Our Review
George Makredes' Christmas Spirit is a joy to hear. Moreover, it is an important new work of sacred music. Full of unusual arrangements of well-crafted songs, it is a high-quality, stylistically eclectic choral production that should, if nothing else, garner some ecclesiastical notice.
Proving once again that regional music offers a richer, more challenging terrain than the featureless, arid commercial landscape, Makredes' Carolliers perform an inspired and heartwarming set. Sounding as though they enjoyed making this recording, the Carolliers turn in a toe-tapping performance. Highlights include Soon It'll be Christmas, with a catchy pop melody, and a beautiful soprano solo by Joanne Makredes on Keep Christmas Through the Year.
Arrangements that feature liberal use of Charles Makredes' bouzouki give this recording a deliciously Greek sound, and the raw, heartfelt aesthetic combines to produce an eye-opening choral CD. Choir directors of America, take note.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2002)
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From the liner notes:
Christmas Spirit is an original Christmas program, composed by George Makredes, produced by Pericles Kanaris, performed by the Carolliers and a number of instrumentalists at the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church in Arlington, Massachusetts.
The Carolliers
Christmas Spirit
Artist link
Label: Anoel
Length: 44 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 2002
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Christmas Spirit |
| Christ The Lord |
| Soon It'll Be Christmas |
| Keep Christmas Through The Year |
| December & Christmas |
| Raise The Tree |
| O Virgin Pure |
| Nativity |
| Christmas Spirit |
| Ta Kalanda |
| Rejoice |
| Lord I Believe, Please Help My Unbelief |