Mistletoe and Wine

  • Type: Music
  • By: Mediaeval Baebes
  • Age Category: Adults
  • Genre: Vocal
  • Recommended by: Tom S.
  • ISBN/UPC: 0067003032926
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Sorry, Frosty, you're not on this Christmas album

Here’s a CD that’s far off that well-traveled path called Santa Claus Lane.  No snappy, up-tempo pop numbers, no big voiced Bing-esque crooning, no surging orchestral assaults – just a handful of women singing traditional carols and hymns, either a cappella or with minimal instrumental accompaniment.  This leads to a stripped down sound that is beautiful, prayerful and utterly timeless.  You feel that you could have heard music performed like this in the 12th century.
 
My favorite track is "Gaudete", and though I don’t understand a word of it beyond the refrain (the whole song’s in Latin), it sure sounds good.
 
Try Mistletoe and Wine this season if you’ve heard Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer one too many times.