An Appalachian Christmas a Delight

Mark O’Connor

An Appalachian Christmas

OMAC Records, 2011

Mark O’Connor is a Grammy winning composer and violinist who revisits classic Christmas songs on this holiday release. Recorded in an intimate setting, O’Connor gives the easy feeling this is an off the cuff performance for friends and family; providing a relaxed and spirited performance that just happened to be recorded.

This collection is by turns playful and joyous and occasionally solemn. “Carol of the Bells” is turned into a haunting string affair. O’Connor adds smoky jazz coloring to the “The Christmas Song” on which he teams up with singer Jane Monheit. These plus the addition of some of the less well known songs, “Cherry Tree Carol,” and “One Winters Night,” make it a different sort of holiday release.

With guest spots from James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Allison Krause, Renee Fleming and Steve Wariner, this makes for a fresh new take on familiar songs, and a few new gems. In particular, Allison Krause’s voice on “Slumber My Darling” makes it a stand out track. O’Connor closes the disc out with the original composition “Appalachian Waltz;” where he hints at traditional themes and goes on to explore a musical landscape dusted with the first snowfall of the year.