Product Description

Primarily A Cappella is proud to be re-releasing the ever-popular Swingle Singers recording of The Story Of Christmas. Long out of print, the continued demand for this recording is extraordinary, and a tribute to this English group about which the Los Angeles Times extolled 'Everything about the Swingles is flawless'. They take a collection of traditional carols and hymns (The Boar's Head Carol, And Is It True?) and mix it with some modern songs (Jester Hairston's Mary's Boy Child) to tell the story of Christmas. This is a well thought out arrangement of songs to tell the tale that we know so well with interesting and varied songs.

Track Listing

1. Hodie Christus
2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
3. Hymn to the Virgin
4. Gabriel's Message
5. Magnificat
6. Mary's Boy Child
7. And Is It True?
8. Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
9. Quem Pastores
10. Shepherds' Farewell
11. We Three Kings
12. Coventry Carol
13. Carol Medley: Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly/I Saw Three Ships/We
14. Oxen
15. Boar's Head Carol
16. Christmas Song
17. Jingle Bells
18. I Believe in Father Christmas
19. White Christmas
20. Twelve Days of Christmas
21. Silent Night

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24914 in Music
• Released on: 2001-12-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Timeless yet fresh: New dimensions of classics
The singing is clear and precise -- and it has to be, because these arrangements are full of innovative and challenging harmonies, especially "The Boar's Head Carol" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." It's all pretty, but it's not wallpaper music; your attention is rewarded, and you will keep noticing new aspects of familiar old tunes. There are also a couple of songs that were new to me: "And Is It True" and "I Believe in Father Christmas." Both have modern, sensitive texts that are worth thinking about (not just more sentimental drivel). The performances are sharp -- one thing I always appreciate about the Swingles is their balance. The melody is always there, and the rest of the (a cappella) accompaniment is perfectly distinguished. The renditions are sometimes bouncy ("We Three Kings") but always elegant.

If you are familiar with this group only from their old "doo be doo" days, know that this album is different. They sing the words. However, I dearly wish someone would have the sense to re-issue (on CD) their doo-be-doo Christmas album of carols from around the world, recorded in the 1970s. It was a stunningly arranged gem, with tons of lovely, less-familiar tunes.

Best Arrangement of Silent Night Ever !
I know I am preaching to the choir of any SS fans who are reading this, but the arrangement of Silent Night on this CD is simply the best I've heard. Each voice of the Octet is not only pitch perfect, but also at the right volume level. It's a joy to listen to, especially on the whole notes realizing that no one voice is dominating.

Not for purists
For those expecting to hear traditional harmonies in this acappella collection of carols and other Christmas songs, this will be a huge disappointment. But for those who like to hear a fresh take on old favorites the Swingles certainly deliver. I particularly enjoyed "Silent Night", a simple melody with harmonies with which Gruber (and purists) might struggle, but so rewarding to more adventurous 21st century ears.