Our Review
This record is a wedding of celtic, new age, and native american strains I've been hearing over the past few winters. What these three genres share is an abiding faith in nature. I sit in my garden, shaded by ancient oaks, and hear the sound of nature in Lisa Franco's Harp and David Young's flute.
Communing with the river sprite under the waterfall is my image of their Angels We Have Heard on High, as Franco's harpwork makes merry. They continue with their own composition,Spirit Dance, an ode to joy. The CD also includes an impressive arrangement of Amazing Grace and their second original composition, Jenny Bells.
The good news: this is a good seasonal record with songs you'll want to hear all year long. The better news: Young has recently released another Christmas record, called Merry Christmas
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)
Our Review
Christmas Morning is a melancholy marvel, blowing on Celestial Winds (Lisa Franco on harp; David Young on recorder) for the holiday season. This is a new age offering that is calm, quiet, and introspective.
The 13 tracks including 11 well-loved holiday chestnuts and two Franco/Young originals ("Spirit Dance" and "Jenny Bells"). The Celestial Winds provide an absolutely precious treatment of "Silent Night"--so delicate, so ethereal, that the layers of song float reverently on the air. That is probably my favorite track on the album, although everything is consistently solid here, making even routine carols something truly special. For example, the opening to, and interludes for, "Angels We Have Heard on High" are exquisite. The Franco/Young creation "Spirit Dance" has a palpable Native American sentiment that soars on eagle's wings.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
"The Most Beautiful Music on Earth."
Produced by David Young
David Young: Alto, Soprano, Tenor and Bass Recorders, Acoustic Guitar
Lisa Franco: Celtic Harp, Dulcimer
Steve Reid: Percussion
Tony Franklin: Upright & Fretless Bass
From the Web site:
A truly unique and wonderful blend of Harps & Recorders with other Renaissance instruments.
#2 album in Canada November & December 1994.
David Young and Lisa Franco
Christmas Morning
Order from Amazon
Artist site
Label: Celestial Winds
Length: 70 minutes
Genre: New Age
Release: 1996
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| What Child is This? |
| Do You Hear What I Hear? |
| O Holy Night |
| The Little Drummer Boy |
| Silent Night |
| Carol of the Bells |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| Spirit Dance |
| Joy to the World |
| Amazing Grace |
| Jenny Bells |
| O Little Town of Bethlehem |