Catalogue

Summary:

“Draws you deeper and deeper in… for all the breathless rollicking, there are tears under the surface that highlight a vital part of the Christmas story, enforced emigration and all. The quiet finale The Parting Glass reminds us that, sometimes, two beautiful voices entwined are powerful enough.” – Gramophone (Festive Disc of the Year, 2018)

“If you buy just one Christmas CD this year, get this one… an electrifying sequence of folk songs, traditional Christmas tunes and foot-tapping dance numbers… The raw exuberance of the two medleys which Sorrell uses to illustrate the migrants’ sea crossing… both feature a superb chorus of young singers. Performances are stunning, and Sorrell’s attention to detail makes this an intensely vivid listening experience. Proceedings finish with dancing and a bittersweet farewell. It’s all wonderful. An unconditional recommendation – buy this today.” – The Arts Desk

“Riveting… spectacularly performed and deeply moving.” – Seen & Heard International

“This disc’s blend of polish and spirit is intoxicating…. one of the finest holiday albums I’ve ever encountered. Sorrell has crafted and polished her ensemble to world class. They have become adored by audiences wherever they go. Exquisite skill and daring abandon…” – MusicWeb International

“The arrangements have a magical quality, and the result is something like an American version of Jordi Savall’s investigations of folk repertories.” – AllMusic

Tracklist:

I. CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CROSSROADS
1. Christmas Eve Reel (trad. Irish) / Christmas In America (trad. New England) / Old Christmas Eve (trad. Appalachian) – arr. J. Sorrell (3.22)

II. CELTIC MEMORIES: Christmas Eve in Old Ireland
2. The Truth Sent from Above – (trad. British Isles) – lyrics & arrangement by J. Sorrell (5.28)
3. Sheep under the snow / Apples in Winter / Little Christmas Reel (trad. Irish) – arr. R. Schiffer & S.P. Gilmore (4.15)
4. Blow, Northern Wind – Medieval English Lyric, arr. B. Kay (3.30)
5. Don Oiche úd I mBeithil (That Night in Bethlehem) (1.52)
6. That Night in Bethlehem (Don Oiche úd i mBeithil) (trad. Gaelic) – arr. J. Sorrell (3.39)
7. Nowell Sing We, Both All and Some (Medieval English) – arr. J. Sorrell (1.48)

III. CAROLING ACROSS THE WATERS
8. Innesheer / Ships in Full Sail + I Saw Three Ships / New Christmas Reel (trad. Irish) – arr. K. Stewart (3.50)
9. Yorkshire Carol / Somerset Wassail (trad. British Isles) / Kentucky Wassail (trad. Appalachian) – arr. J. Sorrell (5.45)

IV. CHRISTMAS MORNING IN APPALACHIA
10. Bright Morning Stars (Southern folk hymn) (3.12)
11. Christ Child’s Lullaby (Talladh Chriosta) (trad. Scottish & Appalachian) – arr. J. Sorrell & A. Powell (5.47)
12. Frost & Snow / 28^th of January / Dominion Reel (trad. Old-Time) – arr. R. Schiffer & T. Bergmann (3.56)
13. Jesus Born in Beth’ny (trad. Appalachian) – arr. J. Sorrell (1.31)
14. Star in the East | The Shepherd’s Star – Shape-Note Hymn from The Southern Harmony, 1835 (3.40)

V. WANDERERS UNDER THE SKY
15. Joseph & Mary (trad. British carol) / I Wonder as I Wander (trad. Appalachian – J. J. Niles) – arr. J. Sorrell (5.07)
16. The Gravel Walk / Over the Isles to America (trad. Scottish reel) (2.34)

VI. CHRISTMAS BARN DANCE
17. Hop High Ladies / June Apple Reel (trad. Appalachian) (2.29)
18. Cold Frosty Morning / Old Christmas / Breakin’ Up Christmas (trad. Old-Time) – arr. R. Schiffer, J. Sorrell,
T. Bergmann (4.18)
19. Bonus Track: The Parting Glass (trad. Scottish/Irish) (2.13)

Recorded December 5 – 9, 2017 and July 28, 2018, First Baptist Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Recording Producers: Jeannette Sorrell and Erica Brenner
Recording and Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores

Editors: Erica Brenner and Daniel Shores