Our Review
The Accidentals are a remarkable, mixed-voice, a cappella octet based in New York City. This uber-talented group is led by Margaret Dorn, someone we reviewed 10 years ago when she sang as part of the legendary Carolling Carollers (see here). Not surprisingly then, An Accidental Christmas: A Cappella Holiday Classics is a home run.
Just as the album title suggests, this is outstanding, straight-up, a cappella singing of Christmas offerings. The song selection is broad--20 tracks cover the gamut, from hushed sacred numbers to high-spirited, contemporary, secular pieces.
The success of offerings like this turns on the quality and precision of the voices, and these vocal instruments are priceless. This award-winning group features professional singers from various parts of the music industry. Listening to the Accidentals is like having the world's most amazing group of carolers in your living room throughout the holiday season. Each piece is beautifully executed, each arrangement is well-crafted, and each note is delivered with heart and grace. This is wonderful music.
Although most tracks are not played for humor, the Accidentals are also famous for their off-center sense of fun. In fact, the album's centerpiece is Rudiana, an outrageous take-off of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Arranged by Bill Mitchell, this creative, well-executed track takes aim at diverse musical genres, playfully skewering each, from classical to tango.
My favorite cut is probably the gorgeously layered and gutsy Wassail Song, which highlights everything I love about a group like this. In the hands of lesser singers, this number sounds anemic and clumsy; here, everything clicks like clockwork. Impressive! The Accidentals also successfully tackle The Hallelujah Chorus; it is wonderful to hear eight voices attack and conquer this holiday icon.
Happily, I actually have two releases by The Accidentals to review this season. Stay tuned for the more recent (2007) offering, I'm Not Going Home for Christmas, reviewed here.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)
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From the liner notes:
The Accidentals:
Emily Bindiger
Dennis Deal
Margaret Dorn
Todd Johnson
Bill Mitchell
Marcia Pelletiere
Jim Vincent
Rosie Vallese
Guest Accidentals:
Millie Whiteside
Robin Grean
Kevin DiSimone
Patti Wyss
Produced by Margaret Dorn
Linda Lawley & Danny Pelfrey
Peter Link & Jesse Plumley
From the Website:
A unique mixed voice octet, The Accidentals are known for their sophisticated harmonies, off-beat sense of humor, and eclectic repertoire. With their original songs and distinctive arrangements, they have won many awards, including MAC Awards and Back Stage Bistro Awards, all awards for Best Vocal Group, and were the 1995 National Champions of the Harmony Sweepstakes. Their CD's have won several Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, and songs from their CDs have been included in feature films and on television.
The Accidentals
An Accidental Christmas: A Cappella Holiday Classics
Artist link
Label: Sharpflat Records
Length: 43 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 1998
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| deck the hall |
| o come, all ye faithful |
| angels we have heard on high |
| o tannenbaum |
| ding dong! merrily on high |
| patapan |
| the christmas song |
| jingle bells |
| rudiana |
| joy to the world |
| in dulci jubilo |
| away in a manger |
| the first noel |
| god rest ye merry, gentlemen |
| the wassail song |
| bring a torch, jeanette isabella |
| i wonder as i wander |
| o little town of bethlehem |
| the hallelujah chorus |
| silent night |