14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A remarkable souvenir of a remarkable concert, November 21, 2001
This review is from: CHILD - Music For The Christmas Season (Audio CD)
I was fortunate enough to have been at The Bottom Line in New York on one of the nights that this CD was recorded - December 18, 1996. On my first visit to New York, I happened to see this concert advertised in The Village Voice. I'd seen Ms Siberry perform twice in my home town of Sydney, Australia and had been enchanted by her imaginative, left-of-centre songwriting. The concert I saw on December 18 is something I will always cherish for opening my ears to some new Christmas carols, for bringing out the spiritual dimension of some of Siberry's best songs and for the sheer joy and spirit in the playing and singing of all the musicians present. Apart from Ms Siberry, the musicians include Rebecca Campbell and Phillip Brown on vocals, Tim Ray on Piano and multi-instrumentalist, Peter Kiesewalter.
Ms Siberry certainly changed my conception of Christmas music by avoiding hackneyed carols and by choosing songs that, to her genuinely said something about the meaning of Christmas. The French carol, "What is this fragrance softly stealing?" and Harold Darke's setting of Christina Rossetti's "In the bleak midwinter" are real discoveries.
Siberry songs like "The Valley" also come across differently and have their spiritual dimension amplified when placed in the context of Christmas music.
But apart from the wonderful selection of songs in the concert, which is almost reproduced in full on this CD, there are the heartfelt performances and imaginative arrangements of these musicians. Their version of "The Twelve days of Christmas" is truly ecstatic and inspired.
This CD is a remarkable souvenir of a remarkable concert, something to play when you need a dose of Christmas spirit. I do, however, recall that "Calling All Angels" was performed as an encore at the concert I attended. It's a shame it hasn't been included. Maybe one day we'll get the full recording.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging Christmas Album - finally!, November 19, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: CHILD - Music For The Christmas Season (Audio CD)
This lengthy album is a wonderful alternative to otherwise often vapid holiday music. Mixing obscure christmas/yuletide related tunes and charming originals, Jane Siberry actually evokes the spirit of the season in her songs. A highlight is the giddy version of her song "Hockey." And a beautiful version of "The Valley" shines. Her versions of traditional holiday tunes are equally stunning. This is also a fine album to listen to during non-holiday times as well. A winner.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The mother of all Xmas CDs, July 15, 2008
This review is from: CHILD - Music For The Christmas Season (Audio CD)
You have to appreciate Jane Siberry and her reality-based look at Christmas to love this CD. She doesn't sugar-coat, yet her voice is sugar. Her incredibly unique selection of songs, funny, sad, pretty, even informative, are all refreshing. And her voice and the voices of her ensemble band are to die for. Gayle Ann Dorsey? Ridiculously good. You are in for a treat.
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