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I fell in love with Lark & Spur's Season of Light after the first few bars. Lori Decker's incomparable vocal opens "O Come O Come Emmanuel," and I knew I was in for a spectacular ride. By the time this group hit the richly-layered harmonies, I could hardly contain myself. A truly great folk album like this just does not present itself very often!

Although the membership of Lark & Spur has changed over time, the core duo of Jeff Whiteley and Lori Decker has remained the same since they began as street performers in Europe over 20 years ago. These days, Lark & Spur usually performs as an acoustic quartet or quintet; on this CD, they are a most excellent quintet (including Chris Taylor, C. Ray Smith, and Greg Petersen).

This is a grand folk album for the holidays. Everything is superb! Like the hominess of terrific folk instruments played to perfection? Then this is the recording for you. Prefer excellent vocals with warm and wonderful harmonies? Then look no further! The 14 tracks on this generous release (over an hour of music!) feature some of the best traditional and contemporary offerings, including some very nifty medleys. Favorite tracks include everything, but I especially love Decker's breathtaking solos on "Balloo Lammy" and "In the Bleak Mid-Winter." The harmonies (in French!) at the close of "Joy to the World/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/D'où viens-tu?" are pretty cool, too.

Folkies should fall all over this excellent seasonal album. Lark & Spur's Season of Light will beautifully brighten the holidays for any music lover.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Chris Taylor: guitar, vocals
C. Ray Smith: saxophone, flute, recorder
Lori Decker: vocals, mandolin, penny whistle, percussion
Jeff Whiteley: guitar, vocals
Greg Petersen: bass

Arrangements: Lark & Spur
Steve Wesson: Bass on "Blue Christmas," "Joy to the World," "Holly and the Ivy"

From the Web site:

As the name suggests, Lark & Spur began as a duo in 1984 when Jeff Whiteley on acoustic guitar, and Lori Decker, vocals and mandolin, performed in the streets of Paris, Munich and other European cities. Some of those early performances were recorded by a French radio station and later broadcast. Upon returning to Utah, Lark & Spur added guitarist and vocalist Chris Taylor, later replaced by Gawain Mathews. After another swing through Europe as a trio, the group felt the need for a stronger rhythmic foundation and added Greg Peterson, since replaced by Evan Coombs, on double bass. From that time to the present Lark & Spur, though occasionally performing as a trio or duet, considers the quartet as the basic performance unit. two acoustic guitars, mandolin, bass and three voices. Saxophone /flute is often added, as is a drummer for larger performances or those requiring dancing. The group has returned to Europe regularly over the years, adding new players as required. (See Musicians). Since that first trip, Lark & Spur has performed in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and appeared on French TV, and French and Swiss radio stations.

Lark & Spur

Season of Light

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Track List