Music Reviews
by Kathryn Sargent

     Celtic Christmas Spirit, by Caroline Peyton (Greenhill Music), is the most unusual Christmas album of the season. Reaching back into the earliest days when Christianity overshadowed Paganism in Ireland, Peyton found Gaelic Christmas music was difficult to find. England suppressed the Gaelic language in its effort to convert Pagans, “and Gaelic [the language of the native Pagans]. . . Christmas music had to be sung and passed down covertly,” according to Peyton. With the help of an Irish woman and nuns from a Dublin convent, she learned Gaelic, and the nuns helped to locate some of these ancient songs. The result is much in the style of Enya, with Peyton singing multiple parts, lots of 'oohs and aahs,' and lyrics in Gaelic, Latin, English, or “wordless ethereal scat.” The album also features Peyton's husband, Brendan Harkin, on mandolin and guitar; pianists Pat Coil, Bob Patin, and David Huntsinger; violinist David Davidson (who also recorded Celtic Fantasy); Jack Jezzro on double bass, and John Mock on Irish pennywhistles and bodhran. Celtic Christmas Spirit is mystical, spiritual, and lovely. . .a great accompaniment for intimate dinners by the fire this holiday season.

     For those who like more traditional Christmas music, I recommend Lara and Reyes' Navidad (Higher Octave Music). One of the premier Latin/salsa guitar duos, Sergio Lara and Joe Reyes present eighteen Christmas carols in a very upbeat, festive style that will brighten holiday parties. Each plays flamenco guitar; in addition, Lara plays mandolin and Reyes plays an acoustic guitar. The listener will not have any trouble identifying these songs; they're the ones you've heard from childhood. You'll hear “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Away in a Manger,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (my favorite), and many, many more. These are joyful, Latin versions of your favorite carols.

   With lush orchestration and the exquisite voice of Lisbeth Scott, States of Grace (Windham Hill) is an exceptional new release. The theme here is still Christian (patience, my lovies, others will be represented; keep reading!), but the orchestral depth, strong percussion, and sophisticated arrangements go far beyond expectations. The opening track, “Veni Redemptor Gentium” (Come, Redeemer of the Earth) is majestic in scope; in contrast, the second track, “Amazing Grace,” is almost 'down home' in flavor. The Joyful Company of Singers choir is featured on the moving “Misere” (Have Mercy on Me, Oh, God, According to Thy Great Kindness), with a space-music arrangement. Every track is beautiful, but the best may be the two part “Auguries of Innocence,” featuring Lisbeth Scott's vocals and Gavyn Wright on violin. For these tracks, the notes quote “hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.” This pair of tracks, one instrumental, clearly convey a sense of the infinite that is reminiscent of John Serrie's space music. This is music for the spirit, music that reflects the continuum of the past to the future. Highly recommended!

     It is difficult to write a review of Tingsha's A Call to Here & Now; I keep falling into trance! This recording is so hypnotic as to make it nearly impossible to stay in an alert enough state to describe it. With Himalayan singing bowls, bells, shakers, flutes, drums, koto, harp, tambura, gongs, and voice, the six musicians that make up Tingsha create a “ceremony of harmonic resonance.” This magickal sound journey (Knockinclash Productions) was recorded live during a healing ceremony in Ojai California on September 25, 1998. Would that we could all attend such a healing ceremony! Imagination goes wild while listening to this recording: it sounds like sprinklers on a hot, summer afternoon, cicadas, heartbeats, thunder, whistling wind, monks chanting, a Japanese temple, and so much more. A Call to Here & Now is perfect for Reiki, crystal healing, massage or any healing modality and meditation. It's exquisite!

   For a complete change of mood, try the spicy (picture an upside down question mark here, please, because we don't have this font!) De que te quejas? (No Problem Productions) By Las Cecilias de Cuba, this spirited collection of Cuban salsa tracks by the all-female Las Cecilias de Cuba blends salsa with jazz and rock. The arrangements are strong on vocals and brass, and the result is powerful! Leader Katja Marquez Rodriguez projects so much enthusiasm, and downright joy, as to be absolutely infectious! She brings in the Caribbean traditions and her own enthusiasm of other musical styles. Even with power failures and technical problems interrupting their work, the band and recording crew maintained such a level of creativity and joy in their work that it is clearly evident in the music. De que te quejas? is a sure cure for the blues!

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