This CD was recorded in December of 2018. Every year we think we will quit recording, and then Christmas rolls around and we can’t stop ourselves! We included Mabel on this CD, the first of the next generation of Whistling Prairie.
We included all the grandkids on the CD cover–Mabel, Clementine and Hugo. Milo was still waiting to be born.
1.Up on the Housetop—We took a page out of Natalie McMaster’s book for this one from a recording she did with her husband and their children. Three-year-old Mabel starts it off with great enthusiasm! Ed-bass, Brittany-piano, Crystal-violin, John-banjo, Amanda-accordion, Nolan-guitar, Judy-spoons, everyone sang the vocals!
2. Sans Day Carol—A Cornish Christmas carol from the 19th century, this song gets its name, from St. Day, Cornwall, where it was first transcribed. Crystal-lead vocal, Brittany-vocal harmony, Amanda-vocal harmony and violin, Nolan-guitar, John-banjo, Judy-pennywhistle.
3. Carol of the Bells—With a little creative tuning of the dulcimer and some half-holing on the pennywhistle, we finally attempted this tricky carol! Brittany-hammered dulcimer, Amanda-accordion, Crystal-pennywhistle, Judy-mandolin, John-autoharp, Nolan-guitar, Ed-bass.
4. Rocking Carol—This traditional Czech Christmas carol was the inspiration for the Queen song We Will Rock You. This version is much more subdued! John-vocal, Crystal-viola, Brittany-mandolin, Amanda-violin, Judy-cello, Nolan-glockenspiel.
5. Mary Had a Baby—On this upbeat spiritual call and response song Amanda did the calling, and we all responded! Crystal-violin, Brittany-mandolin, Nolan-spoons, John-shaker and cow-bell, Judy-guitar, Ed-bass.
6. Hark the Herald Angels Sing and BT—We had a challenging and fun time combining Edgar Meyer’s tune BT with Hark the Herald Angels Sing. With the changing time signatures, this was harder than it looked! John had the vocal challenge of keeping us all together while playing the guitar at the same time! Brittany-mandolin, Amanda-accordion, Crystal-violin, Judy-banjo, Nolan-cajón, Ed-bass.
7. Oh, Watch the Stars—Although technically not a Christmas song, this song really conveys the feeling of a peaceful, silent night. Crystal does a plaintive lead vocal and plays viola. Brittany-harmony and piano, Amanda-harmony and violin.
8. Winds Through the Olive Trees—We purchased a set of chimes just to depict the wind in this 16th century Gascon (French) carol. Nolan sang lead vocals and John’s saw provided a sense of mystery. Judy-guitar, Ed-bass, Crystal-mountain dulcimer, Brittany- chimes and finger cymbals, Amanda-harp.
9. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella—The melody of this song (first published in 1553) began as a French court dance. It depicts two milkmaids who found the mother Mary and baby Jesus in a stable. Brittany, Amanda and Crystal-vocals, John-banjo, Judy-guitar, Nolan-snare, Ed-bass.
10. Only Thing I Want for Christmas is Just to Keep the Things I’ve Got—This Eddie Cantor song hasn’t been covered by many artists but it captured the feelings we had last Christmas after Judy completed her first cancer treatments. It became even more poignant when her cancer returned the following spring and we didn’t know if she would live to see another Christmas. Judy-vocal lead, Brittany-cello, Ed-bass, Crystal-guitar, Amanda-vocal harmony, John-banjo, Nolan-glockenspiel.
11. Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone—We love the combination of these two tunes. The Pinyon Rats (Judy, Ed, Brittany and John), go it alone on this track with Brittany singing melody and playing mandolin. John harmonizes and plays banjo. Judy and Ed play harmonica and bass.
12. Christmas in Killarney—This is a reprise of one of the first tunes we ever recorded back in 2000. Ed sings lead with great gusto, and everyone joins in on the chorus. We combined it with the Irish May day song, Thugamar Féin an Sambradh Linn. Brittany-tenor banjo, Crystal-pennywhistle, Amanda-violin, Judy-guitar, Nolan-bass, John-bodhran.