1. I Saw Three Ships 2. Wexford Carol 3. Good King Wenceslas 4. Rug Muire Mac do Dhia 5. Upon a Winter's Night 6. Castle of Dromore 7. Imeànuèil 8. Tàladh Chriosda (Christ Child Lullaby) 9. Down Among the Bushes of Jerusalem 10. Gloomy Winter 11. Coventry Carol/We Three Kings 12. Auld Lang Syne |
The Selkie Girls are an acclaimed Celtic band based in Texas. They formed in 2013 and have been a dominant presence on the Folk scene in the region and beyond. The band consists of Alli Johnson (vocals/guitar), Jaycie Skidmore (vocals/flutes/penny whistles), Dave Ervin (vocals/guitar/mandolin), Joel Black (upright and fretless acoustic bass), Martin McCall (percussion), and Linda Mudd (harp). They draw from both traditional Irish and Scottish songs as well as more contemporary music of the genre. They are particularly noted for their harmonies and their dynamic arrangements.
"Winter Lore" is the fourth album from The Selkie Girls and their first Christmas excursion. Celtic music has it's share of stars--from Enya to the Irish Rovers, from Celtic Woman to the Chieftans. I have to say, from a personal point of view, The Selkie Girls have their own sound which I really like. If I were making an entirely Celtic Christmas mixtape (which, much to my own surprise, I never have...yet), I'd definitely want a song or two from "Winter Lore" on there. Some of the better known songs, here--like "I Saw Three Ships"--I've never been particularly fond of; but I found the versions from The Selkie Girls very enjoyable. And, though I can't claim to have heard a lot of versions of the lullaby "Castle of Dromore" (I've heard a few), this version instantly became my favorite. Just sayin' (and your mileage may vary).