Bellowhead
Album: Christmas Bells (Single)
Label: Navigator
Tracks: 2
Website: http://www.bellowhead.co.uk

I'll admit that I was surprised when I heard that Bellowhead was doing a Christmas release, it's just something you associate more with Kerfuffle or Belshazzar's Feast. It was certainly welcome news to all Bellowhead fans. It is only a small 2 track release with just over 5 minutes of music but a wonderful idea and a great release at that.

Considering it is only two tracks they did a great job of pushing lots of quality into those two tracks. The first song 'Christmas Bells' kicks is off with a lively song full of Bellowhead personality and as usual makes full use of the entire range of instruments that the band can muster. Lots of brass, assorted percussion, fiddles and Jon Boden's distinctive vocals plough into our ears as soon as you hit play'.

The more widely known 'Jingle Bells' is next but of course Bellowhead did not simply want conform to the usual patterns of doing this song, they again arrange their instruments for maximum effect, from the perfect time to add small amounts of fiddle or blast the brass.

Both tracks really do fill you with the Christmas spirit, I'm particularly pleased that they opted to go for lively, all guns blazing style of music for these tracks rather than slower, gentle Christmas music. It works extremely well and I don't feel that they could have gotten it much better.

Thank you Bellowhead for putting some Christmas cheer into my headphones!

Paul Rawcliffe