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Help: Christmas Album

14 Dec 01 - 07:41 AM (#609556)
Subject: Christmas Fok Album
From: GUEST,Elizabeth

I am looking for good Christmas folk albums. Any suggestions?


14 Dec 01 - 08:15 AM (#609570)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Jock Morris @ work in Edinburgh

How about "A Christmas Tail" by His Worship and the Pig? A series of songs that has Santa getting fed up with it all and heading south to Benidorm and Mary Christmas (his wife) running off with the man from Toys R Us. Available from www.hisworshipandthepig.co.uk .

Scott (no connection with the band, just enjoy their stuff)


14 Dec 01 - 08:34 AM (#609577)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Allan C.

I fell in love with Pint & Dale's "When I See Winter Return" CD. I think it contains a fine cross section of songs and tunes of the season.


14 Dec 01 - 10:47 AM (#609639)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer

It might be a bit of a stretch, but my favourite Christmas is Willie Nelson's Pretty Paper.


14 Dec 01 - 11:32 AM (#609664)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: katlaughing

Three that I really enjoy are A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, and Al Petteway; Christmas Celtic which believe it or not is REALLY good and I picked it up at one of those kiosks at a discount store where you can push a button and listen to a snippet before you buy; also, Yuletide Guitars put out by NorthSound.

Our own Caroline and Sandy Paton have a wonderful one, 'Twas On a Night Like This A CHRISTMAS LEGACY, which you can sample at Folk Legacy.

Also, there are a couple of Christmas CDs at Green Linnet's LISTEN site where you can listen to the whole CD before buying. I highly recommend the one by Noëls Celtiques from Brittany.


14 Dec 01 - 12:06 PM (#609685)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Joe Offer

Cindy Mangsen, Anne Hills, and Priscilla Herdman have done some wonderful stuff for the holiday season - their "On This Day Earth Shall Ring" is a beautiful collection of traditional carols, and I really like their "Voices of Winter," which has a wider variety fo winter songs. I haven't heard their "Turning of the Year," but I sure wish somebody would give it to me for Christmas...
Loreena McKennitt has two Christmas/winter albums that are hauntingly beautiful, To Drive the Cold Winter Away, and a 5-song CD called A Winter Garden. Heck, even her Website is hauntingly beautiful.
-Joe Offer-


14 Dec 01 - 12:14 PM (#609688)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Sledge

The various offering from Maddy Prior and the Carnival band are always well worth a look. My own favorite is carols and capers.

Sledge


14 Dec 01 - 12:23 PM (#609696)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,jaze

On the mellow side, John Fahey has two beautiful acoustic guitar Christmas lps. They are worth looking for.


15 Dec 01 - 11:15 AM (#610391)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: John P

My band Telynor has a Christmas album called "Off the Beaten Track". You can hear some sound samples on the web site. It's old traditional carols from England, France, Appalachia, along with some medieval stuff. Citterns, hurdy-gurdy, lap dulcimer, fiddle, etc. There's an order form on the web site, or you can get it from CD Baby.

John Peekstok


15 Dec 01 - 11:19 AM (#610393)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: katlaughing

Having just heard John's band on the radio, yesterday, I can highly recommend their CD, he mentions. I just ordered it and canna wait. CD Baby says they ship within 24 hours. Great stuff, John!


15 Dec 01 - 11:23 AM (#610399)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Sandy Paton

You shouldn't overlook John Roberts and Tony Barrand's series of seasonal recordings - Nowell Sing We Clear. There are four volumes listed on the Folk-Legacy website. That's at www.folklegacy.com.

Sandy


03 Dec 06 - 03:34 PM (#1899043)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Desert Dancer

Refreshing for another year...

This closed (why?) thread, BS: What's your favorite Xmas album/CD? Why? has more suggestions, although not exclusively folk.

In addition to adding my support for

Nowell Sing We Clear's series of albums (available through Golden Hind Music or Folk Legacy)

and "Kentucky Christmas Old and New" from the Jean Ritchie family and friends (Greenhays Recordings, GR70717),

I don't see any mention of these that are also in my collection (with an obvious American & English bias):

"American Folk Songs for Christmas," a 2-cd set with songs from the famous Ruth Crawford Seeger book of the same name, performed by Mike, Peggy, and Penny Seeger and members of their families (including Ewan MacColl). It's Rounder Records CD 0268/0269, 1989

"Sing Christmas and the Turn of the Year, the live Christmas Day 1957 broadcast on BBC Radio," put out by Rounder as part of the Alan Lomax Collection, in the Concert and Radio Series in 2000 (Rounder CD1850)

Finest Kind's "Feasts & Spirits, A Christmas Entertainment," intersperses songs with exerpts from Dickens's "A Christmas Carol", read by John D. Huston (Fallen Angle FAM 07)

John Kirkpatrick & Folkwork's "Wassail! A Traditional Celebration of and English Midwinter" is lots of fun - traditionally-based folk with a great contemporary energy. It's Fellside FECD125 from , although I don't find it on their web site. Googling produces lots of sources for a purchase, though.

The New Scorpion Band's Christmas album is "The Carnal and the Crane." A lovely 19th century village feel. (NSB Records)

The Watersons "Frost and Fire, A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs", though not strictly Christmas, is a classic. Topic made a CD from the LPs "Frost and Fire" and "Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy". (Topic TSCD136)

Also not strictly Christmas is Fellside's has compilation "Seasons, Ceremonies & Rituals, the Calendar in Traditional Song" with various artists (FTSR5)

And, folk (?) in an "early music" interpretation includes Early Music New York's "A Colonial Christmas", with tunes from The Dancing Master, and songs from the Southern Harmony. Ex cathedra Records 70070-29006-2. (Of course, if you go the "not too early" music route, there's plenty more to be found.)

---

In composing the above, I came upon "Songs of Christmas from the Alan Lomax Collection", from Rounder (CDROUN1719, 1998).

The latest issue of EDS (EFDSS's mag) reviewed a couple that looked interesting:

Waterson:Carthy, with The Devil's Interval, "Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man" from Topic (TSCD562), and

John Kirkpatrick, "Carolling & Crumpets" from Fledg'ling Records (FLED3060).


~ Becky in Tucson


03 Dec 06 - 07:16 PM (#1899193)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Sorcha

Seamus Kennedy has a Christmas album too.


04 Dec 06 - 04:50 AM (#1899405)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Scrump

I second Becky's recommendation of John Kirkpatrick's latest "Carolling & Crumpets". I rarely buy Christmas records, but I had to buy this as soon as I heard him sing some of the tracks. IMO it's worth buying for the title track alone - I just had to have it!

And there's a great recipe for Christmas pud in one of the songs, too! :-)


04 Dec 06 - 07:08 AM (#1899475)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Splott Man

For Christmas gospel: The Blind Boys of Alabama's Christmas CD is wonderful.


04 Dec 06 - 07:14 AM (#1899481)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Liz the Squeak

The new Waterson/Carthy album 'Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man' has some perfectly wonderful stuff on it, I was listening to it on Saturday - regretably I couldn't afford it so if anyone out there wants to buy me a present....?! (You have to try don't you!)

The Coope, Boyes and Simpson latest effort 'Voices at the Door' is also bloody great - they're at Hitchin folk club in 2 weeks time...

I did discover a great one on a 'parnd' stall - £1.99 for 'A Box and Banjo at Christmas' - old favourites played on a banjo and concertina... great for putting on 'shuffle' and scaring your guests!

LTS


04 Dec 06 - 08:23 AM (#1899534)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Ruth Archer

Having listened to both JK's Carolling and Crumpets and W:C's Holy Heathens, I heartily recommend them both.

I also always enjoy Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band's Carols and Capers, and The Scorp's Carnal and the Crane.


04 Dec 06 - 08:23 AM (#1899535)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Arkie

I second the Paton's & Para's "Twas On A Night Like This"   My favorite Christmas recording, but also really like "Nowell Sing We Clear" and a bunch of others already mentioned.

Can also recommend Mudcatter, Phil Cooper's group Bittersweet Christmas Band's "Dance In The Dark of the Year" and The Christmas Revels recordings.


04 Dec 06 - 01:01 PM (#1899813)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Wayne

Magpie Lane's wonderful Wassail album on Beautiful Jo is a joy. Their Christmas shows are legendary in Oxford and they've got a new seasonal cd coming out this month.

Jethro Tull's Christmas album is their best for years and Dan Fogelberg's A Christmas Morning is also superb.

Looking forward to Free Reed's Midwinter box set.


04 Dec 06 - 05:02 PM (#1900008)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Geoff the Duck

I was just about to recommend Magpie Lane's Christmas record. They appear to have a new one on the way as well.
Here is a link or two with stuff to listen to:-

The Band on their own web site
A couple of sound clips
On Myspace.


Liz - £1.99 for 'A Box and Banjo at Christmas'. Can I have a listen some time?

Quack!
Geoff the Duck.


04 Dec 06 - 09:27 PM (#1900173)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Jeremiah McCaw

Unless my quick scan missed it, nobody's mentioned Bruce Cockburn's 1993 album, simply called "Christmas". It's a good 'un.


05 Dec 06 - 02:53 AM (#1900274)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Cluin

Yep, Cockburn's album was a ogood one, but my favorite Christmas album is still Robin Williamson's Winter's Turning.


05 Dec 06 - 09:10 AM (#1900510)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: breezy

Bah humbug


05 Dec 06 - 09:22 AM (#1900520)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: ranger1

Two of my favorites are:
Angels We Have Heard by Julia Lane (available through CD Baby)
Home For the Holidays by Schooner Fare


05 Dec 06 - 11:13 AM (#1900608)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Wesley S

The Waverly Consort has a nice one out - sorry I don't remember the name.

I'd like to find one by a good brass quintet.


05 Dec 06 - 09:37 PM (#1901228)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: oldhippie

"Christmas In Fallujah" - Jonathan Pepper
lyrics at americanfallout.com


05 Dec 06 - 10:18 PM (#1901248)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: black walnut

David Francey (www.davidfrancey.com) just came out with a new Christmas CD. Simple - just him a pianist friend. I haven't heard it yet but I'm going to get it at the next concert of his I get to.

~b.w.


06 Dec 06 - 09:33 AM (#1901501)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Liz the Squeak

If you want some traditional diddly diddly Christmas music, I've just unearthed a Boys of the Lough CD 'The Day Dawn' which is a collection of traditional music and makes a great change from all those interminable Kings Kollege Kambridge things.

Add to this 'The Bells of Dublin' by the Chieftans and you'll have a fantastic selection of both religious and secular music that doesn't leave that nasty saccharin taste in the mouth.

LTS


06 Dec 06 - 10:16 AM (#1901517)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: JedMarum

Seamus Kennedy's Christmas album is my very favorite of all. I have a few favorites, but Seamus's stays in my Disc changer for th entire season.


06 Dec 06 - 01:50 PM (#1901666)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Ref

In addition to many already noted, The First Gift of Christmas by Robin and Linda Williams, also the Chieftains and many guests on The Bells Of Dublin.


06 Dec 06 - 02:04 PM (#1901688)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Jim

Dave Gunning Christmas

Just released this month. Have a listen to some of the track clips.


07 Dec 06 - 03:50 AM (#1902211)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Hrothgar

I am surprised that "Noel" by Joan Baez has not received a jersey here. After all, it's less than half a century old.


07 Dec 06 - 01:07 PM (#1902569)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: robd

Artisan's -- Bygone Christmas and Paper Angels (w/ Big Red, a Santa Claus version of Riders in the Sky)

Golden Bough's -- Winter's Dance (w/ Det Va Den Heilage Jolekvell, an incredible Norwegian Christmas song)

... and my personal favorite, though I have no idea if it is available anywhere now, is

Horslips' -- Drive the Cold Winter Away (w/ a Christmas song in Manx! How cool is that? Ny Kirree Fo Niaghtey , it translates, The Sheep Beneath the Snow)


07 Dec 06 - 08:40 PM (#1902984)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Kajikit

My favourite going-to-sleep music for December is an album called 'Old Fashioned Christmas'... it's got Appalacian dulcimer on it and it's very soothing. I actually found the album on Amazon - Old Fashioned Christmas


07 Dec 06 - 08:47 PM (#1902990)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: GUEST,Kenbrock

I recomend the just-released APPLES OF WINTER by The Itinerant Band, from Southeastern Virginia. The first time thru, I listened to it four times:

http://www.itinerantband.com/albums.html


08 Dec 06 - 12:11 AM (#1903135)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: moongoddess

How about "A New England Christmastide" one and two by various Rhode Island musicians, like former members of "Wickford Express" and of course Jon Campbell. Truly terrific music.


08 Dec 06 - 09:44 PM (#1904083)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Margret RoadKnight

"Black Nativity" featuring Marion Williams & Alex Bradford now available on CD
(African American Xmas spirituals & gospel songs from the Langston Hughes '60s Broadway & West End show)


08 Dec 06 - 10:09 PM (#1904116)
Subject: RE: Help: Christmas Album
From: Ron Davies

May not be strictly folk--lots of familiar carols- and some unfamiliar----but just   wonderful warm atmosphere----2 CDs by Sylvia Woods: 3 Harps for Christmas (2 volumes). Harps are nylon-strung, metal strung and triple-strung.