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Our Review

My, oh my, oh my! This Mack Bailey can sing! Seriously, this guy has a fabulous tenor voice in so many respects--color, control, texture, emotion, tone, the whole deal! He even articulates each lyric with polished precision so that nothing is lost in translation. Before listening to Star Light, I was unfamiliar with this fine artist. I saw his warm and welcoming smile on the album cover and thought of Bailey as just a "regular guy" having big fun putting together a holiday album. Then he opened his mouth, and I realized that I had solid gold on my audio system. So cool!

Star Light is gentle folk music of the finest sort. The CD features 11 songs that center on the night of Jesus' birth. Although Bailey is an acclaimed songwriter, he has only one original on this album--the title track. "Star Light" is a beautiful number, one that could easily become a holiday favorite. The melody is memorable and easy-going, and the smart lyrics bring real meaning without being trite. Best of all, Bailey closes the track with the loveliest a cappella final verse. Although "Star Light" is a special piece, every track truly shines. Bailey's tender phrasing on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" can provoke tears. His "Silent Night" is simply presented (with just an acoustic guitar accompaniment) and similarly expressive. It is rare and wonderful to encounter a voice with such emotional power. The album ends appropriately with Bailey's winning "Stille Nacht." In addition to Bailey's sensational voice, the impressive band (these folks used to play with John Denver) provides excellent support that enhances the musical endeavor and never crowds the vocals; in fact, the ensemble really takes off on the instrumental portions of the "Christmas Medley." Superb musicianship!

Mack Bailey's Star Light would be a bright addition to anyone's holiday music collection. This is one outstanding seasonal package!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Mack Bailey: vocals, guitar
Andy Hill: drums, percussion
Matt Butler: cello
Pete Huttlinger: guitar, mandolin
Dave Pomeroy: bass
Brittany Allyn: background vocals
Mike Munford: banjo
Chris Nole: piano, organ, synth
Jim Horn: flute, recorder

Producer: Chris Nole
Engineer: Ronnie Palmer

From the Web site:

Mack Bailey is gaining an ever-larger audience for his strong, expressive voice and sensitive original songs. You can tell a lot about this singer and songwriter by the musical company he keeps. Mack has been hailed as "the next great singer in folk music" by no less an authority than Glenn Yarbrough, the original tenor in the fabulous world-renowned folk trio, The Limeliters, a group Mack grew up listening to as a child. Using John Denver's music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar and John's example taught him how to sing a song.

Today, the Limeliters and John Denver continue to play an active role in his professional life, even as Mack pursues his successful solo career. Mack's career came full circle when recently he was asked to be the newest tenor in The Limeliters, with whom he now performs around the country. And it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy" with Denver in front of 9000 people, just before John's death.

Mack has finally released his first Christmas CD. It has been 18 years in the making. It features his musical friends and cohorts, Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger and Jim Horn. Some of the highlights are versions of Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful in their original languages and Mack's own Star Light.

Mack Bailey

Star Light: A Christmas Collection

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Track List