Yes, it’s that time of year again. When all background music in the supermarkets changes, and the refuse collectors (looking for their Christmas tip), start to speak to you and make a point of leaving your empty bin outside your house instead of leaving it 50 yards down the road! Christmas a time for peace on earth and good will to all mankind.
It is always nice to hear an album from artists you have never heard before. I have come across many seasonal albums over the years, but never one so cute as this one. It is nicely packaged and well thought out with some imaginative arrangements.
Seattle-based trio The Gothard Sisters are Greta (twenty-four years old) Willow (two years younger) and Solana (a mere sixteen), and dare I say it! Three very beautiful young blue-eyed blonds, who are very talented violinists and have the world at their feet. They are not very well known in the UK yet, but if they tour over here that could all change.
For the most part on this album they perform a selection of well-known Christmas carols put to Celtic arrangements with a hint of classical music. I understand they are all trained as classical musicians and this comes through in the arrangements, but never too heavy to spoil the fun. They are all Irish dancers that have competed at the World Championships for step dancing. So the arrangements take on the ‘sound’ of Riverdance, – imagine it if you can, but performed for the family in the parlour on Christmas night. I really enjoyed this album from start to finish and I am sure their fans will too.
However, being hyper critical, I felt in parts the mixing might have been a little better. Solana takes the lead vocals (I think) and she has a ‘wee’ sweet voice that might have benefited being placed a little higher in the mix. But I must emphasize this is only a small criticism. I got the feeling she capable of much more, and at the tender age of only 16 it will be interesting to she how she matures. I have yet to hear their latest album ‘Story Girl’ and I can’t wait. This album left me hungry to hear what they are capable of in their own comfort zone.
Several of the tracks stand out for extra mention. I loved the Celtic beat pinning ‘ Little Drummer Boy’. The classical arrangement of ‘Wind Through the Olive Tree’. The Celtic treatment given to ‘I Saw Three Ships’/ Marie’s Wedding’ — absolutely brilliant. Blending the classical sound of ‘Greensleeves’ with a Celtic beat has to be heard!
I can heartily recommend this album as a nice Christmas present for any folkies, especially any budding violinist! – Really inspirational.
(Self-released, 2011)
