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The Wainwright family has so much talent, it's downright scary! Sloan Wainwright is auntie to Rufus Wainwright, and little sister to Loudon Wainwright (for more holiday action in the Wainwright vein, see The McGarrigle Christmas Hour and Maybe This Christmas Too). This is an excellent holiday release--one of my favorites this year. On a Night Before Christmas is difficult to classify; the music has a folk heart, but reflects pop sensibilities and a bluesy soul, too. It is the artist's first live offering; Wainwright recorded it in December 2004 in Mt. Kisco, New York, and had several friends sharing that stage (including Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, and The Kennedys). Must have been a fabulous concert!

Wainwright has the most beautiful contralto voice, slightly weathered, deeply passionate, and moving in a way that is almost impossible to describe. When I heard Wainwright's own "Illuminate," the album's first track, I played it over and over five times. The piece is fully charged with love and hope, but is not in the least bit hokey. Even the way Wainwright pronounces "Illuminate" is dramatic. This is superb songwriting ("Light the candle, illuminate your heart--don't be afraid of the dark."). Her other creation is "Search the Sky," another gentle gem that speaks to the heart.

This album has 13 cuts, including Wainwright's sparkling originals. The rest are largely an eclectic blend of ancient carols and contemporary marvels. She includes Joni Mitchell's exquisite "The River" and a rhythmically exotic "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." In lieu of "We Three Kings," the album steams up with a blistering instrumental appropriately entitled "We Three Guitarists." The album ends with the performers joining together on a lengthy (almost 10 minutes long!) "Silent Night" done as a gospel number.

Sloan Wainwright's On a Night Before Christmas will put you in a front-row seat for a most excellent holiday concert. You may not be in Mt. Kisco, but you will be in seventh heaven, particularly if folk/pop really gets your heart thumpin'! So enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Sloan Wainwright: lead vocals, backing vocals

Sloan Wainwright Band:
Stephen Murphy: guitar, electric guitar, ebo, high strung guitar
Cary Brown: keyboards, piano, loop, backing vocals
Doug Wray: bass
Tony Zuzlo: drums, percussion
Cadence Carroll: backing vocals, lead vocal (#10)
Penny Nichols: backing vocals

Also performing:
The Kennedys (#5,12)
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams (#7,12) Sharkey McEwen (electric guitar) & Pete Kennedy (electric sitar)(#9)

Produced by: Stephen Murphy, Sloan Wainwright

From the Web site:

This Holiday Celebration CD features guest performances by The Kennedys, Cadence Carroll, Penny Nichols and Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams.

On a Night Before Christmas was recorded Live at Northern Westchester Center for the Arts in Mt. Kisco, NY on December 18th, 2004.

Sloan Wainwright has been a pioneer all her life.

A forerunner in the independent music scene long before it became hip to walk the road less travelled, Sloan is an artist whose passionate work and extraordinary life have fused to burn a new definition for women in music. Grown-up girl style.

An outstanding and highly original singer, Sloan is a compelling performer best known for her rich contralto voice, intensely personal lyrics, and an innovative approach to song.

Sloan Wainwright

On a Night Before Christmas

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Track List