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Our Review

Canadian Ali Matthews is a magnificent singer-songwriter with an inviting alto voice that could melt ice. Seriously, she has wonderful, warm pipes, and her 2008 holiday release (Looking for Christmas) is excellent. This pop offering is On Angels' Wings, Matthews' original seasonal release (first issued in 2001, this is the remastered version with two new tracks), and it's another home run.

Read my review of Looking for Christmas, and you will know how much I admire Matthews' craft. Her fine musicianship is also impressive here. She combines seven originals with well-loved classics to create a well-balanced seasonal offering. Of the newly-penned music, I particularly savored Emmanuel (not to be confused with O Come, O Come Emmanual); the fiddle (Don Reed) and MIDI cello (Rick Francis) nicely compliment Matthews' rich vocals ("Let men and angels bow, Our God is with us now"). I also particularly enjoyed the artist's treatment of Mary Did You Know, Christmas Time Is Here, and Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow; all three showcase Matthews' superb vocal control and tone. The album ends with an unlisted Silent Night; the a cappella harmonies provide an excellent send-off.

On Angels' Wings is a commendable addition to the library of Christmas music. Altbough Matthews' two holiday releases are similar in most important respects, the focus of On Angels' Wings reflects more synth, more pop (than folk) stylings, and a somewhat more sedate, religious tone (except for the toe-tappin' Brand New Miracle). Ali Matthews is an undeniable talent; welcome her into your home for the holiday season, and you will not be disappointed.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Ali Matthews: vocals
Rick Francis: guitars, synth and drum programming
Scott Matthews: fretless electric bass

Produced and arranged by Ali Matthews and Rick Francis
Recorded, engineered, edited, mixed and mastered by Rick Francis

Most of these songs were recorded in 2001, in the innocent time before 9-11. After spending eight months selecting, arranging, writing and recording new songs and old favorites, we awoke one sad September morning to a new world--a darker, colder world. In the wake of disaster, my little collection of songs about joy and peace seemed awkwardly trite and inappropriate. Yet in time, the overwhelming response to this music has convinced me that these are indeed the songs we all need as a reminder that Hope is alive.

The Second Edition release of On Angels' Wings continues the celebration of the timeless message of Christmas. Rick has re-mastered all the tracks and we have added two new, original songs. Brand New Miracle is a fun, lively holiday pop song that we co-wrote. If the rest of the album made you drift off to sleep, this one will certainly wake you up!

I wrote After the Song in support of the work of FTC Canada and to encourage us all to consider the impact of life-giving acts of compassion.

Rick and I have attempted to lend a fresh new sound to these songs while at the same time capturing that magical sense of warmth and wonder, joy and mystery that fills the Christmas season.

I hope this album will find a place in your heart from year to year as you celebrate Heaven's greatest gift.

Merry Christmas everyone!

--Ali


From the Website:

"Looking For Christmas" is a follow-up to Ali's successful Christmas CD "On Angels' Wings." With the same warm, rich pallet of sounds, the music provides a soothing seasonal soundtrack for any music lover. Blending traditional with contemporary and originals with familiar classics, the CD covers a wide range of styles from folk and jazz to bluegrass and Celtic. This 16 song collection captures the wonder and mystery of the Christmas season with the warmth and honesty inherent through all of Ali's music.

"I desire to write songs that connect us with each other; songs that tap into our hopes and heartaches, our fears and passions, the things that make us vulnerable, the things that tell us we are alive. I see a dark and broken world in desperate need of mercy and compassion and I am compelled to create music that will draw us closer to grace, to each other and to our Creator. I am not a preacher - just a fellow-traveller on this fascinating ride ...and I don't mind being transparent." Ali Matthews

Multi-award winning recording artist, Ali Matthews has been a performing songwriter since her teens and has built a strong following across Canada and beyond. She has released 5 critically acclaimed CD's since 2000 on her independent music label, Shake-a-paw music.

Ali Matthews

On Angels' Wings

Artist link

Track List