Our Review
Like a chamber ensemble of world music, Autumn's Child constructs slightly exotic, yet well familiar, instrumental versions of holiday favorites and brand new offerings on Greatest Gift: An Autumn's Child Christmas. The group features the extremely talented Mark Holland, who mostly plays a lilting and throaty Native American Flute, an instrument that often breathes and emotes like a living thing. A diverse group of acoustic instruments from around the globe (doumbek, setar, gourd water drum, udu, duduk, dulcimer, etc.) create an overall effect that is upbeat, refreshing, and soothing.
The album is split 50/50; half are traditional sacred carols, and half are largely Autumn's Child originals. The mix boosts the album's playability; you can run this release again and again without having holiday chestnuts beat you senseless. My favorite track is also the longest one (6:28); O Come, O Come Emmanuel develops slowly, with Holland playing a duduk (Armenian double reed instrument) solo. The haunting melody is initially not recognizable as the familiar carol, but by the time the setar (Persian 4-string lute) and daf (traditional Kurdish/Iranian frame drum) join the fun, Holland's duduk moves into the well-known theme. Music like this is great for those seeking background music that is something more unusual and organic than just instrumental guitar or classical chamber music. Very, very cool.
Greatest Gift ends with the lovely We Will Exalt You; this track includes the only vocal (Hollie Brian), the final "instrument" tossed into the mix. As the generous album (almost a full hour!) rolled to a close, I felt a flush of comfort and calm, just what I needed to begin my busy day in mid-November. Thank you, Autumn's Child!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)
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From the liner notes:
Mark Holland
Tracy Andreotti
Joe Bigham
Hollie Brian
Carole Bryan
R. Scott Bryan
Carl Caspersen
Cory Edwards
Billy Engel
Joe Garnier
Terri Langerak
Jim Mayer
Brian McCary
Janice Rieman
Ali Soltanshahi
Marc Torlina
Erin Wolf
With the Native American Flute and a host of other instruments from around the world. Global fusion arrangements spice traditional Christmas carols and originals for the Season.
Autumn's Child
Greatest Gift: An Autumn's Child Christmas
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Artist site
Label: Cedar 'n Sage Music
Length: 59 minutes
Genre: New Age
Release: 2007
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| What Child Is This |
| O Come, O Come Emmanuel |
| Greatest Gift |
| Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella/Coventry Carol |
| First Snowfall |
| Simeon & Anna's Song |
| Carol of the Bells |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| Rejoicing |
| Silent Night |
| Sleigh Ridin' |
| Wind Of Heaven |
| We Will Exalt You |