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Album Details
- Artist: Mark O'connor
- Album: An Appalachian Christmas
- Label: OMAC
- Year of Release: 2011
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on 2011-12-03 Bertman Said:
Mark OConnor
An Appalachian Christmas
Mark OConnor is a Grammy winning composer and violinist who revisits classic Christmas songs on this holiday release. Recorded in an intimate setting, OConnor gives the easy feeling this is an off the cuff performance for friends and family; providing a relaxed and spirited performance that just happened to be recorded.
This collection is by turns playful and joyous and occasionally solemn. Carol of the Bells is turned into a haunting string affair. OConnor adds smoky jazz coloring to the The Christmas Song on which he teams up with singer Jane Monheit. These plus the addition of some of the less well known songs, Cherry Tree Carol, and One Winters Night, make it a different sort of holiday release.
With guest spots from James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Allison Krause, Renee Fleming and Steve Wariner, this makes for a fresh new take on familiar songs, and a few new gems. In particular, Allison Krauses voice on Slumber My Darling makes it a stand out track. OConnor closes the disc out with the original composition Appalachian Waltz; where he hints at traditional themes and goes on to explore a musical landscape dusted with the first snowfall of the year.
Rating: 8/10
