Our Review
I enjoy modern folk music for its expressiveness, its warmth, and its accessibility. The expressive power of Margo Hennebach's voice and Mark Saunders guitar gives this delightful seasonal CD a quiet appeal. From the a cappella opening of God Rest You Merry to the final number, her own Hold Me Close, Ms. Hennebach's performance is warm and accessible. Saunders accompaniment is understated and essential.
As usual, I was impressed with the unusual aspects of the recording-- songs I haven't heard, novel arrangements, and humorous touches. The song I liked best was How Far Is It to Bethlehem, an English traditional performed with an elegant musicality. I don't remember hearing this song elsewhere, and it seemed not to mind yielding up its power to a folk rendering. The duo's rendition of We Three Kings, performed in a traditional manner, was nevertheless full of surprises, surprises which were made possible by unexpected changes in the tempo.
But nothing prepared me for the surprising Rocking. I enjoyed the joke, from setup to punchline. And I enjoy thinking about Hennebach and Saunders as down to earth people not taking themselves or the season too seriously.
This isn't background music. It is a record that requires--and deserves!--a close listen.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Margo Hennebach and Mark Saunders
Comfort and Joy
Artist link
Label: Prime
Length: 34 minutes
Genre: Folk
Release: 1998
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| God Rest You Merry |
| How Far Is It to Bethlehem |
| We Three Kings |
| Joy to the World |
| Rocking |
| Away in a Manger |
| Irish Medley |
| Little Drummer Boy |
| May Had a Baby |
| The Calling |
| I Wonder As I Wander |
| I Saw Three Ships |
| Hold Me Close |