"Christmas With the SAC Pack" by the Striving Artists Theatre Company is just such an album. The Striving Artists are a collective of New England singers, actors, writers, patrons, students, etc. dedicated to bringing new artistic visions to the theatre in the hopes of both pushing the boundaries of the form and of broadening its audience. This 2-CD Christmas set stands as a testament to the group's goals and ambitions. You know, I did a little community theater myself, once upon a time, and I can tell you honestly we had trouble getting a simple show together, desperately short of everything, let alone putting together a 51 track Christmas album.
No doubt, some of the audience for these shows expressed interest in an album of some of the songs they'd heard in the shows. I would think the general reaction from most such groups would be a smile, a nod, a pleasant "thank you" and it would then be forgotten without a second thought. In any case, something started the wheels spinning in the mind of Artistic Director Gregory Luzitano and his company. "Christmas With The SAC Pack" was financed through Kickstarter and most of the music was recorded in Greg's living room with borrowed instruments and very old equipment.
With 51 tracks and so many singers and musicians, I'm bound to insult most of these good folks in listing my own set of album highlights. Nonetheless, here goes. Brian Heavey's two tracks--"I Saw Three Ships" and "Christmas In Killarney" --were certainly worthy of any Christmas mix (there's gotta be a full Christmas album in him and I'd definitely buy it); exuberant, uplifting, just splendid in every regard. "Do You Hear What I Hear" gets a Bo Diddley beat to fine effect. Claire Dickson gives a perfect Indie Pop reading to "What Are You Doing Christmas Eve". Shannon Baker's performances of "Footprints" and Joni Mitchell's "River" were affecting, touching and memorable; they reached me and, honestly, I'm not even sure why. Loved the arrangement on "O Little Town of Bleak Midwinter" featuring Stacey Greer. The Gospel tinged tracks--especially "There Was A Little Baby" by The Hookway Sisters--were thoroughly enjoyable.
My top three? Elle Beah Lacey has a unique and special voice that should be cultivated. Elle's understated rendition of "Someday At Christmas" is one of the most heartfelt I've heard. Ya done Stevie Wonder proud. A Standing Ovation for you, Elle! Then there's the frenetic ZZ Top take on "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Johnberry Green. That's the sort of thing I suspect the Stubby's readership will just eat up. You can hear that one up top. And my personal favorite from the set is Matt Dinda's absolutely perfect "Walking In The Air". It's never been a Christmas song I cared much for. But, between the Ska take from the Smerins Anti-Social Club and this stunning version from Matt, I'm re-evaluating. Special kudos to Lauren Bailey on cello and Gabrielle Toscano on violin and viola.
There's plenty of music on "Christmas With The SAC Pack" for you to develop your own list of favorites. Official release date is November 13. Digital downloads are just $15 from the Striving Artists or through CD Baby (where a handful of individual tracks are also for sale). Hard copy CDs are just $18 (shipping included) and only available from the Striving Artist web site (combined shipping available for multiple purchases). Full track list below.
1. Our Prayer - Abigail Shaughnessy & Greg Luzitano
2. The Christmas Waltz - Greg Luzitano
3. One More Sleep ‘til Christmas - Greg Luzitano
4. What Child is This - Julie Rackauskas
5. Do You Hear What I Hear - Carol Grossi Smolinsky
6. The Christmas Song - Jennifer Luzitano
7. Silver Bells - Ron Cook & Amy Cook
8. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Johnbarry Green
9. Skating
10. Deck the Halls/Bring a Torch - Rachel Andersen
11. Elf’s Lament - Greg Luzitano
12. Arabic Dance
13. Baby It’s Cold Outside - Greg Geer & Stacey Geer
14. O Holy Night/Ave Maria - Lauren Vien & Kristin Farrell
15. I Saw Three Ships - Brian Heavey
16. O Come All Ye Faithful - Greg Luzitano
17. The Man With the Bag - Julie Carroll
18. There Was a Little Baby - The Hookway Sisters with Greg Luzitano
19. River - Shannon Baker
20. Angels We Have Heard on High/Away in a Manger - Elizabeth Camboia
21. Give Love on Christmas Day - Madeleine Carbonneau
22. I’ll Be Home for Christmas - Julia Nelson
23. Little Saint Nick - Greg Luzitano
24. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Jackie Marchetti
25. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season - Greg Luzitano
Bonus Track: Could You Be Messiah - Jon Meer Vera Perez
Disc 2
1. Getting Ready for Christmas Day - Greg Luzitano, Savanah Shaughnessy & Tofer Carlson
2. A Winter’s Tale - Lisa Roumeliotis
3. God Rest Ye Three Kings on the Mountain - Ron Cook & Amy Cook
4. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve - Claire Dickson
5. Children, Go Where I Send Thee - Michelle Mercier
6. Footprints - Shannon Baker
7. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Mary Beth Luzitano & Greg Luzitano
8. Someday at Christmas - Elle Beah Lacey
9. The First Noel - Jeff Destautels
10. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Greg Luzitano
11. Walking in the Air - Matthew Dinda
12. Sleigh Ride - Abigail Shaughnessy & Greg Luzitano
13. Christmastime is Here - Jennifer Perrault
14. Christmas in Killarney - Brian Heavey
15. White Christmas - Nicole Morris
16. Jingle Bells - Savanah Shaughnessy & Abigail Shaughnessy
17. The Christmas Wish - Andrea Luff
18. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Madeleine Carbonneau
19. Christmas is Coming
20. O Little Town of Bleak Midwinter - Stacey Geer
21. Mistletoe and Holly - Mary Beth Luzitano
22. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Sean Murphy and Kelly Murphy
23. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town - Savanah Shaughnessy & Greg Luzitano
24. All I Want for Christmas is You - Jennifer Luzitano
25. Auld Lang Syne - Kelsey Baker