Deep Midwinter

Album Review

Deep Midwinter shows that even when the Celtic Nots have a theme — in this case, Christmas-related music — they still wind up making their album diverse to the extreme. They go from an instrumental version of "Good King Wenceslas" to the lively Spanish carol "Riu Riu Chiu" and many points in between, with the typical Celtic Nots sense of fun and enthusiasm for experimentation. A really unusual reggae version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" titled "God Rasta Ye" will certainly capture the attention, as will the marimbas in "Sing Noel." This would definitely be a good album to play for a Christmas Around the World party, as it brings an exotic flavor to even traditional European carols like "Three Ships," with its off-the-wall mix of electric guitar and bagpipes. So if an international musical tour in the space of one album is your style, then Deep Midwinter is the collection to get.