CD Review:

From our archives, Compass Magazine, Dec. 2001:

By: Cheryl Robbins

EverSound/Tidings of Joy/Jingo

This is a collection of 15 Christmas carols arranged by 11 musicians. Though most of the Christmas carols sound familiar, original musical and sometimes vocal elements have been added to create new holiday compositions. Selections include Christmas favorites like “The Little Drummer Boy”, “We Three Kings” and “The First Noel”. An interesting addition to this well-rounded Christmas album is “Campanilleros”, based on a traditional carol from Spain. Falling between traditional and contemporary, “Tidings of Joy” is a good choice for those looking for different (but not too different) holiday music.

Robert Russell Bennett, arranger/The Many Moods of Christmas/BMG

This CD’s arranger, Robert Russell Bennett, has orchestrated over 300 Broadway shows such as “Oklahoma”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, and “Show Boat”. Thus, it is no wonder that this compilation of Christmas carols is as musically diverse as a Broadway show. For example, strings and harp are combined in “Silent Night”, bassoons and brass in “O Come All Ye Faithful”, and soft guitar and woodwinds in “What Child Is This”. The voices of the Robert Shaw Chorale singers increase the power and emotion of each of the carols. This is a good addition to any traditional Christmas celebration.

Natalie Cole with the London Symphony Orchestra/The Magic of Christmas/Elektra

The rich music of the London Symphony Orchestra combines with the beautiful voice of Natalie Cole on this contemporary Christmas album. Traditional carols include “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “O Tanenbaum”, and “Twelve Days of Christmas”. However, many of the selections are original and relate the unique spirit of this holiday. Listen to this CD while putting up the Christmas tree or preparing for a holiday party for a boost of much needed pre-Christmas energy.

Biung/Biung/Wind

This is the second release by this very talented aboriginal singer from the Bunun tribe. The songs are performed in a mixture of Mandarin and the Bunun language. However, no matter whether you can understand the lyrics or not, you are sure to enjoy Biung’s powerful, clean voice and the emotion and energy he puts into each of the songs. For example, “The Lonely Squirrels” relates his feelings of homesickness and fond memories of his childhood in a small village in Taitung. For more about this up-and-coming musician/singer/songwriter, see this month’s In Yer Ear.