Eliza Carthy / Jon Boden - Glad Christmas Comes

****

Alnums this good, only come once a year

Jon Boden and Eliza Carthy are two of the musicians at the forefront of the English Folk scene. Eliza being president of the English Folk Dance & Song Society, she’s had a very successful solo career and is also known as the child of more Folk luminaries Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. Jon Boden, of course, is the lead singer of Bellowhead, The Remnant Kings and has toured extensively as Spiers and Boden (with John Spiers) as well as much more. So, for them to come together, this should be something special.

It’s probably no surprise that this is an album of Christmas songs, some of which you will be very familiar with, having probably sung them at school at the very least. What may not be that well known is a many of what are now carols started life as Folk songs. For this release Jon and Eliza have put their own arrangements to most of them, especially the well-known yuletide classic ‘I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’, which is a very joyful almost childlike tune.

The album is full of a variety of tunes, opening with ‘Ashen Bowl’ a traditional sounding tune that is very much focussed on the harmonies of the two singers. With the next track ‘Glad Christmas Comes’ being completely performed completely acapella. The whole album is quite joyous to listen to with ‘Beautiful Star’ almost being, well beautiful, to listen to. I’m not at all religious it is just the sound of amazing voices coming together to create something special.

Not that this an overtly religious album either, of course being the subject matter of Christmas there are going to be references. One of those ones you are likely to know is ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, not my favourite carol I admit being a bit of a dirge normally, but Eliza’s vocals really add a depth to the tune. As does their combined voices for ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. This album really deserves to be listened to in front of a roaring fire with the stockings up and a glass of sherry.

Some of the arrangements also really add another dimension to the more well known of the tracks, with ‘I saw three ships come sailing In’ having a layered feel, in fact very Jon Boden with an element of Bellowhead style sound. It is not just older more traditional songs though, with a wonderful version of ‘Fairytale of New York’ included. It’s very interesting hearing a different version of such a classic tune with no censorship.

To conclude this is an amazing collection of some Christmas classics and will get you in the mood for a mulled wine and a mince pie. We suggest you add this to you list for Santa right away, along as you’ve been good and don’t forget the hippopotamus of course. We promise there is absolutely no Noddy Holder or Chris Rea numbers to be heard and even better, not one mention of sausage rolls. Popping this on over Christmas is certain to bring an added smile to that extra slice of turkey.

Review by Jon Cooper

Check Out! the Audio Video for ‘Beautiful Star' Below...