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Our Review

Let There Be Light is a rustic Christmas card for folk-music aficionados. David HB Drake is a Midwestern troubadour who has entertained audiences for over 25 years. Of gentle bearing and many talents, he joins here with Elizabeth Friedman on 15 lesser known folk songs for the holidays. Songwriter Drake contributed three pieces, including the title number, and co-wrote (with Shane) a fourth. This album has a homespun warmth about it, like being greeted at the door by the fresh smell of chocolate chip cookies just coming from the oven.

Drake and Friedman are a well-matched pair for winning harmonies. The opening "Let There Be Light" demonstrates both Drake's keen songwriting skills and especially fine melodic counterpoints. The presentation isn't prissy or terribly polished; Drake and Friedman are just plain folks singing to their friends. The feeling is intimate and very real. As for singing styles, Friedman employs a classic approach with a sweet, willowy soprano. Drake's singing is more conversational; he is truly the storyteller and almost speaks some lines (his version of "Mary's Boy Child" is very strong).

Drake's abilities on the guitar, banjo, and Lakota flute provide an additional layer of folk magic on this CD. His flute provides soulful authenticity on the Huron carol "Moon of Wintertime," and his lively banjo on the original "What Do I See on My Christmas Tree" makes the number dance.

Let There Be Light ends wisely with Drake and Friedman singing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" first in unison, then in consecutive solos, and then together in glorious harmony at the close. A fitting finale for a fine folk album!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Vocals: Elizabeth Friedman and David HB Drake
Guitar, Banjo, and Lakota Flute: David HB Drake
James Pease, Recording Engineer

From the Web site:

David is joined by Elizabeth Friedman in this collection of little known Christmas and Seasonal Music. Songs include the first carol sung in North America and songs from France, Poland, Germany, Israel, and from seasons past.

DAVID HB DRAKE has been called "a gentle troubadour" and "elemental folksinger". His music is inspired by his voyages across Midwestern prairies and the waters of the Great Lakes. He has performed for more than twenty-five years in a wide variety of art forms for all ages. David was named "Folk / Acoustic Music Artist of the Year 2002" and "Family Performer of the Year 2001" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts 2001 Community Arts Development Award for service to the arts. The Folk Alliance Region Midwest presented the "Lantern Bearer" Life Achievement Award in 2003 and his KIDSTUFF album received a "Parents' Choice" award for outstanding children's music.

A native of Milwaukee WI, David has written more than 200 songs of the Midwest. They are frequently heard on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Simply Folk", Higher Ground", "Hotel Milwaukee" and on public radio networks across the nation including New York radio's "Woody's Children" and the nationally syndicated "Sing-Out Songbag." His songs appear on the albums of several Midwestern folksingers. In addition to his own music, David has a vast storehouse of songs at his fingertips. David's eclectic repertoire includes sea shanties and songs of the Great Lakes, Irish ballads, children's and family songs, environmental music, vintage tunes, novelty songs, traditional folk music and folk classics from the "sixties".

David HB Drake & Elizabeth Friedman

Let There Be Light

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Track List