Phil Cunningham - Christmas Songbook

The Guardian 60

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The title might not sound too inspiring, but this is no run-of-the-mill folk Christmas album. Phil Cunningham is a veteran accordion player and pianist, a celebrity in Scotland thanks to his work with Silly Wizard and Aly Bain, and is joined here by a cast of distinguished compatriots, including Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever (from Lau) and Eddi Reader. For the past decade, this folk supergroup have toured Scotland singing Christmas songs, and now comes the album. It’s a predictably classy and brave affair: the well-worn standard Little Drummer Boy is enlivened with a fine McCusker fiddle solo, there’s an exquisite Gaelic version of Silent Night from Matheson, and a soulful, gently crooned Away in a Manger from Drever, helped by accordion and brass band. Elsewhere they switch from fiddle tunes to country songs. Worth checking out, even if you hate Christmas albums.