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Our Review

Cheryl Branz has a crystalline voice that is clean, rich and warm. On The Christmas Gift, Branz and a few friends (mostly Tom Prasada-Rao, who also produced, recorded, and mixed the release) present well-executed holiday favorites in a largely acoustic, minimalist framework. This is folk/pop music that is professional and pleasing--a welcoming, holiday bouquet that should entertain broad audiences.

My favorite tracks? Oh, that's easy. First, Branz presents a superb Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song), which also happens to be the album's longest cut (nearly 6 minutes!). The artist hits the right blend of purity and pain; the listener can feel Mary's fervent faith, colored by fright. The other great track is Branz's elegant Ave Maria framed by guitars, viola, and cello. Simply beautiful! Honorable mention goes to the fine Night of Silence/Silent Night combination; the interwoven harmonies (all Branz!) are quite magical.

What a voice! Although Branz performs well on light-hearted fare such as Santa Baby, she is more convincing as the angelic girl-next-door than as the sassy sexpot. The Latin leanings of The Gift and Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow add a delightful kick. In fact, I was previously unfamiliar with the former, which tells the touching story of a young girl's gift of a crippled bird in a hand-made cage to the newborn king.

As often happens when I work on holiday reviews, the opportunity to hear Cheryl Branz on The Christmas Gift has opened my eyes to a truly promising artist. Wonderful! Thanks for the Gift, Cheryl!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Cheryl Branz: Vocals, Guitar, Sleigh Bells
Tom Prasada-Rao: Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Mandolin, Drums, Viola, Ukelele
Bill Kahler: Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Keyboard
Dirge Smith: Cello
Sarah Sample: Backing Vocal (track 1)
Cary Cooper: Backing vocal (track 8)

Produced by: Tom Prasada-Rao
Recorded and Mixed by: Tom Prasada-Rao


From the Website:

IFE BACKGROUND: I was born and raised in Spokane, WA. I attended North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, ID on music scholarships and then transferred to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO where I earned my vocal music minor and a journalism major. After college, I moved to California to marry my husband, Clint, and within two years we found ourselves settling back in Spokane. We share our home with our beagle, Indiana, and two stray cats that wandered into our lives, Smokey and Twofer.

MUSIC BACKGROUND: I've been singing all of my life (school choirs, churches, community choruses, weddings, funerals, etc.) but in 2001 I realized something was missing...a guitar! So, I borrowed one from a friend and signed up for a 6 week course from the local park and rec department. After the course, I purchased my own guitar, continued with private lessons and started writing songs. I have been inspired by other female singer/songwriters such as The Indigo Girls, Jewel and Sarah McLachlan to name a few. I consider my music to be an acoustic folk/pop sound with strong clear vocals and honest lyrics.

Cheryl Branz

The Christmas Gift

Artist link

Track List