I love Christmas music but somehow I'd missed this 2004 album from folk rockers Steeleye Span. It is an excellent collection of familiar and new pieces, mostly vocals but with plenty of variety. Tracks include the familiar "The First Nowell", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Good King Wenceslas", "See, Amid the Winter's Snow" and "In the Bleak Midwinter" all given a partiular twist. "Down in Yon Forest" is an old piece found also on one of Kate Rusby's albums under a different title. "Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel" is a version of an African American spiritual. This very Christian element is balanced with more pagan songs delving into other aspects of Christmas tradition. Well worth checking out.
