Tradition: Holiday Songs Old & New

The Burns Sisters: Annie Burns, Marie Burns, Jeannie Burns (vocals).Additional personnel: Anna Lashley, Carter Lashley, Amelia Burns, The Monks of Nam Gyal Monastery (vocals); Josh Pincus (guitar, 12 string guitar); Rich De Paolo (guitar, bass); Martin Simpson (guitar); Rob Ickes (dobro); Mac Benford (banjo); Glen Duncan, John Kirk, Eric Aceto (fiddle); Hank Roberts (cello); Welcome (accordian); Joan Reppert (piano); Doug Robinson (bass); Ron Riddle (snare drum); Jim Roberts (percussion); Vince Burns, Jill Morgan, Annie Morgan, Lou McWilliam, Ara Karlberg, Khym Hamilton, Amber Boyd, Alicia Jackson, Tsering Llamo, Tsering Choden, Tenzin Norzin, Nik Burgevin, Gerri Jones, Jesse Townsley, Tim Reppert, Laura Burch, Doug Robinson, Evelyne Robinson, Paul Robinson (background vocals).The Monks of Nam Gyal Monastery: Ven Khen Sur Rinpoche, Ven Tenzin Legden, Ven Trinley, Ven Tenzin Ihawang.Recorded at Rep Studios, Ithaca, New York.The Burns Sisters (Jeannie, Annie and Marie) have always made light, ethereal and transcendent music with little more than light musical backing framing their exquisite vocals. This time the ladies take on ten tunes, both old and new, in the holiday tradition. Kicking off with Marie's "Songs We Love" -- a song filled with rich imagery and a chorus that's catchy as can be -- the sisters turn in first-rate versions of ancient chestnuts like "O Come O Come Emmanuel," "Golden Cradle," "Silent Night," and a medley of "What Child Is This" and "Greensleeves." The holiday spirit also extends to a more world music view of things with the inclusion of "Shaloo Shalom Y'rushalayim," "Come Come," and the closing "Tibetan Prayer for Peace," which dovetails nicely into Annie Burns' "This Christmas," featuring lead vocals by the sister's own children -- a nice full-circle touch to this enchanting little disc. ~ Cub Koda

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