Our Review
Crispin's aptly named The Fresh Noel puts a sweetly funkified spin on Christmas classics. It's scary good. Crispin presents an intensely talented crew headed by founder Daniel diSilva. This Christian band rocks, transforming all of your holiday favorites into modern marvels.
Honestly, this CD works on every level. The vocals (DiSilva, mostly) are sometimes silky smooth, sometimes explosively textured, and always show a jazzy R&B edge. The smart arrangements showcase the well-known tunes in brand new clothes, and I loved the look. From Angels We Have Heard on High to We Wish You a Merry Christmas/Jingle Bells, I was smiling and rocking in my seat throughout the hour. Although it is tough to select favorites from such a well-executed set, I especially delighted in the syncopated Do You Hear What I Hear? and the soft sincerity of The First Noel and Coventry Carol. Al James also does an excellent turn on Silent Night, an intimate piece featuring just James' bluesy vocal and guitar. Crispin's sound is passionate and professional, a treasure!
For those of you who enjoy chocolate (and who does not?), Crispin thoughtfully includes "Funky Chunkies, The Secret Crispin Cookie Recipe" on the CD's back cover. The recipe even includes a touch of coffee and "smushy" butter--does life get any better than this?
Crispin's Fresh Noel shines and definitely deserves your attention this Christmas season. It's terrific.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)
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From the liner notes:
Drums Set & Vocals: Ralph Forrest
Congas & Vocals, Various Percussion: Jose Aponte
Vocals: Aaron Hatch
Saxophone: Keith Anderson
Bass: Donnell "Skeeta" Davis
Keyboards: Gary Wooten
Vocals: Daniel diSilva
Electric Guitar and Vocals: Al James
Steel Drums: Mark Biggs
Acoustic Guitar: Jonathan Baca
Recorded at Audio Imagery--Denton, TX
Recording Engineer--Aaron Hatch
Mixed and Mastered by Aaron Hatch
All Arrangements by Daniel diSilva
Produced by Daniel diSilva and Springtime Productions
Crispin
The Fresh Noel
Order from CD Baby
Artist site
Label: Springtime Productions
Length: 59 minutes
Genre: Christian
Release: 2006
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
| Go Tell It on the Mountain |
| O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| The First Noel |
| Do You Hear What I Hear? |
| Coventry Carol |
| We Three Kings |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| What Child Is This? |
| Silent Night |
| The Little Drummer Boy |
| We Wish You a Merry Christmas/Jingle Bells |