There's a sizable amount of Christmas-themed music from Newfoundland and Labrador, but Amber Christmas shines brightest of the bunch. I've been recommending it to friends since it came out in 1997; the above cover art is from the original pressing, and new editions have featured the blue, more religious cover featured here.
Pamela Morgan of Figgy Duff produced the record, recruiting collaborator Anita Best, some terrific musicians and singers (including a pre-Rasa Erin Best), and a sprinkling of kids who, among other things, make some of the songs sound like a great Christmas party. The album, named after Morgan's Amber Music Ltd., is far from informal and ragtag, though, and features top-shelf arrangements and musicianship. (And some wit: the credits include "various wenches, rogues, beggars, minstrels, fakirs and thieves.")
It also includes the best versions (for me, anyway) of two Christmas songs: The Cherry Tree Carol and The Holly and the Ivy. Until this album came out, I found the Cherry Tree Carol a bit cloying, mainly because it seemed to be done by high-pitched singers. Morgan's version is completely different, and makes the story - about Joseph's petulance and (understandable, really) mixed emotions over his wife's pregnancy - compelling. Dave Panting's mandolin is wonderful. Anita Best sings The Holly and the Ivy with gusto, livening up the Christmas carol most closely tied to the pagan roots of the season.
I still see Amber Christmas in local stores like Fred's, and it appears to be still available from Morgan's own site. For online shoppers, the album is not, unfortunately, on Amazon or Chapter's. If you don't have a copy, find a way of buying one.
This is the 17th entry in a musical advent calendar I've been putting together this month. Click on the link to see the rest.
I find the album a bit hit and miss, but my God "The Holly and the Ivy" remains one of my all time favourite Christmas songs. There's just so much joy and fun in that song.
Posted by: Craig | Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 12:32