I’ve been caroling once. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I remember it as a bunch of people coming to the door, looking bewildered, and one fellow with that “Get out of my yard!” kind of look.
And cold. I remember the cold. I don’t remember snow, but I do remember cold.
And no one invited us in for hot chocolate or cider, like in the movies.
I remember thinking, “Let’s not do this again.”
My
stic Harmony – Mystic Christmas(Mister Carmody)
Released – 2008
In my mind, there are two kinds of Christmas Music – the “active” kind, that makes one (but not me) want to find a bunch of people and go stomping around in the snow through the neighborhood. The other kind is more contemplative – if not religious, then at least a reminder that there’s more to the season than ribbon and eggnog and yule logs.
This – the group is called Mystic Harmony – is that second kind.
It’s largely the work of three women who live and work in suburban Washington, DC. And “largely the work of” means that Mary Anne Brundage not only sings lead vocals, but also performs on harp and guitar; that Janet Booth sings, but also plays flute and whistle; and that Janice Mawson sings, but also arranges and plays keyboards.
“Magical and mystical” aren’t words that I typically use, and yet they came to mind. In the end, I decided that the music floats somewhere around the ceiling, yet not in any new-agey kind of of way. It’s sort of old school (“Coventry Carol” is 16th Century!), and that’s something I find a more comfortable fit for me, both musically and spiritually.
The disc contains tunes familiar and original – “Angel’s Prayer,” by Ms. Mawson and Ms. Brundage stands alongside the classics just fine, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m no expert on Celtic music. I do know what I like. The CD changer gets loaded with only 25 holiday discs this time of year, and this will be one of ‘em. More than that – it’ll be one I say to friends, “You’ve got to hear this…”
This disc is very highly recommended.
By the way, the credit for that nice black and white photo goes to Irene Young.
I’ve said before – that when it comes to Christmas albums, I think that The Carpenters’ “Christmas Portrait” from 1978 is the gold standard. There was a Christmas special on ABC that year – featuring the music from that album. Here’s a clip from YouTube.
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