1. Winter Star
2. Carol Of The Bells
3. White Christmas
4. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
5. Luma
6. The First Noel
7. Silent Night
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. The Gathering
10. What A Wonderful World
11. Carol Of The Bells (Instrumental)
12. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Instrumental)
AMAZON
ARTIST SITE
2. Carol Of The Bells
3. White Christmas
4. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
5. Luma
6. The First Noel
7. Silent Night
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. The Gathering
10. What A Wonderful World
11. Carol Of The Bells (Instrumental)
12. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Instrumental)
AMAZON
ARTIST SITE
Shauna Burns' "A Winter Gathering" resembles nothing so much as a mid-December snowfall. Throughout the album, each note from her piano hangs in mid-air for a moment, glimmering in moonlight, before falling comfortably to become a part of winter's veil. The album serves equally well as the telling of the Christmas Story--from the appearance of the "Winter Star" to the birth of the Christ child and the rejoicing which followed. "A Winter Gathering" should have broad appeal and I'd recommend it unreservedly to fans of sounds as diverse as George Winston, Tori Amos, Pentangle, Sarah McLachlan, and Enya. While you'll hear hints of these and assorted other artists and styles, Shauna has a sound and style that is all her own.
Shauna Burns began playing piano at a very early age and was composing before she hit her teens. Inspired by the music of Depeche Mode, U2 and Tori Amos, Shauna ultimately determined on her own musical path. Shauna's work, to date, has found a home in college radio, Indie radio, and in some of the more progressive FM formats as well, with each album building upon the last. 2008's "The Moon And The Fire Circle" is seen as something of a breakthrough album for Burns, with the single "Around You" reaching the Top Ten in Friday Morning Quarter Back's AC charts (FMQB is an industry alternative to Billboard magazine). The term you most frequently hear associated with Shauna Burns is "ethereal" and it's a word that jumped into my head immediately as well. But Shauna is not one of those wispy whispering female singers that's all the rage these days; her voice is far richer and more textured than that.
Shauna routinely flavors her music with a bit of Celtic charm. But I think its important to point out that 'tis merely a charming Irish accent she brings to the music (metaphorically speaking; Shauna, herself, is American born and bred), so the album is not dominated by the sounds I tend to think of when listening to music labeled Celtic. The Lord of the Dance will not be stomping through your speakers. Rather than a full-on Irish brogue, it is the slightest Irish lilt in a pretty girl's voice.
For "A Winter Gathering", Shauna steeped herself in the ancient carols with the intention of breathing fresh life into them. She interspaced those carols with original pieces she calls "songscapes" as a way to give the music points of pause. The album opens with one of these songscapes, "Winter Star", which is as mystical and airy as the breath of nature just before that first snowflake falls. "Winter Star" transitions seamlessly into "Carol Of The Bells", wherein Shauna demonstrates how to make one of the more familiar sounds of Christmas sound entirely fresh through pacing and phrasing. An unexpectedly warm version of "White Christmas" follows then and it has nothing to do with the crackling fire, but rather the intimacy conveyed through Shauna's voice and piano.
The warm blanket of winter snow continues through exceptional renditions of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "The First Noel" and, in between, another luscious Shauna Burns songscape, "Luma" (inspired by "Ave Maria"), featuring the kind of layered vocals I tend to associate with Enya.
As the snowfall tapers to its end, we are treated to an extremely beautiful and fairly straightforward "Silent Night". Again, Shauna's pacing catches the beauty in the spaces between the notes. When Shauna turns to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", the night turns cold and we feel its chill. The effect is aided greatly by Shauna's supporting cast (who, it should be said, are exquisite throughout the album)--husband James Clark on percussion and cellist Lindsey Springer in particular on this number.
The final songscape, "The Gathering", may be the most stunning piece on the album in its way and, for me, reflects that moment when the snowfall is complete and--for a very brief time--the world is perfectly still and calm...and beautiful. I do wish "The Gathering" were a bit longer, just as I sometimes wish that perfect moment were. But we transition, instead, to the glorious dawn of "Wonderful World". I suppose I count myself among those uncomfortable with the thought of "Wonderful World" as a Christmas song, but it works well in this context. And Shauna performs the piece in a fresh arrangement with unique and uncommon beauty.
The album closes with instrumental versions of "Carol Of The Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". On the second go around, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is warmer, a bit spritely and jazzy in fact. And, once again, I am amazed at Shauna's ability to find the music between the notes. You may consider these instrumental pieces as bonus tracks or, as I prefer, a closing overture.
Christmas albums come in many shapes and sizes and serve different purposes and moods. I'm not sure how well "A Winter Gathering" would work as background. It would probably be fine. But I strongly suggest you treat this new album from Shauna Burns as an album to be listened to. I think you'll want to catch the beauty of every note. "A Winter Gathering" is a magical journey of expression and discovery.
Again, a special mention should be made of Shauna's supporting cast--James Clark and Lindsey Springer mentioned above, Caroline Kemper on Celtic harp, Rick Kemper on pipes and penny whistle, Ryan Whyte Maloney on guitar and backing vocals, and the angelic choir of David Pecjak, Stephanie Pecjak, Kimberly Pecjak, Aleeza Gonzalez and Audrey Gonzalez. Bravo! If I could give you all a standing ovation over the Internet, I would.
"A Winter Gathering" will be released October 25. Become a fan of Shauna's by "Liking" her on Facebook, or using the widget below, and treat yourself to a free download of "Silent Night".
Shauna Burns began playing piano at a very early age and was composing before she hit her teens. Inspired by the music of Depeche Mode, U2 and Tori Amos, Shauna ultimately determined on her own musical path. Shauna's work, to date, has found a home in college radio, Indie radio, and in some of the more progressive FM formats as well, with each album building upon the last. 2008's "The Moon And The Fire Circle" is seen as something of a breakthrough album for Burns, with the single "Around You" reaching the Top Ten in Friday Morning Quarter Back's AC charts (FMQB is an industry alternative to Billboard magazine). The term you most frequently hear associated with Shauna Burns is "ethereal" and it's a word that jumped into my head immediately as well. But Shauna is not one of those wispy whispering female singers that's all the rage these days; her voice is far richer and more textured than that.
Shauna routinely flavors her music with a bit of Celtic charm. But I think its important to point out that 'tis merely a charming Irish accent she brings to the music (metaphorically speaking; Shauna, herself, is American born and bred), so the album is not dominated by the sounds I tend to think of when listening to music labeled Celtic. The Lord of the Dance will not be stomping through your speakers. Rather than a full-on Irish brogue, it is the slightest Irish lilt in a pretty girl's voice.
For "A Winter Gathering", Shauna steeped herself in the ancient carols with the intention of breathing fresh life into them. She interspaced those carols with original pieces she calls "songscapes" as a way to give the music points of pause. The album opens with one of these songscapes, "Winter Star", which is as mystical and airy as the breath of nature just before that first snowflake falls. "Winter Star" transitions seamlessly into "Carol Of The Bells", wherein Shauna demonstrates how to make one of the more familiar sounds of Christmas sound entirely fresh through pacing and phrasing. An unexpectedly warm version of "White Christmas" follows then and it has nothing to do with the crackling fire, but rather the intimacy conveyed through Shauna's voice and piano.
The warm blanket of winter snow continues through exceptional renditions of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "The First Noel" and, in between, another luscious Shauna Burns songscape, "Luma" (inspired by "Ave Maria"), featuring the kind of layered vocals I tend to associate with Enya.
As the snowfall tapers to its end, we are treated to an extremely beautiful and fairly straightforward "Silent Night". Again, Shauna's pacing catches the beauty in the spaces between the notes. When Shauna turns to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", the night turns cold and we feel its chill. The effect is aided greatly by Shauna's supporting cast (who, it should be said, are exquisite throughout the album)--husband James Clark on percussion and cellist Lindsey Springer in particular on this number.
The final songscape, "The Gathering", may be the most stunning piece on the album in its way and, for me, reflects that moment when the snowfall is complete and--for a very brief time--the world is perfectly still and calm...and beautiful. I do wish "The Gathering" were a bit longer, just as I sometimes wish that perfect moment were. But we transition, instead, to the glorious dawn of "Wonderful World". I suppose I count myself among those uncomfortable with the thought of "Wonderful World" as a Christmas song, but it works well in this context. And Shauna performs the piece in a fresh arrangement with unique and uncommon beauty.
The album closes with instrumental versions of "Carol Of The Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". On the second go around, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is warmer, a bit spritely and jazzy in fact. And, once again, I am amazed at Shauna's ability to find the music between the notes. You may consider these instrumental pieces as bonus tracks or, as I prefer, a closing overture.
Christmas albums come in many shapes and sizes and serve different purposes and moods. I'm not sure how well "A Winter Gathering" would work as background. It would probably be fine. But I strongly suggest you treat this new album from Shauna Burns as an album to be listened to. I think you'll want to catch the beauty of every note. "A Winter Gathering" is a magical journey of expression and discovery.
Again, a special mention should be made of Shauna's supporting cast--James Clark and Lindsey Springer mentioned above, Caroline Kemper on Celtic harp, Rick Kemper on pipes and penny whistle, Ryan Whyte Maloney on guitar and backing vocals, and the angelic choir of David Pecjak, Stephanie Pecjak, Kimberly Pecjak, Aleeza Gonzalez and Audrey Gonzalez. Bravo! If I could give you all a standing ovation over the Internet, I would.
"A Winter Gathering" will be released October 25. Become a fan of Shauna's by "Liking" her on Facebook, or using the widget below, and treat yourself to a free download of "Silent Night".
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