Our Review
Unexpectedly, I sit listening to the Daughters of St. Paul on January 4 of the new millennium. My Christmas spirit having peaked weeks ago, I am nevertheless endeavoring not to become teary-eyed over these self-proclaimed "carols that warm the heart."
Opening with fanfare reminiscent of Julie Andrews triumphant appearance in the Sound of Music, the Royal Harmonia plays a grand Overture (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing). This instrumental arrangement is followed by a variety of inspiring modern arrangements of religious Christmas classics, each more enjoyable than the last.
At times sounding like a very good Church choir and at other times suggesting the great Ray Conniff Singers of the 1960s, I liked the fresh, krisp vocal harmonies of the Daughters of St. Paul. I enjoyed the emotional quality of the arrangements and how the intensity continues to build. And I was surprised by the unusual instrumental flourishes, such as the intriguing synthesized strings on The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy. (This was the most striking instrumental effect I heard on a Christmas song this year.) Effective instrumental arrangements, combined with beautiful vocal harmonies and an unusually novel selection of songs, lent this recording a rare musicality destined to make it a holiday classic--if it gets the distribution it deserves.
I suspected all along that this record would be very, very good. Experience has taught me that the beauty of Christmas music (if not all music and even all human endeavor) is in direct proportion to the spirit of giving brought to bear by the performers. It is with obvious joy, reverence, and exuberance that the Daughters of St. Paul celebrate Christ's birth, and the result is an inspired recording.
Recently, I received a letter from a reader who had found my site lacking in "traditional Christmas music, the kind that you grew up hearing, the kind that makes you feel like a kid again." And although I responded to his letter, I was unable to point to anything I had reviewed recently that reflected the timelessness, the simplicity, the grace, and the majesty of "traditional Christmas music."
I believe I have an answer for him now.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
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Daughters of St. Paul
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Label: Pauline Records
Length: 65 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 1999
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Overture (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing) |
| Hallelujah, the Lord Is Born |
| Wexford Carol |
| O What a Wonderful Child |
| O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| There Is Born a Child |
| The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy |
| The First Nöel - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly |
| The Most Wonderful Time of the Year |
| Angels Among Us |
| Silent Night |
| White Christmas |
| Joy to the World |
| Coventry Carol - Still, Still, Still |
| Candlelight Carol |
| Feliz Navidad |
| The Little Drummer Boy |
| Ave Maria |