Some Fine Christmas Listening

Subject: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:49 PM

Hi y'all (or should that be Ho! Ho!)

Just got through listening to two a capella Christmas albums that you may not be fakiliar with:

Artisan (Hilary Spencer, Jacey Bedford and Brian Bedford) have a release called Bygone Christmas--Carols, Wassails and Victorian Christmas Songs)

Traditional music sung in polished, lovely harmony by a trio who should be better known. Selection is a bit odd (Christmas Goose and Mistletoe bough aren't commonly included in seasonal collections), but the whole package works jes' fine, and is a welcome relief from the Luboff Choir and old Bing Crosby recordings.

Holly and the Ivy * Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came * Under tyhe Mistletoe * Sussex Carol * Silent Night * Gloucesterdhire Wassail ( Remember O Thou Man * Coventry Carol * When Shepherds Watched * God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen * Mistletoe Bough * Boar's Head Carol * Christmas Goose * Wassail Bough * Personent Hodie * My Father's Custom * The Old Year Now Away is Fled

Coope Boyes and Simpson's Carland of Carols

If you're not familiar with C,B you damn well should be. They're prime contenders for "Best choral Group in the World" if there were such an asinine award. Three magnificent voices, tight imaginative arrangements---what more could you want? Magnificent!

Shepherds Arise * Down in Yon Forest * The Coventry Carol * As I Sat On a Sunny Bank * While Shepherds Watched [Lyngham]* Nowell and Nowell * In Bethlehem City * Christmas is Now Drawing Near at Hand * The Carnal and the Crane * Here We Come A-Wassailing * The Three Harks * The Moon Shines Bright * Boars Head Carol * The Dunstan Lullaby * While Shepherds Watched

AND NOW.. I'm going to listen to the latest in the Nowell Sing We Clear series featuring John Roberts and Tony Barrand, along with Fred Breunig and Andy Davis. I'll let y'all know how I like it (It's entitled Just Say Nowell).

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:52 PM

Oh yes...Both available at Camsco ([e-mail] or phone 800/548-FOLK (3655)

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 07:58 PM

The Mistletoe Bough is a popular favourite in the village carols tradition in pubs in villages in the Sheffield area. Also a high point of Sidmouth Folk Festival, when Christmas comes in August, under the guidancfe of Ian Russell.

I advuise people to get hold of the CDs listed here, and change your whole understanding of what carol singing is all about. Cracking stuff from the territory of Wallace and Gromitt.

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: Mumbles
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 10:34 PM

A bit of coincidence Dick, Ive been listening to Roberts and Barrand w/Fred Breunig and Andy Davis on the album "Hail Smiling Morn" as well as "Sing We Clear"; both beautiful collections. Thanks for the reminder of this really fine seasonal sounds. It Makes the Luboff choir seem rather bland.... Frank.....They also have a The Best Of....Sing We Clear.......

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 10:38 PM

I have the Artisan album as well as The Best Of Nowell Sing We Clear. I heartily second Dick's recommendation. These are great additions to anyone's christmas album collection.

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 11:24 PM

Thanks, Dick for the info. I'll give you a ring or email.

Subject: RE: My Father's Custom
From: GUEST,Stuart Markus
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 09:08 AM

Hi, does anyone have a recording of ANY version of "My Father's Custom?" I'm doing a performance in a Dickens Festival this Friday night and lyrically it would suit perfectly. But I don't know the melody at all.

If anyone can shoot me at MP3 at [e-mail] I'd be grateful!
Happy holidays,
Stuart

Stuart Markus

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 02:03 PM

BBC Radio 3 always broadcasts fine Christmas listening (on the net).

Subject: RE: Some Fine Christmas Listening
From: ClaireBear
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 02:27 PM

Stuart,

That song is on the Artisan CD mentioned at the top of this thread. Call Camsco at 800/548-FOLK (3655) and see if they have it in, although I don't imagine they can get you an MP3.

Alternatively, you could go to the Artisan SD sales page (www.artisan-harmony.com/albums.htm) and e-mail Jacey at the suggested e-mail addy...or cast about for a newer one, if that's defunct. I don't imagine they are hard to find.