...and 1/2 ... Lovely and creative works that twinkle like c
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 12/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Playing Time - 40:02 -- Remember when, before 1980, that every major artist had a Christmas album? Then, record labels and radio programmers cut back on holiday music. Fortunately, the dearth only lasted about a decade before Christmas music experienced a major resurgence. With the 2004 release of Misty River's "Midwinter," Santa's reindeer and elves have much to rejoice. My favorite Christmas albums have a healthy dose of angelic singing, sparkling instrumental work, and meditative messages. Misty River succeeds on all counts, with their lovely and creative works that twinkle like colorful lights on a Christmas tree.
Guitarist Doug Smith offers some buoyant lead work on "All Through the Night" and "What Child is This." If I'd been producing "Midwinter," I might've recommended a few additional seasonal instruments in the mix. For some reason, I just heard a song like "Cradle Hymn" embellished with the likes of perhaps some hammered dulcimer, concertina, whistle and/or flute. There's a story behind this beautiful song that was learned from a Seeger Family holiday recording. Misty River dedicates the song to Eva and Nina, twins born prematurely to well-known Northwest musician Leah Larson. While Eva lived only a few short weeks, she will be forever remembered as they sing "Hush my babe, lie still and slumber...all the angels guard thy bed...."
When one listens to "Midwinter," we become akin to close friends of the four women in the band. Their confident voices immediately command our rapt attention. The surprise treats in our stocking, however, are the four notable originals on this album. Perhaps it was a band-imposed homework assignment, but it's an exceptional statement about the band members' creative energy in that each of the four contributes an original self-penned song. Laura Quigley's "Back Home" is an enchanting ballad with a nice melodic bounce. Chris Kokesh's "Don't Take Down the Mistletoe" just reinforces why she is an award-winning songwriter. "Peace," composed by Dana Abel, is a call to children for a coming together beyond the horizon. Carol Harley's "Merry Merry Christmas" is the one-minute a cappella closer with their wishes for your good health, long life, happiness, and holidays filled with cheer. "Midwinter" is an album with warm and pleasant sounds for a fireside Christmas with your families and friends. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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Track Listings (12) - Disc #1