Description
Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols Vol. II, is the highly anticipated follow up to the hugely successful album The Wexford Carols. It features another 11 carols from the tradition that focus on the spiritual and mystical aspects of the Christmas story – Gabriel’s visitation to Mary, the humble stable, the meeting of Herod and the Magi, the Fall (of Lucifer and of Adam), the Mystery of God as Man – as well as less familiar aspects of this narrative including carols to the saints whose feast days fall within the 12 days of Christmas (24th December – 6th January). These includes carols for St. Stephen, St. John, St. Sylvester and the Holy Innocents.
For Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols Vol. II singer/arranger Caitríona O’Leary and producer Ethan Johns have adopted an intimate interpretation of these remarkable and moving carols that marries early music, folk music and classical styles, bringing together an ensemble of luminaries that include Seth Lakeman (voice, viola), Clara Sanabras (voice, baroque guitar), John Smith (voice, guitar), Stile Antico (Choir), Alison Balsom (trumpet), Olov Johannson (nyckelharapa), Simone Collavechi (lute & renaissance guitar), Deirdre O’Leary (bass clarinet), Mel Mercier (percussion), and John Hearne (bassoon).
Produced by Ethan Johns and Dom Monks
Dom Monks – Recording and Mix Engineer
James Darkin – Mastering Engineer
TRACK LISTING
1.Ye Sons of Men – 4.42
2.The Darkest Midnight in December – 7.39
3.This Great Mysterie – 2.56
4.On Christmas Night All Christians Sing – 3.56
5.The Night of the Nativity – 3.08
6. Saint Stephen had an Angel’s Face – 2.12
7.On St. Stephen’s Day – 2.56
8.A Carol for St. John’s Day – 10.11
9.Hail ye Flow’rs of Martyrs – 8.04
10.This Feast of St. Sylvester – 3.49
11.The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol – 5.05
THE WEXFORD CAROLS
“Somber, awe-struck carols” – The New York Times
“Easily the year’s most ambitious undertaking” – The Los Angeles Times
“Ancient yet familiar” – USA Today
“Intense and moving” – The Irish Times
“Compelling, haunting in it’s timeless beauty” – International Record Review
“The sounds captivate the ear” – Facts & Arts
“Every track deserves to be heard by a wide audience” – Early Music Today
“The band is impeccable as is the quality of the voices and the recording” – La Presse (Montreal, Canada)
“Hands down my favorite of 2014” – Beatrice.com
THE WEXFORD CAROLS featuring Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash & Rhiannon Giddens
Starring the celebrated Irish singer Caitríona O’Leary and featuring Grammy winners Sir Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash and Rhiannon Giddens, The Wexford Carols presents Ireland’s greatest Christmas music (much of it for the first time) in a recording that magically blends a diversity of folk styles including traditional Irish, Americana, Blues and Gospel.
With lyrics by Luke Waddinge and William Devereux and set to popular tunes of the day, these musically sublime, spiritually rich, and emotionally powerful carols from the 17th and 18th centuries will give listeners a entirely new and compelling way to experience the story of Christmas.
The Wexford Carols was produced by four-time Grammy winner Joe Henry.
TRACKLIST (61 minutes)
01 – Tell Shepherds – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
02 – An Angel This Night – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
03 – Jerusalem Our Happy Home – Tom Jones, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary & Rhiannon Giddens Backing Vocals
04 – This Is Our Christmass Day – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
05 – Now To Conclude Our Christmas Mirth – Rhiannon Giddens, Singer, Tom Jones & Caitríona O’Leary Backing Vocals
06 – The Darkest Midnight In December – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
07 – An Angel This Bright Midnight – Rosanne Cash, Caitríona O’Leary, John Smith, Graham Hopkins Vocals
08 – Behould Three Kings – Rosanne Cash, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary, John Smith, Graham Hopkins Backing Vocals
09 – The Angell Said To Joseph Mild – Tom Jones, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary, Rosanne Cash & Rhiannon Giddens, Backing Vocals
10 – A Virgin Queen In Bethlehem – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
11 – Christmas Day Is Come – Rhiannon Giddens & Caitríona O’Leary, Vocals
12 – The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol – Rosanne Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Caitríona O’Leary, Tom Jones, Vocals
ARTISTS
Caitríona O’Leary –Voice
Tom Jones – Voice
Rosanne Cash – Voice
Rhiannon Giddens – Voice, Fiddle, Minstrel Banjo
Find our more about The Wexford Carols artists
Adrian Hart – Fiddle
Eamonn de Barra – Flute, Whistle
John Smith –Guitar, Mandola, Voice
Dónal Lunny – Bouzuki
Kate Ellis – Cello
Greg Cohen – Double Bass
Mel Mercier – Bodhrán, Bones
Graham Hopkins –Drums, Voice
Joe Henry, Producer
Ryan Freeland, Recording Engineer, Mix and Master
Recorded 21st – 25th July 2014, Grouse Lodge Recording Studios, Westmeath, Ireland
Mixed and Mastered August – September 2014, Stampede Origin Studio, Culver City, California
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