O'LEARY, CAITRIONA/Tom Jones/CASH, ROSA - The Wexford Carols (Sealed) (CD)

Starring the celebrated Irish singer Caitriona O Leary and featuring Grammy winners Sir Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash and Rhiannon Giddens, The Wexford Carols presents Ireland s greatest Christmas music (much of it for the first time) in a recording that magically blends a diversity of folk styles including traditional Irish, Americana, Blues and Gospel. With lyrics by Luke Waddinge and William Devereux and set to popular tunes of the day, these musically sublime, spiritually rich, and emotionally powerful carols from the 17th and 18th centuries will give listeners a entirely new and compelling way to experience the story of Christmas. - I found the result compelling haunting in its timeless beauty. A compelling disc, finely recorded. --IRR, Dec'14 Somber, awe-struck carols --The New York Times