Winter Wind is a beautiful journey through the history of Christmas music spanning the globe from the 13th century to the present. The bright and festive sounds of the acoustic guitar, hammered and mountain dulcimer, marimbula, flute, and penny whistle combine in folk inspired arrangements, with dance-like qualities and a celebratory air throughout. Brian Baker’s guitar work shines with gorgeous solos in “What Child is This,” The Wassail Song,” and Baloo Lammy.” The sweet, clear dulcimers and the dulcet tones of the flute and penny whistle offer an gentle touch to these winter songs. The care that went into the execution and arrangement of the music is also apparent in the packaging, with a lovely tranquil painting by Eileen George gracing the cover, and through liner notes sharing a brief history of each song. The repertoire is mostly familiar songs of the season, with a few that are less well known, such as “Up on the Housetop,” a 19th century American tune, and “There Comes a Galley, Laden” from 14th century Germany. The delightful musical surprises that leap out of well-worn songs help keep this CD from adding to the glut of overplayed mall music. The touch of a major mode in “What Child is This” adds a distinctly Renaissance lift to the end of the tune. “Jingle Bells” springs out of the traditional Scottish song “Mari’s Wedding” with upbeat syncopated rhythms. Brian Baker, Kris Chase, and John Keys, the talented musicians that are Beltaine, hail from Portland, and perform in concerts and at festivals throughout the Northwest. Winter Wind, their third CD, is a wonderful way to add brightness and warmth to the Holiday Season.

I have been listening to Beltaine's CD "Winter Wind" and just want to tell you it is absolutely wonderful. Such glorious music, it lightens my heart.

Their latest album is Winter Wind and it is not just another "Celtic Theme Christmas" disc of which there are many. The CD contains 17 instrumentals relating the history of Christmas music from the 13th century to now with very few of the usual seasonal songs found on so many other holiday recordings. A sprightly version of "I Saw Three Ships" opens the record and it keeps moving well from there. After a puzzlingly short version of "The Holy and the Ivy" as the second track, a fine assortment of tunes and thoughtful performances by the trio picks up full steam after that. A highlight of the disc is "The Dancing Bear", not a holiday tune per se, but a glorious musical romp nonetheless. The playing on the disc is together and articulate. The gorgeous cover painting is by another notable Northwest dulciemr player, Eileen George.