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Our Review

Ahoy, mateys! If you love traditional folk music, and the swell of deep waters mesmerizes you, then Christmas Goes to Sea will gladly fill your sails with rewarding tales of holidays on the open water. Strictly speaking, these "seas" are, for the most part, the Great Lakes. As someone who originally hails from Cleveland and now lives in Minneapolis (not so far from the Duluth harbor), I have always embraced these impressive lakes, which regularly carry ocean traffic and really do mimic the drama of the high seas. Lee Murdock has long specialized in making the everyday heroes who sail these impressive water routes come to life, and this holiday compilation is a rare treat.

The presentation here deserves special mention. The liner notes, including full lyrics and background information, are embodied in a beautiful 6" X 6" hardbound book, complete with lovely maritime artwork (drawings, watercolors, paintings). The Christmas Goes to Sea CD rests comfortably in a plastic envelope inside the back cover. The production values are first-rate, making this little package a great gift idea for that folk-music aficionado in your life (or even for yourself!).

Murdock's warm, textured voice provides the perfect folk music vehicle. Although harmony vocals (Rich Prezioso, Jacquie Manning, and the Children's Chorus) and several highly-skilled musicians on bass, mandolin, dobro, concertina, and percussion provide meaningful support, the relatively sparse musical presentation effectively centers on Murdock's rich story-telling. The 11 cuts present 10 songs (A Maritime Christmas appears in two versions). Two old favorites appear (Silent Night and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel), but most tracks are Murdock's creations. In some instances, he puts the poetry of others to music, and these present very nice discoveries. My favorite pieces, however, are Murdock's own tales, including the compelling Sandro's Gift (about slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the gift of freedom along Lake Erie's shores) and The Christmas Ship, a true tale about a schooner that delivered Christmas trees to Great Lakes cities in the early 1900s before going down, only to have the captain's valiant widow restore the tradition the following year. The combination of hardship, gritty determination, and the unsinkable human spirit pervades these songs and, more generally, the seafaring experience.

Christmas Goes to Sea is a terrific holiday offering, and I highly recommend it. Batten your hatches, and prepare to be grandly entertained.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the book/liner notes:

Calling all adventurous souls who love the sea. And all who love a good song by the fire and a story on a cold winter evening.

Let Lee Murdock regale you with this uplifting collection of maritime holiday music. Born in Chicago, Lee Murdock is a musician with an affinity for the sea, and for a good story. You will be transported and amazed by the vast ranged of emotions anad perspective in this work, his fourteenth CD. Instrumental guitar, a sailor's chorus, and songs of good cheer await.

The Musicians:
Lee Murdock (lead vocals; classical, 12-string & acoustic guitars)
Drew Carson (mandolin, mandola)
Jim Cox (bass)
Rich Prezioso & Jacquie Manning (harmony vocals)
John Rice (dobro)
Jeff Thomas (percussion)
John Williams (concertina, button accordion)
The Children's Chorus (students at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Barrington, Illinois)

Lee Murdock

Christmas Goes to Sea

Artist link

Track List