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Upon a Winter's Eve is the debut release of The Black House Ceilidh, a Detroit area group that presents 19 tracks of traditional holiday music in an early music/Celtic style. The feel is rustic and raw; you get the distinct impression that this is a minstrel show in your living room. The artists themselves describe the sound as simple and organic, and that description hits the mark. The Black House Ceilidh combines an eclectic array of instrumentals and vocals, and the straightforward presentation is executed with great heart and unfettered simplicity. Listening to Upon a Winter's Eve: A Collection of Winter and Yuletide Carols of Yesteryear is like stepping back in time to a very different world, one of less sophisticated pleasures and perhaps harsher realities.

The Black House Ceilidh album package is first rate. The cover graphics and layout certainly convey the ancient theme in an impressive and tasteful fashion. Sadly, my aging eyes have some difficulty coping with the liner notes' stylized font, but younger folks (99% of the population) would likely have no issue.

My favorite track is probably the spirited Riu Riu Chiu with its sweet layers of strings. The cool highland bagpipes drone on several pieces, casting a richly woven melancholy over the room. As for vocals, I favor the a cappella Balulalow.

Get ready to ride back into history with The Black House Ceilidh. If you travel Upon a Winter's Eve, you will encounter at least five capable musicians along the way!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Caleb Gilbert: vocals, highland bagpipes
Kevin Tyler: guitar, vocals
Judy Plester: violin, Norwegian hardinger, and hurdy gurdy
Michael Manderen: lute, viol de gamba
Ernesto Villarreal: vihuela, percussion

Produced by Ernesto Villarreal
All songs public domain except for "La Presence" by Judy Plester and "Ceol Nalag" by Caleb Gilbert

This project has been in my mind for many years. I've always been inspired by the music of the Christmas yuletide season. Over the years I've been driven to the ancient and older carols, which evoke a feel of historical tradition that is lost in our modern world.

Thousands of these pieces have been written over the centuries. Some have been lost to time and others have changed meaning entirely. For example, in the traditional English carol "God rest ye merry, Gentleman" (which is estimated to have written in the 17th century) the word "rest" meant "to keep", while the word "merry" meant "strong." In a sense, "God keep you strong, Gentleman" adds a whole new feel and understanding to the song. This was the forgotten essence I wanted to bring back to these pieces.

I wanted to present these carols as simple, elegant, and organic: much as they would have been heard when people ate seasonally, warmth was a luxury, and music was always performed live.

It was common for musicians during the holiday to gather, perform pieces that they knew, and join in when the feeling inspired them. This project was no different.

For the past year I've been honored to travel along this pleasant winter journey with my friends, whose musical styles are as diverse as the songs they play.

So to the listener: sit back, close your eyes, and let us take you to a time long past... when the music was real and the season was merry.

Thanks for listening.

--Caleb

The Black House Ceilidh

Upon a Winter's Eve

Artist link

Track List