As we approach the end of the year, thoughts turn to the Holidays and preparing for another winter. With the release of “A Winter Solstice Celebration”, Hanz Araki, Kathryn Claire and their group of musician friends known as “The Celtic Conspiracy” offer up their latest and greatest album to celebrate the Solstice Celtic style.
As part of a four-part seasonally themed series celebrating the changing seasons, “Solstice” follows autumn’s “Songs of Love and Murder” to usher in the Winter Solstice, the upcoming holidays and beyond.
The CD’s eleven tracks are a superb mix of traditional Celtic songs, tunes and even spoken word. As usual, the performances are first-rate. Hanz and Kathryn have worked together for many years and because of this, it’s as if each knows what the other is going to play or sing next and it’s clearly evident again here. Hanz and Kathryn’s vocal harmonies are beautiful (especially on “The Coventry Carol”) and the instrumentation is lovely. The selection of music is well chosen and offers many different flavors and moods. Overall a great CD to play often to celebrate the Winter Solstice!
Here is the track listing:
1) I Heard a Bird Sing
2) Jeanette Isabella/Sussex Carol
3) Seven Joys of Mary/Coppers and Brass
4) Remember O Thou Man
5) Christmas Eve Reels
6) In Dulci Jubilo/Drops of Brandy/Three Sea Captains
7) The Coventry Carol
8) Pat-a-Pan
9) Apples in Winter/The Frost is All Over
10) The Wexford Carol
11) Ring Out, Wild Bells
Check these links here to learn more about Hanz, Kathryn and The Celtic Conspiracy:
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