Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band
Album: A Christmas Caper (The Best of Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band)
Label: Park
Tracks: 22
Website: http://www.parkrecords.com

Neatly released to coincide with the year's seasonal tour comes this canny cornucopia-cum-compilation of carousal and carols from Maddy and her Carnival Band. Their creative arrangements of seasonal fare have become a permanent fixture on the calendar, a tradition in all but name, and this collection affords the finest possible trailer for the tour as well as a comprehensive overview of the ensemble's career to date and their achievement in breathing new life in to a staid and often stale festive repertoire - and fully standing the harsh test of time in doing so. A Christmas Caper draws upon seven of the ensemble's albums from the past quarter of a century, from the brave (if at times mildly tentative) late-80s release A Tapestry Of Carols through to their most recent outing, 2010's Vaughan Williams project, although a significant lion's-share of the 22 tracks (nine) are culled from the trusty 1991 Carols And Capers collection.

The great thing about the Carnival Band is that its members have between them an extensive experience of, and expertise in, such a wide range of musical disciplines, from folk to classical, early and medieval and world. The unifying element, or star of the collection, of course, is Maddy's pure voice, the light that shines brightly to guide us on through the Christmas story and other seasonal tales and customs represented by the various carols, songs and dances from a whole host of traditions. Some of the most famous carols of all time are presented by going back to their sources or taking them in a new and imaginative direction (often using less familiar melodies). Either way, we're encouraged to reappraise the music or texts, yet at all times embracing the traditional seasonal spirit.

The Carnival Band takes this process further by offering two original compositions by group member Giles Lewin (Bright Evening Star, The Quiet Way Home) which take a fresh and stimulating look at the Christmas period, questioning our preconceptions; in contrast, the disc couldn't fail to include a couple of typically ebullient instrumental tracks. And the lusty Bring Us In Good Ale is granted a brand new "big band mix" by Jub Davis, rather in the style of a pan-Celtic West End stage musical, where everyone involved seems to have been imbibing in style - in which respect one might even suspect the booklet's proofreaders of overdosing on the Wenceslas Wine (or the frank incense?!), for not only have tracks 10 and 11 been transposed within the listed running order but the Tapestry Of Carols tracks are stated as "licesenced from Saydisc Records"!…

A Christmas Caper is delivered gift-wrapped in a well-balanced and well-programmed sequence; entirely reflecting the passion and fun, the scholarly commitment, the eclectic arrangements and satisfyingly varied nature of the MP & CB live shows, this collection proves a constant delight.

David Kidman