AUTUMN'S CHILD FEATURING MARK HOLLAND: Greatest Gift (an Autumn's Child Christmas)

Autumn's Child featuring Mark Holland

Greatest Gift (an Autumn's Child Christmas)

© 2007 Mark Holland

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A celebration of joy and hope with the Native American Flute and a host of other instruments from around the world. Global fusion arrangements spice traditional carols and originals for the Season.

notes

In early 2007, Cedar n Sage Music brought you a “Different Kind Of Real”. Now Cedar n Sage Music is proud to present a “different kind of Christmas album”! "Greatest Gift" is Autumn’s Child at their best combining traditional songs of the season with some originals.

A South American influenced version of, "What Child Is This" followed by a most intriguing arrangement of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" with the ancient Armenian instrument the Duduk introducing the piece with Native American Flutes, Setar (a four stringed lute from Iran) a Daf, Persian frame drum and bass.

The following piece is an original by Holland - the title track, "Greatest Gift" featuring the Autumn’s Child signature sound, with Native American Flutes and cello, with harp, guitar and percussion. Throughout this recording you find the use of world instruments mixed with the Native Flute - creating the Autumn’s Child sound, "global chamber music".

This is best identified in the title track, “Greatest Gift”. “Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella / Coventry Carol” features the Native Flute with Hammered Dulcimer. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is an acoustic influence of Jethro Tull meets Mannheim Steamroller.

Here is a listing of some of the instruments used on various tracks on this recording: Native American Flutes, Guitars, Cello, Harp, Bass, Piano, Pedal Steel Guitar, Hammered Dulcimer, Gourd Water Drum, Hang Drum, Udu, Darbukka, Doumbek, Duduk, Daf, Setar.

From ChristmasReviews.com
Like a chamber ensemble of world music, Autumn's Child constructs slightly exotic, yet well familiar, instrumental versions of holiday favorites and brand new offerings on Greatest Gift: An Autumn's Child Christmas. The group features the extremely talented Mark Holland, who mostly plays a lilting and throaty Native American Flute, an instrument that often breathes and emotes like a living thing. A diverse group of acoustic instruments from around the globe (doumbek, setar, gourd water drum, udu, duduk, dulcimer, etc.) create an overall effect that is upbeat, refreshing, and soothing.

The album is split 50/50; half are traditional sacred carols, and half are largely Autumn's Child originals. The mix boosts the album's playability; you can run this release again and again without having holiday chestnuts beat you senseless. My favorite track is also the longest one (6:28); O Come, O Come Emmanuel develops slowly, with Holland playing a duduk (Armenian double reed instrument) solo. The haunting melody is initially not recognizable as the familiar carol, but by the time the setar (Persian 4-string lute) and daf (traditional Kurdish/Iranian frame drum) join the fun, Holland's duduk moves into the well-known theme. Music like this is great for those seeking background music that is something more unusual and organic than just instrumental guitar or classical chamber music. Very, very cool.

Greatest Gift ends with the lovely We Will Exalt You; this track includes the only vocal (Hollie Brian), the final "instrument" tossed into the mix. As the generous album (almost a full hour!) rolled to a close, I felt a flush of comfort and calm, just what I needed to begin my busy day in mid-November. Thank you, Autumn's Child!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

reviews

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  • Greatest Gift
    author: Jodie Hughey

    I love Mark and Autumn's Child! They always nail it so to speak and this album is no different. I found it to be a wonderful adaptation of Christmas favs. What a gem to add to any collection. Thanks guys/gals!

  • Greatest Gift an Autumn's Child Christmas
    author: Donna Sams

    Beautiful, peaceful and serene sounds that honor the meaning of Christmas. Many thanks to Mark Holland and the other artists who created this masterpiece. Thank you CD Baby for the fine job you do and thank you Autumn's Child for sharing your talent.

  • Not surprisingly, another gem.
    author: Tamara Turner

    This time exploring traditional Christmas carols, Autumn's Child, with Mark Holland on Native American flute, create an uplifting holiday album with a quaint, intimate ambiance. Highly recommended.

  • Greatest Gift an Autumn's Child Christmas
    author: Baqash

    THANK YOU for a needed break from the modernized versions of traditional songs. Mark and Autumn's Child bring freshness to the old songs and introduce new ones while maintaining the spirit of the season. This CD creates for me an active peacefulness. I am calmed yet energized to carry on with the tasks at hand. This is one I will recommend highly to my friends.

  • The BEST!
    author: B.Lee

    It is not that often that I get this excited about music, but this is such a refreshing and needed change on the traditional Chrismas Songs we have all come to love over the years. The band is terrific as a whole and Mark Holland is unmistakably the best on the Native A. flute! This is one cd that is sure to become one of your favorite's that will stay in your player all season long. Thank you guys so much for making such a beautiful Christmas cd for us all to enjoy! B.Lee

  • Christmas Album
    author: Howard Coleman

    A modern slant on some old favourites. The tunes are given new life and a fresh sparkle with Mark's magical touch and his expressiveness on the Native American Flute. Sensitive arrangements played with other great musicians make this a superb musical Christmas gift which can't fail to please.

  • GREATEST GIFT
    author: Daryl

    My wife was so enthusiastic over this Christmas music that she found online, so I had to check it out. I was taken back by the talent and emotion that was put into their music. Mark Holland is phenomenol on the Native American flute and has a remarkable twist to the traditional Christmas songs we all know. We have purchased it and will enjoy it very much through the holiday season. Great job!!!

  • Greatest Gift (an Autumns Child Christmas)
    author: bridget grassick

    This new Christmas CD by Autumn's Child (featuring Mark Holland) was a instant hit for me! From the first time I listened to it I knew that it would be my Favorite of all my Christmas music. I have never seen a group put more heart and soul into their music than these guys. Mark Holland is so awsome on the Native American flute that he has inspired me to order a flute for myself. Trust me, this is a "Must Have" to add to your collection. Do yourself a favor and listen to a couple of the songs from this CD. You will not be disappointed! Bridget G.

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