Our Review
This merry trio brings a Broadway sensibility to its performance of an unusual list of seasonal and sacred tunes. Led by Laurie Franks, accomplished actress and singer of stage and screen, the Christmas Belles guide listeners through an impressive series of classic and lesser-known works. I am always impressed by novel choices of material, and this CD does not disappoint: of particular interest are the soothing Sheep May Safely Graze and the rarely-included Toda La Tierra.
Decorating their set with their own competent but minimal instrumental accompaniment, the Belles present their musical in many brief scenes. The trio is particularly impressive with the presentation of more serious sacred hymns. Of note are Andrea Sondreal's Ave Maria and Anna Callahan's solo on A La Nanita Nana. No one is upstaged in this production, with each woman presenting important parts of the play.
In fact, I enjoyed how their stage experience influenced the format of this CD. Although it is a subtle difference, the format they chose--many, brief vignettes--is a refreshing change from the typical major label "ten song" product.
From the opening scene Adoramus Te to the Hallelujah Finale, this is a musical experience of reverent joy and tender beauty.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Christmas Belles
Carols of the Millennium
Artist link
Label: Laura Rachel
Length: 36 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 1999
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Adoramus Te |
| Ukranian Bell Carol |
| Jingle Bells |
| Come Light the Menorah |
| Silver Bells |
| Sheep May Safely Graze |
| Away in a Manger |
| Ave Maria |
| A La Nanita Nana |
| Infant Holy, Infant Lowly |
| Toda La Tierra |
| Lord of the Dance |
| Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant |
| To a Maid Engaged to Joseph |
| 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime |
| In the Bleak Mid-Winter |
| White Christmas |
| Yuletide Medley |
| Let It Snow! |
| Joy to the World |
| Hallelujah Finale |