Becoming a mother probably had something to do with singer-songwriter Colvin's desire to record this album of Christmas tunes (she was pregnant during the sessions). Or maybe it was just career savvy; whatever the reason, Colvin temporarily abandons her unique style of folk-rock to take up the Christmas cause. It's to her credit that she generally avoids over-recorded Christmas standards in favor of more obscure (and more substantive) holiday material. Some of the tunes are arranged for orchestra, while others feature more scaled-down instrumentation, but HOLIDAY SONGS sounds and feels more like the work of a skilled vocalist exploring something different than a rocker out to make a few quick Christmas bucks. The sensuality and elasticity of her voice lends itself well to the more spiritual concerns she tackles here.
Recorded at Shelter Island Sound, New York, New York.
Personnel: Shawn Colvin (vocals, acoustic guitar); Dan Petty (guitar, lap steel guitar); Steuart Smith (guitar); Larry Campbell (pedal steel guitar, mandolin, violin); Sandra Park, Sharon Yamada (violin); Rebecca Young (viola); Alan Stepansky (cello); Dan Willis (oboe); Kenny Rampton (flugelhorn); John Clark (French horn); Jim Pugh (trombone); David Taylor (bass trombone); Clark Gayton (euphonium); Doug Petty (piano, organ); Ben Street (acoustic & electric basses); Mark Egan, Andy Hess (bass); Shawn Pelton (drums); Marlon Saunders, Jill Seifers, Paul Frazier (background vocals).
Engineers: Steve Addabbo, Ray Martin, Aaron Keane.
Entertainment Weekly (12/4/98, pp.101-104) - "...A babe in these woods couldn't ask for a better birthday present than an album that offers props to both Maurice Sendak and Vince Guaraldi..." - Rating: A-
Very happy I had a tape of this album, but could not find a CD. Found this web site and ordered the CD. Very Happy with the sevice and and the album.
Submitted by Karen (Jackson,MI , USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
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