Our Review
Sopranos can be irritating; the upper registers can sound strained--or even worse, screechy. On A New England Christmas, the fortuitously-named Noel delivers a soprano that is none of that; she has perhaps the sweetest, purest voice on the planet. Noel effortlessly floats her innocent vocals over thirteen carols, including Noel's original Wish You Were Here. The album cover, which features an absolutely angelic picture of Noel in starry snow, captures the essence of Noel's fragile voice and conveys an appropriate "new age" vibe.
The offering opens with the newly-minted Wish You Were Here, and it's terrific. This number is a bit folksier than the others, and its warm treatment brings welcome cheer. With loved ones often far away when the cold winds of December blow (especially in New England!), Noel's message of longing and love fits seamlessly with the rest of the album. Her universal theme ("Light a candle for us, be of good cheer, we wish you could be here") is heartwarming, and the memorable melody had me replaying the track several times.
On some pieces, Noel harmonizes with herself. She provides all of the vocals on this album (with the exception of choral support on perhaps three numbers), singing multiple tracks with the magic of technology. Given Noel's unusually delicate, crystalline tones, it is probably best that the layers of sound emanate from the same source. The resulting harmonies are perfectly blended. I particularly enjoyed Noel's moody and moving delivery of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
A New England Christmas is a pop/new age pleasure. Jaded Scrooges and rowdy partygoers would be disappointed by this offering; they should seek solace elsewhere. Noel's excellent, ethereal interpretations are low-key, upbeat, and heavenly.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)
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From the liner notes:
Produced by John Weston
Arranged by David Grimes
Vocals and Piano by Noel
From the artist's Website:
Having grown up in a small Rhode Island fishing village and being born at Christmastime inspired me to create this CD for you about Christmas in New England. As a child I remember singing Christmas carols around the piano with my family and sharing Christmas pies with our neighbors. Back then, it seemed like Christmas was about more than just buying fancy gifts or going to parties. The memories of those songs and times with my family at Christmas stay with me today.
For this music, I have teamed up with two friends from Boston: John Weston and David Grimes. We have collected carols from around the world that we remember singing with our families when we were children. I also wrote an original Christmas song to begin the CD and David wrote one for the end that we think you will enjoy. My song, "Wish You Were Here", goes out to anyone who can't make it home for Christmas, especially thinking of our troops serving overseas.
I hope our music helps you to celebrate Christmas the way we all used to. From my home in New England, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Noel
A New England Christmas
Artist link
Label: Futura
Length: 47 minutes
Genre: Classical
Release: 2009
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Wish You Were Here |
| Silent Night |
| Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella |
| Still, Still, Still |
| O Come, Little Children |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| Baloo, Lammy |
| O Holy Night |
| Masters in This Hall |
| O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| In the Bleak Midwinter |
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
| Polish Lullaby |
| On This Christmas Day |