Search - Robert Mirabal :: Pueblo Christmas

Float Through the Holiday Season in Peace

Tracy Robert | Albuquerque, NM United States | 11/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Mirabal is a world class musician and storyteller from the Taos Pueblo. I have most of his CDs, which range from Native American flute to alter-native pop. I was delighted to find two of his new CDs while I was in Taos. One of them is "Pueblo Christmas", which I can't recommend highly enough. If you like Native American flute or are just looking for a peaceful, fresh version of Christmas classics, this is the album. The flute and cello float you through old time favorites without the harsh sound of traditional renditions.



"Green Chili Christmas" by Robert Mirabal is the only song with lyrics, while "Christmas Eve (Spoken Word)" is Mirabal's prose description of the events at the Taos Pueblo on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, Taosenos and tourists park their cars and walk down the long road into the historic Pueblo where multi-storied bonfires are burning in the Pueblo plaza. People socialize for hours, waiting for the statue of Mary to be escorted around the plaza from the Taos mission church and back again. It is a time to meet and greet neighbors and participate in a Pueblo religious ceremony. Although the ceremony is by and for the Pueblo people, it is refreshing to see the community celebrating the holiday season as one. Just like Christmas Eve at the Pueblo brings traditional Native practices together with traditional mainstream American celebrations, this album blends traditional Christmas music with southwestern Native American flute and seeks to bring peace to listeners during a busy holiday season.

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Green Chili Chistmas

The Mighty Quinn | Taos, NM | 08/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who live in the Southwest (or just love the Southwest) this album is the real Holiday deal! A dozen classic Christmas Carols for Native Flute and Cello. Soulful and Stirring! Up for "Record of the Year" in the Native American Music Awards."

Top-notch performances

Swimming Rabbit | 11/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This unique project was created by Robert and Patrick Mirabal (RM's brother who should also have been credited here) and should be a part of anyone's flute music collection. The compositions are beautiful, and these mostly old songs are made new without turning out cheesy (like so many overwrought Christmas albums)...in fact, you could listen to this album year-round. Robert's spoken-word piece is simply stunning as well. The only oddly-placed track is the first one, Green Chile Christmas--it's a totally fun song, but a strange way to start--too bad it wasn't at the end. But hey, if you upload your CD you can order tracks however you want."