Canadian songstress Heather Dale has a couple of really nice CDs
under her belt, so last year when she sent me her album of Yuletide
songs I was, of course, interested. Sad part was this; I received
it after the holiday season, so it got packed with my other holiday
CDs and was just recently unearthed and given a listen.
In a word: wow.
Dale, who I am an unabashed fan of, delivers again on This Endris Night, a compilation of twelve Medieval and Renaissance carols performed with simple, period accompaniments. This is a showcase for Dale's rich, expressive voice and her exquisite phrasing and song choice.
This isn't quite the Christmas music you're used to; there's a definite dearth of Santa Claus and Rudolph here, and frankly that's just fine with yours truly on occasion. Instead, we have lovely pieces like "Ave Maria,""Coventry Carol," "Huron Carol," "Patapan" and "In Dulci Jubilo"; magnificent, old works that have survived the test of time.
Dale is trying, here, to reach out to her audience no matter what religion -- so for us Yule celebrators in the audience, we have "The Holly And The Ivy" and "The Flower Carol," and for the more Christian folk we have a breathtaking version of "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel." All this and musicianship too -- if I may quote the liner notes:
"Heather Dale: All vocals, keyboards, soprano and alto recorders, bodhran drum, bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, tin whistle, tambourine, percussion (bells, shaker, clapping, computer desk), reed flute, djembe drum."
Gods love you, Heather -- have you looked in the dictionary under 'perfectionist'? Is your name next to it? *grin*
This Endris Night is not your typical Christmas music. Nevertheless, it's a truly magnificent work from a great artist, and should be checked out posthaste.