Produced and arranged by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong, Noel brings to the Christmas season what their At The Foot of The Cross series brought to Easter-dramatic and unique acoustic worship music. Some standards done in uncommon arrangements, as well as highly creative originals. In fact, the parallel is so great between the works that an appropriate sub-title would be "At The Base Of The Manger" or something of that nature.
Joining the Choir boys are long-time collaborators Sharon McCall, Jerry Chamberlain, and Riki Michele. Among the other talented artists lending their support to Noel are Julie and Buddy Miller, Carolyn Arends, Brent Bourgeois, Jenny Gullen (Hoi Polloi), Kevin Smith (DC Talk), Anthony Sallee (formerly of Whiteheart), and Michael Pritzl (Violet Burning). The musicianship and vocal performances on Noel are top-notch.
Some might say that the Noel and At The Foot Of The Cross projects are designed for the "alternative" crowd. I disagree. While the alternative audience will certainly appreciate these albums, these projects are far more transcendent and enduring than that narrow, nebulous label. A better classification for the albums is a return to the quality and inspiration of traditional folk music. Noel is a work that furthers this heritage. As one would expect, creating an aural patchwork such as that requires more than just your '90's commonplace instruments-so hand bells, chimes, accordion, fiddle, viola, tin whistle, harmonica, and more join the acoustic guitar and a variety of percussion instruments to comprise Noel's musical fabric.
All but one of the project's cuts are Christmas classics. Daugherty and Hindalong have steered away from any tired and overused tunes; instead they have carefully selected moving madrigals and abiding holiday hymns (predominantly from the 1800's). Smith presents a rich, hauntingly Celtic-influenced rendition of "In The Bleak Mid-Winter." "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" receives one of its most plaintive treatments from Riki Michele, Chamberlain, and McCall. The sweet harmonies of Gullen and Daugherty backed by the lilting melodies of the accordion and violin give "Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" a festive tone.
The one original carol, "Babe In The Straw," penned by Daugherty and Hindalong and sung by the two along with Michele blends equably with the overall theme. Ironically, it's the more familiar "Angels We Have Heard On High" that ranks as my favorite; the interpretation is so unique and outstanding that I constantly find myself coming back to it. Arends, Stephen Murray, and Gullen give voice to a soaring "Angels"-Arends flies above the rest, providing a wonderfully ethereal texture.
Like the pride, originality, and workmanship that crafted the folk music of yesteryear, Daugherty, Hindalong and friends are providing a fresh, new display of acoustic worship music with timeless messages and enduring construction. Their current project, Noel, is the most artistic and well-done offering of this Christmas season.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartIn many ways a follow-up to the At the Foot of the Cross albums, this release was again produced and arranged by Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty of the Choir. A selection of traditional songs, this album is more patchy than the At the Foot of the Cross releases. While the opener, "Babe in the Straw," which features Daugherty and Hindalong alongside Riki Michele, is an excellent track, later…Similar sounding releases
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