation of "Greensleeves" is superb, weaving wonderful melodies around the main theme. The album has some genuinely fascinating moments when she teams two songs together to good effect, as in "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella" with "When Blossoms Flowered 'Mid the Snows," and "Il Es Ne Le Divin Enfant" with "Immaculate Mary." However, Story slows the tempo down on many of the Christmas standards, making the tone somber and reflective, and at times simply plodding. I found it to be not so much a celebration of the season as an introspective look at another year past. (TM)

Ancient Cultures The Miracle of Christmas [Invincible/G.R.D. Recordings TRXCD0060 (1994)] This recording features unusual and delightful renditions of familiar Anglo-Saxon carols and South American Christmas songs performed with acoustic guitars, Andean flutes, and an assortment of traditional South American instruments. On "What Child is This," the original melody ("My Lady Greensleeves") is intact, but when buffeted with the fast strumming of the guitar, flute, and maracas, it becomes a wonderfully wild ride. The five-member band is joined on a half dozen numbers by the Vancouver Chamber Choir. I found the mix a bit jarring at first. One minute, you're floating above the Andean clouds, the next a twenty voice Canadian choir is booming "Angels We Have Heard On High." The chorus worked much better when traditional South American and European carols were sung in Spanish or in alternating verses of Spanish and English. (TM)

Robin Spielberg In the Heart of Winter [North Star NS0075 (1995)] While Robin Spielberg's piano is dominant on this all instrumental recording, she adds other instruments, such as cello, flute, fiddle, and additional keyboards to fill out the sound. Her playlist includes eleven traditional holiday favorites, plus four well-written originals, which convey the spirit of the season. An interesting touch was the medley of "Amazing Grace" and "Silent Night." On "Christmas Day in the Morning" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," her piano gives way to the fiddle, flute, and bodhran, creating a Celtic flavor for the arrangements. Spielberg's velvety touch on the keyboards brings a light, refreshing mood to this recording. (TM)

Mark Hanson Yuletide Guitar [Accent on Music 6044CD (1995)] Light the fire and put on this album. Go ahead and let the cat curl up on your lap; you won't be going anywhere for awhile. This recording consists of solo acoustic guitar versions of mostly secular Christmas standards, such as "Rudolph" and "White Christmas." In a break from the solo guitar format, Hanson is joined by flutist Davis Lee Ross for an upbeat, jazzy "What Child Is This?." Other highlights include a short but expressive "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and a medley of "I Saw Three Ships/Bring A Torch, Isabella/We Three Kings," with a bit of improvisation tossed in to weave around the tunes. The album closes with a whisper in his treatment of "Silent Night." (TM)

Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues [Bullseye Blues CD BB 9561 (1994)] OK. Close your eyes. Forget the Christmas shopping. Imagine heading uptown to a smoky jazz bistro to surround yourself with the sounds of sophisticated blues, jazz, and R&B. Open your eyes. Surprise! You've got Charles Brown on the Victrola again. Brown leads his five-piece combo through a collection of holiday songs, many self-penned. The lone traditional carol is "Silent Night," featuring some cool tenor sax by Clifford Solomon. Guitarist Danny Caron also shines on this smooth seasonal offering. This is Brown's first full length Christmas album, although the pianist has made his mark with a few of his individual holiday songs. His familiar "Please Come Home for Christmas" is included on this disc. (TM)

Various Kwanzaa Music [Rounder CD 2133 (1994)] Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa honors African-American culture. The songs on this album, each previously released over the last three decades, are not specifically associated with the Kwanzaa celebration, but proclaim the spirit of the holiday. Various types of music have been gathered from around the world: gospel, soul, Texas blues, Zydeco, Caribbean rhythms, Arabic and traditional African styles. The compilers have done a good job mixing familiar black American artists (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, among others) with an introduction to World Music. The opening song, "Back To The Island" by the Baha Men is a wild drum driven Bahamian offering that sets the intense tone of this CD. Even if it doesn't get you dancing, it will certainly demand your attention. The liner notes are excellent in their description of the music and artists presented in this anthology, as well as the explanation of this newly celebrated holiday itself. (TM)

Ambrose Karels Gregorian Chant Christmas [Invincible INVCD1105 (1994)] The popularity of Gregorian chants with the general public is at an all time high. A strong impression is given on this recording of a medieval cathedral hosting a chorus of monks. The voices, sans musical accompaniment, are vibrant, and the echo is perfect for a cavernous place of worship. The chants contained here begin with Mass on the first Sunday in Advent, and work up to Mass on Christmas Day. Words to the chants are included, both in the original Latin as performed, and an English translation. (TM)

Graham Parker's Christmas Cracker [Dakota (1994)] This three-song disc captures the lizard-looking pub-rocker and poet at his acerbic best. Rather than wax nostalgic or concoct superficial cheer, Parker gives us a brief, but blistering glimmer into his view of Xmas. And it ain't pretty. As he sings on "Christmas is for Mugs," the English slang for suckers, "All I see are lager louts, shoplifters and thugs." It's no holiday for cynics like Graham, who sings with the ferocity of his early albums and churns out a catchy riff to go with it. The other two tracks are more benign, slightly fanciful stuff. But there's a bonus -- pungent demo versions that rock pretty hard. This disc is likely to burn a hole in your holiday stocking. (ES)

Ben Keith & Friends Seven Gates [Reprise 9 45773 (1994)] Keith is, of course, long-time pedal steel player for Neil Young, among others, and, though the concept of country guitar versions of Christmas songs has been done and done well by many, Keith is a fine player. The friends include the likes of Young and Johnny Cash. Cash uses his commanding voice on "The Little Drummer Boy," and Young his plaintive whine on "Greensleeves," and the whole record is quite spirited and fun, albeit predictable in song selection. Musically, it ranges from full choral arrangement (there must be at least 20 singers credited, including Young's wife Peggy) to guitar orchestra (with Keith on pedal and non-pedal steel and Dobro). Either Keith or his friends alone would be reason enough to recommend this, so it's doubly pleasing to hear both. (DB)

5 Chinese Brothers Santa Claustrophobia [1-800-PRIME-CD PCD 011 (1994)] This is certainly not an essential recording, but it is pleasant enough. Of the seven tracks, only two of them are Christmas songs. The first is a fairly silly "It's a Wonderful Life" takeoff ("And to All a Good Night") and the second is possibly the best song yet written by bassist Paul Foglino ("Christmas on Interstate 80," a "loneliness-of-the-road-particularly-at-Christmas" song. One other is a different version of "The Avalanche Song," a song from their second album, Stone Soup. The rest is a sampling of some of the best songs from their first, Singer, Songwriter, Beggarman, Thief. (DB)

Stan Ransom & Marne O'Shae North Country Christmas [Ransom NCC 101CD (1994)] The "North Country" in the title refers to an area of northeastern New York State and Vermont. The songs reflect the geography. Stan Ransom has collected a number of local songs, set poetry and prose of the area to music, and written a few tunes outright. To this is added Ransom's and Marne O'Shae's interpretations of several traditional carols. The songs are masterfully performed on a variety of instruments: six and twelve string guitars, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, and autoharp. The duo's vocal abilities differ; O'Shae's voice is considerably sweeter than Ransom's unpolished tone. The mix conveys a homespun atmosphere, and the warm feelings of a traditional upstate small town Christmas shine through. (TM)

Lucy Therrien What Child is This? [French American Music Enterprises CDT-110 (1995)] Lucie Therrien handles all the vocals on this multi-lingual presentation. While English is primarily used, many songs feature verses sung in an additional language. "Silent Night" is performed in English, French, and Spanish. There is a good assortment of traditional carols, such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" ("Adeste Fideles"), which is delivered in both English and Latin. Therrien mixes these with non-seasonal songs that fit in well with the Christmas theme, including "Amazing Grace" and a tri-lingual Mozart composition. Of special note are a delightfully upbeat "Il Es Ne Le Divin Enfant" and "Born in Bethlehem," a snappy gospel number. Therrien has applied her sweet, clear vocals and her uncluttered arrangements to a variety of cultural influences to effectively capture the spirit of the Christmas season. (TM)

New Christmas and seasonal recordings received too late for review:

Celtic Christmas [Windham Hill] (Phil Cunningham & Manus Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke & Mícheál O Domhnaill, Liam O'Flynn, Luka Bloom, Cormac Breatnach, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill & Donal Lunny, Nightnoise, Carlos Núñez, Altan, Johnny Cunningham, Loreena McKennitt, Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning), A Winter's Solstice V [Windham Hill] (Barbara Higbie, Tracy Silverman & Thea Suite-Silverman, Will Ackerman, Alex de Grassi, Jim Brickman, Nightnoise, Liz Story, oystein Sevåg, Philip Aaberg, Steve Erquiaga, Torcuati Mariano, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Keola Beamer w/George Winston), Even Santa Gets the Blues [Pointblank Classic] (B.B. King, Hadda Brooks, Charles Brown, Jesse Belvin, Johnny Winter, Lowell Fulson, Isaac Hayes), Oldies for a Cool Christmas [Re-Bop], John Berry O Holy Night [Capitol Nashville], The Oak Ridge Boys Country Christmas Eve [Capitol Nashville], Turtle Island String Quartet By the Fireside [Windham Hill], Dan Keding/Tom & Chris Kastle That Time of Year [Sextant Music], Hallelujah! Great Choruses from Handel's Messiah [Narada Lotus], Christmas Blessing: The Narada Christmas Collection Vol. 3 [Narada] (David Arkenstone, Michael Whalen, Brian Mann, Nando Lauria, more), Must Be Santa! The Rounder Christmas Album [Rounder] (Riders in the Sky, Joseph Spence, more), Blues, Mistletoe and Santa's Little Helper [Black Top] (Anson Funderburgh, Earl King, Big Joe & the Dynaflows, Robert Ward, etc.), Bullseye Blues Christmas [Bullseye Blues] (Joe Kubek, Michelle "Evil Gal" Willson, Charlie Brown, etc).

Contributors to this section: Ed Silverman, Tom Mobbs, Jim Lee, Ivan Emke, Dave Beltane.