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I can't decide what is more striking: how much Christmas music has changed or how much it has remained the same. Featuring 23 selections recorded in the early twentieth century-a mixture of songs and humorous narratives-Voices of Christmas Past documents the early history of recorded Christmas music. Since there are few things I enjoy more than listening to Christmas music, I welcome this recently restored compilation of vintage recordings.

The song that sounded sweetest to my ear was Holy Night, performed by the Venetian Trio on violin, cello, and harp (a Victor recording from 1916). The musicality of their performance transcended the limitations of the acoustic recording process used at the time. (O to have been in the room when this recording was made!) This number is worth the price of the record, as far as I'm concerned.

Running a close second place was Byron G. Harlan's Columbia recording (1909) of Come and Spend Christmas with Me. Representative of the period, this piece featured the highly stylized vocal vibrato popular at the time, harmonizing with a competent brass trio. I had never heard this song.

The 23 recordings that comprise this work represent a seminal time in the American culture. The raw, homespun humor of its narrative episodes, in stark contrast to the affected sophistication of the singing, provide a fascinating snapshot of a culture in flux, not unlike the image of children dressing up in grown up clothes. Or perhaps the singers were only attempting to "play up to" the brilliant new recording medium they were fortunate enough to pioneer.

Requires a serious listener. Deserves a serious listen.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)

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Various Artists

Voices of Christmas Past

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Track List