Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've never reviewed a Christmas card before but that's what The Beacon Music Project (office in Dollar, Central Scotland), have come up with - a CD packaged in a nicely designed card. The musical performances here are by "some of Shetland's top musicians and singers" and not coming from that fair isle I will take them at their word, particularly as the folk group Shoormal, who kick off the CD with a lilting version of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", display a deft acoustic feel and feature a lovely lead vocal from Freda Leask to make it far superior to all those manglings of the carol Nashville subjects us to every year. Elsewhere we have other folk derived delights with both Jenny Keldy's version of "Away In A Manger" and Jillian Isbister's liltingly pure reading of "The First Noel" bringing a freshness to these beautiful carols that I never thought I'd encounter again after years of hearing them reduced to sleigh bell-drenched muzak. Possibly my favourite of all is The Tulloch's authentic folk "Go Tell It On The Mountains" (where that haunting voice of Freda Leask crops up again). My nomination for the best Christmas album of the year and when you consider that churches who buy this unique card/album will be selling them at the bargain price of 50p each, we have a creatively inspired project that Cross Rhythms has no hesitation in recommending. So go visit www.beaconmusic.co.uk.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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